Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-12-01

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 221/98 -- 1/12/98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DEMIREL ON OCALAN ISSUE, GOVERNMENT CRISIS

[02] NEW DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

[03] DENKTASH ON CYPRUS’ IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DEMIREL ON OCALAN ISSUE, GOVERNMENT CRISIS

In reply to a question on the Ocalan issue being taken up on the international platform, Demirel inter alia said: ``The scenarios being played out on the European stage are nothing new. In other words, the European support for this issue has existed all along. It is just that it is coming out in the open only now. In other words, Italy and Germany are deluding themselves when they refuse to acknowledge that this is an issue of terrorism and not on of freedom''.

And he went on: ``Turkey has displayed a very strong reaction against Ocalan’s release in Italy. The Turkish people have also displayed great sensitivity on this issue. To tell you the truth, the Italian Government has adopted a very regrettable stand. The Italian Government has adopted a very distressing stand, and the Turkish people, in turn, were greatly distressed, hurt, and insulted by the Italian Government’s stand. This should not have happened''.

And added: ``Is there any doubt that the incidents in Turkey are not terrorist activities? No. I have posed the same question in Europe. I posed this same question to the Austrians and their prime minister. I asked them whether they have any doubts in this regard. The said: No, but. What is the but? Here is an important issue. Western countries, mainly Europe, become an accomplice in these murders when they say that they cannot go against this movement, even though it is not totally innocent and even though it is wrong to murder people without any reason, because the Kurdish- origin people in Turkey are oppressed and this movement seeks to free them. This, then, is the situation: We are told they are against terrorism but that there are obstacles. This is tantamount to saying that it is natural for terrorism to continue until these obstacles are lifted. This means that they do not really reject terrorism. This means that when it comes to Turkey, they are giving shelter to terrorism, which they have condemned in all their international agreements and UN resolutions. This is what happened to Turkey''.

To a question what are the next steps, Demirel inter alia said: ``There are reports that a special tribunal will be set up. A special tribunal cannot be set up, because it is against international law. We, for our part, claim that this person has committed murders in Turkey. Therefore, we say, he should stand trial in the place where he committed murders. I believe Turkey is extremely right. It should definitely prove to the West that it is right, and I do not have the slightest doubt of this. Regardless of the insensitivity we meet in the West, the crux is that these are their documents. These are international documents. We have also signed these documents. Turkey will not let go of such a cause in which it is so justified''.

In reply to another question on how will the new government in Turkey be set up, Demirel replied: ``I am trying to say that the government issue is very important, but Turkey is not indexed to the government issue alone. This is why I repeatedly say to my people that it would have been better if the government had not been toppled, but everything is on course and there is nothing unusual. Everything is being done in line with procedures, and a new government will be set up in line with procedures as well.

Now I come to the point: What will happen now? The Constitution tells the president to designate a prime minister who will form the government. I, who has already approved of five-six governments and has set up seven governments, am in favour of a government that emerges from within parliament. Any government, except an election government, has to receive a vote of confidence from the parliament. I repeat: It is the right of the TGNA to set up a government from within itself. In addition, the new government will have more legitimacy if it receives a vote of confidence from the TGNA. In other words, the extent of the legitimacy of governments and their powers of execution depend on the vote of confidence, because the vote of confidence is given by the representatives of the national will.

As a person involved in these affairs for many years, I believe that the legitimacy of government is more important than a government’s assuming office in order to carry out this or that work. As this is our line of thought, the TGNA should produce a government from within itself.''. And he continued:

``The government resigned on 25 November when the prime minister handed me his resignation. Only four days – 73 hours – have elapsed since then. It is almost impossible to set up a government that will receive a vote of confidence from such a fragmentary parliament. What will happen then?

I say that the TGNA should set up a government from within itself; however, it is unable to do so. I can only launch the necessary initiatives in a bid to set up a government. The government that will be set up will anyway lead the country to elections; therefore, the political parties will have to be in contact with each other. This has always been the case. A government will emerge from within this tumult. I have to say also that the TGNA, since its establishment, has always displayed great unity when faced with grave issues. In other words, there may be diverse opinions on various issues and political parties may make inappropriate remarks; however, the political parties were always united on big issues. Unity was displayed with regard to the Cyprus issue as well.''

And he concluded: ``The new government should first tackle issues such as fighting terrorism, reactionism, and the Mafia. Investments should continue. The efforts under way on education and health issues should be pursued. In other words, the state should proceed with its work where it left off. There are three more issues.

One of them is the services made available in southeast Anatolia. More services are being made available in southeast Anatolia as terrorism is being eradicated. The 55th government achieved great success in making these services available. The new government should keep the promises made to Cyprus. In addition, the Cyprus issue should be followed very carefully. Turkey is faced with the S 300 missiles issue. There is also the issue of Turkey’s membership in the EU. In the latest EU report of 4 November, Turkey was placed among the 12 candidate countries for the EU. The highlight of our visit to Austria was to call on this country to officially have Turkey assume its place among the candidate countries. Turkey is also faced with this issue. There is also the Baku-Ceyhan issue, the oil pipelines underneath the Caspian Sea, and the natural gas pipelines. I visited Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, and I signed agreements there. Agreements were signed with the Caucasus and the Central Asia countries on 29 October with regard to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. There are important projects under way concerning the role Turkey will assume with regard to natural gas and oil. These are all the important issues the new government will have to face.''

[02] NEW DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

The Dogan Medya Group is the publisher of the HURRIYET daily in Turkey.

Huseyin Alkan is to be Editor-in-chief of ``HURRIYET KIBRIS''.

HURRIYET KIBRIS will be published as of today.

[03] DENKTASH ON CYPRUS’ IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY

During the meeting Denktash briefed the visitors about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and answered questions.

He recalled that the aim of organising the seminars in the occupied area is to convey to the whole world the message about ``Motherland Turkey’s support as well as the Association’s effort to contribute in strengthening the occupied area’s economy''.

Expressing the idea that during these visits the officials from Turkey are able to see the good sides of the Turkish Cypriots as well as the reaction of the small minority against the ``National Struggle'', Denktash said that 3-5 people could raise an outcry. ``This was the case also during Turkey’s War of Independence'', Denktash claimed. ``Do not misjudge us by considering these cry-babies'', he said.

Claiming that 97% of the Turkish Cypriots are attached to their motherland and proud of being a Turk, Denktash stressed that the struggle being waged by the Turkish Cypriots is identical to that of the war of liberation waged by Turkey.

Denktash went on and said: ``Had it not been for the motherland who came and saved us, as Ataturk saved Turkey, there would have not been any Turks here. The motherland did not come to Cyprus just to save 200.000 Turkish Cypriots. Had this been the objective, she would have opened her ‹doors› and would have told us ‹come in›. Since she did not say this and since 1940 she has been telling us ‹live in Cyprus and get strong there›, from Turkey’s point of view, Cyprus has other meanings''.

Noting that Ataturk, Ismet Inonu and Fahri Koruturk have stressed Cypru’s importance for Turkey and that if Cyprus were to be in the enemy’s hands Turkey would no longer be a littoral country, Denktash said that Turkey is forced to maintain the balance with Greece.

Pointing out that the importance of Turkey’s southern areas is increasing every passing day and that the occupied area is very important for the safety of these areas, Denktash said Cyprus will either be a defensive castle for Turkey or it will be turned into an attack base. ``Thus the Turkish Cypriots are struggling not only for their freedom but are executing a national duty for the Motherland.'' Denktash claimed that the 1960 Treaties put an end to this debate. However, he added, the Greek - Greek Cypriot duo continue to do away with this reality for the last 35 years.

Denktash said that by organising seminars and inviting scientists from all over the world the Turkish Cypriots’ voice started being heard. He said that using the Turkish Foreign Ministry channels they have started entering places that was not possible to enter before. Stressing that it is a long term struggle to turn the ``TRNC'' a more beautiful, more prosperous place and to strengthen the bridges between the occupied area and Anatolia, Denktash recalled Demirel’s statement that ``as regards support, the Turkish Cypriots should feel like the people living in the Republic of Turkey''.

KIBRIS says that during the meeting Denktash answered questions put to him regarding his confederation proposal and the S-300 missiles. Denktash said that regarding S-300 issue President Clerides discussed the issue with Greek Prime Minister Simitis and that there is difference of opinion between the two sides.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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