Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-06-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash notes Cyprus´ geopolitical importance for Turkey.

[02] Eroglu announces $20-million loan agreement with Turkey.

[03] Turkish government program on Cyprus issue, Greece.

[04] Italy urged not to sell missiles to Cyprus.

[05] Turkish, German leaders exchange `secret´ letters.

[06] Ertugruloglu on positive results of `determined´ policy.

[07] Akinci favours dialogue, negotiations.

[08] ``Susurluk file'' author on money laundering in the occupied area.

[09] Turkish-Bulgarian family evicted.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash notes Cyprus´ geopolitical importance for Turkey

Addressing the high school students, Denktash recalled that ``Turkey sent its children to Cyprus to prevent it from becoming a Greek Cypriot island.'' Denktash remarked that in addition to the Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus also has geopolitical importance for Turkey. He alleged that ``Cyprus is the only demilitarized island around Turkey'' and that Turkey views Cyprus as a great national cause.

[02] Eroglu announces $20-million loan agreement with Turkey

According to a statement issue by Dervis Eroglu, the agreement envisages the transfer of $20 million, which is the fourth and final slice of the $230-million loan earmarked for a structural change and economic leap program, to the pseudostate. Part of this money will be used for the structural change program and another part to finance projects submitted to the Development Bank - that is, for development projects in the occupied area.

[03] Turkish government program on Cyprus issue, Greece

The program contains the following expressions about foreign policy:

``Constructive good will gestures will continue for the resolution of our problems with Greece, chiefly those related to the Aegean, through dialogue. We expect our neighbour Greece to take a clear stance in the battle against terrorism, chiefly and including the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), and not to overshadow our relations with the EU.

``The `confederation´ proposal of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the most realistic course for a mutually agreeable settlement on the island and is supported by our government.

``Efforts will be made to realize Turkey´s goal of full membership in the EU with equal rights and status as other members. Turkey will continue to look out scrupulously for its national rights and interests even as it takes its place in the integration process in Europe.

``Active measures will be taken to overcome the drawbacks that have emerged in the implementation of the Customs Union''.

The program says that an active and persistent policy will be pursued with regard to economic, social, cultural, and political cooperation with Turkic republics. The program also contains a statement about the development of multilateral relations with the People´s Republic of China. The program adds that Iraq´s territorial integrity is of vital importance to Turkey.

[04] Italy urged not to sell missiles to Cyprus

Issuing a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry recalled that the Greek Cypriot press issued news saying that the final agreement about the selling of the Aspide missile system will be signed in the following days and that the missiles will be brought on the island in August.

The statement stressed that the news saying that the Aspide missiles will be brought to the Greek Cypriot side puts forward the armament activities of the Greeks and Greek Cypriots within the framework of joint military doctrine.

The statement claimed that ``the mentality behind these activities put forward the threat and danger which are caused by the Greeks and Greek Cypriots over the peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.''

The statement further claimed that ``the hostile policies of Greeks and Greek Cypriots against Turkey negatively affect the regional security and stability'' and that Italy undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country.

The statement said, ``our opinion about this issue are explained to the friend and ally countries. Within this context, Italy, where the Aspide missiles are produced, undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country. Italy has a responsibility of not selling weapons to the Greek Cypriot side arising from the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the documents of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) about the weapons transfer. We expect that Italy will fulfil her international commitments.''

[05] Turkish, German leaders exchange `secret´ letters

HURRIYET obtained the ``secret'' letter Prime Minister Ecevit sent to German Chancellor Shroeder on the eve of the Koln summit, where Germany will turn over the term presidency of the EU (to Finland), and Schroeder´s letter of reply.

Ecevit states in his letter that his government will implement democratic and social reforms, including those related to Turkey´s Southeast, and expresses the hope that a decision on Turkey´s membership in the EU will emerge from the Koln summit. The German Chancellor, in his reply, pledges to build closer ties between Turkey and the EU.

Below are the principal points of Ecevit´s letter, according to HURRIYET.

Ecevit starts his letter dated 26 May 1999 by referring to Germany´s efforts to revitalize relations between Turkey and the EU.

Stating that ``Turkey has always been aware of membership conditions and the Copenhagen criteria'', Ecevit says that, like other candidates for EU membership, Turkey is obligated to satisfy those conditions prior to starting full membership talks.

Stating that ``we are determined to realize these reforms,'' Ecevit says that this reform process can proceed forward only if Turkey candidacy status is clearly recognized.

Ecevit requests that the Koln summit not only produce ``candidacy'' for Turkey but also a ``road map'' that can be used during the term presidency of Finland. He underscores that this can lead to a new beginning in the relations between Turkey and the EU.

Stating that Turkey will never accept the EU´s ``discriminatory posture'', Ecevit says:

``As I have officially declared, because terrorism has been defeated in Turkey, we will step up our efforts to realize democratic and social reforms, including those related to Southeast Anatolia. We have already started an investment drive in the Southeast. A new beginning between the EU and Turkey can make investments in this region more attractive.''

Ecevit says in his letter that, if Turkey is not given a clear perspective on full membership, it will still be open to EU assessments on whether it has satisfied membership criteria. In addition to making commitments on behalf of Turkey, Ecevit also puts forward a condition. When read carefully, it is seen that this condition is ``indispensable'' for overcoming the bottleneck in Turkey´s relations with the EU. Ecevit says: ``It seems to me that the renormalization of relations between Turkey and the EU is possible if the EU takes the steps I outlined above.''

Schroeder´s reply begins by enumerating the points he considers important in Ecevit´s letter: Turkey is prepared to satisfy the membership conditions. For that purpose it has asked the EU for a road map. Turkey and the EU must work on this issue in a spirit of mutual trust.

Turkey´s quest to settle the problems in Southeast Anatolia is very important.

Turkey may feel that it is being excluded when full membership talks with (current EU) candidates start six months after the Helsinki summit.

``Your statement that Turkey is prepared to relax strains with Greece is very significant. I am hopeful that this approach will also have a positive effect on the disputes over Cyprus and the Aegean,'' Schroeder´s letter says.

After these remarks Schroeder expresses the hope that the Koln summit will meet his expectations.

[06] Ertugruloglu on positive results of `determined` policy

Ertugruloglu recounted that the Turkish policy of Cyprus was based on a new foundation following the decision adopted in Luxembourg in December 1997, ad this policy is being closely followed by third world countries.

Ertugruloglu said that third world countries will formulate their own Cyprus policies in line with assessments they will conduct with regard to this policy; therefore, it is essential to continue displaying determination.

In reply to a question on how this foreign policy is being viewed in the international arena, he claimed that the Turkish side is receiving very positive messages, adding that determination is vital if these messages are to emerge in a concrete manner.

Asked to comment on recent intercommunal contacts, he said that he respects all views in this connection, but ``the state'' must be sensitive in this regard. Alleging that the contacts between the two communities run counter to the foreign policy thesis that was formulated in the wake of 1997 and that is currently being pursued, Ertugruloglu noted that these contacts are reminiscent of a one-state and two-communities concept; therefore, he is opposed to them.

[07] Akinci favours dialogue, negotiations

``KIBRIS: Developments are expected in the Cyprus problem following the general elections and the establishment of a new government in Turkey. You, as a party that defends peace and federation, are in the government. Are there, as far as you are concerned, any hopeful developments?

AKINCI: There were no hopeful developments after the 1997 Luxembourg decisions on Cyprus by the EU. For the last two years developments were negative. These negative developments cannot be restricted to the EU decision alone. The S-300 missiles issue should be added to them as well. To this the PKK issue was added. Naturally all these elements have negatively effected the Cyprus problem. It is an illusion to expect the solution of the Cyprus problem at a time when Greco-Turkish relations are deteriorating. The Cyprus problem will not score progress at a time when Turkish-EU relations are deteriorating because the more Turkish-EU relations deteriorate, the more Greek-Turkish relations deteriorate. And one directly feels the negative repercussions of this deterioration in Cyprus. So unfortunately for the last two years there have been no positive developments. At the first opportune moment we will have a joint meeting with the new government in Turkey once it receives a vote of confidence.

(Paragraph omitted)

In a solution of the Cyprus problem, be it named federation or confederation, the entity envisaged by the 31 August 1998 proposals will have its place under the umbrella of an international identity. That is, it is not a proposal that demands that two separate states should be represented in the EU. The 31 August 1998 proposals is not a stance that demands that two separate independent states become UN members. So, from this point of view, it will be beneficial if Greece, South Cyprus and the world make a healthy reassessment of the 31 August 1998 proposals.

KIBRIS : Mr. Akinci, will the two leaders sit around the negotiations table?

AKINCI: Sooner or later they will. I do not know the date. Clerides conveys the message that they will meet in September. I do not know on what basis he can say this. I have nothing concrete in my hands yet.

(paragraph omitted)

Of course, I am in favour of dialogue in Cyprus. I am for negotiations. And it is useful to say this openly. However, it is very important to prepare the infrastructure. Are we to have yet another unsuccessful meeting? One has to think about this as well.

However, if there is a problem, negotiations is the path to settle it. Without negotiations it is not possible to reach anywhere. For this reason, one way or other, the sides will sit around the negotiation table to try and solve their problems.

There is no other way out''.

(MY)

[08] ``Susurluk file'' author on money laundering in the occupied area

He said that one way for money laundering is through off-shore banks.

Saglar said that during his investigations he got important information about the First Merchant Bank, and he conveyed this information to officials.

He said that some of the owners of the Merchant Bank wanted to establish off-shore Banks in Syria in order to launder PKK´s money.

Saglar added that Turkey´s most important problem is black money and money laundering. He said: ``Today the economy is tied up to black money. The unregistered money in the economy has reached 420 billion US dollars''. (MY)

[09] Turkish-Bulgarian family evicted

AVRUPA says that Ayse Solakoglu was forced to sleep in the open air.

The paper says that the ``Association of Bulgarian Refugees'' did not offer a helping hand.

(MY)

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article