Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-06-14

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

No. 101/99 -- 12-13-14

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit on Cyprus.

[02] Turkey´s Cem on Cyprus.

[03] Gurel comments on embargo prior to departure for Cyprus.

[04] Gurel on Cyprus.

[05] Eroglu rejects G-8 intervention, asserts ``two states''.

[06] Denktash comments on Cyprus talks.

[07] Denktash rejects comparison between Cyprus, Kosovo.

[08] Gurel rejects western advice to talk `no matter what´.

[09] Denktash meets Gurel, notes defense line with Turkey.

[10] Akinci re-elected CLP chairman.

[11] Turkish warships in the occupied ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia.

[12] Gurel lauds Turkish Cypriot move to overcome isolation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit on Cyprus

Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of State; Tunca Toskay, the Minister of State; the Undersecretary of the DTM, and some high-level officials, were also in attendance at the meeting at the Prime Ministry building.

Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit inter alia referred to the Cyprus problem and said there are two communities on the island.

Claiming that before the 1974 Turkish invasion there were attacks against the Turkish community similar to those in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, Ecevit further claimed that there has not been a problem which stemmed from the Turkish side following the separation of the island into two communities.

Ecevit stated that the Cyprus issue can be solved by mutual consensus and ``by being respectful to the rights of the Turkish Cypriots''.

[02] Turkey´s Cem on Cyprus

Cem, who attended the Balkan conference in Cologne, made a statement to the Turkish press. He commented on the Balkans, the Kosovo issue, Turkish-EU relations, Turkish-Greek relations, the Cyprus problem, and the Western European Union.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Cem said that ``Turkey supports the confederation proposal, which would be a realistic solution for Cyprus'', and it has been influential with certain countries in this regard. Moreover, Cem stated, ``we are developing policies based on the togetherness between the TRNC and Turkey in direct proportion to the development of an EU-linked unjust approach devoid of agreements''.

[03] Gurel comments on embargo prior to departure for Cyprus

Prior to his departure from the Esenboga Airport, Gurel claimed that ``the TRNC is exposed to an unrelenting embargo.''

Stressing that the pseudostate is exposed to embargo in international affairs by not only the Greek Cypriot side but also other states which do not give up accepting the Greek Cypriot side and the Cyprus Government as if they were the only government and representative of Cyprus, Gurel said that thus the relations of the ``TRNC'' with the world were decreased to minimum level.

Alleging that changing of this situation will enable the pseudostate to gain its place in international area ``with the identity it deserves'', Gurel said, ``but if a final point which satisfied everybody, is sought to be found on Cyprus, then this should be realized because both the Greek Cypriot side and the European Union (EU) are imposing embargo on the TRNC. The decision of the EU Council of Justice about the issue are still valid. Thus, it is very difficult to bring the issue into an overall solution with a political dimension that can be accepted by everybody. The TRNC continues her way although she is excluded from the world, but as the Republic of Turkey, we have tried to remove this loneliness as far as we could since we consider the TRNC as she is of same origin, culture, and language, and we will continue do so.''

[04] Gurel on Cyprus

To a question on the purpose of his visit to Cyprus, Gurel replied: ``The purpose of my visit is to inaugurate the international fair that will open there today. Naturally, I will also find the opportunity to meet with the honourable president, the honourable prime minister, and the other officials. They will receive me. Therefore, we will find the opportunity to assess the current stage of the Cyprus issue. I would also like to immediately state that one of our journalist friends asked Denktash a question. He sought Denktash´s opinion on the three maps prepared by various people. Denktash replied: Nothing will change even if there are 33 maps. By now everyone should have realized that nothing can be achieved on the Cyprus issue through outside interference. If there are those who have still not grasped this reality, they will in the future because the Cyprus problem is, above all, an issue that concerns the security of the Turkish Cypriots. If a new order that will guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriots can be established and if this order will be acceptable to all then naturally the Turkish Cypriots will be the first to want such an order. For the time being, however, we see no such possibility in the horizon. If the current pressure and embargoes are to be renounced and if the international identity of the Turkish Cypriots is to be accepted then the Turkish Cypriots and we shall be the first to accept such an arrangement. We can see nothing of the sort in the horizon for the time being. Naturally, efforts on the Cyprus issue will continue in the international arena. The Turkish Cypriot people and we shall assess the developments and the representatives will make the necessary decisions.''

To a question whether the pressure on Turkey over Cyprus is being intensified, Gurel replied claiming:

``For a person not to feel this pressure he should realize the difference between the Cyprus issue and other conflicts. We have grasped this difference. In other words, the Cyprus issue does not currently involve a hot clash. Many aspects of the Cyprus issue have been solved. Efforts exerted in the international arena to achieve certain goals in Bosnia have already been attained in Cyprus. Efforts are being exerted in Bosnia to achieve a separation and at the same time a coexistence among the various ethnic groups in there. This goal has already been attained in Cyprus. If we are talking about efforts to rescue a people from genocide, as was the case in Bosnia, this effort was already exerted by Turkey on behalf of the international community.''

He further claimed: ``We have been witnessing attempts to isolate the Turkish Cypriots from the rest of the world. A relentless embargo has been imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. Those should be lifted. If there are two national identities, then these should be recognized. Only after that recognition can a final arrangement be made. The similarities between the Cyprus issue and the other conflicts are behind us now.''

In reply to a question on Cyprus´ EU accession, he said: ``The membership of south Cyprus, or the south Cyprus administration that is claimed to represent the entire island, in the EU will be the last step in the Cyprus question, a step that is not desired by many. Then there will be no obstacle to further advance relations between Turkey and the TRNC. They will probably not take any further steps on the issue because they are aware of the consequences. As you know, Turkey´s long term relations with the EU are very important. I was the minister responsible for EU affairs during the 55th government. The strategy we adopted at the time will, I hope, be implemented by the current government. This strategy, actually, places our relations with the EU on a realistic foundation. We have observed that if we concentrate on an issue that is dependent on various conditions such as full membership and cast aside other issues, then we will have neglected the framework of our existing relations. In other words, we want to develop our relations with the EU regardless of the full membership issue. The path to achieve this is the partnership agreement we signed in 1963. We also have the Customs Union agreement. We should first regulate these issues. There are certain fundamental obligations which the EU has failed to fulfill within the framework of those existing relations.''

[05] Eroglu rejects G-8 intervention, asserts ``two states''

Responding to questions of journalists, Eroglu stated that some events take place in the ``borders'' from time to time and the so-called Turkish peace force has to stay on the island for a further period of time. Eroglu claimed that ``it is generally the Greek Cypriots who cause such incidents in borders''.

``It is known for years that the Greek Cypriot side launches efforts to bring the Cyprus question to the agenda of the international platform. We defend the view that a solution based on two states can be valid on Cyprus. As long as the reality of the TRNC is not accepted, we can´t sit around a negotiation table by the call of the G-8 countries or the UN Secretary General. We are resolved into this issue'', he said and further claimed:

``The equality of status on Cyprus has to be realized. If there is a state in the south, there is also a state in the north. The realities can´t be turned upside down.''

[06] Denktash comments on Cyprus talks

Asked to open the interview with a general review of the Cyprus problem, Rauf Denktash claims: ``Clerides is issuing statement after statement asserting that he would meet Denktash in New York in September. What could he possibly talk about in such a meeting? Has he left anything on the table to discuss? Everything that was on the table he threw out the window at Glion in the name of the Cyprus Republic and made it conspicuously clear that they were using the intercommunal talks simply to enhance their image as the Cypriot Government.

In response, we told him that, henceforth, we could only talk on an interstate basis and only discuss confederation. For now, there is nothing on the table apart from the confederation proposal.''

And he adds: ``What would they achieve or talk about by inviting us to New York? There is nothing to discuss on the table. We are saying, let Madame Hercus come and go between us as she used to do in the past so we can see what she will eventually bring to the table from Clerides. On our part, we have put the confederation on the table. And, confederation means coming to an agreement between two states. This is all that we can do, that we are authorized to do, and this is what is stressed in our agreement with Turkey''.

Commenting on the new Turkish Government program´s clear reference to a confederation, Denktash says he is very pleased with that, ``because I now know what to defend and how''.

Commenting on the G-8 involvement, Denktash says: ``Now, this G-8 has cropped up. What will it do? Everybody is telling us that the only thing the G-8 can do is to tell the UN Secretary General: We are behind you, we are by your side, push this issue forward, bring these people together, and solve this problem.

Our reply to that is this: You are the very cause of the non-resolution of this issue. Without diagnosing the problem, you imposed the Greek Cypriots, the destroyers of the partnership republic, on us as a state and government. That is what the Greek Cypriots have always wanted. You bestowed them with that status and yet you expect them to give up that status for the sake of an agreement with us. The Greek Cypriots are saying that they will not give up that status. The EU has already made the problem intractable with its interference. Your interference as G-8 would deal the final blow to this problem. This is what we are saying and continue to say.

Some days ago, or today, a newspaper quoted a Greek Cypriot report as saying that Denktash has made a secret territorial concession. It is not correct to get such a report from the Greek Cypriot side - a report that could only demoralize our people - and publish it under banner headlines in an attempt to tarnish Denktash. Before publishing such material, let them come and ask me so that I can give a reply. At least they can publish it with the reply furnished.

As you know, the 29+ formula was a figure that we, together with Turkey, mentioned at the talks when, at the last minute, Kyprianou told us: If you go to around 30 percent, this issue would be over. In mentioning that formula I knew fully well that Kyprianou would never accept it anyway. We told him that he either accepts the entire agreement now or everything would go down the drain. And, in fact, all that has gone down the drain. Now that the entire agreement has gone down the drain, it cannot be that Denktash´s 29+ formula still remains around. Such a thing coming from a Turkish newspaper is inappropriate, for it demoralizes the people.

When could the territorial issue be discussed? It could only be discussed when the Greek Cypriot state recognizes our state. And what aspect of it could be discussed? The borders. As such, it is wrong to tell our people that this or that will be given back''.

Commenting on restrictions on intercommunal contacts, Denktash claims the restrictions were imposed to counter President Clerides´s attempt, following the green light from Europe, to treat the Turkish Cypriots as his citizens, and to prevent the foreigners, especially the EU representatives, from presenting the non-governmental organisations contacts as direct meetings with the Turkish Cypriots on EU membership in open circumvention of the ``government''.

Thus, Denktash says, ``visas'' were imposed to prove the existence of a separate ``state'' in the north. Denktash adds that just when the easing of the restrictions was under consideration there arose the Ocalan incident and Greek Cypriot support for the Serbs. Denktash says he would lift the ``visa'' if President Clerides declares that the Turkish Cypriots are not his citizens and agrees to sign a relevant agreement.

On the missing persons issue, Denktash inter alia claims:

``Now, after so much waiting by the missing persons´ families, the realities are coming into the open. What do they want from us now? They want us to open all the known mass graves. I reply to them: All right, but when the time comes. When will the time come? The time will come when the Greek Cypriots show in advance the number of people killed and buried in the north during the coup. If I start opening graves without first eliminating these people, then the Greek Cypriots would accuse the Turks before the world for killing people whom the Greek Cypriots themselves killed. They have records and memoirs on how many people they buried in mass graves in the north. We are telling them to show these graves to the UN, so that the UN could in turn show them to us. We would then mark the places and then proceed with this issue. They object to this and want the opening (of all the known mass graves).

The International Red Cross regulation says that a missing person cannot be identified as such unless his bones are found. It says that if the circumstances surrounding a missing person are such as to assume that this person is dead - that is, that he has died during a war -and if he has not been found for a long time then that person is considered dead and is deleted from the list of the missing. This is the principle and norm. This is also being proposed to the Greek Cypriots, but they reject that too. They insist that we bring them the bones. But this issue cannot be resolved by bringing the bones. Now that they are identifying the bones, let us see what more would come to the surface.''

On ties with the EU, Denktash says that as long as Greece has veto powers in the Union there cannot be any auspicious development for Cyprus, adding:

``The EU is a sick person because of the presence of Greece there. It cannot have any medicine for our treatment.''

Asked to comment on the Italian desire to sell Aspide missiles to Cyprus and if the Turkish side has reacted to it, Denktash says: ``Naturally, we reacted to it. We discussed this issue several times with the Italian Ambassador. His reply first was that there is no such thing and that such missiles cannot be sold to conflicting countries. Later on, he started to qualify his statement by saying that these missiles are solely defensive, not offensive. But we and Turkey are continuing to make our objections known. What if the missiles arrive? If these missiles come then no one should bother or waste time coming to us and inviting us to the table for talks''.

Commenting on the Greek Cypriots´ desire for an international force in Cyprus and if the Greek Cypriots can achieve such a thing, Denktash replies:

``Impossible. Do not worry. For anything to happen in Cyprus, both sides must give their consent to it.''

[07] Denktash rejects comparison between Cyprus, Kosovo

He added: ``The NATO forces and the decisions adopted envisage the return of the Kosovar refugees to Kosovo. Based on that, they want the same solution to be implemented here as well. In other words, they claim that NATO should come here and bring the Greek Cypriots to the north by force. Close to 2,000 suits have been filed against Turkey with the Human Rights Court. Does this show that they have any intention of reconciliation?''

Denktash continued claiming: ``No one can throw us out of here. No one has that right. The Americans, the British, and the Europeans are not telling the Greek Cypriots that they have agreed to a population exchange and that they have accepted bizonality. There has been talk of a property exchange. No one is telling the Greek Cypriots the following: Why are you now positing a demand to secure the return of all the Greek Cypriot refugees to the north and eliminating the chances of conciliation?.''

[08] Gurel rejects western advice to talk `no matter what´

Gurel arrived with his wife on a three-day so-called official visit.

In a statement at occupied Tymbou airport, ``prime minister'' Eroglu said he is pleased to see Gurel in the ``TRNC'' and in the same post in the new government. He recalled that Gurel worked intensively in previous governments to strengthen the economy of the ``TRNC''. Eroglu said he believes the new Turkish Government will work in harmony and stability and will serve both Turkey and the ``TRNC''.

Gurel said he was pleased to be the minister responsible for Cyprus affairs in the 57th government as well. He said: ``I am happy because we will work together and will do whatever we can to deepen the relations between Turkey and the TRNC. This fair reminds one of the fact that until today, the Turkish Cypriot people have been isolated by the embargoes imposed by circles that completely ignore the basic principles of human rights - mainly the Greek Cypriot Administration and the supporters of its wrong policies. Turkey will always be on the side of the Turkish Cypriot people against this policy of isolation.''

Gurel pointed out that in their recent meeting the developed countries made certain recommendations to bring about so-called progress in Cyprus and that they recommend negotiations no matter what. Gurel stressed that this will be of no use. He claimed: ``To negotiate no matter what is not a solution. What needs to be done is to recognize the equality and sovereignty of the state established by the Turkish Cypriots and to advance toward a final point that will be agreeable to all. The way to do that is certainly not through outside intervention or through making recommendations that are incompatible with the facts.''

Gurel stressed that as Turkish Government spokesman and state minister responsible for Cyprus, he says that ``if any progress is to be made toward the final point that will be agreeable to all, the sides that are directly or indirectly involved in the issue must consider the realities on the island as well as the equality and sovereignty of the two political entities and then make recommendations and lead the way.''

[09] Denktash meets Gurel, notes defense line with Turkey

Gurel said that the alleged efforts of certain countries to isolate the Turkish Cypriots in collaboration with the Greek Cypriots will prove futile.

Denktash claimed that the ``injustice'' is continuing because the world continues to recognize the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus. ``Faced with this'', he said, ``the TRNC drew a defense line together with motherland Turkey, and it is impossible to withdraw from that line''. He added: ``The reason is that as long as the Greek Cypriot Administration continues to claim that it is the government of all of Cyprus, to arm itself, and to claim rights and sovereignty over all of Cyprus, that means it is continuing to attack us. The Greek Cypriots attack and insist that they are the government of Cyprus, on one hand, and deceive the world that they are ready to negotiate without preconditions on the other. The world believes them and calls on us to negotiate without preconditions. This shows that we can do nothing but protect the national (?line) together. We say this clearly to the UN representative and to the diplomats who visit us.''

Denktash recalled that the pseudostate adopted a ``resolution'' under which it is ready to negotiate only as ``two states'' and on the issue of a confederation. Anyway, there is nothing else on the negotiating table, he said.

He claimed that the pseudostate cannot change this policy, which is also supported by Turkey.

[10] Akinci re-elected CLP chairman

Akinci received 516 votes while other candidate Turgut Afsaroglu received 147 votes.

(MY)

[11] Turkish warships in the occupied ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia

NTV said that the four submarines and four surface ships will leave the occupied area on 17 June.

(MY)

[12] Gurel lauds Turkish Cypriot move to overcome isolation

Addressing a statement prior to his departure, Gurel noted that he held contacts with Rauf Denktash, Dervis Eroglu, and other ``officials'' and that they discussed the political and economic issues which concern both the pseudostate and Turkey.

Pointing out that ``TRNC'' is in a giant leap forward in education field, Gurel stated that the initiatives of ``TRNC'' in education field will increase as the international education institutions set up new universities in ``TRNC''.

Gurel stressed that the Middle East Technical University (METU) will set up a campus in ``TRNC'' and will start education with various faculties.

Gurel emphasized that the 57th government ``will be beside the Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to have the deserved place in international arena'' and will continue in the path of the 55th and 56th governments.

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