Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-08-02

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit admits occupation of Cyprus.

[02] Demirel says he did not discuss Cyprus with Clinton.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] AVRUPA: ``Cyprus is for Cypriots, not for Ecevit and Greece''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit admits occupation of Cyprus

Inter alia, Demirel said that although the pseudostate is not recognized diplomatically, the diplomas of its six universities are recognized throughout the world. ``In other words, the Turkish Cypriots are trying to overcome the effects of the economic embargo through science and education. That is a very good idea. It shows that the Turkish Cypriots are leading in this age of science and knowledge,'' he said.

Asked whether Turkey will support Cyprus´ membership in the EU if Greece lifts all its vetoes against Turkey, Demirel replied: ``Turkey will absolutely not negotiate over the TRNC or the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey is a major guarantee for the TRNC but the TRNC is also a guarantee for Turkey. Even a person who is unfamiliar with military strategy, if he looks at the map, will easily see the great importance of Cyprus, especially north cyprus, for Turkey´s security. Lately, this importance grew even more, because as you know Greece established two bases in south Cyprus, a military base and an air base.

In addition, the Greek Cypriot Administration increased its armament efforts to a great extent. Not only northern Cyprus but Turkey, particularly the shores of southern Turkey, fall within the range of these weapons and bases. Actually, Turkey´s existence in Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean is very important for the world. As you know, the security of eastern Mediterranean will become even more important once the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline is completed. I do not think that the Greek Cypriots are able to provide this security. I believe only Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots can provide this security. This is why it was very inconsiderate of the G-8 countries to get involved in the Cyprus issue, not only unjust but very inconsiderate and a mistake in terms of world peace and security. First, none of the G-8 countries have a right to meddle in the Cyprus issue, except Britain, which is a guarantor state. The impact of the United States, on the other hand, should not be disregarded because it is the only super power in the world. Moreover, the United States is one of the countries that knows best the geopolitical importance of Turkey after the bipolar structure of the world came to an end.''

In reply to a question on his upcoming visit to Washington, Demirel said:

``As you know, US President Clinton called us after we assumed power. I was invited to Washington. I think that this visit will be held toward the end of September. We attach great importance to our relations with the United States. I sent a message to Washington immediately after it became clear that I will conduct this visit. I expressed, in my message, the hope that the US Administration will not commit itself on the Cyprus issue, because Turkey will not make not even one concession on Cyprus. I thought it only fair to say this from the beginning. As you probably know, US Secretary of Defense Cohen was in Turkey a couple of days ago. He was in Athens the day before he arrived in Turkey. In a statement Cohen issued in Athens, he said that it is out of the question for the United States to put the pressure on the Turkish side with regard to the Cyprus issue. He made these remarks in Athens, and repeated them to me when he came to Turkey. In other words, I believe and hope that the United States will adopt a realistic and understanding approach on this issue.''

Asked if he has any signs that the confederation formula will be accepted, Demirel said:

``I am under the impression that the number of those who realize that confederation is inevitable is increasing in the world even if they do not use this precise term. I hope that I am not mistaken in this regard. Moreover, what is important is to accept that there are two separate states in northern Cyprus''.

And he added: ``Actually, there is no problem in Cyprus for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. The Cyprus issue is resolved in terms of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots because there has been continual peace, development, democracy, and freedom in Cyprus for the past 25 years. Everybody who knows the importance Turkey attaches to independence and security knows very well that Turkey cannot take a step back from this situation. Everybody knows that not only the Turkish Cypriots but Turkey also will not take a step back. The already under way integration process between Turkey and the TRNC will accelerate if no agreement is reached on confederation.''

To a comment that ``then we will have an enosis like the Greeks'', Demirel replied: ``It is anyhow impossible for us to come to terms with the Greek Cypriot Administration´s accession to the EU, particularly when it believes that it represents the whole of the island. The Turkish Cypriots will be completely separated from Turkey in the event that the Greek Cypriots are accepted into the EU under a federal solution and, in this way, come under the control of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration. Both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will never tolerate this. Such a development can pave the way to a tragedy, genocide, and ethnic cleansing worse than those in Kosovo and Bosnia. For this reason, federation has become completely unacceptable for the Turkish side after the EU opened its doors wide to southern Cyprus, even forcing it to accept EU membership, and closed its doors tight to Turkey.

Confederation constitutes the minimum condition. If confederation is not secured, then integration comes next.''

He went on to add that Turkey would have extended the 1974 invasion for another 2-3 days if it had an intention to occupy southern Cyprus. ``There is no reason why Turkey, which did not attempt to occupy southern Cyprus then, should undertake such an initiative today. This is illogical and unreasonable'', he said.

[02] Demirel says he did not discuss Cyprus with Clinton

Responding to a question about the content of his meeting with US President Bill Clinton, Demirel said Clinton and he sat next to each other at the summit and he conveyed his opinions about the summit to the US. President.

When asked whether they discussed the Cyprus issue, Demirel said, ``no, we did not discuss Cyprus''.

Recalling that he expressed at his meeting with Clinton in the US that there are valuable relations between Turkey and the US Demirel said, ``I told him that it would be wrong to add an issue like Cyprus which couldn´t be solved politically for 25 years, into these valuable relations. Cyprus should not be a part of the relations between Turkey and the US and Europe''.

[03] Akinci proposes to print money in occupied area

Pointing out that the fiscal policy is important in terms of the economy and politics, Akinci noted: ``The necessary measures should be adopted to print money in the TRNC. (Indistinct sentence) We are in the economy engine but the steering wheel is not in our hands''. Akinci added that whenever there is a development in Turkey, the money in their pockets is worth less and they are unable to intervene. Akinci said that the ``Central Bank'' should be rendered autonomous and immune to political intervention. He also proposed that the ``TRNC'' print its own money.

In reply to another question, Akinci said that at the moment there is no alternative to the National Unity Party-Communal Liberation Party ``coalition'', which has been in power for seven months.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] AVRUPA: ``Cyprus is for Cypriots, not for Ecevit and Greece''

The article says: ``Bulent Ecevit: `If Turkey had the intention of occupying the whole of Cyprus, she could have done so by extending for another 2-3 days the 1974 peace operation. Why should Turkey attempt to occupy the south section today when she did not do so at that time?´

Was there south or north Cyprus at that time, esteemed Ecevit? Don´t you think that you are harming Turkey by admitting that you have occupied half of Cyprus but not the whole? As a matter of fact, Turkey, using the right stipulated in the guarantee agreements, landed in Cyprus to reestablish the independent Republic of Cyprus. Why are you afraid of pronouncing the name of the independent Republic of Cyprus?

When with the 20 July operation Cyprus was partitioned into two, the south remained in the hands of the Greek Cypriots and Greece.

And now Ecevit comes and complains that the southern shores of Turkey are within the range of Greek Cypriots and Greece.

On this issue, he is both complaining and at the same time working together with Denktash Bey to secure Greece´s permanent settlement in the south by integrating the north with Turkey. And Ecevit said: `From Turkey´s and the Turkish Cypriots´ point of view there is no problem in Cyprus; the solution has been realized.´ No. Wrong, Mr. Ecevit, this is wrong. The existing problem in Cyprus was Turkey´s and Cyprus´ headache yesterday, still is today and will be tomorrow as well.

For this reason your allegation on this issue is not valid. We are for a lasting settlement and want to get back our usurped rights in the Republic of Cyprus by the Greek Cypriots. For this reason, whatever name it takes we are against all sorts of annexation. Cyprus belongs to Cypriots: and not to you nor Greece.'' (MY)

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

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