Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-01-31

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. 20/00 -- 29-30-31

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash interviewed on Cyprus talks.

[02] Denktash leaves for proximity talks.

[03] Denktash: `Confederation Proposal/ solution to Cyprus.

[04] Cem-Albright discuss Cyprus.

[05] Patriotic Unity Movement supports federal solution.

[06] Denktash hopes `to establish direct contact/with EU.

[07] How Talat sees a Cyprus solution.

[08] Turkish Cypriots want lifting of UK visa requirements.

[09] Turkish Cypriot women send letter of peace.

[10] Denktash meets former UK Foreign Secretary.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash interviewed on Cyprus talks

Asked how he has prepared for the talks this time, Denktash inter alia said:

«We worked as a team. We worked with Turkish experts and with foreign experts from Brussels. We prepared to hold talks on every subject. For Cyprus to join the EU, the two states on the island have to reach an agreement. That is essential. Otherwise, Cyprus cannot be represented in the EU as a whole. Many countries in Europe are aware of that.»

He added that he believes it is as yet premature for any proposal package to be opened in Geneva and that this would take place in the third round of the talks.

Asked to comment on reports that say that the proposals will call for concessions, Denktash said:

«No, not concessions. It has been said that talks will be held on the basis of give and take after a certain point is reached. But, recognition must come first. Only then can talks on give and take be held. Otherwise, what can the Greek Cypriots want from the Turkish Cypriots, whom they describe as a minority? If they believe that what we have belongs to them, then they should come and get it if they can».

Asked whether he believes that he has reached the final stage of his struggle, he replied:

«Yes, I believe that we have reached the final stage. However, I cannot say that the problem will end in 3 or 4 months. The Cyprus problem must be solved through talks, not through the use of arms. And, it will be solved in the very near future.»

[02] Denktash leaves for proximity talks

Denktash said that after the proximity talks he will go to Germany on 11 February and to Ankara on 14 February where he will deliver a comprehensive lecture on the Cyprus problem at the Ground Forces Academy. He added that he will address a meeting of the Rotary Club in Ankara on 15 February and return to the pseudostate on 15 or 16 February.

Denktash said that he hope that he will return with good news. He added that at 11:30 on Monday, he will hold a private meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and that the secretary general will also meet with President Clerides on the same day. The proximity talks will begin after that, Denktash added.

[03] Denktash: `Confederation Proposal/ solution to Cyprus

Denktash issued a written statement and said a compromise on the island can be permanent in case it is reached «between the two states in question», and in case it preserves the balances between Turkey and Greece.

Pointing out that a base should be prepared between the two sides for an initiative for a permanent compromise, and that an improvement can be provided in the basis of a full equality on Cyprus, Denktash recalled that these views were conveyed to Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General.

«We went to New York with this understand as two equal sides. We wanted the international community to confirm that there was not a joint administration on Cyprus for an improvement. We have stressed the concept that there are two democracies, two peoples, and two sovereign states on Cyprus was a starting point. We have pointed out that the road leading to the solution will be opened by providing equal status and by lifting the unjust embargoes which Turkish Cypriot side had to face», Denktash said.

[04] Cem-Albright discuss Cyprus

Cem and Albright met each other in Davos. The meeting lasted for nearly 40 minutes.

The Cyprus question was also brought to the agenda during the meeting.

Albright requested that the essential issues should also be discussed in the Cyprus proximity talks which will be held in Geneva soon, and that developments regarding this issue should be marked. She had met with Kofi Annan, the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, to discuss this issue before she came to Davos, Albright added.

Cem, on his part, said that the pseudostate will go to Geneva «with some constructive proposals».

«This question can be solved on the principle of the existence of two states on Cyprus», Cem noted.

[05] Patriotic Unity Movement supports federal solution

The letter noted that the YBH supports a bizonal and bicommunal federal solution based on political equality. Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots are the ones most affected in a negative way from the existing status quo, the letter stated that the Turkish Cypriots are faced with the danger of extinction and the economic difficulties are resulting in emigration. The letter remarked that the 1977 and 1979 high-level agreements include the necessary parameters for a federal status.

In a statement to the press after submitting the letter, Izcan said that the YBH is in favour of a bicommunal federal solution in Cyprus and of the island/s joining the EU as one entity. Noting that the United Nations should pursue a constructive attitude with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Izcan said that the YBH will distribute pamphlets on 31 January in order to garner support for the Cyprus negotiation process.

[06] Denktash hopes `to establish direct contact/ with EU

Denktash pointed out that no solution should be expected from the talks in Geneva since the talks will aim to «prepare favourable ground» for future negotiations.

Denktash added that the European Union/s decision to grant candidacy to Turkey also offered some opportunities to Turkish Cypriots, and added that they were carrying out activities to establish contact between the «TRNC» and the EU. Denktash said he hoped to establish direct contact with the EU but gave no further details about the matter.

Denktash said the «TRNC/s» existence was the main topic that he defended at the meetings. «The fact that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan continues the talks, shows that he thinks a result can be obtained from the meetings», he noted.

«As a sign of good will between the two societies, the trade and economic sanctions against Turkish Cypriots should be removed. No proposal that would give minority status to the Turkish Cypriots will be accepted», Denktash stressed.

[07] How Talat sees a Cyprus solution

Asked to comment on their proposals for the solution of the problem, Talat said:

«I am convinced that the call for the establishment of a confederation in Cyprus was an indirect proposal, made for the purpose of gaining time to deal with the international pressure on Turkey. The proposal for the establishment of a federation was made by the Turkish side. It was made even before Turkey/s intervention in 1974. The establishment of a federation was accepted for the first time in the agreements that were concluded in 1977. However, the two sides later drew their own conclusions. We have called for a federal solution to the problem right from the beginning. We have not said that we are opposed to the establishment of a confederation. However, it was a proposal to maintain the no-solution situation. So, it cannot be accepted.

The federation that is required should provide for a bizonal and bicommunal structure, within which none of the sides will be able to claim to have sovereignty over the other. Nor will the central government be able to claim to have sovereignty over any one of the two entities. That is my viewpoint. We believe that that is the structure that should be established first in the effort that is made to find a durable solution to the problem. Security is the most important factor for the Turkish Cypriots. So, Turkey/s guarantee must be maintained. Nevertheless, the Greek Cypriot demands also have to be considered. They cannot be ignored.»

On the issue of the Greek Cypriots objection to Turkey/s military presence and unilateral right to intervene, Talat said:

«We have to be open to arrangements in accordance with the EU norms in the new era, provided that the Agreements on Cyprus and the Treaty of Guarantees are taken as a basis. However, I must say that the most important factor for the Turkish Cypriots/ security is Turkey remaining within the system of guarantees and the continued presence of the Turkish troops. So, our view is that even if additional guarantees are provided in accordance with the new developments, the structure that will be established after a solution is found should provide for Turkey/s guarantee and the continued presence of an agreed number of Turkish military units in Cyprus, that is as long as they are required on the island».

Asked what kind of a policy should the pseudostate adopt in its relations with the EU in the new era, Talat replied:

«The Turkish Cypriots should establish a dialogue with the EU. We proposed in the past that Turkish Cypriot representatives should participate in the Greek Cypriot delegation with an equal status. However, the Greek Cypriots have reached a certain point in their talks with the EU. So, that will be difficult. But, the Turkish Cypriots might establish a dialogue at technical level. It does not have to be political. Talks have to be held with the EU on the Turkish Cypriot side/s economy, financial system, and the way the EU norms can be adopted. We have to take measures for adaptation.

Security has been the most serious problem for the Turkish Cypriots thus far. That will be solved when the island joins the EU. But that is when we will be confronted with a serious threat if they fail to establish a productive economy that will be capable to compete. It will be faced with the danger of becoming extinct.»

Asked whether he has discussed the status of the Turkish Cypriot side in his contacts with the Eu officials, he said:

«They said `We are not prepared to hold talks on that subject because we do not recognize the TRNC/. Nevertheless, the TRNC/s existence is accepted even though it is not recognized. It is even accepted by the Greek Cypriots. So, the TRNC does not have to be recogniszed as long as it is accepted as a separate authority on the island. North Cyprus will join the new structure in the end, that is when the Cyprus problem is solved. In view of that, we have to adopt the EU norms and systems.»

In reply to a relevant question, Talat said: «The best thing the two sides can do is to use the new atmosphere created by Turkey/s relations with the EU and the talks between Turkey and Greece to establish a dialogue to create the conditions they need to give up their status. The might agree on a package of proposals. Steps might be taken to establish contacts between the two sides. Confidence-building measures might be put into effect. Varosha can be resettled and economic activities can be encouraged there. Meanwhile, the Nicosia International Airport can be opened again. All that might create developments that would obstruct misunderstandings between the two sides. A solution will be found to the problem through a step-by-step effort in the new era. The process for the accession of Turkey and Cyprus to the EU and the dialogue between Turkey and Greece will contribute toward that.

We support the establishment of a federation. But it seems that the solution to be found will not be called a federation or a confederation. For example, it might be called the United States of Cyprus? New names and titles are always found in politics».

[08] Turkish Cypriots want lifting of UK visa requirements

The visit will be carried out at the invitation of British MPs of the Labour Party Andy Love, Joan Ryan and Stephen King.

Committee spokesman, Arif Tahir Erisen, said they will explain to the British parliamentarians the «reality» and that the «unfair» visa requirement must be lifted. They will also ask from the government and the parliamentarians to bring this issue up during their meetings.

[09] Turkish Cypriot women send letter of peace

We are writing to you again, as the second round of proximity talks in Geneva are due to begin today. As the Women/s Civic Initiative for Peace, formed by the Patriotic Women/s Union and Women/s Research Center, we would like to express our best wishes for this round of talks.

As women of Cyprus, we believe that it is high time to move to face to face talks, instead of proximity talks. We hope that you will be able to create the ground for face-to-face talks soon. We believe that the civil society, NGOs, and especially women/s movements on both sides of the island should be part of this process and put forward their own ideas about how they want the future of Cyprus to be. Without the involvement of the civil society, we believe that any form of agreement would not take sufficient care about the needs of both our communities. Despite the rapprochement developing between Greece and Turkey and despite the fact that proximity talks are continuing, these developments, unfortunately have not touched the two communities living in Cyprus.

In the year 2000, we feel ashamed of the Turkish Cypriot government in power, that does not allow any kind of contact between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities and put us in a position to make complaints about it to outsiders like the UN, EU etc. We are moving into the 21st century next year and it is a great shame that women/s groups, NGOs, academicians, doctors, lawyers, journalists and all other professional groups, in short, the civil society cannot meet their counterparts, due to a ban enforced by the Turkish Cypriot government. We believe that only through contacts we will create mutual understanding and respect and a peace culture. We are very sensitive on this.

We hope that from the second round of proximity talks, a more positive approach will come out concerning meetings of Turkish and Greek Cypriots. As the Women/s Civic Initiative for Peace, our mission is to create a culture of peace in Cyprus. In the year 2000, declared by the UN to be the year of the Culture of Peace, we would like to see concrete changes in the atmosphere of our island, where efforts of rapprochement and reconciliation can be implemented more easily.

With peace,

In the name of the Women/s Civic Initiative for Peace

Oya Talat

Sevgul Uludag»

[10] Denktash meets former UK Foreign Secretary

Owen was accompanied by British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Edward Clay.

In a statement, Owen said that this invitation to give a lecture gave him the opportunity to be informed first hand on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, adding that his visit to Denktash is within that framework.

Denktash thanked Owen for his visit to the occupied area, adding «I hope that the information you will get from us will be very useful to you».

Denktash also had a meeting yesterday with the UN Peace-keeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP/s) new commander, Major-General Victory Rana, and the Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, James Holger. No statements were made after the meeting. (DP)

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