Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-03-06

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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] Denktash: a 36 year old mistake.

[02] Current situation a solution.

[03] British envoy: Turkey/s EU membership will benefit Turkey and EU.

[04] Soysal: Confederation leads to a solution.

[05] The United States of Cyprus.

[06] Illegal workers.

[07] Las Vegas economy model.

[08] Dairy exports.

[09] Denktash, Eroglu on bad economic situation.

[10] Talat and Ozker Ozgur in London.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: a 36 year old mistake

According to illegal Bayrak radio the broad meeting was attended by the "Supreme Court President, foreign affairs and defense minister; Chief Prosecutor, Court of Accounts President, former Assembly speakers, prime ministers, foreign ministers; as well as representatives of organizations, institutions, and associations".

Denktash referred to the visit by Alvaro de Soto and the visits to follow of other foreign envoys to follow. He said that the visits are ameans of exerting on both sides. But they are also an indication that we should embark on a solution, he added.

Denktash informed the meeting that during all his contacts he explains that the Greek Cypriot side does not represent the Turkish Cypriot side. The world should cease to consider the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government . Denktash asserted that foreign envoys were disappointed by Clerides/ document presented in Geneva and added: "What Clerides said in his document is that the issue can be resolved by amending the Constitution. We had great hopes from Papandreou, and we continue to do so. Papandreou, in turn, is saying that the sides in Cyprus should view the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece as an example, and reach a good agreement. Regional autonomy should be given to the Turks. This is as far as Papandreou/s generosity extends."

The task is to explain to the outside world the 36-year-old mistake, Denktash said adding: "The various diplomats are trying to say that they are not responsible for the situation. We, in turn, are telling them that they are not responsible, but their governments are".

If the Greek Cypriots continue to pursue their stand, it will not be possible to reach a conciliation, Denktash noted.

Denktash asserted that US President declared that Cyprus has two owners and that the UN Security Council has also adopted resolutions to the effect that the two sides in Cyprus are politically equal. If today/s realities are accepted, he added, the road to the solution of the Cyprus problem will be greatly shortened. Denktash underlined that when a confederation is established, the state will not disappear. The two sides will act jointly with regard to certain external issue, he explained.

Denktash alleged that the Greek Cypriots fear that if an agreement is reached on the basis of two states, they will not be able to repeat what they did to the Turkish Cypriots from 1963 to 1974 and they will not be able to say this is an internal affair when the outside world attempts to intervene. Positions on Turkey/s guarantee and the increase in the members of the regiment of each side have not changed, Denktash said adding that these explanations are accepted during his foreign contacts.

In reply to the question whether Turkey/s rights over Cyprus and the equality between Turkey and Greece will continue, we reply yes, Denktash declared.

He noted that "If we march along this stable road together with Turkey and if we protect our rights in this manner, sooner or later they will inevitably see the reality" and called on the Greek Cypriot side to see the realities.

The principles to be agreed upon should be based on a state, Denktash said; Pointing out that this is the only additional guarantee we can bestow on our people for the future. This is the most important aspect which will prevent the Greek Cypriots from saying this is our internal affair and save of our equality and our sovereignty from Greek Cypriot domination and attack.

Explaining why the Greek Cypriot side is opposed to an agreement based on two states, Denktash said: Because it would block any future move to hellenize Cyprus. Denktash said he is pleased with developments and added that visiting diplomats say they understand the reality. They are saying that they cannot change 36-year-old decisions. Now that we have entered the 21st century, the time has come to take a second look at the Cyprus problem, he said.

Denktash reiterated his view that the Greek Cypriot side unilaterally applied for EU for accession and that the EU made a mistake by continuing to assess this one-sided Greek Cypriot application. Denktash went on: the EU is telling its representatives to explain to the minority the benefits of joining the EU. This is the attitude of our visitors. We, in turn, refuse to receive them officially, and we explain reasons.

[02] Current situation a solution

The Cyprus question is the violation of the human rights of the Turkish Cypriots, Denktash claimed and added that the question has been wrongly diagnosed until today through all these years.

They are trying to solve the problem without putting forward any remedies. Unfortunately, the international community behaves under a mentality of `you flatter me and then I flatter you/, while the third parties concerned with the question, think of their own interests, Denktash said.

The Greek Cypriot church Denktash asserted is the biggest factor which curbs the problem. He accused the church of brainwashing the Greek Cypriot youth and teaches that the Turks are the biggest enemies.

Denktash repeated his allegation that the Greek Cypriots are trying to turn Cyprus into a Greek island and the Turkish Cypriots are struggling to prevent this initiative. He added the Turkish Cypriots established their own independent state and 75,000 people died for this. We are determined to protect our freedom, sovereignty, rights, and Turkey/s rights".

Reiterating his views that the Cyprus Republic was a partnership republic, he claimed that the real target of the Greek Cypriots was to annex Cyprus to Greece.

A new approach is necessary, he continued, because the Cyprus question is not a problem of minority. The real problem has to be solved between two equal sides, Denktash stressed. Cyprus is also the homeland of the Turks who want to live as two good neighbours on the island.

Denktash also referred to the Akritas Plan and said that "if Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots had prepared and implemented a plan similar to the Akritas Plan, I would be in prison now."

In his intervention Deputy Head of Turkey/s State Planning Institute retire Ambassador said that if the "Greek Cypriot side becomes EU member unilaterally this will make it stronger in the international field. Such a development will bring about Turkey/s and Turkish Cypriots/ death".

He said that it was the USA that brought the EU membership issue on the negotiating table with a view increasing pressure regarding a settlement. Soylemez, went on to say that in the case of such a development, Turkey will be forced to launch serious diplomatic efforts aiming at the recognition of the TRNC.

Speaking at the same panel Prof. Jean Beaufays of Leige University Belgium, referred to Belgium model and said that, in Belgium it is neither a federation nor a confederation, it is a mixture of both.

He said that one cannot apply the Belgium model in Cyprus. This is a special model, characteristic of Belgium.

Natalie Tocci of European Political Research Centre, said speaking at the same panel that various methods tried until now failed and she urged that a debate on new models in Cyprus should start.

In his turn Prof. Haluk Kabaalioglu said that prior to accepting "confederation it is necessary to accept the fact that there are two separate independent and equal states in Cyprus".

(MY)

[03] British envoy: Turkey/s EU membership will benefit Turkey and EU

The British envoy who visited Izmir Trade Chamber.

Underlined Turkey/s strategic and regional importance and said Turkey was a great trade market full of dynamism and creativity and it proved wrong the predictions which claimed that a Muslim society cannot adopt democracy.

He said that Turkey can start accession negotiations with the EU once the political criteria required for membership are fulfilled, noting that it was up to Turkey when this would happen; he said the progress the Turkish government made since they came to power is encouraging and added that they hoped reforms would continue at the same fast pace.

Speaking about the Cyprus issue, Logan said the British government has always supported a solution for a federal Cyprus with two regions and two societies.

Logan also stressed that Turkey does not have to make a choice between its interests in the EU and its relations with Cyprus and Greece since these two interests are not conflicting.

[04] Soysal: Confederation leads to a solution

Soysal pointed out that if a solution is really being sought in Cyprus, there is no need to draw up a new constitution. Working on the confederation proposal will lead to a solution, he said.

Soysal was replying to the questions of illegal BRT Ankara correspondent on the Cyprus talks, the Cyprus-EU, and the Turkey-EU relations. He pointed out that direct talks will depend on the developments at the proximity talks in New York in May. We may be faced with a new Set Of Ideas in New York, drawn up in light of the results of the earlier talks, he said, and we must be prepared for that.

Soysal asserted that he does not foresee a solution in Cyprus in the near future. Actually, he said, a basic solution has been reached in Cyprus. Our problem is to build a framework around this solution that will be acceptable to all.

Cyprus, he stressed, is not only a national cause for Turkey, but a strategic issue and a human rights issue that is important for Turkey/s future and security.

"Unless we solve the Cyprus problem with the same determination we showed in 1974, Turkey/s position in the world regarding this issue will be eroded", he warned.

Commenting on the developments on Turkey/s and Cyprus/ membership in the EU, Soysal claimed that the 1960 agreements clearly say that Cyprus cannot join an international platform of which Turkey is not a member.

If the two sides are to become EU members, the issues the "TRNC" wants to guarantee must become part of the European legislation he said stressing that it is important is to establish special relations in line with the status set up with Turkey since 1960.

[05] The United States of Cyprus

According to the plan every detail has been considered. It includes territorial concessions, demilitarization, legal system, freedom of movement and even abolition of the state.

KIBRISLI further says that within the framework of accepting the two state principle settlement, Varosha will be included within the boundaries of the Greek Cypriot state.

(MY)

[06] Illegal workers

According to the amendment which has been adopted by the so-called TRNC assembly, the penalties for employing illegal workers has increased. The pseudogovernment is now expected to ratify the law.

(DP)

[07] Las Vegas economy model

Fuat Miras/ proposal for a `Las Vegas/ economy is covered by all the Turkish Cypriot press.

(DP)

[08] Dairy exports

70% of the dairy products exports is halloumi (443,620,520,732 TL)

Halloumi is sold mostly to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait.

Halloumi is produced by the so-called cooperative Dairy Products Industries.

(DP)

[09] Denktash, Eroglu on bad economic situation

Denktash said, "According to our dear Prime Minister, the economy is the government/s work only and I must not get involved. So, as a person who represents our state abroad, who defends the existence of the state, I feel very weak when our economy is so bad. Unfortunately, the economy has hit the bottom."

Replying to Denktash/s accusation, Eroglu said, "we need peace and not a fight. And first peace at home and then peace abroad."

(DP)

[10] Talat and Ozker Ozgur in London

Ozker Ozgur went to London last Tuesday in order to promote his latest book "I would like very much to be wrong".

Meanwhile, Talat will attend a conference on "Cyprus and EU" which will be held at Cambridge University on 8th of March. It is being organized by the Cyprus Students Union, which is made up of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot students.

(DP)

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

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