Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-07-31

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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

No. 144/00 -- 29-30-31

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ertugruloglu says Papandreou should stop `Daydreaming/.

[02] Talat raps Ecevit for supporting `presidential/ system, favouring Denktash.

[03] Turkey to use crisis management system to resolve problems in pseudostate.

[04] Turkish minister: In 1974 Turkey arrived in Cyprus to safeguard its own security as well.

[05] UN to submit `Cocktail Plan/ to the Cypriot sides in Geneva.

[06] Eroglu on economic situation, present regime in pseudostate.

[07] ``TRNC'' says COE decision on Loizidou case will adversely affect proximity talks.

[08] Cem on Cyprus issue.

[09] Ecevit comments on ``TRNC'' economy, favours presidential system.

[10] Gulboy Beydagli resigns from `National Unity Party/.

[11] Turkish Cypriot organizations call for bizonal federation in letter to Annan.

[12] Turkey ``regrets'' Greek statements on ``TRNC'' developments.

[13] CUMHURIYET says pseudo-government to resign.

[14] Claim that Eroglu made agreement with Greek Cypriot capitalists on Varosha.

[15] ``Territorial concessions map''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[16] Columnist says Dentkash wants to remain in power for life.

[18] Columnist says Turkish Cypriots/ first goal is EU; Blasts settlers from Tureky

[21] Columnist on ``explosive situation'' in pseudostate.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ertugruloglu says Papandreou should stop `Daydreaming/

Ertugruloglu, who is currently in Geneva, criticized Papandreou/s interpretation of the incidents in the ``TRNC'' as ``developments which will make Turkish and Greek Cypriots live together and open their way to the EU''.

Ertugruloglu said that Turkish Cypriots are not thinking about EU membership at the moment. ``Papandreou should stop having a daydream. The TRNC has a clear policy on the EU. Membership can only be together with Turkey and only come after the Cyprus conflict is solved''.

Accusing Papandreou of insincerity, Ertugruloglu said a compromise can take place only between the ``two states'' on the island.

``The approaches other than this are just efforts in vain. Those who claim that the TRNC government will collapse, are some marginal people who don/t represent the TRNC. The TRNC was not founded as a joke and it cannot disappear only because some people wish so. The Greeks and Greek Cypriots should not daydream in vain'', he said.

When asked if the ``government'' is planning to resign, Ertugruloglu said ``right now, we are busy with Geneva talks''.

[02] Talat raps Ecevit for supporting `presidential/ system, favouring Denktash

In a written statement issued, Talat claimed that Turkish officials, especially Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, is taking Denktash/s side in this quarrel. Talat criticized this situation. Talat said that Denktash/s proposal to institute a presidential system has overtaken the issue of producing radical solutions for the economic and social problems, which constitute the basis of the agenda.

Talat said that he disagrees with Ecevit/s statement that although he is opposed to a presidential system in Turkey, he believes this system is more suitable for the ``TRNC''. (See item 9 in today/s Bulletin).

Talat claimed that those who try to pave the way for a presidential system, to which the National Unity Party, the Communal Liberation Party, and the CTP are opposed, are attempting to stage a coup.

[03] Turkey to use crisis management system to resolve problems in pseudostate

Ankara, which wants a stable government in the ``TRNC'', is reportedly drawing up its news policies by preparing the ground for the presidential system. The reluctant approach that Turkey began to display toward the extending of financial aid to the ``TRNC'' is the first indicator of its new policies. The so-called government of the pseudostate has lost its trust toward Ankara due to the policies that the latter has maintained in the past toward the economic package that the pseudo-government has prepared.

Meanwhile, Ankara has returned down ``prime minister'' Dervis Eroglu/s request for an appointment for discussing the economic package and the financial support that Turkey was to extend within the framework of this economic package. Ankara is also not warmly disposed toward Eroglu for the latter/s endeavour to oppose Denktash over the solution of the Cyprus problem. It has been ascertained that Eroglu will be forced to resign in the near future.

The assessment that the recent incidents ``may pose a serious threat against the existence of the TRNC'' has played a major role in Turkey/s endeavour to resort to the crisis management system. Drawing attention to the incidents that took place in Albania in 1997, foreign policy experts have said that the Albanian mafia toppled Berisha/s government in two weeks with the help of the public opposition by using the bank crisis as a tool.

[04] Turkish minister: In 1974 Turkey arrived in Cyprus to safeguard its own security as well

Cay said that he has observed that in the last two to three years there have been attempts in Cyprus to create Turkish enmity and to develop the concept of Cypriot nationalist, adding that Turkey arrived on the island in 1974 not only to rescue the 120,000 strong Turkish Cypriot community but, at the same time, to safeguard its own security.

Noting that Turkey should be an intervening party in the Cyprus issue even if there is not a single Turk on the island, Cay said that with the Lausanne Treaty and the transfer of the Dodecanese islands to Greece Turkey has been placed under siege and cannot even breathe.

Cay described the region in which Cyprus is situated as Turkey/s outlet to the open seas.

[05] UN to submit `Cocktail Plan/ to Cypriot sides in Geneva

It has been ascertained that the ``cocktail plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem'' will be made up of three main elements, the first of which will be the plan former UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali drew up, which has been known as the ``Ghali Set of Ideas''. The two sides almost agreed on the plan at the time. So, it will make up an important section of Alvaro de Soto/s plan. The second will draw the attention of the two sides to the constitutions of Switzerland and Belgium. Believing that the structures of the two countries comply with the federal and confederal systems, the UN officials will take their constitutions as an example in their plan.

The final third element will outline the views the Turkish and Greek Cypriot representatives conveyed to the UN officials in Geneva. The Turkish Cypriot views make up 30 pages and the Greek Cypriot views 20 pages.

[06] Eroglu on economic situation, present regime in pseudostate

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots must not allow provocateurs to exploit them, Eroglu has said that certain evil-intentioned individuals have benefited from the incidents that took place recently. Eroglu has added that they must question the benefits that the instigators of the storming of the ``parliament'' building have gained from these incidents.

In a statement he made Dervis Eroglu has said that he regrets to see that certain people have exploited the ``citizens'' endeavour to demand their rights. Eroglu has called on the ``citizens'' who have participated in the demonstrations to review the behaviour they have displayed during the demonstrations and to examine as to why and under whose influence they displayed this behaviour.

``I would be lying if I say that I was not concerned over the demonstrations held the day before yesterday. I reflected for a long time over the citizens endeavour to occupy the parliament building in great excitement. I asked myself as to where we are going. Instead of engaging in debates about the regime, we must spend our energy in finding ways to strengthen our economy. Our regime has no faults whatsoever'', Eroglu has said.

[07] ``TRNC'' says COE decision on Loizidou case will adversely affect proximity talks

As reported by BIRLIK (31.7.00), a written statement of the so-called ministry said that the resolution ignored that the property issue was discussed during the proximity talks.

The statement claimed that the resolution turned a blind eye to the ``realities'' on the island.

``The property issue is considered as one of the key issues taken up during the proximity talks which are held under the auspices of United Nations (UN)'', the statement said.

The statement said that it is only possible to take up this issue by a comprehensive agreement.

The statement alleged that ``TRNC'' fulfills its responsibilities regarding the mutual property problem and that it proposed the formation of a joint commission for solving the property problem by the exchange of property and compensation.

The statement continued, ``the resolution of the Council of Europe/s Delegates Committee encourages the Greek Cypriots to apply to the ECHR for similar cases and makes the Greek Cypriots advantageous to consider one of the parameters on which agreement had been reached during the Cyprus proximity talks, as invalid''.

``To this end, it is inevitable that the resolutions will negatively affect the ongoing proximity talks. It is obvious that the resolution will have negative effects on the initiatives to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus question by ignoring an issue which is still discussed by two sides on Cyprus within the framework of UN-sponsored talks'', the statement added.

[08] Cem on Cyprus issue

``As a principle we are not discussing Cyprus problem with the EU,'' Cem said. Prior to the Helsinki summit he sent a letter to the foreign ministers in the EU and stated that there is absolutely no link between the Cyprus issue and Turkey`s EU candidacy. He also wrote that Turkey/s Cyprus policy would not change if it became a candidate.

[09] Ecevit comments on ``TRNC'' economy, favours presidential system

He further said: ``The proposal of the honourable Mr. Denktash is an issue that should be discussed within the framework of the democratic rules of the TRNC. I would not like to say anything on the issue. Although I am against the presidential system in Turkey, I have always maintained that such a system might be more appropriate for the TRNC because it is a small state with a population of some 180-190,000. Having a president and a prime minister in such a small state is unnecessary and might cause problems. I have, for years, been proposing a presidential system. Although this issue has now been included on the TRNC agenda, no concrete steps have yet been taken.''

[10] Gulboy Beydagli resigns from `National Unity Party/

[11] Turkish Cypriot organizations call for bizonal federation in letter to Annan

In the letter, the organizations expressed their pleasure with the resumption of the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

The letter said, ``the island has been militarized completely as a result of failure in efforts to find a peaceful solution and the status quo stemmed from these failures. Cyprus is under a potential threat of clashes. The Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are tired of living on a military volcano that is ready to erupt. Economic sources of both communities exhausted for unnecessary military spendings.

The Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have been suffering from the status quo, but the Turkish Cypriots paid a bitter price. The Turkish Cypriots` connection with the rest of the world is broken. Therefore, the TRNC/s economy and democracy are under an extremely serious threat'', the letter stressed.

It added, ``as democratic organizations of the Turkish Cypriot community of the island, we want the proximity talks to turn into fruitful, and comprehensive face-to-face talks without precondition. A solution on the island can only be possible with a bizonal and bicommunal federation based on political equality.''

[12] Turkey ``regrets'' Greek statements on ``TRNC'' developments

A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry claims that statements made by Greek government officials to the effect that there is an unlawful atmosphere in the pseudostate ``are contrary to the historical, legal, and contemporary realities''. The statement continues: ``There are two equal sovereign, and independent states in Cyprus. The TRNC is one of those states. We regret the statements issued by Greece against the domestic affairs of another country such as the TRNC, a stand which is not in line with international practice''.

[13] CUMHURIYET says pseudo-government to resign

CUMHURIYET further reports that once the negative stance of Ankara towards Eroglu became clear, the so-called coalition government made its own assessment that ``They have reached the end of the road, and nothing could be done any more''. Especially the coalition partner the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) believes that all the avenues are closed and following the payment of the August salaries of the ``civil servants'', the tendering of the ``government/s'' resignation has become inevitable.

CUMHURIYET further reports that Eroglu/s efforts to arrange a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ecevit failed.

CUMHURIYET notes that the Ecevit government which is forcing the Eroglu ``government'' to resign, precluded the sacking of the so-called governor of the ``TRNC Central Bank'' Demirhan Sayiner, who is appointed by Ankara.

``When the TRNC government decided to sack the governor of the TRNC Central Bank for incompetence, Turkish Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan reacted and blocked Sayiner/s sacking saying that the time is not suitable for such an action'', the paper says.

[14] Claim that Eroglu made agreement with Greek Cypriot capitalists on Varosha

According to AYDINLIK, Dervis Eroglu has reached an agreement with two Greek Cypriot families, who have big immovable property in Varosha, to open Varosha for settlement. AYDINLIK claims that Eroglu had received moral and material assistance from these families.

AVRUPA says that those who escalate enmity against Eroglu now put forward a new and major allegation. According to ``AYDINLIK'', as regards Varosha, Eroglu has reached an agreement with Greek Cypriot capitalists.

[15] ``Territorial concessions map''

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[16] COLUMNIST SAYS DENKTASH WANTS TO REMAIN IN POWER FOR LIFE

Of course there was absolutely no need for such a rumpus merely for Sener Levent's head. Then once the "spying" story did not wash they started picking on the trade unions. And then they turned the rapid intervention force onto the depositors.

With extensive arrests and tactics of intimidation, an effort was made to scare those who organized the "This Land is ours" meeting. They worked out the plot and then set out to look for provocateurs.

They themselves blew up the balloon and exacerbated the bank crisis. They intentionally created the army of bank victims and knowingly sunk the economy. And they have now initiated the debates on a change of regime.

Denktash first egged on Ali Nihat Ozeyranli to talk to Hurriyet, then he followed suit: "There cannot be multi-headedness on this island. The cause is being damaged. Let up pass over to the presidential system, I will not become a candidate".

Look what he is saying, he will not be a candidate. Blast you if you believe such a thing. Before the 1995 presidential elections, he had also said he would not be candidate but declared his candidacy after "being unable to resist the insistence of the mukhtars".

The Denktash I know will not vacate that chair of power until he dies. Especially now that the human DNA has been coded and soon the average human lifespan will be 170 years, he will never leave that holy seat.

The best evaluation of Denktash was made years ago by Erdal Andiz:

"Denktash will be a candidate in 1995, and in 2000, and 2005, and also in 2015, do you not know that his grandmother lived to be 112?"

Those who know Denktash well also know that he cares neither for the "cause" , which he never stops talking about, or the solution of the Cyprus problem, or the extinction of the Turkish Cypriots, or the fact that the economy has hit rock bottom, or the interests of the people of Turkey.

Denktash has only one cause, to remain in power. He must sit on that chair until he dies and when he does, if not his son his grandchildren should sit there.

The main target of the plot is Eroglu's head. Next, the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) and Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will be cut down to size. That will enable him to seize the reigns of government by the introduction of the "presidential system". In the meantime, the chaos will be used to sabotage the Geneva talks.

Now is it possible that Eroglu, Akinci, and Talat are not aware of this plot? But I am afraid that when they are up against Denktash they are incapable of using even their combined two-thirds majority in parliament in favour of the interest of the Turkish Cypriot people. Of course all these things are also a matter of temperament. Had this parliamentary power been in the hands of Denktash he would have made his opponents sorry for having ever been born".

[79] COLUMNIST SAYS TURKISH CYPRIOTS' FIRST GOAL IS EU; BLASTS SETTLERS FROM

Engin Peksoylu, writing in Avrupa (26.7.2000) says: "Before I begin my article I want to give some good tidings to all the Turkish Cypriots. The statement came from Turkey's former Ambassador to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mr Inal Batu, who said: "In two years the Turkish Cypriots will be admitted into the EU as full members. Whereas Turkey I am afraid will remain outside". What can anyone say about such a

realistic statement? In any case, as Turkish Cypriots our primary goal is integration with the EU.

Now let us take a look at the statement made by EU Expansion Commissioner Gunther Verheugen on 20.7.2000 which was broadcast by RIK radio during its morning Turkish newscast at 07.30 on 21.7.2000: "Let the Turkish Cypriots not imagine that they will enter the EU along with Turkey. We, as the EU, will only grant EU citizenship to those Turks who are Cypriots and citizens of the Cyprus Republic. We will not give EU citizenship to those Turks who have been brought to the northern Cyprus from the Republic of Turkey". And of course there is not must we can say about such a realistic statement either.

Turkey is suffering a lot of headache because of its deliberate and planned military-economic, political, and cultural oppression of the Turkish Cypriots after 1974. And Mr Denktash, not Ankara alone, was the chief architect of Turkey's wrong Cyprus policy. Thus in the end Mr Denktash has not only managed to divide the public opinion and the civil administration in Turkey but has also, and more importantly, caused a rift in the Army.

If Turkey continues to apply Denktash's antiquated policies with such admiration it will soon lose out on many things over Cyprus and the EU. Because the latest statements made by Mr Denktash indicate that he is getting ready for a confrontation with the EU.

As we all know even the superpower Russia tried to challenge the EU. You ask on which issue? Over the issue to East Germany. Yet, West Germany, backed by the EU, brought East Germany into the EU. Unable to say anything about the situation, Russia pocketed the hundreds and millions of marks in compensation and withdrew to its own country. As it is, the EU and the United States have put by a long time ago the dollars and the marks to enable the people from Turkey settled in the TRNC to go back.

As if to defy all these obvious realities, the settlers from Turkey's Black Sea area issued the following absurd statement: "We are the real Turkish Cypriot People". Let me

laugh. In that case, we, the Turkish Cypriots, are the real people of the Black Sea area! Maybe you should go and tell these tales to Mr Gunther Verheugen. And try begging him to make you into EU citizens. There is not just one but a thousand ways to separate the real Turkish Cypriots from the settlers brought from Turkey. You clever opportunists.

Now that the Turkish Cypriots are going to become EU citizens, it only took you a second to forget your Turkish Republic identity. You people are from Turkey whereas we are Turkish Cypriots. When the EU accepts Turkey as a full member then you too will become EU citizens. Did you say when? Do not be sad it will be soon. In about 1,974 (play on the date of Turkish intervention in Cyprus in 1974) years.

Under the EU norms, a country must enact many laws and attain a certain level of welfare to become a full member of the EU. The political and economic situation of the Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus can only be compared with those of Banana republics and the African countries. Yet despite this dire situation why should the EU still insist on making the Turkish Cypriots into EU citizens? Certainly not because they love us so much. The only reason is that they recognize the Cyprus Republic as the sole legal administration of the island. In other words, the only thing that counts here is legitimacy and international laws, and also the treaties signed.

Even Turkey hosted Mr Clafkos Clerides as the President of the legal Cyprus Republic at the OSCE summit in Istanbul last year. At that same OSCE meeting, Turkey was forced to exclude the TRNC President Denktash. It is under this very international law that the Turkish Cypriots, as part of the Republic of Cyprus, will become EU citizens in two years time. And this is why even the crows and the international treaties are laughing at those clever people who say that "we are the real Turkish Cypriots".

The Turkish Cypriots will become EU citizens. No force can prevent this. If Turkey does not conclude the Cyprus issue by 2004 in line with the agreements it has signed with the EU, this is totally its own affair. It is not our problem whether Turkey reaches an agreement in Cyprus or not. Turkey's real and powerful opponent is the EU. From

now on Turkey has to deal with the EU. In other words things look hard for Turkey. As Turkish Cypriots our main goal is full EU membership. That is why I say: "Turkish Cypriots, your first goal is to reach the EU, onward!!! (A paraphrase of Ataturk's famous exhortation to his troops against Greek and Allied Forces in early 1920's: "Armies, your first goal is to reach the Mediterranean. Onward!)"

[172] COLUMNIST ON "EXPLOSIVE SITUATION" IN PSEUDOSTATE

Hikmet Cetinkaya writing in CUMHURIYET (28.07.00) speaks about the "explosive situation" prevailing in the occupied area.

Noting the power struggle between Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and "prime minister" Dervish Eroglu as well as Denktash's proposal to adopt the "Presidential System", Cetinkaya says that it is possible that either in September or in October "Constitutional amendments" will be on the agenda, and a "government of reconciliation" will then be established.

Referring to the Turkish side's insistence on a solution based on the "two state" formula, Cetinkaya says that neither the USA nor the EU nor some Turkish Cypriots favour this formula. He also says that Turkish Cypriots are not warm towards the integration proposal made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

(MY)

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