Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-08-29

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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. 164/00 -- 29.8.2000

[01] DENKTASH RECEIVES GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT BUSINESSMEN

[02] DENKTASH BRIEFS TURKISH CYPRIOT POLITICIANS ON UPCOMING NEW YORK TALKS

[03] TURKISH CYPRIOT PARTY LEADER INVITED TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[04] PSEUDOSTATE APPOINTS MILITARY PERSONNEL TO ITS ANKARA "EMBASSY"

[05] NEW "TRNC" PARTY TO SAFEGUARD BANK VICTIMS RIGHTS, TO SUPPORT DENKTASH

[06] DENKTASH DISCUSSES CYPRUS PROBLEM WITH OUTGOING ISRAELI AMBASSADOR

[07] ARRIVALS IN OCCUPIED AREAS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] DENKTASH DENOUNCES COMPATRIOTS TO TURKISH NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

[09] TURKEY/S ACTION PLAN TO STRENGTHEN TURKISH CYPRIOT UNITY VIEWED

[10] NEWS ANALYSIS CYPRUS WILL BE OCCUPIED IF GREECE LAUNCHES SURPRISE ATTACK AGAINST TURKEY

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH RECEIVES GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT BUSINESSMEN

Denktash pointed out that Turkish and Greek Cypriot people should understand each other, adding that, "I am pleased over your visit. I think, we will understand each other. This is the first time you visited here to learn about my views. This is a positive start."

Dinos Lordos, a Greek Cypriot businessman who spoke on behalf of the Brussels Group, said that their visit was aimed at briefing him about their observations, and called for support from Denktash for the activities of the group.

Lordos said the Brussels Group will meet with Clerides and call for his support.

The Brussels Group, had been set up by Richard Holbrooke, the Permanent Representative of the U.S. to the U.N., when he was acting as the Cyprus Special Envoy of President Bill Clinton.

The first meeting of the Brussels Group, had taken place in November 1997, the second took place in December 1998, and both of the meetings had been chaired by Holbrooke.

Turkish and Greek businessmen held two meetings this year in June and August at the Ledra Palace in June and August.

Vedat Celik acts as the spokesman of the delegation composed of the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen in the Group.

[02] DENKTASH BRIEFS TURKISH CYPRIOT POLITICIANS ON UPCOMING NEW YORK TALKS

In a statement to journalists after the "Assembly" meeting, so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu described the meeting as "extremely good." He said that "Denktash and the parliamentary faction leaders delivered speeches and expressed their views on the Cyprus issue," adding that "the views of the National Unity Party and the government are clear on this subject."

In his statement after the meeting, "Mustafa Akinci, so-called state minister and deputy prime minister, said that Denktash briefed the deputies on the Cyprus issue and the meeting was very beneficial. Expressing the belief that the ideas raised will be helpful to Mr. Denktash, Akinci recalled that even if the parties in the "Assembly" adopt different stands regarding the Cyprus issue, they converge on a wide common denominator with regard to the main aspects. Akinci said: "No political party in the "Assembly" believes that the problem can be solved on the basis of the 1960 Constitution, or approves of the Cypriot Government/s joining the EU by itself or of Clerides/ speaking on behalf of the whole of Cyprus. Nor do they want to revert to the pre-1974 situation. Akinci underlined that these common denominators strengthen Mr. Denktash. Pointing out that the improvement in Turkish-Greek relations and in EU-Turkish relations are also among the important factors surrounding the Cyprus problem, Akinci expressed the belief that with the elimination of the internal inequality, positive steps will be taken toward a just and lasting solution."

Also commenting on the meeting, main opposition Democratic Party leader Serdar Denktash said that the "president" received considerable support in terms of what has been placed on the table. Serdar Denktash recalled that from the beginning his party has supported the policies of Denktash".

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in turn, declared that his party asked for a secret session of the "Assembly", and this "enabled all the parties to openly expound on their views regarding the Cyprus issue." "Pointing out that given the recent internal developments in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and the Greek Cypriots/ EU accession process, the solution of the Cyprus problem has become much more important, Talat stressed that great tasks fall on the parties at this juncture." Asked to comment on Denktash/s statement that he is emerging strong from the "Assembly" session, "Talat said that politicians align what has been said with their own policies, and added: If the honourable "president" said that he derived strength from the "Assembly", I hope that he will act in line with the views expressed in the "Assembly". Talat also "expressed the conviction that the fourth round proximity talks to be held in New York will be positive and that significant steps will be taken toward a solution."

In reply to a question, from the press Denktash said that preparations are under way for the New York talks and added: "We are doing a touch-up job."

In reply to another question on whether the Greek Cypriot side is trying to drag the Turkish Cypriot side into a face-to-face meeting, Denktash said:

"They will try since we started the indirect talks because we were right. It is an issue of status. It is not done to engage in a face-to-face meeting with a state, which does not recognize our status, which portrays itself as the legitimate Cyprus government, which describes us as a fake state, and which presents us the abettors of an (occupationist) country. It will be even a greater shame for them to put forward such a request."

Commenting on the situation of the "TRNC" Social Security Organization, Denktash said that Turkey gave $100 million for a uniform social security, and that it continues to give $3 million every month. Noting that it is doubtful whether this money is used to this end, Denktash added that he knows it is not. Denktash further said that the so-called Council of Ministers should take urgent measures in order to spare the people more suffering.

[03] TURKISH CYPRIOT PARTY LEADER INVITED TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The proximity talks and other aspects of the Cyprus problem, the latest political and economic developments of the pseudostate, the pressure against the media will be discussed.

It was also reported that after the end of the meetings, a press conference will be held.

[04] PSEUDOSTATE APPOINTS MILITARY PERSONNEL TO ITS ANKARA "EMBASSY"

With the amendment of the "Foreign Affairs Department Organization law", a military attache will be part of the "embassy structure". The infantry coloned of "Security Forces" Mustafa Erguven was appointed to this position.

By the same decision of the so-called Council of Ministers, the infantry sergeant-mayor Talat Urer was appointed Military Administrator noncommissioned officer.

[05] NEW "TRNC" PARTY TO SAFEGUARD BANK VICTIMS RIGHTS, TO SUPPORT DENKTASH

The party, whose founding leader is Arif Salih Kirdar, has submitted the petition on the party/s establishment to the so-called Interior Ministry.

In a statement he made to an Anatolia agency correspondent, Kirdar said that the party aims at ensuring that the bank victims are reimbursed their savings and that the Turkish Cypriots become self-sufficient.

Noting that the party "wants the historical and contractual relations between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people to continue to eternity," Kirdar said that the party favors accession to the EU together with Turkey.

Noting that their goal is to make the Turkish Cypriots citizens of the world, Kirdar said that the party aims at advancing its program together with Turkey.

Kirdar expressed full support for the policy Rauf Denktash is pursuing regarding the Cyprus issue.

[06] DENKTASH DISCUSSES CYPRUS PROBLEM WITH OUTGOING ISRAELI AMBASSADOR

Israeli Ambassador Shemi Tzur who ended his term in Cyprus visited Denktash on 25.8.00 to bid him farewell. During his visit, Denktash referred to the Cyprus problem and stressed that the reason for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem is the UN resolution which sees the Greek Cypriot Administration as the government of the whole of Cyprus and which declares any second government on the island as illegal.

Also present at the meeting were Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so-called minister or foreign affairs and defence, "Ministry Undersecretary" Osman Ertug; "Presidential Undersecretary" Ergun Olgun; Necati Munir Ertegun, Denktash/s political affairs adviser; and Mustafa Evren, political affairs director.

In a speech, Tzur said that during his term, he acquired valuable information regarding the Cyprus problem. He then expressed the wish that all the countries in the region live in peace and stability.

Denktash said, in turn, that the ambassador served honestly and impartially. When the ambassador expressed the wish for the establishment of good relations between the two sides in Cyprus, Denktash said that he hopes Israel establishes good relations with the Palestinian people, the Turkish Cypriot people/s Arab friends.

Denktash noted that the Cyprus and Palestinian problems have gone on for too long. He said that the reason why the Cyprus problem cannot be solved is that the world, including Israel, recognizes what he called the Greek Cypriot Administration as the government of the whole of Cyprus, illegally and unjustly. He explained that the UN resolution of 1974 which was unjust and which violated international law, prevents the world/s recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", which was established by the equal and sovereign Turkish Cypriot people. Denktash said he expects the leaders of the foreign countries to question the injustice to which the Turkish Cypriots have been subjected, and to change their wrong attitude.

Denktash noted that during his term in Cyprus, the Israeli ambassador tried to understand the problems of the Turkish Cypriot people. He thanked the ambassador for his honest and impartial services on the island.

[07] ARRIVALS IN OCCUPIED AREAS

According to the Flight activities list of the "Civil Aviation Department", during June there were 384 arrivals and 380 departures.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] DENKTASH DENOUNCES COMPATRIOTS TO TURKISH NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

I have in front of me a file commissioned by Rauf Denktash. I suspect that the same file has also been sent to those participating at the meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) (23.8.00).

Denktash has filed some of the reports and commentaries published in the "Avrupa" newspaper, which has declared a war against the Turkish commander on the island.

I read the file with a heavy heart.

What do you say about these brethren who like the PKK (Workers Party of Kurdistan) simply refer to the Turkish Republic as the "TC" (Turkish abbreviation for "Turkish Republic")?

One does not want to believe that the authors of these lines are Turkish Cypriots.

Go ahead and read them and judge for yourselves.

TC Style Sener Levent wrote on 2 July 2000:

"We welcomed them as saviours 26 years ago. But they turned out to be occupiers. With the help of their henchmen here they have been ruining our lives for the last 26 years.

"A TC General from Sanliurfa and his dishonourable collaborators here have deprived me of my freedom in my own native homeland."

The same person again wrote on 17 July:

"We have, for years, been living under the bad breath of a dinosaur with epaulet. The dinosaur is hiding in its lair, it cannot be seen. But we have caught many sicknesses from its breath. It is as if we have caught the plague and we are wasting away."

On 30 June Kubilay Ozkirac wrote:

"For 26 years the Turkish Cypriot people have been subjected to degradation, oppression, and alienation from its homeland."

It Is Said We Are Occupiers Kalayci wrote on 8 July:

"The guarantor countries are obliged to pay rent for the sites they occupy in this country. Namely, the British, Greeks, and Turks. Let anyone who knows how much rent they have paid up to now come out and tell us." Sener Levent again wrote on 22 June:

"My country is under occupation. From the mountains to the valleys and the seas. They have filled up with gunpowder these lands where I wanted to smell the jasmine."

Sener Levent on 6 July:

"We say that our country is under occupation. They say we have been liberated. First there were the British. Then the Greek Cypriots. And then Ankara."

Sener Levent again on 18 July:

"This is a battle of honour. This is a struggle for independence and democracy. This is a struggle for freedom."

Ali Osman on 4 July:

"Ali (Ali Ozeyranli, former commander of the "Security Forces" in occupied Cyprus) again had guests. Well-known faces. The great nationalists, the toadies. They went to give support to the General of the Turkish Armed Forces, which are staying in this country as guarantors. It seems that thanksgiving activities are starting (the celebrations marking Turkish landing on 20 July). Those thanking for our destruction will again butter up the generals. They are going to give thanks. They are dogs."

Red Indians And the crescendo of these unbelievable insults came in an article that compared the Turkish Cypriots to the "Red Indians" and the Turks of Turkey to the invaders that massacred them:

Suzan Karaman wrote on 5 July:

"The Turkish Cypriots are experiencing exactly the same systematic massacre that was inflicted on the Red Indians after Christopher Columbus landed on their lands in 1492."

I will not prolong it any longer so as not to heighten feelings of revolt in you.

In his letter, Denktash says that the "authors of these ideas are a small minority."

But even if a minority this hurts.

I gave my first public speech in my street when I was very small child in the second half of the 1950s in support of the Turkish Cypriots.

And whenever I go to Cyprus I remember the 1963-1967 incidents, 1974 Sampson coup, and the peace operation.

But believe me I was distraught when I read all this.

Our Expectations Yes, we are for "freedom of expression." But we should also decide what all these injustice to lofty Turkish Republic and its sacrifices and to thousands of Turkish Cypriots who struggled for the existence of Turks in Cyprus mean, even if it is the work of a handful of people.

I believe that someone must rise up and on our behalf give a reply to those who want to erect walls between the Turks in northern Cyprus and Turkey. Turkey/s only desire is to safeguard the Turkish Cypriots/ existence and cultural identity. These ideals that we have been defending since 1974 by standing tall before the entire world should not have been reciprocated with such hurtful insults. That is why we are expecting that someone in north Cyprus raise a voice of disapproval.

[128] TURKEY/S ACTION PLAN TO STRENGTHEN TURKISH CYPRIOT UNITY VIEWED

"Istanbul Hurriyet" - 25.8.2000 "Footnote" column by Ferai Tinc.

The National Security Council (MGK) decided two days ago that an action plan should be drawn up "to help the Turkish Cypriot people establish political and economic stability and strengthen their unity, prosperity, and commitment to their national cause." What does that mean? A friend asked:

"Are they going to give orders to the Turkish Cypriots? There must be a reason for their problems. Can it be said that national unity weakened because the Turkish Cypriots are lazy or ungrateful? If so, than it must be said that that is not the only reason."

The recent developments in the "TRNC" (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus") have made the Turkish Cypriots very sensitive. However, my friend is right. The reasons must be seriously considered. The argument between the Turkish commander of the Turkish Cypriot "Security Forces" and the "TRNC" Government" and police organization in connection with the affiliation of the police to the civilian authority, the calls made for changes in the system, the provocative reports published by daily Avrupa, and the allegations that the proprietor of the newspaper is a spy created uneasiness between Turkey and north Cyprus. The bankruptcy of many banks and the occupation of the "TRNC Republican Assembly" by their depositors turned that state of affairs into a crisis. The impulsive statements by the two sides worsened the situation.

Considering all that, Ankara believed that the commitment to the national cause weakened. That was why the MGK decided to intervene. However, I must say that I have never believed that the "TRNC" people/s unity around their national cause weakened, not even when they strongly criticized Turkey/s policies. In fact, I would not have drawn up the disclosure (not further specified) they made in that way. But, let me leave that there because I want to discuss the action plan.

How will the problem be solved? How will the Turkish Cypriot people/s unity around the national cause be strengthened? I tried to find an answer to the two questions yesterday.

A plan does not exist yet. A high-ranking Foreign Ministry diplomat yesterday said that he will not discuss the details of an action plan which has not even been drawn up yet. However, he said: "Leaving the Turkish Cypriot people face to face with circles which have a completely different agenda is out of question. Meanwhile, it must be noted that an imposition on the "TRNC" is impossible."

I welcomed what he said. Nothing can be achieved through impositions, particularly on the Turkish Cypriots who are experienced and who have a very high level of education. In fact, the diplomat underlined that as follows:

"The action plan will contribute toward the effort the Turkish Cypriots will make to strengthen their national awareness on the basis of democracy and freedom of thought and expression."

The plan will be drawn up together with the "TRNC". It will be aimed at strengthening social and economic cooperation between the two sides. I cannot remember how many economic packages were drawn up to strengthen the Turkish Cypriot economy in the past. However, it is a fact that none of them was fully realized. The Turkish Cypriot businessmen urged Turkey for many years "not to extend economic aid to north Cyprus." The economic aid Ankara extended only increased the number of civil servants. It encouraged the struggle for power instead of contributing toward development in the "TRNC". And, Ankara has been drawn into that struggle unnecessarily. So, let us heed what the businessmen say. They want measures that will facilitate business between Turkey and north Cyprus. They showed the right way. Joint production and diversifying interests is the most effective way of strengthening unity around the national cause.

[197] NEWS ANALYSIS

Cyprus will be occupied if Greece launches surprise attack against Turkey

Assistant Prof. of International Relations Dr. Mustafa Kibaroglu of Billcent University in an article in MILLIYET (29.8.00) analyses the question why the island of Cyprus carries strategic importance for Turkey.

Text Cyprus/s strategic importance for Turkey has been repeatedly stressed for the last 25 years. But it is not clear where this importance emanate? However, it is possible, to say that among the official circles, the following is the prevailing view:

Greece since her independence (1821) has enlaged her territories three fold at the expense of territories ruled by the Turks.

Despite the fact that it is forbidden by the Constitution, politicians and certain sections in Greece still continue to speak about "Megali Idea", which strengthens the conviction that Greece harbours secret irredentist aims towards Turkey.

Greece/s statement in the early 80s that she reserves the right to extend her territorial waters to 12 miles, brings to mind that, the moment Turkey becomes weak, Greece could launch a military operation against Turkey. Subtitle: Greek Attack It is considered that a possible Greek attack against Turkey will be from the air. For the Greek side to get its desired result from such attack, Greece should launch a surprise attack.

Following the 1974 Cyprus Operation, Greece with the help of her air bases established in the Aegean Sea near Turkey, gained important strategic advantage.

It is considered technically and theoretically possible for Greek aircraft taking off from these bases to attack important strategic installations and settlements in the Marmara and Aegean regions in a very short time. It is thought possible that until the Turkish Airforce becomes prepared for a counter attack, against such surprise attack, the time which is needed will be enough for the Greek Airforce to inflict serious losses to the Turkish side.

A similar Turkish surprise attack has been considered unlikely due to the fact that the Turkish airbases are relatively far away from Greece/sstrategic installations and settlements. Under this condition if one considers that for Turkey to give the appropriate response she will have to launch a large scale military operation, something which renders meaningless a surprise Greek attack.

However, if one looks into the issue from the military point of view, it will be seen that the situation is not that much simple, because, the USA time and again has stated that it will not allow a Greco-Turkish clash to happen, so, before Turkey - fights back the USA will mobilise its military and political machinery and will effectively preclude Turkey/s counter attack.

Since Turkey definitely cannot accept such a scenario, it is believed that Turkey will engage in a deterrent action.

Here the strategic importance of Cyprus comes into the picture.

If Turkey/s effective answer to a surprise Greek attack will be precluded, Turkey has the power with its 30 thousand-strong troops and military equipment in Cyprus, to occupy the Greek Cypriot sector in Cyprus. So it is anticipated that Greece will give up her secret aspiration, if she has any, knowing that she will lose the whole of Cyprus, if she extends her territorial waters to 12 miles in the Aegean, or if she launches a surprise attack against Turkey.

Thus Cyprus, contributes in establishing strategic balance between Greece and Turkey.

Deploying the Russian made S-300 misilles in Cyprus would have tilted the balance and would have rendered difficult a comprehensive air operation. For this reason Turkey expressed her very strong reaction for the deployment of S-300 missiles last year.

Considering the reasons mentioned above, it is not possible, prior to establishing confidence between Greece and Turkey, for a partial or complete Turkish troop withdrawal from Cyprus to happen. However, one of the conditions that should be fulfilled for Turkey/s EU membership is reaching a settlement in Cyprus.

Subtitle: Turkey/s Suspicions Unless Greece takes steps to dispel Turkey/s suspicions regarding her intentions, exerting pressure to withdraw Turkish troops from Cyprus will not produce results.

In order to establish lasting confidence and peace between Greece and Turkey, one should avoid deployment of military forces that create suspicion.

If Greece declares that she has given up on the 12 mile illusion and of arming the Aegean islands, then she can put forward the demand for reducing the Turkish military presence to the lowest level, or for full withdrawal. In that case when Greece and Turkey became members of the same family (EU), the peace between them will definitely reflect also in Cyprus."

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

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