Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-08-30

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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. 165/00 -- 30.8.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash/s: Greek Cypriots come to negotiations for tactical reasons.

[02] Azerbaijan/s Guliyev denies diplomatic ties to be set up with Cyprus Government.

[03] Denktash against Azeri-Greek Cypriot ties, Cypriot membership in EU military wing.

[04] Denktash on Strovilia visit.

[05] Eroglu: At least 3 months needed to enact laws for economic package.

[06] Greek and Turkish Cypriot political Party representatives meet.

[07] Turks celebrate 1922 war.

[08] Charter flights to continue.

[09] German Orchestra and Choir in Bellapais opera performances.

[10] Archaeological excavations in Akanthou.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] Cyprus and the Kurdish problem impede Turkey/s progress.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash/s: Greek Cypriots come to negotiations for tactical reasons

In a written statement, Denktash said that it is not possible to deceive the world forever: "Explain to the world that you are not the government of the Turkish Cypriots", said Denktash to Clerides.

Denktash/s statement said that the difficult conditions the Turkish Cypriots are in will be left behind, adding that "we give priority to reaching an agreement. But Greek Cypriots talk about the EU membership before reaching an agreement and say that they came to negotiation table for tactical reasons. This does not suit those who talk about final justice".

Denktash said that the solution of the Cyprus problem can only come true by accepting the existence of the Turkish Cypriots, their political equality and sovereignty. The island was divided into two by the things done by the Greek Cypriots, said Denktash.

"Our proposals foresee the agreement and cooperation between two equal and sovereign states and a joint body towards the outside. We don`t want the guarantee system to be lifted. The Cyprus Republic was a republic of partnership. There has not been such a republic for 37 years. There are two peoples, two democracies, two states and two governments now. It is time to see those realities", he said.

Greek Cypriots have been using the fake title of "Cyprus government" for 37 years and they usurped the rights of Turkish Cypriots, he said and added that Greek Cypriots killed Turkish people, even 16-day old babies and 90- year old people. Clerides knows the killers, Denktash said, and he should apologize to the relatives of the victims and give them compensation.

[02] Azerbaijan/s Guliyev denies diplomatic ties to be set up with Cyprus Government

Foreign Minister Guliyev said that the deputy foreign minister was expressing his own personal views when he said that diplomatic relations must be established with the recognized Cyprus government.

Rauf Denktash said he does not believe Azerbaijan will establish diplomatic ties with the Greek Cypriots just to please them.

"We hope that Mr. Aliyev will prevent such a thing from happening, not out of emotional considerations but out of the considerations of a real statesman whom we trust, he stated.

Turkey took steps following the news that came from Azerbaijan. Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, the Turkish Ambassador to Baku, met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev. Tezcan openly conveyed Turkey/s unease with the situation and asked Guliyev to brief him on the issue. Guliyev said that there is no question of mutually opening embassies between Azerbaijan and the Cyprus government. However, he did not clarify the issue of whether or not diplomatic ties will be established.

Following a meeting on oil issues, however, Guliyev used clearer language:

He said that it was his aide Albert Solomon/s personal view that diplomatic ties would be established between Azerbaijan and the Cyprus govemment. Guliyev stressed that the strategic relations with Turkey have priority. He concluded by saying that Azerbaijan/s policy toward the Greek Cypriot sector is known to all and has not changed.

[03] Denktash against Azeri-Greek Cypriot ties, Cypriot membership in EU military wing

Denktash was replying to a question and stressed that if Azerbaijan establishes diplomatic relations with the Greek Cypriots this will greatly hurt the Turkish Cypriots and the martyrs will turn in their graves. Denktash said that he expects Aliyev to prevent this from happening, not out of emotional considerations but out of the considerations of a real statesman.

Denktash charged that the only reason why the Greek Cypriots do not reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots is because countries that are not aware of the Cyprus problem or countries that prefer not to be aware of the Cyprus problem support the Greek Cypriot Administration like the blood- stained Milosevic administration. Denktash said: Azerbaijan/s rulers and the president know the Cyprus problem very well; they are aware of the oppression to which the Turkish Cypriots were subjected. I do not think, I do not believe, and I do not want to believe that Azerbaijan would take such a one-sided step.

Denktash described Ankara/s reaction as a justified one, adding that Ankara wants peace. He went on to say that Greek Cypriots have taken this step because they do not want peace on the island and they want to continue being recognized as the legitimate Cyprus government. He added that the Greek Cypriots want the Turkish Cypriot side to remain as it is and that this is why they applied to the EU in the first place. Denktash pointed out that the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU/s military wing as well. He said:

We have informed the UN Secretary General and all the concerned governments that the minute the Greek Cypriots take a single step in that direction, the negotiations will come to an end.

Denktash reiterated that for an agreement to be reached, the Greek Cypriots must be told that they are not the legitimate government of the whole of Cyprus. He said: The United States, guarantor Britain, and the significant number of UN Security Council members must do that for the sake of peace, and if they expect any results from the New York talks.

[04] Denktash on Strovilia visit

Denktash said that when he visited Akyar (Strovilia) in the past, he crossed the UN barricades and gave cigarettes to the UN soldiers. He stressed that the aim of the Greek Cypriots is to make a big noise in order to influence the New York talks. He explained that he went to Strovilia to see if a mistake had been made and because he had promised certain diplomats he would visit the village. He noted that during his visit he saw that no mistakes had been made. Denktash recalled that the Greek Cypriots also complain of Turkish planes that flight over the "TRNC", adding: If they could, the Greek Cypriots would prevent the flow of oxygen, of air into the "TRNC". Nobody should pay attention to what they are saying. They want to own the whole of Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriots have given them the answer they deserve. I ask Clerides to stop these games. They must accept the fact that they are not our government. Let us come together and conclude this business in a very short time.

[05] Eroglu: At least 3 months needed to enact laws for economic package

Eroglu visited Mustafa Akinci on 29.8.00) and said that together with Akinci, they would visit the "Security Forces" Command and the 28th Division Command.

On the contents of the economic package he said that in order to gain time, the "government" wants to implement those clauses that can already be implemented. He noted that the final stage of the package has not been debated by the so-called Council of Ministers yet. He recalled that it was changed a few times and that its final form will be assessed by the "Council of Ministers today.

Asked if the other banks also submitted proposals so-called Deputy Prime Minister Akinci said they did, and that their details will be assessed by the "Council of Ministers" today. "Prime Minister" Eroglu pointed out that these proposal were made verbally, and that the "Ministry of Economy and Finance" made some counterproposals.

Asked if the "Council of Ministers" will come up with a plan to pay the depositors, Eroglu said that the search for funds is still on.

Eroglu stated that the "government" has a draft plan to pay the depositors but it is being delayed because the banks/ proposals for their floating have not been fully formulated. We hope that the banks will reach a point where they can save themselves, he said and of course this happens with deeds, not with words or statements.

[06] Greek and Turkish Cypriot political Party representatives meet

The political parties which have met with each other for some time through the initiative of Duzan Rozbora, the Slovak Ambassador to discuss ways of cooperation between the two sides on the island. Rozbora also said that on 10th of September, a "Mutual Understanding Festival" will be organized at the Ledra Palace.

Gungor Gurkan of Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Mehmet Ali Talat and Vasfi Candan of Republican Turkish Party (CTP), and Ozker Ozgur and Murat Kanatli of Patriotic Unity Movement (YBH) attended the meeting.

Keti Clerides and Panayiotis Demetriou of Democratic Rally (DISY), Demetris Christofias, Eleni Mavrou, Vera Polikarpou of Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), Koulis Mavronicolas of Social Democrats Movement (KISOS) and George Vasiliou of United Democrats (EDE) represented the Greek Cypriot parties.

[07] Turks celebrate 1922 war

The Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash send a congratulatory message to Turkey President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and to other Turkish high state officials.

[08] Charter flights to continue

KIBRIS reports that President Holidays, have reached a new agreement with Eurosun Airlines based in Turkey and announced that it will continue its operations sending tourists to the occupied area.

Eurosun will organize nine charter flights each week from Heathrow, Manchester and Standstead airports to the occupied area.

[09] German Orchestra and Choir in Bellapais opera performances

Speaking to the guests Denktash repeated his known policy on Cyprus and tried to promote his intransigent views. He claimed that the Green Line - a kind of Berlin Wall has saved the Turkish Cypriots.

The Director of the German Orchestra Stefan Fraas said that this was the second time he was visiting the occupied area and he expressed his satisfaction about the present visit.

[10] Archaeological excavations in Akanthou

This year, the archaeological excavations started on 4th of August and will end on 7th of September.

Dr. Serketoglu said that "it is believed that thvs area was inhabited by the first people who arrived in Cyprus "and due to the findings of obsidian rock, Dr. Sevketoglu pointed out that "these findings show the relation between Anatolia region and Cyprus island".

It is estimated that the findings belong to the Neolithic Era.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS "Opinion" column by Mehmet Ali Birand, Turkish Daily News

[13] Cyprus and the Kurdish problem impede Turkey/s progress Galatasaray/s achievements have contributed greatly to improving Turkey/s

Opinion by Mehmet Ali Birand

Turkey had a horrible image in the world until a few years ago: A primitive, barbaric society of invaders, a country where torture and mystery murders abound and people are imprisoned because of their ideas.

Whether we like it or not, whether we blame our enemies for this situation or not, that was the way we were branded. Besides, some of the criticism was justified. And we were responsible for those things.

I do not want to discuss here whether we were right or not. I just want to make an assessment of the situation and to share with you my ideas on how this mage, which has been improved to some extent over the past two years, can be changed altogether.

We cannot change Turkey/s image merely because Galatasary or Besiktas are winning soccer cups. Even if we paid out millions of dollars, launched enormous international promotion campaigns, formed lobby groups, invited the most influential journalists in the world, wined and dined them and let them tour the country, we would still not be able to change our image entirely.

And we do need such a change-acutely.

We have to improve our image if we want to develop our economic relations, bring about an increase in foreign investments, join the European Union, bolster our influence and prestige in the region and take the place we deserve in the international community.

I served abroad for many years. And I believe that it is essential for Turkey to solve two problems in order to remain afloat in the 21st century

Kurdish problem and Cyprus.

Turkey will not attain the levels it seeks as long as one internal

problem, the Kurdish issue, and one external problem, Cyprus,

remain unsolved. As long as these problems exist, Turkey will be

"crippled"; doomed to live with the wear and tear of constant

criticism:

. The Cyprus problem must be resolved in a way that will be acceptable to the international community, at least to some extent. The least we can do is to show that we do want a solution and that we are presently seeking one. We must get rid of our current image of "being the resisting party". Turkey is losing a lot because of the way it considers the lack of solution as a "solution" in itself. There is no other way in which we can get rid of the strings which bind our hands and feet in the realm of international relations.

. And within the country, the Kurdish problem must definitely be solved. We must know that a solution has to be found to this problem to preserve the country/s stability and territorial integrity as well as the two indispensable values in the world - human rights and democracy. We should know that the current situation is not a solution and that we must make moves accordingly.

Otherwise we will be stuck with this situation

We must know that if we cannot produce solutions to these two problems, we will be a problematic, bickering country which is left out of the international community despite all our efforts.

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

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