Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-04

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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] Turkey/s Foreign Minister: "The Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution".

[02] Issues to be discussed between Presidents Clinton and Sezer on 7 September.

[03] 4,000 rally on Peace Day.

[04] Denktash vows to defend his "state", and Turkey/s guarantor rights.

[05] Serdar Denktash re-elected leader of DP Party, calls on "government" to resign.

[06] Turkey calls on EU not to include Cyprus, Aegean in accession document.

[07] Turkey/s Gurel says work on economic measures for "TRNC" at final stage.

[08] Akinci proposes early elections to solve discord.

[09] Cyprus: Eroglu, Bayram return from Turkey visit.

[10] Kutan raps foreign policies pursued by government.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey/s Foreign Minister: "The Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution"

In comments on the Middle East peace process, Cem said that "Turkey will make a contribution to the peace efforts in order to facilitate the process". Explaining that Yasser Arafat, head of the Palestinian authority (PA), made two requests when he was in Turkey, Cem adds that one of these requests was that Turkey explain the Palestinians/ justified demands on the Jerusalem holy sites. Cem further said that "Arafat/s second request was that Turkey make any contributions it can to facilitate a solution. Turkey already fulfilled Arafat/s first request". Noting that the second request on contributions were discussed with Israel, Cem said that "steps were taken with regard to certain concrete contributions". On the same issue, Cem explained that both Israel and the PA "expressed full confidence in Turkey" and that they "expect Turkey to continue with facilitating contributions". Cem continued by saying that he will probably meet with Palestinian negotiator Dr. Sa/ib Urayqat and Israeli Foreign Minister Ben- Ami in New York.

In reply to another question on whether he will hold a meeting with Papandreou in New York and about Greek armament efforts, Cem said: "I will met with Mr. Papandreou. He invited me to a working dinner. We will conduct an assessment with an eye to the future. In my opinion, the issue of cooperation among the border regions is very important. We never had a chance to discuss this issue. This has been resolved. I believe that Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey will get together on 14-15 September in order to take measures to facilitate the border trade, increase the cultural relations, and facilitate border crossings". In reply to a question on Greek armament, Cem says that "the National Defence Ministry and the Office of the Chief of the General Staff will do whatever is necessary in the event that the Greek armament poses a threat against Turkey".

In reply to a question on the accession partnership document, Cem said that legally Turkey is in a very strong position because nobody can include the Cyprus issue from the legal aspect in the partnership document.

In reply to a question on the developments between Greece and Turkey and whether Turkey will make a goodwill gesture on the Aegean issue, Cem said:

"I have always adopted a realistic approach to the Turkish-Greek relations and believed that we should not act in haste. In reply to a question on whether I am happy with the developments in these relations, I have to say immediately that I am very happy. In my opinion, there have been very important and concrete developments because it is the Turkish and the Greek peoples who have secured conciliation. "Stressing the importance of the progress achieved on economy and tourism and the relations between the peoples, Cem added that "the politicians will not be able to turn back this process. In my opinion, this is called a concrete development".

Referring to the Aegean issue, Cem said that Turkey finds itself in a comfortable position and adds: "It is not that I am criticizing our counterpart. We have said a long time ago that we are ready when they are. We said this to the EU, NATO, and our Greek counterpart as well. In other word, there are no problems on our side. With regard to the Cyprus issue, it is not a bilateral issue. We said this at the beginning. We are, therefore, at ease. We stressed these points from the first day and the first letter. The Cyprus issue concerns the two sides involved. For this reason, we will not discuss the Cyprus issue within the framework of the Turkish-Greek bilateral relations. We can talk about it if the occasion arises; however, we do not place it as an official issue to be discussed at meetings. We are called upon to resolve the Aegean issue. We are ready to resolve the Aegean issue. We are ready to resolve the Aegean issue; however, within the framework of international law".

Responding to a question on reports that Azerbaijan may establish diplomatic relations with the Greek Cypriot side, Cem said that his Azerbaijani counterpart issued an official statement to the effect that there is no question of recognizing the Cyprus Government. Cem added that "unofficially, we received information from the level of the Azeri head of state that there is no question of such an initiative".

Referring to the Cyprus issue and on the upcoming proximity talks, Cem said: "I think that I will meet with Rauf Denktash on 11 September before the New York talks. We will conduct a general assessment of this issue. Later, I think that I will also meet with UN officials. With regard to the Cyprus issue, we have started to better explain to the world our positions on the Cyprus issue". Explaining that the image created by the Greek Cypriots as though they are peace-loving and that it is the Turkish Cypriot side that displays intransigence, Cem said that this image created by the Greek Cypriot side is slowly being erased. Cem then continued to explain his view of the issue: "The Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution. This is my impression. Under no condition whatsoever is the Greek Cypriot side thinking of conciliation and setting up another structure with the Turkish Cypriot side. They are happy with the situation. They also do not want to share the foreign aid with the Turkish Cypriots. They do not want a solution even though such a solution will change their lives and economic situation. They do not want change. Let nobody have any doubts that it is the Greek Cypriots who are responsible for the fact that no steps were taken in Cyprus acceptable to both sides. The reason is that they do not want it. In addition, there is also the fact that the EU encourages the Greek Cypriot side by announcing their candidacy for full membership". For this reason, Cem added, the Greek Cypriots are not launching any positive steps. Cem continues: "However, we are right on the Cyprus issue".

[02] Issues to be discussed between Presidents Clinton and Sezer on 7 September

Diplomatic sources are quoted that this situation "is a clear sign of the importance Clinton attaches to Turkey and to its new president". The same sources indicated that Clinton will meet with five or six presidents at most, including Sezer.

Another report by Murat Yetkin of SABAH paper (2.9.00) said that the meeting will not be just a staged courtesy meeting. Clinton will stay in New York for a total of one and a half days. Sezer will be one of the approximately ten heads of state and government-including Yasser Arafat and Ehud BarakClinton will meet privately.

Sezer Messages to Clinton

Sezer will meet with 20 heads of state and two religious leaders in New York. The half-hour meeting he will have with the US President has special significance on the eve of the American presidential elections. Both sides have already laid down the main outlines of the messages they want to convey. Below is a summary of the messages Sezer will convey.

Strategic partnership: Numerous issues are listed under this heading. They range from hurdles raised against Turkey in its defence industry contracts to the scientific and technological transformation programme, and from trade quotas to political consultation mechanisms. The anti-Turkish activities of Greek and Armenian lobbies will also be discussed under this heading.

Energy issues: The Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the trans-Caspian Turkmen gas pipeline, the gas pipeline from Iran, and US energy investments in Turkey will be discussed under this heading.

Central Asia and the Caucasus: US support is important for the development of Turkey/s relations in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The operative theme will be that cooperation is needed to prevent Moscow from regaining dominance in the territories of the former USSR.

EU and Cyprus: Sezer will signal to Clinton, who supports Turkey/s membership in the EU, that Turkey will not sacrifice the Turkish presence in Cyprus for membership in the EU. He will note that outside pressures may backfire.

Middle East: Sezer will signal that Turkey will continue its efforts to serve as an unofficial mediator in the Middle East peace process.

Clinton/s Messages to the Turkish President

The subject headings of the messages Clinton plans to convey to Sezer bear similarities to Sezer/s.

Development in Turkey: Clinton plans to exchange views with Sezer about developments in Turkey since his visit to Turkey during the OSCE summit immediately after the earthquake. Under this heading views may exchanged over democratization and human rights reforms in Turkey.

Energy Issues: The Caspian Sea resources, which is one of the highest US priorities related to Turkey, will be discussed. Views will also be exchanged on the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Turkmen and Iranian gas pipelines, and US energy investments following the endorsement of international arbitration.

Cyprus and Greece: The most important US wish in this area is that Turkish- Greek tensions, which began to subside after earthquake disasters of last year, will not escalate again. Turkey/s reaction to Greece/s recent armament drive is well known. A new effort to take pulses may be in the works to narrow the differences that exist over the Cyprus problem.

Middle East peace: Clinton will probably thank Turkey for its efforts to head off an interruption of Israeli-Palestinian talks following the Camp David summit and will ask it to continue its efforts.

Why the support?

Prior to the finalization of President Sezer/s bilateral talks schedule in the United States all eyes in Ankara were on Sezer/s meeting with Clinton. Many circles saw Sezer/s appointment with Clinton as being related to Sezer/s international stature. Consequently the meeting with Clinton assumed the nature of an expression of "political support" because of the psychological atmosphere created in both Ankara and Washington. US circles do not conceal the sympathy Sezer has won abroad for his unshakeable commitment to legal principles. The recent role played by Turkey in the Middle East peace process, the recent visit paid by Israeli President Ehud Barak to Turkey, and the special care with which Israel has treated its relations with Turkey increase the political importance of this meeting prior to US presidential elections.

[03] 4,000 rally on Peace Day

"Peace, Democracy, Federation!".

Strong disapproval of Rauf Denktash and Turkey/s role in the country were expressed, prompting the crowd - numbering many young Republican Turkish Party (CTP) supporters - to call for the "President/s" resignation.

Musicians sang songs to stir Turkish Cypriot nationalistic sentiment on stage under a large red banner reading: "This is our nation, and we are going to administer it".

Organised jointly by a platform of 42 organisations including trade unions and two opposition political parties, the rally was called through leaflets distributed across the occupied areas.

"Who can love this nation as much as us? This nation is ours", AVRUPA newspaper columnist Baris Burcu said, addressing the crowd from the makeshift stage formed by two lorry trailers.

The keynote speech, written by Dogan Arsehit of the Peace Association and read by Goren Uygun, called for peace on the island, following rapprochement between Turkey and Greece.

The message expressed the importance of international barriers being "demolished", calling the opening of the European Union/s doors to Turkey "the winds of peace flattening policies of integration and non-solution".

The message called on the public to start questioning activities in the country: from why the military and police were not under "TRNC" civilian "government" control, to why the economy was faltering.

"We are going to ask why our people were attacked by truncheons and tear gas; we are going to question how a "Security Forces" Commander can insult the "Prime Minister" and his "Deputy".

"We are going to question why our democracy is being destroyed".

Miss Uygun concluded: "We are not going to give way to military rule, we are not going to give way to economic destruction packages! We want peace and a federation now".

The rally continued late into the evening under close police supervision. No incidents were reported.

[04] Denktash vows to defend his "state", and Turkey/s guarantor rights

Addressing the fourth congress of the Democratic Party (DP), Denktash said that he will be going to New York soon to conduct the fourth round of proximity talks and added: "I will be going to New York in a few days. I do not want you to be worrying about what is happening there".

Pointing out that everyone wants the talks to be held without any secrecy, Denktash added that, however, those who are organising the talks want them to be held under a news blackout. He noted that the people should not be suspicious about the talks or worry over them.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots have been saying that "they will hold talks between two states" and that they have thus reached the stage where talks are being conducted between two states, Denktash said that the intercommunal talks have been eliminated.

He stressed that for direct talks to be held the Greek Cypriot side should abandon its 36-year old policy of claiming that "it is the government of the entire island, that the refugees should return to their homes, and that the guarantee agreement should be eliminated".

Denktash emphasized that they will not say "I do not have a state, we do not want Turkey/s guarantees, let all the Greek Cypriot refugees return to their homes". Noting that these were demanded from him, Denktash stated that his reply was and will continue to be "no".

Pointing out that a fierce discussion is being conducted, Denktash drew attention to what the Greek Cypriots have been saying: "We are going (to the talks) to declare that Denktash is intransigent".

Noting that Turkish businessmen asked President Clerides to lift the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and that this request was rejected, Denktash continued: "The embargoes will not kill us, they will not destroy our economy. We are the ones who destroyed our economy".

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots will not be deprived of their motherland, Denktash added: "The motherland is the guarantee of our sovereignty and our security". He noted that Turkey has stood up against the entire world for the good of the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the anti- Turkey statements are "the doings of a few degenerates".

I am the President of all the parties

Referring to domestic issues, Denktash thanked everyone, saying that at the presidential elections he was elected with the votes of all the parties.

Noting that he does not attend party congresses, Denktash said that if he is invited he might attend those of the other parties as well.

Criticising those who claim that he is the president of the DP, Denktash said: "Had that been the case, I would not have received the votes of the other parties".

[05] Serdar Denktash re-elected leader of DP Party, calls on "government" to resign

Party leader Serdar Denktash, who was re-elected, was the only candidate for the party leadership. In an opening statement, he called on the "government" to resign, charging that it is incompetent and has no vision. Noting that the "government/s" claims that there is no alternative to the current administration are incompatible with the principle of democracy, Denktash said that the DP is an alternative to the current "government".

The congress, which was held at the Ataturk Sports Hall. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy leader Selcuk Pehlivanoglu, ANAP Party Council member Erol Akgun, True Path Party (DYP) secretary general Ali Sevki Erek, Virtue Party (FP) deputy leader Mehmet Bekaroglu, and FP Party Council member Metin Kalkan also attended the congress as guests.

Addressing the congress, Serdar Denktash recalled that his party was established eight years ago, adding that it was set up by those who were against an existence under the mercy of others at a time when there were attempts to oppress the people through a single party regime and when pressures were being increased daily. He said that the DP was the first party to supply services to the people without taking into consideration their party affiliations. Denktash noted that the multifaceted coverage of the BRT and the broadcasts of private radio and televisions stations were all initiated during the DP period, adding that important steps concerning the housing laws were also taken during the DP period.

He stated that his party will always support the existence of the "TRNC" as well as the strengthening of the relations and cooperation between the "TRNC" and Turkey. Pointing out that the country is facing a very difficult period because of the incompetence of the National Unity Party (UBP- Communal Liberation Party (TKP) coalition "government", Denktash said that the government kept none of the promises it made during the elections two years ago and charged that the people have been deceived. Noting that the people have become poorer, that current tourism revenues stand lower than those during the DP period, and that exports have decreased to under $8 million, Denktash said that the economic packages being prepared will further erode the income of the people.

Denktash stressed that so-called government/s claims that there is no alternative to the current "government" are incompatible with the principle of democracy. He continued: The current "government" does have an alternative. This alternative is the DP. It is the understanding and vision of the DP. Pointing out that there are individuals who want to split the DP from within, Denktash said that, however, these plots have not proven successful. Stressing that all the sectors in the "TRNC" are going through a crisis, Denktash said that the coalition "government" has failed to generate any solutions despite the current negative conditions. He called on the "government" to resign. Denktash called on Eroglu and Akinci to participate in a debate on the country/s problems to be broadcast live by the BRT.

[06] Turkey calls on EU not to include Cyprus, Aegean in accession document.

Diplomatic sources said on 1.9.00 that Cem reminded the foreign ministers and Verheugen in the letter he sent on Thursday that Cyprus and the Aegean issues should not be included in the accession partnership document that will be prepared by the EU.

The EU member countries were holding a meeting in the town of Evian, France, at the weekend.

[07] Turkey/s Gurel says work on economic measures for "TRNC" at final stage.

Gurel said: We are continuing to hold contacts with the "TRNC" regarding this issue. We are aware of the difficulties faced by the depositors as a result of the economic developments, we are discussing the problems and attaching importance to their solution.

[08] Akinci proposes early elections to solve discord

In a statement to Reuters, Akinci said that the disagreement in the "TRNC" might weaken the position of the Turkish Cypriot side at the fourth round proximity talks due to begin this month. Noting that if the differences of views between the "government" and the "president" continue, then holding early elections is an option, Akinci said that this option should be considered. He noted that the country is facing serious economic problems but that the situation is not so grave as to warrant the declaration of a state of emergency. Akinci said: The best solution is stability among the "government", the "president", and the Turkish Government. It seems, however, that this is difficult to achieve.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots should not extend their hands and beg for money from Turkey, Akinci said that sources of income should be generated for the "TRNC" to stand on its won feet.

[09] Cyprus: Eroglu, Bayram return from Turkey visit

In a statement to illegal BRT at occupied Tymbou Airport, Bayram said that the "TRNC" has been participating in the Izmir Fair from the first year of its inception, adding that the real reason for this participation is to introduce the "TRNC" products. He said that in addition to the industrial goods produced domestically, universities active in the occupied area were also introduced at the fair. Noting that there was extensive participation in the fair this year, Bayram added that a total of 200,000 persons visited the fair within two days. He stressed that the fair is very important from the viewpoint of introducing the "TRNC" and its goods.

[10] Kutan raps foreign policies pursued by government

Speaking to reporters prior to the FP General Administration Council meeting, Kutan assessed Turkey/s foreign policy.

Kutan stated that for Turkey to be strengthened economically and politically it should develop its relations with both its Muslim and Orthodox neighbours in a balanced manner.

Kutan said the following regarding relations with Greece:

"Our relations, unfortunately, cannot be normalised because of the intransigent stand of Greece. We claim that Turkey/s foreign policy concerning Greece is wrong. Greece is engaging in all sorts of activities that are directed against Turkey. Turkey has wiped out all of Greece/s mistakes because of the minimal aid which that country extended to us during the quake. Whereas, it could have put this to good use. Greece is in the position of a country that does not engage in any activity directed against Turkey. Using this advantageous position, Greece has secured the support of the EU countries regarding both the Cyprus and the Aegean issues and is conducting activities against Turkey".

Referring to relations with the EU, Kutan stressed that ties with the EU member countries should be kept "at a most advanced level". Noting that policies that have a single direction are not beneficial for Turkey, Kutan continued:

"Naturally, we shall maintain our relations with the United States at the highest level. This does not mean that our relations with the EU will be neglected. We will raise our relations with the EU to the highest level as well".

Pointing out that "certain circles in Turkey are still opposed to accession to the EU", Kutan said: "The current government has, so far, not been able to take a single positive step toward EU membership. Given the violations of democratic principles as well as human rights and freedoms that have been taking place in the country, it is impossible for Turkey to join the EU with its current standing".

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

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