Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-26

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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 COMMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER DE SOTO MEETING AND ON THE 'NON- PAPER'.

[02] POLL OUTCOME ON TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO EU.

[03] EROGLU SAYS HE EXPECTS NO RESULTS FROM FOURTH ROUND OF CYPRUS TALKS.

[04] PEACE PETITION TO BE HANDED TO UNFICYP.

[05] GUREL'S NEW THREAT ON DIVISION OF CYPRUS.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH COMMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER DE SOTO MEETINGS AND ON THE

Illegal Bayrak TV carried a telephone interview with Rauf Denktash, who is New York for the Cyprus talks. Denktash was interviewed by Saziye Balci, who explained that the interview took place "just before Denktash had a meeting with Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary General's special envoy in Cyprus" .

In reply to Balci's question on the issue of security and Turkey's guarantorship, Denktash said that he would first like to comment on the issue of the "document". Accordingly, Denktash said that both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots are closely following this issue and that the talks are being recorded on a paper, which is not considered a document. Explaining that this document is being called a "nonpaper", Denktash added:

"Therefore, it is a mistake and misleading to disseminate reports that de Soto submitted a UN document. There is no official document. The respective views are recorded on paper to facilitate the process. We sometimes accept these views and sometimes not. We also do not claim to have received a document. The United Nations, in turn, is not saying that a UN or a de Soto document has been submitted. As I said earlier, the thoughts are recorded on paper. Our replies to these thoughts, in turn, are also written on a paper in line with a fixed format and read out loud during the next meeting. We than say that this paper can be kept if there was no possibility to take notes during the meeting. Consequently, there is no such thing as a document and an official proposal, there is only this piece of paper. The Greek Cypriots, however, look for opportunities to create a commotion".

Denktash continued by saying that the Turkish Cypriots will not be deceived by this Greek Cypriot ploy and that the people should rest assured that their rights are being defended. Explaining that some of the reports in the Greek Cypriot press are true, some of them speculations, some are unfounded, Denktash explained that the aim of these reports is to demoralize the Turkish Cypriots and provoke the Greek Cyprioots. Denktash continued: "Our point is the following: With whom is de Soto negotiating? It is evident that Clerides is discussing everything with the National Council. It is the National Council which is actually replying to de Soto. It is the National Council which rejects this or that and which issues orders to Clerides. This is very strange, because it should be the representatives of the two sides who should take up any decisions made during the talks with their respective parliaments, and governments. It looks like de Soto is engaged in negotiations with the National Council and we will tell him so today. Consequently, there is no concrete thing as yet. There are only thoughts being put forward and discussions being held on these thoughts. We are doing what is required of us by placing on the table our views and the cause of our people. Nobody should worry themselves because there is no binding decision".

In reply to Balci's question on political equality and sovereignty, Denktash said that "the Turkish Cypriots seek to have confederation in the final decision, Cyprus not to be represented by one side only, and to have two sovereign countries on the island. The Greek Cypriots, in turn, are angry because the UN Secretary General displays a tendency to this course even though he did not say so himself. We will patiently pursue this path. It is very easy to find a solution to the Cyprus issue. We believe that the injustice of the 1964 decision should be eliminated if justice and fairness are sought".

In reply to another question on the issue of territory and whether cantons will be permitted, Denktash said: "We were not submitted anything on cantons. I say this once again. We were not submitted any maps or names of villages with regard to the issue of territory. We said that the issue of territory can be raised only after it is accepted that the territories in question are under our sovereignty". Denktash continued by explaining that de Soto did not propose anything along these lines "because he knows very well that such proposals will be rejected.

On the issue of security and guarantees, Denktash said that "everybody says that guarantorship will continue". Explaining that there is the issue of deploying a multinational force on the island, Denktash said: "We already said that we will not accept this and that the two guarantor countries can take the necessary precautions, and we insist on our stand". He further said "the only thing we can accept after a solution is secured is for the UNFICYP (UN Forces in Cyprus) to monitor the military issues and the implementation of relevant decisions on military issues for a fixed period. The UNFICYP, however, should not carry out these duties on its own but with the help of the guarantor states and the security forces of the two states in Cyprus. In other words, we are against the establishment of an international power and international force over the TRNC; or, perhaps we should say Cyprus".

In reply to the future of the Cyprus talks and the possibility of direct talks during the fifth round of talks, Denktash said that "the Greek Cypriots should first accept that they do not represent us and accept that we are on an equal status for direct talks. Naturally, direct talks cannot be held if these do not come true. I believe that the fifth round of talks will consist of meetings, in which both sides will convey their responses after taking up the issues on the table with their respective parliaments. It is beneficial to say, however, that we cannot really say that the differences between us have diminished. It is very difficult to be optimistic when we read the Greek Cypriot press reports, which is our only source on what the Greek Cypriots are thinking. Our duty is to better prepare ourselves for the fifth round of talks. It is expected that the fifth round of talks will be held between 1-8, 9 November or after 20 November. There is no final decision to this end".

Denktash made the following statement when Balci asked him if he has any concluding remarks: "The complexity of the Cyprus issue is because the Greek Cypriots embraced the fake title of Cyprus Republic and because the world accepted it as such. This is the main issue, which has to be rectified. It is for this reason that we should not expect that the issue will be resolved in three-five rounds of talks. We should be patient".

The semi-official news agency Ankara Anatolia reported on 26.9.2000 on Denktash comments after his meeting with de Soto. According, Denktash said:

"The Greek Cypriots are not on the right path. However, we have not wasted these 15 days. The talks were beneficial".

"Denktash pointed out that the UN Secretariat and other diplomatic circles learned their views stated during the talks, adding that, 'they are gradually understanding our attitude'. Denktash said other diplomatic circles were the Cyprus coordinators of various countries.

"Noting that they have not determined an agenda for the fifth round, Denktash said, 'face to face meetings will not be in question again in the next round'. Denktash also said, 'both sides will discuss this round in their own countries. Time has not come for the face to face meetings'. Denktash pointed out that they discussed all the dimensions of the Cyprus question, adding that the UN took sections from the views of the "TRNC", and the Greek Cypriot side and that this seemed logical. 'However, we think that the result will not function', he noted.

"Complaining that the Greek Cypriot side leaked everything to the press, Denktash stressed that imaginary elements were added to this. Denktash also said they were not in a position to disclose the things discussed behind the closed doors".

[02] POLL OUTCOME ON TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO EU

The accession process strengthened the demands of the Turkish people, so much so that they are now the focus of attention in Turkey's political life. Obviously, Turkey's political life will be closely related to them in the future, Elekdag says.

The reasons outlined in the poll for the support given to Turkey's accession to the EU bring to light the Turkish people's aspirations (which can also be described as objectives). The Turkish people support Turkey's accession to the EU for six reasons. They are:

[01] Accession will have positive effects on Turkey's economic development.

[02] Turkey will be strengthened in the world. Its influence and esteem in its region will increase

[03] Turkey will become a lawful country which respects human rights.

[04] Freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of faith will be fully observed.

[05] An opportunity will be created for the realization of Ataturk's dream of contemporary civilization.

[06] Accession will contribute toward the establishment of internal peace in the country and the solution of the problem in southeastern Turkey.

Elekdag said in his analysis of the poll that 69.3 percent of the Turkish people, who want Turkey to join the EU, call for reforms that will remove the deficiencies in Turkey's democracy, improve human rights to comply with global standards, and help the state establishments to fulfill their tasks in accordance with the principle of supremacy of law.

Only 9 percent of the people said they disagreed. Their percentage is almost equal to those (9.9 percent) who do not support Turkey's accession to the EU.

The poll also shows that the great majority of the people (70.4 percent) want freedom of thought and freedom of expression in Turkey to comply with EU standards. They, too, are convinced that compliance with Western standards will facilitate Turkey's accession to the organization. Those who oppose their viewpoint make up 7.9 percent of the community.

The outcome of the poll shows that the great majority of the people clearly expect the leading officials and establishments to take concrete steps to facilitate Turkey's integration with Europe. Obviously, their views will have a significant bearing on Turkey's political life during the next few years, Elekdag said.

According to the poll, the majority of those who were opposed to Turkey's accession to the organization make up the extreme groups in Turkey's political life. However, it must be noted again that the opponents of accession make up only 9.9 percent of the community. The reasons they gave for their opposition can be summed up as follows:

[01] Accession will have negative effects on Turkey's Islamic identity.

[02] The national identity will be harmed.

[03] Turkey's economy will be linked to Europe. The country might become a colony.

[04] The conditions for Turkey's accession might divide the country.

[05] Considering economic development, Turkey cannot catch up with Europe.

[06] Turkey will lose its sovereignty rights.

[03] EROGLU SAYS HE EXPECTS NO RESULTS FROM FOURTH ROUND OF CYPRUS TALKS

Eroglu, who is on a private visit in Istanbul, replied to reporters' questions on the fourth round proximity talks to be concluded in New York on Tuesday 26.9. He said that he does not expect any results from the fourth round. He continued: "The proximity talks are continuing. No results will be achieved at the fourth round either. The peace talks will continue with the fifth round to be organized for November". Noting that Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary General's special Cyprus envoy, is trying to impose his views on the sides, Eroglu said that the problem can be solved with the acceptance of the reality of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

[04] PEACE PETITION TO BE HANDED TO UNFICYP

The text which was signed, was as follows: "This is our country. We must rule ourselves. No, to interference and promises of support. No, to the false economic aid package. The provisional 10th article of constitution must be lifted. Yes to civilian rule. The police must be under the "Internal Affairs Ministry". The suffering of the bankrupted depositors must be removed. We must plan, construct and rule our economy. The talks on the Cyprus problem must continue without conditions. A lasting solution must be reached on the Cyprus problem and the negotiation procedure with the European Union must remain open. Our happiness is based on peace and democracy".

Representatives of Turkish Cypriot NGO's in the occupied area will submit today the results of the signature campaign addressed to the UN General Secretary Kofi Annan to UNFICYP officials at the Ledra Palace checkpoint.

In the meantime, the results will also be e-mail to various international organizations and institutions.

[05] GUREL'S NEW THREAT ON DIVISION OF CYPRUS

In his speech, Gurel repeated his known allegations that EU has a wrong attitude to the Cyprus problem since the beginning at the 90's. He also added, "As the Turkish side, in case the Greek Cypriot side becomes a member of EU then we shall formalize the division of Cyprus".

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

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