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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-20
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA
No. 223/00 -- 18-19-20.11.00
[A] NEWS ITEMS
[01] Ecevit Warns EU According to TRT 1 Television (13:00 hours, 18.11.00),
Turkish Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit made a statement at the end of a two and a half hour
meeting with State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; Volkan Vural, secretary
general for EU affairs; Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Faruk Logoglu; and
foreign affairs consultants Ertugrul Ciragan and Erdal Tumer:
``Turkey was declared a candidate country at the EU Helsinki summit on 10
December 1999. Now, it is becoming clear that the Accession Partnership
Document prepared by the EU within this framework could be discussed for
the eventual goal of approval during the EU General Affairs Council to be
held on 20 November 2000. The Turkish Government has announced to the
public its views regarding the Accession Partnership Document which was
revealed by the EU Commission on 8 November 2000.
In this context, the Turkish Government particularly stressed that the
paragraph concerning Cyprus definitely cannot be accepted as a political
criterion, that it is not accepted as such, and that it is necessary to
exclude this from the document. At this stage, when we expect our warnings
regarding Cyprus to be taken into consideration, according to the latest
information that has reached us, attempts are under way to include a new
paragraph concerning border disputes in the Accession Partnership Document
as a political criterion.
In no way or sense can Turkey accept the Cyprus problem or the issue of
border disputes as political criteria. These negative developments are
triggering justified reactions among the Turkish public. I hope that the EU
will accord due consideration to the sensitivity of our government and
public. Otherwise, it will be inevitable for us to review our relations
with the EU.''
In reply to reporters' questions, Ecevit said that there are various
options open to Turkey in the event that EU fails to take this warning into
consideration.
``We issued our warning. If this warning fails to yield a positive outcome,
there will naturally be various options open to us for implementation,'' he
said.
Asked whether Turkey can renounce the EU, he said:
``It would not be right for us to say anything in that regard at the
moment. We are hoping that our warnings and our expectations will be taken
into consideration.''
[02] EU Ambassadors Summoned to Foreign Ministry on Accession Document
Anatolia Agency (16:20 hours 18.11.00) reports that Ambassadors of the
European Union (EU) member countries and Karen Fogg, the EU Commission
Representative, were summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday
and were conveyed the concern Turkey felt over the inclusion of the Cyprus
issue in the Accession Partnership Accord.
High ranking diplomatic sources said Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign Ministry
Undersecretary, received the Ambassadors, and recalled that Turkey would
not accept the Cyprus issue as a political criteria in the EU membership
process. Logoglu pointed out that Turkey`s warnings in this respect could
not be understood sufficiently.
The written text of the statement that Premier Bulent Ecevit released on
Saturday (see item 1 of today/s Bulletin) was distributed to the
Ambassadors and EU Turkey Representative Fogg who were summoned
Representative Fogg who were summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
[03] Yilmaz Says EU Accession Not Target at All Cost Anatolia Agency (14:04
hours, 18.11.00) reports that Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Saturday that the European Union (EU)
membership is not a target which Turkey wants to reach whatever its cost
would be.
Yilmaz continued, ``the EU membership is not a target which we want to
reach whatever its cost would be. We are exerting efforts to integrate with
the EU because it will help our nation to become rich and more modern. Yet,
the EU membership should be suitable for our conditions and should not
damage our values.``
The EU membership necessitates very serious changes in every field in
Turkey, Yilmaz noted.
Yilmaz stated that firstly, the way of thinking should be changed.
If the political compromise continues, there will not be any obstacles for
the EU membership, Yilmaz said.
Responding to questions of reporters Yilmaz noted that Turkey learned that
Greece tried to include the border disputes with Turkey in the medium-scale
priorities chapter as a political criteria during the European Union (EU)
Council meeting that will be held on November 20.
If the border disputes is included in the medium-scale priorities chapter
of the Accession Partnership Accord, the positive relations between Turkey
and the EU will totally change, Yilmaz stated.
Yilmaz said that the inclusion of theCyprus question in the short-term
priorities chapter of the Accession Partnership Accord cannot be accepted.
Yilmaz continued, ``as we are expecting the Cyprus question to be excluded
from being a political criteria in the council meeting, we learned that
Greece has launched an effort for the inclusion of the border disputes
between Turkey and Greece in the medium-scale priorities chapter of the
document as a political criteria. The acception of this initiative in the
council meeting, is a development which will totally change the positive
course of the Turkey-EU relations since the Helsinki Summit. We hope the
council will not make such a mistake and will exclude the Cyprus issue from
the short-term priorities chapter.`
[04] Turkish Ministers Comment on Breaking Dialogue with EU Turkish daily
SABAH (Internet Version,19.11.00) reports on interviews with
Turkish Minister of State Sukru Sina Gurel and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut
Yilmaz and says that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit/s statement (see
item 1 of today/s Bulletin) declared the end of the spring air that has
prevailed since Turkey's admission to candidacy status at the EU's Helsinki
summit 11 months ago.
Minister of State Sukru Sina Gurel, when asked what Ecevit meant when,
echoing public reaction to the EU's demands, said: "A review of our
relations with the EU may be inevitable'', replied:
``Turkey demanded that Cyprus be removed as an element of political
dialogue from the 8 November Accession Partnership Document [APD]. Now the
border dispute in the Aegean has been added. That is too much.'' He added:
``Turkey earlier said through its President, Prime Minister, and Foreign
Minister that it will not accept this situation. This must be discussed at
the EU General Affairs Council meeting that will be held on November 20,
and [these issues] must be removed from the text of the document that will
be finalized at the Nice summit on December 7 through 9.''
Asked what will happen if they are not taken out, he said:
``At the extreme case we can reject the APD. We can delay submitting our
National Program.''
Asked if that would mean cutting off the political dialogue, he replied:
``I would not want to use that description, but if that happens the EU
would lose its means of discussing political issues with Turkey.''
On his part, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz who is in charge of
adaptation with the EU, asked whether they are demanding that Turkey give
up Cyprus in order to be admitted to the EU, replied:
``We have said repeatedly that we will not accept such a linkage. Otherwise
we may end up with the wrong impression that the solution of the problem
depends only on us. This may drive our relations which have been good since
Helsinki into an impasse.''
[05] French Official: Cyprus Mention in EU Document not Final According to
daily SABAH (Internet Version, 19.11.00), Daniel Lequertier,
Deputy Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry of France, which is the
current term president of the EU, made some dramatic statements about the
Accession Partnership Document [APD].
Lequertier said that it is still possible to remove from the APD the
"Cyprus provision" which has angered Ankara and that France is pressing in
that direction. Lequertier said that the document will take its final form
at the EU General Affairs Council meeting and that nothing is yet final. He
added that "France recognizes only the framework that was drafted in
Helsinki.''
[06] Denktas: `EU Must Not Meddle in Cyprus If It Does Not Accept Our
Sovereignty'
Anatolia Agency (14:51 hours, 17.11.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Rauf Denktash, said on Friday that, ``the European Union should not meddle
with our affairs and intervene in Cyprus if it does not accept our
sovereignty.``
Speaking at a ceremony, Denktas said the people were mislead by insisting
on the EU, and added that, ``the EU will be valid after we sign an
agreement, protect our territory, make our sovereignty accepted, and only
after Turkey reaches a position as a member of the EU.``
Denktash said the EU cannot extend the aid in ten years which Turkey sent
in one year.
[07] Swedish Foreign Minister Meets Turkish, Greek Officials Anatolia
Agency (12:58 hours 17.11.00) reports that Anna Lindh, the Foreign
Minister of Sweden which will take over the EU term Presidency from France
as of January 1, 2001, held contacts both in the occupied area and the free
areas of Cyprus.
Speaking at her meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Lindh
said that her visit to the island was a part of her tour to all EU
candidate countries.
Lindh also met with President Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis
Casoulides.
Lindh staged a press conference after the meetings.
Maintaining that the solution of the Cyprus issue was not a condition for
EU membership, Lindh said that she had told this to Rauf Denktash.
The Swedish Foreign Minister did not give answers to questions about the
Accession Partnership document for Turkey.
[08] Turkey's Sezer meets Sweden's Lindh Anatolia Agency (18:55 hours,
17.11.00) reports that Turkish President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer received on Friday Anna Lindh, the Foreign Minister of Sweden.
At the meeting relations between Turkey and the EU were taken up in detail.
Addressing the meeting, President Sezer said regarding the Accession
Partnership Accord which was announced on November 8 by the EU Commission:
``Turkey has been continuing to consider itself loyal to the
correspondences and negotiations with the EU about resolutions taken at
last year`s Helsinki Summit and acceptance of these resolutions. We cannot
accept any linkage between efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue
and Turkey`s EU candidacy.``
``Unfortunate and unacceptable opinions such as so-called genocide on
Armenians, solution of so-called Kurdish problem and withdrawal of Turkish
soldiers from Cyprus included in the report which was approved by the
European Parliament, ignored Turkish public opinion/s sensitivities. We
hope that the European Parliament will start making efforts to strengthen
relations between Turkey and the EU'', President Sezer added.
Meanwhile, theSwedish Foreign Minister Lindh said in her part that the EU
appreciated the steps taken by Turkey to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria.
[09] Sweden's Lindh Meets Cem, Holds News Conference Anatolia Agency (19:17
hours, 17.11. 00) reports that Turkish Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem met on Friday with his Swedish counterpart Anna Lindh
who was in Turkey on an official visit.
The meeting at the Foreign Ministry Residence was closed to the press.
Diplomatic sources told A.A correspondent that the meeting focused on the
Accession Partnership Accord which was announced on November 8 by the
European Union (EU) Commission.
At the meeting, the Turkish side emphasized that the Accession Partnership
Accord had included expressions which were not mentioned at last year`s
Helsinki Summit.
The Cyprus issue was also taken up at the meeting.
Sources noted that Turkey would not accept the Cyprus issue as a
``political criterion`` in the EU membership process.
Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh departed from Turkey on Friday after
wrapping her contacts in Ankara.
Prior to her departure, Lindh staged a press conference to assess her
contacts in Ankara.
Describing her meetings with Turkish officials as ``productive``, Lindh
said that Sweden would make enlargement a priority issue during its
European Union Term Presidency.
Recalling that Sweden would take over term presidency of the European Union
(EU) from France on January 1, 2001, Lindh said that she had been visiting
candidate countries to the EU in order to get Sweden ready for the term
presidency.
Describing her visit to Turkey as a brief but productive one, Lindh said
that Sweden would make enlargement a priority issue during its EU Term
Presidency.
Recalling that the EU had taken a historical step by granting Turkey
candidate country status at last year`s Helsinki Summit, Lindh underlined
importance of Turkey`s fulfilling Copenhagen criteria. Lindh stressed that
they welcomed Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit`s statement saying that Turkey
was ready to fulfill elements in the Accession Partnership document which
was announced on November 8 by the EU Commission.
She said that elements such as improvement of human rights situation,
freedom of broadcast and publication in different languages including
Kurdish, cultural rights and prevention of torture, were included in the
Accession Partnership document.
Responding to a question about ``broadcast in Kurdish``, Lindh said that
Turkey should understand the EU`s request for broadcast in different
languages.
Noting that they wanted all candidate countries to record progress in
membership process during Sweden`s term presidency, Lindh stressed that
they aimed at maintaining cooperation with Turkey to this end.
When asked whether or not the Cyprus issue was taken up during her contacts
in Ankara, Lindh recalled that she had visited Cyprus before coming to
Turkey.
Noting that she had met both withTurkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and
President Glafcos Clerides, Lindh told reporters that Sweden would continue
to support the United Nations process to find a peaceful solution to the
Cyprus issue.
Responding to a question about Turkey`s uneasiness about inclusion of the
Cyprus issue in short-term priorities chapter of the Accession Partnership
document, Lindh said that her counterparts did not describe the phrases
regarded with the Cyprus issue as contradictory with resolutions taken at
the Helsinki Summit.
[10] Eroglu, Turkey's Gurel Call for Confederation, Criticize Annan
According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (16:30 hours, 15.11.00), so-called
prime minister Dervis Eroglu has claimed that a lasting solution has not
been reached in the Cyprus negotiations because the equality of the two
sides is being denied. Sukru Sina Gurel, Turkish state minister responsible
for Cyprus affairs, reiterated the claim that a lasting solution in Cyprus
is a confederation.
Eroglu hosted a luncheon for the Turkish delegation visiting the occupied
are on the 17th so-called anniversary of the pseudostate.
Eroglu and Gurel delivered speeches at the luncheon. Eroglu charged that
the attitude of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the latest round of the
proximity talks ignored the equality between the two sides and was biased.
Eroglu criticized the EU's attitude on Cyprus. He claimed that the last-
minute inclusion of the Cyprus issue in the EU Accession Partnership
Document shows that the EU wants to become a decision-making party in the
Cyprus problem.
Gurel asserted that ``there are two peoples and two states on the island''
and that a lasting solution based on the equality of the two sides is a
confederation. Gurel stated that Turkey supports a confederation and that
any other solution will only create problems.
On the proximity talks, Gurel charged that during the fifth round of talks,
UN Secretary General Annan acted outside his duties and responsibilities
with his remarks.
``The main criterion in the solution of the Cyprus problem is the balance
between the two sides,'' he said, ``and it is essential to strike a balance
between the two sides on the island and between Turkey and Greece.
Stressing the ``TRNC's'' importance for Turkey, Gurel said that Turkey will
continue to oppose any move that threatens peace and stability in the
eastern Mediterranean and the Turkish-Greek balance on the island.
[11] Turkish Cypriots claim Allocation of Greek Troops, Base to EU 'Not
Legal'
Anatolia Agency (15:16 hours, 18. 11.00) reports that the so-called
presidency of the pseudostate said on Saturday that Cyprus Government
together with Greece, launched efforts in the direction of the European
Union Joint Defense
and Security policy, and that they were getting ready to give soldiers and
base to the EU army. The statement claimed that such an initiative was
``not legal.''
The written statement alleged that the target of this initiative of the
Greek Cypriot side was to disrupt the balances set up on Cyprus and in the
region with the 1960 agreements, and to bring the EU against Turkey.
``The other intention and ambition of this game is annihilating the Turkish
Cypriots, giving legal status to the (national troop of guardsmen) which
were set up against the laws and constitution to annex the island to Greece,
and enabling this troop to challenge against guarantor Turkey as a EU force,
`` the statement claimed.
``On behalf of the people of the TRNC, we have drawn the attention of the
concerned countries and the United Nations (U.N.) Secretariat General to
this issue which has been on the agenda for months. We will not be
responsible for such a development and a wrong decision taken to this end,
`` the statement said.
The statement noted that the pseudostate joins the Cyprus proximity talks
within the framework of the good will mission of the U.N. Secretary General
and that the security and property issues are debated as core issues in the
talks.
The statement continued, ``within this framework, the Greek Cypriot
administration`s trying to solve these two core issues in several organs of
Europe or the EU is the basic indicator that it is not in favour of a
compromise on Cyprus. Agreement is required on these issues on Cyprus.``
``If the Greek Cypriot administration wants to solve these issues by
unilateral initiatives launched under the umbrella of the European Court of
Human Rights or the umbrella of other EU organizations, it will close the
door for the proximity and direct talks,`` the statement added.
[12] Italian Parliament Supports EP Resolution on Armenian Genocide
Anatolia Agency (22:15 hours, 17. 11.00) reports that the Italian
parliament approved on Friday a resolution supporting the resolution on
genocide on Armenians which was approved by the European Parliament a few
days ago.
Referring to the European Parliament`s resolutions about Turkey, the
introduction sentence of the resolution called on Italian government to
support the resolution approved by the European Parliament, and to carry
out works to remove disagreements between Turkey and Armenia.
The joint resolution carrying signatures of chairmen of parliamentary
groups of all political parties at the Italian parliament, said that
Italian government would expend efforts for a progress in human rights by
showing respect to the territorial integrities of Turkey and Armenia within
framework of Turkey`s adjustment perspective with the European Union (EU).
Addressing the parliament on behalf of the government, Umberto Ranieri, the
Undersecretary of Italian Foreign Ministry, said that they should consider
rapprochement between Turkey and the EU and Turkey`s EU full membership
process.
Addressing the debate on resolutions on so-called genocide on Armenians,
deputies claimed that Turkey should record progress in order to become a EU
member on the issues of Cyprus and minorities.
Meanwhile, some deputies of the Reconstructed Communism Party defended that
the parliament should take up this issue in future.
[13] MILLIYET Reports Senator Biden Opposed to Sale of Helicopters to
Turkey A report in daily MILLIYET (17.11.00) says the US Senate has
obstructed the
sale of eight Sikorsky CH-53E helicopters to Turkey for $350 million
because of the Cyprus problem.
Democratic Party Senator from Delaware Joseph Biden disclosed that he
obstructed the sale of the helicopters because of Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit's remarks against the "search for a solution" in Cyprus.
Senator Biden is one of the senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. He is known for his interest in the Aegean disputes and the
Cyprus problem. In fact, he strongly argued with Prime Minister Ecevit and
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the two problems last year. He explained why
he opposed the sale of the helicopters to Turkey as follows: "I asked
Ecevit in Washington (October 1999) when the Cyprus problem would be
solved. He said that the problem was solved when Turkey intervened in
Cyprus in 1974. I informed him that I would not support Turkey as long as
it maintained that approach."
Turkey and the United States signed an agreement for the sale of eight
Sikorsky helicopters last June. They were expected to be delivered in 2003.
Senator Biden's opposition led to the suspension of their export license.
The Clinton administration supports the sale. The US State Department
officials informed Biden that the two sides in Cyprus maintain the
proximity talks under UN auspices and asked him to adopt a moderate
approach.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will take up Biden's opposition
to the sale when it returns from its recess on 5 December.
[14] Rate of Inflation in 'TRNC' Since 13 Dec 1999 Reported as 49.16
percent According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (11:30 hours,17.11.00), the so-
called
state planning organization has announced the fate of inflation from 10
October to 10 November 2000 as 1.88. This raises the rate of inflation
since 13 December 1999 to 49.16. During that period, food prices went up by
55.71 percent, clothing by 40.37 percent, household goods by 32.94 percent,
health and hygiene by 40 percent, transportation and communication by 39.4
percent, culture, education, and entertainment by 56.58 percent, housing by
71.18 percent, and cigarettes by 38.16 percent.
[15] EP Socialist Group delegation in the occupid area.
KIBRIS (20.11.00) reports that a 12-member delegation of the European
Parliament Socialist Group will hold contacts in the occupied areas today.
The delegation will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and
political party leaders.
[16] Denktash to brief ``ministers'' on indirect talks According to KIBRIS
(20.11.00, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash today
will brief the so-called council of ministers on the 5th round of indirect
talks.
[B] COMEMNTS AND EDITORIALS
[17] AVRUPA supports Annan document An editorial in AVRUPA (16.11.00) says:
`` It is really we more than the
Greek Cypriots who should stand up for the latest document submitted by the
UN Secretary General Koffi Annan. Yet we rejected it, became angry, and
declared Annan our enemy. The diplomat from Ghana should be grateful that
he is not a Turk. Otherwise we would have declared him a traitor!
Are the rights accorded to us in Annan's document any less than the rights
we already have in the Cyprus Republic?
No, they rather are more, and besides this time the rotational presidency
has also been included.
Whereas no Turk had the right to become president in the Cyprus Republic.
But from now on they will have this right. They will be represented in the
upper house by a 50-50 ratio, that is equally, and, as in the past, by a 70-
30 ration in the lower house. What else do we want?
We should actually ask who do not want this really? We, the Turkish
Cypriots, or Turkey?
Let us take a look at those here who have rejected this document. These are
led by Denktas and Eroglu and unfortunately followed by Mustafa Akinci.
Akinci, who is not at all suited for the government after being in
opposition, does not speak any differently on Cyprus than Ecevit and
Denktash.
He too like the others insists on utopia and says that there can be no
solution unless the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, TRNC, is
recognised.
And what about Mehmet Ali Talat [leader of the Republican Turkish Party,
CTP]?
He too is very cautious toward the document, he can only bring himself
around to saying "it has some good sides too." In other words, it is not
all bad!
The YBH [Patriotic Unity Movement] has still not taken a clear position on
the document. Why? Though it stands on the far left it too has been
unable to determine its stance on the TRNC. Does it recognise TRNC's
existence or not? It is not clear. Up until now they have not said, "Let
us speak out in support of our rights in the Cyprus Republic." Wanting to
grow as a party, they are unable to shake off the anxiety over votes.
Our trade unions and organisations too have not uttered a peep on this
issue.
In short, no one has said let us stand up for this document.
One must now better evaluate that fine line that separates the people from
the officials of the parties and organisations. It seems that the elected
and the electorate have parted ways on this issue, and quite sharply at
that. And this precipice is growing wider with every passing day.
Those in authority no longer echo the masses they represent. While the
masses endorse the latest UN and EU documents, the officials play a totally
different tune.
Turkey is rejecting these documents not in consideration of us but in
calculation of its own interests alone. But Turkey is calculating wrong,
because Turkey's interest lie in the acceptance of the documents not in
their rejection. This has dawned on the sober people in Turkey but not yet
on the military and government!''
[83] Columnist: Turkish Cypriots More Likely To Revolt Against Turkey Than
EU, UN
Columnist Sener Levent, writing in AVRUPA (15 .11.00) says:
``The huge flags draped all around the town are like shrouds covering our
desperate situation.
There is a celebration going on [17th anniversary of the declaration of the
`Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, TRNC/]. Bulletins and the news
reports are full of the same old holiday messages, nothing new is being
said.
No one is debating the reasons why and how this state was formed and why no
one has up to now recognised it.
Everyone is merely in a race to celebrate the event.
What is more, no one is questioning the fact that in the last 17 years our
situation has become far worse than it was 17 years ago and that in that
time we have been made to look as a totally parasitic community in front of
Turkey.
The rightists reign and the voice of the opposition is non existent.
Now, can anyone believe or stomach the references that the Turkish Foreign
Minister Cem has been making to Intifadah, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Cem has
quietly warned the UN Secretary General Annan that `Be careful, or I will
not be responsible, things similar to these can also happen in Cyprus!/
So what is Annan really supposed to pay attention to? Is it to the fact
that a war will break out if the EU and the UN do not take a backward step,
do not favour confederation and do not accept the separate state of the
Turkish Cypriots! Or that the Turkish Cypriots will revolt! Just as the
Palestinian children have done.
After having whispered this warning into Annan's ear and made his point,
Cem then went on to assure him, `Do not worry Mr. Annan we will not let
such things happen./
Who is Cem going to prevent from revolting? Why, we, the Turkish Cypriots,
who finding the injustice too unbearable will resort to intifadah and
Turkey will have to stop us from doing this? But wait, Ankara will not
render this service for free, it will stop our intifadah only if the EU and
the UN meet some of its demands. They will have to take backward steps,
they will have to amend those existing documents, otherwise things will get
out of hand and new Bosnias and new Kosovos will emerge. You can never tell
what the unpredictable Turkish Cypriots will do! And once they spill onto
the streets you never know what they will do!
Cem is right, there have been some stirrings of intifadah here of late. The
people are collecting stones and storing up on sling shots, the people's
anger is great. Everyone is like a bomb ready to explode. No one smiles
anymore, and people are so angry that they are taking tranquillisers. The
community has become a mass of people with a tendency to commit crime.
People are at such tender-hooks that they may cause an accident at any
moment. It is as if they will open the window and scream until the morning.
Are these not the harbingers of an approaching intifadah?
We are all going to explode brother Cem but against whom that is the crux
of the matter.
I honestly think that on this issue you are wrong on one thing. You have
seen the intifadah coming but you have not really understood whom it is
directed at.
The people's anger in this country is not directed against the EU or the
UN. Besides, unlike you, no one here is panicking over these [EU and UN]
documents. To the contrary, people here pray day and night for the solution
of the problem and for our accession to the EU so as not to completely
concede this right to the Greek Cypriot and in order to live like human
beings in this world.
On your part you have given assurances to Annan about preventing this
intifadah. On my part I can assure you that we will not resort to any
intifadah [against Turkey] as long as you too meet some of our demands.''
/SK
Director
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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