Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-23

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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. 226/00 -- 23.11.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit accuses EU of deceiving Turkey, breaking promise on Cyprus, Aegean issues.

[02] EP/s Cohn-Bendit comments on EP-Turkey joint commission meeting.

[03] Yilmaz on Cyprus inclusion in Accession Document.

[04] Denktash warns to break up relations if Greek Cypriots accepted into EU Army.

[05] Cakmakoglu: Turkey to continue to take every measure for ``TRNC'' security.

[06] Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties meeting.

[07] Talat meets British MPs.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit accuses EU of deceiving Turkey, breaking promise on Cyprus, Aegean issues

Ecevit made the following important point in his address; that Turkey was not going to give up neither its sensitivity nor its candidacy.

``No power can isolate and exclude Turkey from Europe and from being European at a time when it has multifaceted and multidimensional relations with the EU. The EU, if it seeks conciliation in Cyprus, should not repress the Turkish Cypriots and try to make them accept the Greek Cypriot sovereignty. The only way to a conciliation is for the EU to come to terms with the reality of two independent states in Cyprus. The EU, if it seeks a just solution to the Aegean issue, should not bow to Greek whims and, instead, guide Greece to engage in civilized dialogue with Turkey.

I would like to say the following before I finish my address: the past, present, and future of the Turks cannot be excluded from Europe and the Europeans. Furthermore, Europe cannot control or frighten the Turkish nation by ways of deception, pressure, imposition, and extending support to ethnic lobbies and separatist movements.

Ignorant remarks are being made on the issue of Turkey in the European Parliament (EP). There are efforts to accuse the Turkish army, which is the guarantee of peace in Cyprus, as occupationist. Some EP members are giving Corsica and Basque as examples in connection with Turkey because of their incapability of comprehending that the Turks and the Kurds are an inseparable entity. They are trying to portray our citizens, who are integral members of the majority, as a minority. The Turkish nation will not be deceived and will pretend not to hear such nonsense,'' Ecevit said.

Furthermore, Anatolia Agency (11:41 hours, 22.11.00) reports that Ecevit has also said that Turkey/s reaction would not remain in words if a result that is appropriate to Turkey/s expectations could not be reached regarding the Cyprus and the Aegean issues.

Ecevit said: ``I hope the (EU) Council, which will convene again in the coming days, will reach a conclusion that is appropriate to Turkey/s expectations on Cyprus and the Aegean issues. If they fail to do this, Turkey/s reactions will not remain in words. However, I would like to point out that Turkey will not suspend its candidacy or give up its full membership by itself. If there are those who wish this, they should not dream in vain''.

[02] EP/s Cohn-Bendit comments on EP-Turkey joint commission meeting Anatolia Agency (11:11 hours, 22.11.00) reports that co-presidents Daniel

Addressing the press conference, Cohn-Bendit said that the National Security Council/s (MGK) role in Turkish policy was not concordant with Europe. Underlining that the concept of `national sovereignty/ changed during the integration process in Europe, Cohn-Bendit said that democratic governments could make the necessary changes. Cohn-Bendit stressed that soldiers, an undemocratic group which was not elected, could not rule policies and changes. Noting that the army/s role had been withdrawn gradually, Cohn-Bendit said that this process would take time.

Referring to the issue of amnesty, Cohn-Bendit said that the amnesty law which Turkey planned to adopt, should include everyone.

``I realized how we offended Foreign Minister Cem and Turkish MPs with the issue of genocide on Armenians. I do apologize on behalf of our delegation. We did not aim at offending you. Most of the European Parliament thinks that a genocide on Armenians took place. Maybe we are right, maybe not. I want to reiterate my proposal to hold a symposium on genocide on Armenians with the participation of members of Turkish parliament, Armenian parliament and European Parliament'', he said.

Referring to ``cultural rights'', Cohn-Bendit said that the European Parliament/s opinions on the issue were clear. He stressed that all minorities should protect their cultural identities. Noting that they had assumed the same attitude not only for Kurds, but for minorities in everywhere, Cohn-Bendit said that all minorities should have the right to broadcast and publish in their own languages.

Cohn-Bendit asked what can be the negative consequences of performing a theatre play in Kurdish language, stating that he could not understand this. Cohn-Bendit stressed that they wanted to see the National Plan which would be prepared by Turkey, and framework of reforms in Turkey.

Noting that Turkey would become a full member of the EU in a way, Cohn- Bendit stressed that Turkey should make the necessary reforms as soon as possible to shorten the process.

Speaking at the press conference, Eser said there were serious problems regarding confidence between Turkey and the EU relations, and noted that Turkey, which turned its face toward Europe since its foundation, was in an unpleasant non-confidence atmosphere in its relations with the EU.

Eser said there was an anti-Turkish atmosphere in the European Parliament since September 4, 2000, the time when the EP started its new legislation period. He said the JPC meeting was beneficial despite the negative atmosphere.

Mentioning the Morillon Report that was approved in the EP, Eser stressed that some elements included in the report cannot be accepted by Turkey.

Eser said, ``we do not accept the views regarded with the so-called genocide on Armenians, and inclusion of Cyprus in the short-term objectives of the Accession Partnership Accord''. Eser said Turkish-EU relations should be arranged in line with the decisions of the Helsinki summit.

Disclosing his views about the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), which was one of the agenda items of the JPC, Eser said Turkey supported the works on ESDI, yet noted that Turkey wants to preserve the acquisitions which it got before within the body of the NATO.

Recalling that the Western European Union (WEU) would be abrogated next year, Eser said, ``thus, Turkey/s acquisitions in the WEU would end. We want to preserve our acquisitions in NATO.''

Eser said the 47th JPC meeting will take place in Brussels on May 1, 2001.

[03] Yilmaz on Cyprus inclusion in Accession Document According to Anatolia Agency (18:25 hours, 22.11.00), Turkish Deputy Premier

Yilmaz added that the Turkish government opposes the part of the Document on the Cyprus issue, which was included in the short-term priorities. ``We are against it not in respect of the content of the paragraph, but in respect of its place within the Document'', said Yilmaz.

[04] Denktash warns to break up relations if Greek Cypriots accepted into EU Army

In a statement he issued at a meeting with Thrisian Mark Johan Kraner, Dutch Ambassador to Rome who is also accredited to Cyprus, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to integrate into the EU from the military point of view as well. Denktash added: ``In the event that the EU accepts this, there will be no reason whatsoever to talk to the Greek Cypriots and we will break up our relations by increasing the wall between us''.

Amb. Kraner, in turn, expressed hope that a solution will be found to the Cyprus issue. Explaining that he personally regretted having to leave Cyprus before the issue was resolved, Kraner said that he hopes that a solution will be secured the next time he comes to Cyprus as a tourist and that the island/s people will be able to travel freely.

Noting that tourism on the island will develop if there is a solution, Kraner added that it is only fair that everybody on the island benefits from this equally.

[05] Cakmakoglu: Turkey to continue to take every measure for ``TRNC'' security

Speaking to reporters at the occupied Tymbou airport, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey would continue to take every measure for the ``TRNC/s'' security.

Cakmakoglu said the aim of the Toros-2000 manoeuvre was defense and training.

Calling on the world and the sides interested in the Cyprus issue ``to see the facts in Cyprus'', Cakmakoglu said, ``they should see the facts instead of seeking artificial solutions.''

Cakmakoglu claimed that ``the facts in Cyprus are the separate sovereignty of the two peoples who had been separated from each other long years ago, and the existence of two separate states'', and that recognition of those ``facts'' would be the most appropriate solution method.

When recalled of President Glafcos Clerides/ statement which said, ``we are capable of locking Turkish planes on our radars'' Cakmakoglu said that this was President Clerides/ opinion, and that Turkey protected the existence of the ``TRNC'' on the basis of international agreements.

``We continue to do what we will do and we continue to take measures that we will take. Besides, our manoeuvre interests only us'', he said.

[06] Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties meeting YENIDUZEN (23.11.00) reports that leaders or representatives of Greek

In the statement, read by the ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Cyprus, Dusan Rozbora, who organises the party meetings, a ``cordial and friendly atmosphere'' prevailed. He announced that the next meeting will be held on January 22.

On behalf of the Greek Cypriot side present were DISI president Nicos Anastasiades and MP Katy Cleridou, AKEL party General Secretary Demetris Christofias and member Eleni Mavrou, Democratic Party (DIKO) MP Stathis Kiti, Social Democrats member Kyriacos Mavronicolas and United Democrats president George Vassiliou and member Andreas Ladas.

From the Turkish Cypriot parties present were Serdar Denktash and Hande Kayasal from the Democratic Party, Ferdi Soyer and Kutlay Erk of the Republican Turkish party, Gungor Gunkan of the Communal Liberation Party, Izzet Iscan and Rasih Keskiner of the Patriotic Unity Movement and Mehmet Barut of the National Revival Party.

[07] Talat meets British MP/s YENIDUZEN (23.11.00) reports that the leader of the Turkish Republican Party

Talat explained to ``Friends of Cyprus'' MP/s his views on the Cyprus problem.

In his speech, Talat stressed that the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the Cyprus delegation for accession negotiations with the EU will be a major contribution to the solution of the Cyprus problem. He alleged that at this point the Cyprus accession negotiations are proceeding in an unjust way.

Talat then replied to British MP/s questions on the political and economic problems of the pseudostate.

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

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