Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-24

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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. 227/00 -- 24.11.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish warplanes, ships participate in Toros-2000 exercises.

[02] Cakmakoglu on ``lessons'' from Toros-2000.

[03] Verheugen notes efforts to keep EU Document within Helsinki framework.

[04] NATO/s Robertson notes Turkey/s role in European Security.

[05] Talat says `inevitable/ solution will be bizonal federation.

[06] Denktash not to continue with talks.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish warplanes, ships participate in Toros-2000 exercises Anatolia Agency (11:28 hours, 23.11.00) reports that the ``Toros-2000''

Turkish warplanes and ships attended yesterday/s section of the manoeuvres.

[02] Cakmakoglu on ``lessons'' from Toros-2000 Anatolia Agency (18:32 hours, 23.11.00) reports that Turkey/s National

Cakmakoglu and Ozkok watched the Toros-2000 exercise.

At the occupied Tymbou airport, Cakmakoglu told reporters that events which would make the Turkish nation proud, occurred during the exercise and that there are lessons to be taken from the exercise.

Cakmakoglu said, ``we advise that every country which has connection with TRNC should see our capabilities and possibilities and take lessons''.

Cakmakoglu said that Turkey does not find the Cyprus question/s being brought to the agenda by availing the Accession Partnership Accord, as a right behaviour.

They do not adopt such a policy, Cakmakoglu stated, adding that they do not adopt the United Nations (UN) Secretary General/s putting forward some views which recall the incidents prior to 1974 in the end of the proximity talks without consulting the Turkish side.

Cakmakoglu claimed, ``TRNC is a reality. Two separate states and two separate nations. We reiterated our policy that there is only one solution on Cyprus which depends on the cooperation and solidarity of the independent states that were founded by the sovereignty of two separate states and two separate nations''.

[03] Verheugen notes efforts to keep EU Document within Helsinki framework Anatolia Agency (15:27 hours, 23.11.00) reports that Gunter Verheugen, EU

Verheugen, who participated in the European conference ministerial meeting held in Socheaux replied to press questions regarding the Accession Partnership Document.

Noting that they have not yet been able to overcome certain problems with regards to the document, Verheugen continued: ``We are exerting great efforts to keep the Document within the Helsinki framework and to fully satisfy all the parties concerned''.

In reply to a question on the inclusion of the Cyprus problem in the document/s short-term section, Verheugen said that the document prepared by the commission was fully harmonious with the Helsinki summit decisions.

Verheugen declined to answer a question on whether the approval of the Document will be delayed until Sweden assumes the term presidency.

The Accession Partnership Document was discussed during the meeting Foreign Minister Ismail Cem held with Verheugen yesterday (23.11.00).

[04] NATO/s Robertson notes Turkey/s role in European Security Anatolia Agency (16:00 hours, 23.11.00) reports that Lord George Robertson,

Robertson addressed the conference on ``European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI)'' that is organized by Turkey/s Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) in Istanbul.

Speaking at the conference Robertson said that now, as the EU aspires to become a true security actor in its own right, NATO will no longer be the only institution managing security in Europe. These recent developments suggest to some people that Turkey is suffering a `minus/ in its security status and a net loss in its influence on the evolution of European security, Robertson said.

``These are serious concerns and they are being taken seriously. That is all the more so as Turkey shares its status with the other five non-EU European Allies-the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Poland - and to a different extend, also with Canada.

NATO was an Alliance of sovereign states, cooperating exclusively on security matters. The European Union process, by contrast, acquired an agenda that covered almost everything but security.

In NATO, the military capabilities of the Allies were distributed unevenly. In the EU, it was the lack of a security dimension. In a similar vein, the Europeans would ritually chafe under what they perceived as U.S. dominance. Today, however, the Cold War and the Soviet Union are gone. There is no longer an existential threat that helps hide institutional deficiencies. On the contrary, the post-Cold War has exposed these deficiencies - and rather mercilessly.

The writing was on the wall for everyone to read: not every regional conflict would necessarily engage the strategic interests of the United States the same way as that of the Europeans. So the second lesson was that from now on we had to contemplate scenarios where the United States would not want to be in the lead. In such a case, then, the Europeans should better be able to provide some leadership themselves.

As a global power, the US had always invested in power projection capabilities. In the Kosov campaign, these capabilities came in very handy. European armed forces, by contrast, are still largely geared to the specific scenarios of the Cold War. They would have made a significant contribution to our collective defense in case of an attack from the East. But, to put it bluntly, in an air campaign against a small-scale Balkan dictator no tank formations are required. Europeans had a lot of capabilities they did not need, and too few of the capabilities they need.

NATO is Europe/s dominant security institution. Bosnia and Kosovo have made that utterly clear. NATO remains absolutely vital as the cornerstone of European security-in peacekeeping, in defence diplomacy, as a framework for cooperation and if necessary, for collective defense. During its half century of existence, it has accumulated a high and unprecedented level of expertise.

Finally, and very importantly, to more than just Turkey is the question of the participation of non-EU Allies. Why does NATO put so much emphasis on this question? I think the case of Turkey demonstrates quite convincingly why. There is both a political and a military imperative why non-EU NATO Allies such as Turkey simply must be part of the game.

First, the political point. It is a very simple and straightforward point:

we all need Turkey. Its proximity to the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean puts Turkey at the centre of a vital strategic area. Indeed, I would argue that as a secular democracy and a staunch NATO Ally, Turkey has never had a greater opportunity to play a role as an agent of positive change. All Allies, North American or European, NATO or EU, appreciate that.

Any attempt to deprive Turkey of this unique role, any misguided attempt to marginalise her, would be self-defeating especially if a crisis affects Turkey/s security or Turkey/s vital interests. If this was attempted, the West would act against its own vital strategic interests. That is why Turkey must remain a crucial part of the European security equation.

The second point is a military one. Even a quick glance at a list of conceivable scenarios for EU-led crisis management operations drives the conclusion that virtually all these scenarios involve Turkey, in one way or another.

European members of NATO will have an automatic right to participate in EU operations where NATO assets are used. They can also be invited to participate in operations where there is no recourse to NATO assets.

Let me conclude: A strong European role in crisis management is inevitable. It is a logical step in the process of European construction. But is also of crucial importance for the Alliance itself.

In any case, Turkey need to be involved-because NATO assets are required, because Turkish contributions are needed, or because the operation takes place in a region close to Turkey. In other words, the military realities of crisis management will ensure that Turkey will play a role commensurate with its weight as a major security actor.

In the light of these political and military reasons it becomes clear why we, in our dealings with the EU, have been playing the role of advocate for the non-EU Allies on the participation issue. I am confident that the EU is now proposing arrangements with the non-EU European allies, including Turkey, that will meet their security interests.''

When Ozdem Sanberk, the retired Turkish Ambassador and the Chairman of TESEV, asked if the new force that would be set up by the EU would be used in Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, and when recalled the concern that Turkey would feel in such a situation, Robertson said the EU would not enter into specific conflicts.

Pointing out that the EU would consider the sensitivities of Turkey before using such a force, Robertson said the EU would be careful in considering the interests of all the countries.

[05] Talat says `inevitable/ solution will be bizonal federation YENIDUZEN (24.11.0) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican

A statement issued by the CTP press bureau says that Talat addressed Turkish Cypriots at a meeting in London and told them that a solution to the problem will be beneficial for the Turkish Cypriots. He recalled that any agreement will have to be submitted to a public referendum.

The CTP leader asserted that the Turkish Cypriots must participate in the EU accession process because otherwise it will be too late. He added that this issue must be discussed constantly during international contacts.

[06] Norwegian MP holds contacts YENI DEMOKRAT (24.11.00) reports that the chairman of the Foreign Affairs

Blankenborg is accompanied by the Norwegian ambassador to Tel-Aviv who is also accredited in Cyprus, Svein O. Saether.

Blankenborg stated that the aim of their contacts is to be informed on the latest political developments in the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, according to KIBRIS (24.11.00) Haaken Blankenborg also had a meeting yesterday with the so-called state minister and deputy prime minister, Mustafa Akinci.

In a statement prior to the meeting, Akinci expressed his satisfaction over the fact that the Norwegian Labour Party invited his party, the Communal Liberation Party (CLP), at their congress that was held between 9-12 of November. Gungor Gunkan represented the CLP at the meeting, where he had several useful contacts.

Blankenborg also had a meeting with the General Secretary of the Turkish Republican Party (CTP) Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Soyer accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of being ``an enemy of Europe and a vulgar''.

[06] Denktash not to continue with talks According to Turkish television channel NTV (24.11.00), a high-level meeting

After the meeting, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash made a statement to the press: ``Today we discussed in detail the fifth round of talks that took place in Geneva. During the fifth round an effort was made to find common ground for direct talks. Unfortunately, this was not possible. Because our views are in contrast with the views of the Greek Cypriots and due to the approach of UN Secretary General Kofi Anna, who recognizes the Cyprus Government as legal. The Turkish Cypriot Administration is a reality. Consequently, we reached a point where there is no reason to loose our time. The motherland is supporting us. If our parameteres are not accepted in these talks, there is no point in continuing. There is no benefit. It/s a loss. This is definite. In addition, these days we also had the EU issue. The Greek Cypriots are asking freedom of movement and return of property from the TRNC. They are asking the enforcement of the Loizidou case. These discussions are wrong. The Greek Cypriots want to be the legal government of the whole Cyprus''.

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

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