Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-12-19

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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. 244/00 -- 19.12.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] So-called assembly members on Cyprus problem.

[02] Ertugruloglu says steps will be taken to protect Turks in Pyla.

[03] Talat meets British union officials.

[04] Forged credit cards.

[05] Denktash on confederation.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry/s views regarding Cyprus EU accession.

[07] Eroglu said to resign.

[08] Talat on situation in Pyla.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Columnist sees Turkish Foreign Ministry under ``trusteeship'' of the military.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] So-called assembly Members on Cyprus Problem KIBRIS (Internet Version, 15.12.00) reports that so called minister of

In remarks he made during a ``parliament'' meeting to discuss the ``budget'' of the so-called ministry of defense and foreign affairs Ertugruloglu has said: "For us, the Cyprus problem is that of the Turkish identity."

DP [Democratic Party] ``deputy'' Serdar Denktas noted that a solution can be reached only if both sides desire to bring about a solution. Serdar Denktas has said that a number of members of the leftwing sector are trying to create the impression that the Turkish Cypriots do not seek a solution.

Serdar Denktas has added that the Greek Cypriots seek to introduce a system that gives the Turkish Cypriots only the right to have a say in the field of local government services. "There can be no agreement as long as they refuse to accept the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are the owners of the island as well," Denktas has said.

Expressing the belief that the free movement of Turkish and Greek Cypriots across Cyprus will be beneficial for seeing the ``realities'' on the ground as well as for the fading of the dreams that people can return to their former homes, Serdar Denktas has argued that the difference in the economic level (between the occupied area and the free area of Cyprus) would give rise to clashes even if an agreement is reached regarding the Cyprus problem.

Noting that the setting up of a group possessing political and legal experiences will be useful for explaining the pseudostate's policies to the whole world, Serdar Denktas has said: "We must act in goodwill and must mobilize our efforts in order to make our voice heard throughout the world."

In a statement he made during the session, CTP Secretary Ferdi Sabit Soyer accused UBP and DP of using the Cyprus problem as a tool for domestic politics.

Soyer criticized ``minister of defense and foreign affairs'' Tahsin Ertugruloglu for claiming that the Cyprus problem was solved in 1974 at a time when the ``government'' program indicates the existence of the Cyprus problem.

Noting that Turkey has adopted the principle of having the Cyprus problem solved through the indirect talks held under UN supervision within the framework of the EU accession process, Soyer has said that disputes exist on the matter within Turkey itself. Soyer has added that exerting pressure with respect to the withdrawal from the indirect talks would harm the Turkey-EU relations.

Soyer has said that he is anxious to know if any ploys are being prepared, adding that the people must be kept informed about the developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

Arguing that if the present mentality subsists, Turkey will clash with the EU and the United Nations, Soyer has warned that the Turkish Cypriots may be alienated from the United Nations in the same way that they were alienated from the EU. "Are we going to push Turkey toward a position where it would clash with the EU and the United Nations," Soyer has asked.

Stating that accusations have been levelled against CTP, which cares about the future of the Turkish Cypriots, Soyer has said that nothing can be achieved with the mentality that is opposed to the achieving of a solution on the Cyprus problem.

Responding to remarks made by Serdar Denktas and Ferdi Sabit Soyer, ``ministe r of defense and foreign affairs'' Tahsin Ertugruloglu noted that Soyer has described Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots as helpless.

Ertugruloglu has said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are not helpless, adding that the Cyprus problem is not the problem of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots alone. "For us, the Cyprus problem is that of the Turkish identity, " Ertugruloglu has said.

Meanwhile, Ertugruloglu has said that CTP has signalled messages on distancing the Turkish Cypriots from Turkey by showing that Cyprus stands in Turkey's way to the EU. Ertugruloglu has added that CTP is giving advice to Turkish officials as if these officials do not know what is best for their own interests.

Arguing that remarks made during the indirect talks to the effect that "the two sides represent themselves at the table" do not carry any meaning, Ertugruloglu has said that while they seek the sharing of sovereignty, the Greek Cypriots are talking about single sovereignty and division. Noting that a team of international forces has been envisaged with respect to the security issue, Ertugruloglu has stressed that this is not acceptable for them, adding that nothing will be achieved until the United Nations reverses its decision on the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Noting that the equality of the Turkish Cypriots has not been accepted under the present decisions of the United Nations, Ertugruloglu has said that facts must not be distorted at a time when these facts are seen clearly. Stressing that they have not rejected the 12 September statement but that this statement must not be viewed as a victory, Ertugruloglu has said that there has been talk about a new partnership. Ertugruloglu has added that this does not carry the meaning that the Republic of Cyprus has not been recognized or that ``TRNC'' has been recognized.

Drawing attention to the fact that the elimination of ``borders'' and property has been envisaged on the 8 November statement, Ertugruloglu has said that a structure that encompasses a unitary state that appears like a federal solution will not be accepted. Moreover, Ertugruloglu has said that the withdrawal from the indirect talks does not mean that the talks have been abandoned completely.

Addressing the participants once again after Ertugruloglu's statement, CTP Deputy Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that he prefers working with evil people of his own race than with kings of other races. Soyer has added that there is no need for appeasing the Americans.

Noting that they have accepted the ``government's'' 12 September statement as a basis, Soyer has said that they have called on the ``government'' to hold the talks on the Cyprus problem on the basis of two states, adding that however, this factor has not been included in the decision of the ``council of ministers''.

Noting that the ``council of ministers'' has accepted the UN Secretary General's decision, Soyer has said that there are no differences between the decisions made in the fourth and fifth rounds of talks.

Indicating that Ankara, for its part, has decided to accept the fourth round of talks as a basis, Soyer has said that the Turkish Presidential Spokesman and MIT [National Intelligence Organization] have earlier indicated that Turkey has set the EU as its target.

Meanwhile, Soyer has said that Ertugruloglu must make a statement on the remarks that Turkish State Minister Cay from MHP [Nationalist Action Party] has made regarding Cyprus. In remarks about the Turkish presence in Cyprus, Cay had said: "We have interests in Cyprus even without the presence of Turks on the island."

DP [Democratic Party] ``deputy'' Ahmet Kesif, for his part, has said that he shares UBP's views regarding foreign politics.

[02] Ertugruloglu Says Steps Will be Taken To Protect Turks in Pyla Anatolia Agency (18:30 hours, 18.12 00) reports that, commenting on the

Ertugruloglu visited Pyla village with the so-called housing and transportation minister Salih Miroglu on Monday. During his visit, Ertugruloglu said that the UN Peace Force was responsible for the bumper region and he called on the UN Peace Force to fulfill its responsibilities. ``We are expecting the Greek Cypriot side to stop behaving like they are the only owners of this village,`` he went on to say. ``Unfortunately, the UN Peace Force is not doing its job as it should. This last incident is a result of the UN`s wrong attitude and its failure to fulfil its responsibilities.``

He said they would take all kinds of measures to prevent Pyla`s Turks from becoming victims of the UN`s mistakes.

[03] Talat meets British union officials YENIDUZEN (16.12.00) reports that the leader of Republican Turkish Party

In the meeting, Talat stressed that his party is actually the only opposition party in the occupied area. He added that the 1974 incidents (invasion) are not the beginning of the Cyprus problem.

Talat continued: ``The leaders of both sides have been playing an important role in not finding a solution to the Cyprus problem''.

Stating that at the international fora important developments influence the solution of the Cyprus problem, like Turkey/s acceptance of the EU Accession Partnership Document, Talat claimed that the problem in fact could not be solved because the Greek Cypriots cannot accept a solution based on the equality of the sides. ``The side who suffers from the no- solution is our side and not the Greek Cypriots. They have contacts abroad, they are doing very well as regards the economy. We are under embargoes. These are the reasons why we have to exert efforts for a solution'', Talat said.

Kahramanoglu briefed Talat about UNISON.

He said that until today they have had contacts only with the free areas of Cyprus but this year for the first time they have contacts with KTAMS (``Turkish Cypriots Civil Servants Union'').

[04] Forged credit cards KIBRIS (16.12.00) reports that British and Belgian police are conducting

[A] G. and D.A., through internet - acquired credit card numbers belonging to others -mainly British and Belgian owners - forged cards using these numbers but with their own names on them. With these cards they went shopping and also to casinos in the occupied area for gambling.

KIBRIS says that D.A. and A.G are under arrest awaiting trial.

[05] Denktash on confederation KIBRIS (19.12.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Dentkash gave a

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry/s views regarding Cyprus EU accession According to SABAH/s (18.12.00) correspondent Guney Ozturk, Turkish Foreign

SABAH/s correspondent says that Cyprus/s full membership is not the only issue that worries the Foreign Ministry officials. It is the process that started with Dentkash/s withdrawal from the proximity talks in Geneva that worries them most. According to Ankara: ``The Greek Cypriot side is doing everything possible for not reaching a solution on the negotiation table. It says, let us be an EU member and then we will see. And Denktash/s withdrawal from the proximity talks is reflected on the world public opinion as `the Turkish side is running away from the negotiation table/.''

``In the final analysis'' goes on the SABAH report, ``the confederation thesis of the TRNC is unable to draw support from any platform, including the UN Secretariat. And the TRNC is determined not to sit around the negotiation table to discuss anything but confederation. The Foreign Ministry is also worried that a hasty settlement in Cyprus could pave the way for bloody intercommunal hostilities. Turkish officials say that the Greek Cypriots are very strong in the world public opinion. Press, media and news agencies are under their control. The Greek lobby in the USA is well known. In case of a conflict, there will be an incredible propaganda against Turkey''.

[07] Eroglu said to resign The front page article of HALKIN SESI (19.12.00) refers to the possibility

According to the article, Eroglu will resign mainly because of the stand of the TKP (Communal Liberation Party) at the extraordinary meeting of the pseudo-assembly.

According to speculations, after his resignation Eroglu will be assigned by Denktash to form the new ``cabinet'' that will lead to a ``coalition'' with the DP (Democratic Party).

[08] Talat on situation in Pyla YENIDUZEN (19.12.00) reports that the leader of Republican Turkish Party

``Let the appropriate authorities of both sides set free the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot who have been arrested for various reasons. Let us prevent the tension and we will gain more profits if we secure the tranquillity'', Talat said.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Columnist sees Turkish Foreign Ministry under ``trusteeship'' of the military

Referring to Cyprus he says: ``The situation in Cyprus is very bad. The hands of the Foreign Ministry are not free. Because the Foreign Ministry is not playing the game according to its own rules. It is in a way under the trusteeship of the National Security Council.

The objection points raised in a vivid and tumultuous manner by Denktash at the NSC meeting in Ankara, following his hastly departure from New York, are not valid for us. Those, lead by Denktash, who favour non-solution in Cyprus, appear for the time being to be winning certain positions. However, our Foreign Ministry is aware that non-solution in Cyprus will create middle-term and long - term major problems to Turkey. However, as we said the hands of the Foreign Ministry are tied. Although in a courageous manner they defended the policy charted at the NSC meeting, they were unable to convince us. The objections they raised never convinced us, they were simple reasons. In fact a journalist colleague said the following: `After listening the discussions and what you (Foreign Ministry officials) have said around this table, I have concluded that your Cyprus policy has hit rock bottom/.

I have asked about the NSC/s pressure and activities on the foreign policy issues and they referred us to the office of the Chief of Staff.

The Foreign Ministry on the one hand sees how a non-solution in Cyprus will hurt Turkey in the international relations and in bilateral relations, and on the other hand it is unable to do something to preclude this. It is as if it has accepted the trusteeship. This is very strange, as well as a very painful dilemma'', Sertoglu says.

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

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