Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-04-17

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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] Turkey and the pseudostate are searching for a new strategy to prevent Cyrpus/ accession to the EU.

[02] Turkey asks for new formula for Cyprus talks.

[03] Rauf Denktash/s views on Solution to Cyprus Problem and EU Accession.

[04] The Czech Foreign Minister replied to questions on Cyprus during a visit to Ankara.

[05] The Turkish Cypriot leader returned to occupied Cyprus after visiting Ankara.

[06] The Foreign Minister of Turkey is visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Levent: ``Ankara can no more keep the Cyprus problem on the shelf''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey and the pseuodstate are searching for a new strategy to prevent Cyprus/ accession to the EU

While signs are increasing that Cyprus/ negotiating procedure will be completed soon and by the end of next year Cyprus will accede to the EU it is necessary for Turkey and the pseudostate to formulate a new policy. These developments will be discussed by Denktash and Turkey/s President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Also during the contacts of Ismail Cem in the occupied areas discussions will take place on what must be done in order to prevent Cyprus/ accession to the EU.

The paper also writes that replying to a question during a press conference the Deputy Spokesman of Turkey//s Foreign Ministry Huseyin Dirioz claimed that the pressure of the Greek lobby towards Washington that the human rights of Greek Cypriots in Cyprus are being violated is not a positive development.

[02] Turkey asks for new formula for Cyprus talks According to Turkish Daily News (14.4.01), Turkey last Friday urged the UN

The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot leader refuses to take part in the UN-sponsored proximity talks until the status of the pseudostate set up through the force of arms after the illegal Turkish invasion of 1974 is determined.

The paper quotes the following statement made by the Turkish President Sezer/s foreign policy adviser Tacan Ildem on the Cyprus problem:

``It has become clear that UN-chaired talks do not serve the aim of a permanent peace in the island. The mission that falls on the UN Secretary- General is to find a new method that is acceptable to (both) sides''.

[03] Rauf Denktash/s views on Solution to Cyprus Problem and EU Accession The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, gave an interview to Leyla

Question: The proximity talks have been halted. In your opinion, what will happen in the near future?

Answer: A number of people have criticized our withdrawal from these talks, saying that this was not a correct move. However, there is something that these people are either unaware of or they have failed to assess. The proximity talks were raised on the agenda as a result of an accord and a compromise. The aim of the proximity talks was to prepare a ground for holding talks with Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides in the wake of our failure to meet with him.

Question: Why were you avoiding to meet with Clerides?

Answer: I was avoiding to meet with Clerides because he was completely spoiled after the EU lit the green light to him and because he began to talk of the Turkish Cypriots as "their citizens under occupation." Clerides constantly made the following remarks to the Europeans: "The Cyprus problem started in 1974. The Turkish Cypriots constitute a minority."

We asked Clerides several times to avoid making similar statements. However, Clerides turned a deaf ear to our calls and continued supporting this argument strongly. Clerides thereafter applied for EU membership unilaterally. The proximity talks have no meaning whatsoever given that Clerides has offered military bases in Cyprus, has presented the Turkish Cypriots as a minority to the whole world, and has openly declared that he does not want a federation.

Thus, the proximity talks were aimed at preparing the necessary ground for face-to-face talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. The rights were recognized to us to raise any issue on the agenda unconditionally. No references whatsoever were to be made during the talks to the UN Security Council resolutions. Moreover, they were not to call us a community and these talks were not to be referred to as inter-communal talks.

We told them that the inter-communal talks have ended and that henceforth we want to hold the talks between two states. All these conditions were accepted and, therefore, we decided to take part in these talks. However, when we started the fifth round of talks, we saw that a framework was introduced as if we were there to hold the final talks. This framework envisaged EU entry unconditionally. However, according to a decision that was made earlier, EU accession was supposed to be raised on the agenda after having our status determined and after each of the two sides held a separate referendum on the matter.

Question: That is, does EU entry constitute the main aim of the Greek Cypriots?

Answer: Yes, it does. More importantly, they are asking us to take part in the talks by taking into consideration the fact that the EU Justice Council cannot reject the decisions that are made in accordance with the EU norms. This is tantamount to saying that the EU norms are valid and that consequently, the exchange of people is meaningless. Accordingly, the exchange of property would lose its meaning and all the Greek Cypriot refugees would have the right to return to their homes. Thus, Hellenism would achieve victory.

All these developments show that preconditions have been set before us. They are referring to the UN Security Council resolutions and are defining us as a community. Consequently, the conditions that we have agreed upon have been eliminated. Following these developments, we reminded Clerides the statement that UN Secretary, General Kofi Annan made on 12 September. Clerides told us that Annan's remarks are contained within the parameters of the talks. That is true, but these parameters have been altered. Annan talked to Clerides after the latter's failure to come to the talks for the first two days.

Clerides thereafter returned to the negotiating table saying: "Annan gave us assurances. Everything is all right now. There is nothing to fear about."

They envisage the establishment of a unitary state under the name of federation, thus eliminating every kind of issue that we have been upholding until now. I immediately made the aforementioned assessment to Annan. In response, Annan told me that he envisages the starting of the sixth round of talks at the end of January [2001]. I, for my part, told Annan that I would reply to him after first talking to my ``government'' as well as to the Turkish government. Annan has until now kept his promise and has not made any calls for a meeting.

The process of talks aimed at preparing the necessary ground has destroyed itself. We did not evade the talks. The most important thing is the announcement of Annan to the effect that it was time to include something new in the package. However, no one has yet talked about our sovereignty or the recognition of the ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus''.

Meanwhile, the EU advised Turkey on 8 November to extend the required assistance with the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem in the manner envisaged by the UN Secretary-General. During the same hour that Annan was conveying these messages to Turkey, he was also trying to persuade us to accept a solution based on the principles envisaged by Annan. These [Annan and the Greek Cypriots] seem to be working so closely with one another. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro de Soto has openly said that they are dealing with this issue by consulting with the EU.

What they want to tell us is the following: "The legitimate Government of Cyprus has made a valid application for EU membership. This EU membership process is continuing. We are calling on you to take part in this process. We will make a decision on Cyprus' EU membership in 2004 within the framework of the Helsinki decisions even if you fail to take part in these talks." However, as stated by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a precondition for Cyprus' entry into the EU.

Question: That is, are they engaging in coercion to solve the Cyprus problem by benefiting from the prevailing difficult conditions in Turkey?

Answer: Yes, they are. I would like to warn my people openly. The provocations will continue and the Greek Cypriot refugees will ask [the Turkish Cypriots] to leave the properties that they left behind them in ``TRNC'' if we bow before them, if we continue viewing the EU as a target, and if we accept the entry of Cyprus into the EU before Turkey.

In my opinion, they want to repeat the Crete scenario in Cyprus. The readiness of the present Turkish government to support us regarding the Cyprus problem constitutes the strongest source of confidence for us.

Question: While insisting on finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Western countries and the Greek Cypriots are claiming that the island has lost its political importance. If it is true that Cyprus has lost its strategic importance, then why are they insisting on gaining EU membership, for which they are spending plenty of money?

Answer: There is something that many people are not aware of. Taking possession of this island that they call "a Hellenic or large island" has become a matter of national culture for the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots. This is a target that has been sought for the past 125 years. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriots view the Turkish Cypriots as a foreign factor that prevents them from achieving their targets. This is why they earlier tried to evict us from here.

Foreigners cannot decide as to whether or not this island has strategic importance for Turkey or as to whether or not Turkey needs this island from the perspective of its strategic importance. Turkey must be the one that makes this decision. They claim that an aircraft carrier would be given to Turkey in return for Cyprus. In this way, the chain of Greek islands would be completed.

Question: In your opinion, why are they pursuing this matter fervently exactly at this time?

Answer: The fact that the oil pipelines will reach Iskenderun has raised further the importance of this island as well as the value of Turkey. Consequently, Cyprus, including the British Sovereign bases as well as the Greek military bases, will be rendered as a stationary aircraft carrier against Turkey. This is what they are calculating.

A few years ago they raised the fear that the pro-Sharia forces have occupied Turkey and that they will thereafter take Cyprus, one of the places where Christianity was born, thus putting Europe under siege. They exerted great efforts in this respect. However, after seeing that Turkey did not fall in the hands of the pro-Sharia forces--such a prospect did not exist anyway--they began to express the view that Cyprus has no strategic importance.

Well then, if Cyprus has no strategic importance, why are they against a solution based on the establishment of two states on the island? They claim that they can coexist with Turkish Cypriots and that they have the right to run the affairs of the Turkish Cypriots. They want to reduce our status to a minority status with a stroke of a pen. They view this as their own right. They are not saying to the world the truth that Clerides has told Richard Holbrooke and to me.

Question: What is that truth?

Answer: Clerides had said the following: "I am aware of the fact that I am not the government of the Turkish Cypriots. However, given that the whole world recognizes me as the government of Cyprus, I have the right to refer to the Turkish Cypriots as a minority."

I am asking Clerides once again: Why are you hiding behind this lie? In accordance with what law or agreement are you calling yourself the government of the Turkish Cypriots and of the whole of Cyprus? How are you making the world believe in you?

I am asking the following to officials coming from every country: "You are saying that Cyprus is politically and economically ready [for the EU]. Show me any EU member country one fourth of whose people are subject to an embargo for 38 years simply because it belongs to another religion. Are these your criteria? You are accusing Turkey of violating human rights. Have you not considered asking the Greek Cypriots to give you an account of human rights under their rule?"

Question: In your opinion, what is the Cyprus scenario from the perspective of the EU?

Answer: Let me explain to you their Cyprus scenario. They seek to take Cyprus to the EU. The Greek Cypriots have now become a candidate for the EU's military wing. The aim behind this is to let the EU and Turkish armies face each other. They hope that the European army will help them and pressure on Turkey and that they will spread their sovereignty over north Cyprus with the help of this army. This is their scenario. This is a crisis scenario. This crisis, for its part, will bring about a major disaster in this region. The only solution for us is to be patient, stand on our own feet, and refuse to bow to them until everyone understands this scenario.

Question: There are claims to the effect that heated clashes will erupt once again between the two sides in Cyprus and that following these clashes, an agreement similar to the Dayton peace agreement will be imposed on both sides. How do you view these claims?

Answer: They will do that the same day they gain EU membership, because they need to feel that the EU is completely behind them. They may create these heated clashes even before gaining EU membership. The Greek Cypriots are building up arms enormously.

I believe that the proximity of Turkey to the island and the presence of the Turkish forces on the island are forcing them to act cautiously in this regard for the time being. However, they will do everything they can [to create heated clashes] the minute they gain EU membership if Turkey fails to overcome the economic crisis by then.

The EU, the United States, Britain, and the Greek Cypriots have money and are making provocations. They also have supporters in ``TRNC'', who are calling for the establishment of a federation on the island. However, these people do not know what a federation would mean to the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots want a federation in word only. The newspapers have announced the results of the opinion polls conducted regarding the establishment of a federation. According to these results, only 27 percent of the people want a federation, but only a German type federation.

Question: That is, a federation in which people can go freely to wherever they want?

Answer: Yes, that is right. That is, the Turkish refugees will be scattered throughout the island for the second time in 27 years and the Greek Cypriots will once again have the right to come among us. The Greek Cypriots have begun to use the EU as their strongest trump card in order to take possession of the whole of Cyprus. Consequently, the EU seeks to pose as a major danger for us. Therefore, we must continue stressing that we will not discuss EU accession or take part in the proximity talks before the recognition of our sovereignty.

We must comprehend that the talk about the establishment of a federation is a deception and that the Greek Cypriots do not want a federation. I talked to Kyprianou for 11 years about the establishment of a federation. He told me the following at the end of these 11 years: "I have never believed in a federation. I carried out Makarios' legacy."

Makarios' legacy required the protection of the title of the Republic of Cyprus and the refraining from making any concessions on this title, because this was the nearest point to Enosis [union with Greece].

George Vasiliou came to power after Spyros Kyprianou. Vasiliou was allegedly completely different from Kyprianou. We later learned that Vasiliou has sent a letter to Kyprianou in which he has said: "I will follow in the footsteps of your national cause."

Clerides acted more decently. He openly said that he does not want the Set of Ideas. He refused to talk to us, as a result of which we arrived at today's situation. I would like to ask the following question: Based on what kind of rights is the world saying that the Turkish and Greek Cypriots will live side by side?

We are saying that we can live with the Greek Cypriots side by side under equal conditions by engaging in good neighbourly relations. We are even saying that we may engage in self-sacrifice by reaching an agreement with the Greek Cypriots on the basis of two states in order to talk about Cyprus as a single Cyprus at the EU and the United Nations.

However, the Greek Cypriots are saying that they do not accept the existence of two states on the island. Well, if the Greek Cypriots do not accept the existence of two states on the island, then I, for my part, do not accept the existence of a single state on the island. I am asking everyone as to why are they trying to unite us if they are already viewing us as a single state? The fact that they are trying to unite us means that there are already two states on the island. As a matter of fact, there are two states on the island.

I do not want much from them. Let them treat the two states equally. It appears that we will be crushed. A country like the United States is supporting this thesis [the fact that there is only a single state on the island] in order to please the Greek lobby. Britain is proceeding along the same direction in order to preserve its military bases on the island. Meanwhile, the policy of the Russians is to have the disputes continue regarding the Cyprus problem. The Chinese, on the other hand, are following the developments from a distance. The Greek Cypriots, for their part, are seeking to take possession of the whole island by benefiting from these developments, are they not? Well, our people will not bow before them. However, there are intense efforts on the part of circles in ``TRNC'' to force us to bow before the Greek Cypriots. Our people began to react to this after gradually discovering these ploys.

Question: You said a while ago that the establishment of a German-type federation is sought in Cyprus. According to reports from Germany, Gunter Verheugen, EU Commissioner in charge of EU enlargement, has told the Greek Cypriot administration that it must forget its dream of gaining EU membership if they do not recognize ``TRNC'' within a short period of time. Have you got such feelers?

Answer: We have not heard anything of that sort. According to the Greek Cypriot press, they [the Europeans] are telling the Greek Cypriots that they cannot gain EU membership before a solution is found to the Cyprus problem. However, the Europeans are telling us that the Greek Cypriots may gain EU membership [before a solution is found to the Cyprus problem]. They are on the wrong track.

Question: Turkey is encountering a serious economic crisis and is in a difficult situation. There are claims that Cyprus will be used as a trump card against Turkey by benefiting from the economic crisis in Turkey. What is your view regarding the matter?

Answer: They have already decided to use Cyprus as a trump card against Turkey. However, we must pressure the other party as much as they are pressuring Turkey. We must stand firm in order not to give in. Turkey constantly showed to the whole world that it is standing firm behind us. Turkey is still showing to the whole world that it is firmly behind us even during these difficult days. They might even increase the pressure on Turkey. Our duty is to stand more firmly and to become more determined in the face of this pressure. We have no other option.

Qeustion: What will happen to the economic situation in ``TRNC''?

Answer: We encountered a minor example of the things that happened in Turkey. A serious wastefulness took place here and huge sums of money were siphoned [from banks]. Huge sums of money were distributed with the aim of gaining votes. All these developments bruised us. All these developments have emerged as a result of the populist policies and irresponsible behaviour [on the part of the government].

However, they accused us of engaging in showmanship when we raised our voices after seeing these results. They began seeing the fact that we were not engaging in showmanship when everything began to collapse. We began to encounter serious difficulties when the financial aid that we receive from Turkey was reduced by 40 percent in the wake of the economic crisis there.

Despite all these difficulties, the ``government'' has certain things to do and a number of steps to take. However, there is a major crack in the ``government''. The ``government'' partners are claiming that they are working in harmony, yet they are unable to display the necessary determination.

We are encountering serious economic difficulties as well. However, our determination must grow stronger in proportion with the severity of these difficulties, because we cannot regain our freedom and our state once we lose them. Cyprus then would encounter the same fate that Crete encountered. We would prefer to die rather than see that day.

Question: Are there any prospects of changing this government?

Answer: According to the latest reports, this is possible. There is talk everywhere about the resignation of this ``government''. I tried to keep my distance from these reports. There are a number of individuals who seek to preserve this artificial harmony within the ``government'' by accusing me of wishing the fall of the present ``government''. For this reason, I am not raising my voice regarding the matter.

Question: As for Turkey's EU membership, the view is gaining ground that Turkey will not be able to gain EU membership before the solution of the Cyprus problem. Do you add your voice to this view?

Answer:This view is completely wrong. People who want to create difficulties with regard to Turkey's EU membership or to prevent Turkey from gaining EU membership are using this notion as a tool. As you can see, Turkey is not the party that has created the Cyprus problem. Turkey has come to Cyprus in order to bring about peace on the island.

Irrespective of the accusations levelled against me, the Greek Cypriots constitute the party that has evaded conciliation. They are accusing us of being unjust simply because we are not recognizing the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus.

Look, they also raised the Armenian issue against Turkey, because separate parliaments will have to vote regarding Turkey's EU membership. However, these parliaments have adopted the bill on recognizing the Armenian genocide from now. These parliaments will say the following when Turkey's EU membership agreement comes before them: "We adopted the bill on the recognition of the Armenian genocide. However, up until now Turkey has not recognized the Armenian genocide and has failed to make any compensation. How can Turkey become an EU member then?" However, everything that the Greek Cypriots have done in the past will be forgotten.

Question: Should not Turkey be blamed for the fact that the whole world has recognized south Cyprus as the legitimate government of Cyprus?

Answer: The United States and Britain gave guarantees for an agreement with the partnership government on dispatching UN peace forces to the island in 1964. They referred to Ankara after failing to persuade us. Ankara accepted their proposal and offered its reserve forces.

That is, the UN peace forces were to make an agreement with the partnership government and not with the Makarios government alone. However, they later exploited this very efficiently. We failed in the subsequent talks to explain to the world the fact that we constituted a partner in that government. Or it could be that they did not wish to understand this fact. The Americans and the Greek lobby did not want to understand this fact. Britain, for its part, did not want to understand this fact in order to retain its military bases on the island.

[04] The Czech Foreign Minister replied to questions on Cyprus during a visit to Ankara

Mr. Kavan was interviewed by CUMHURIYET about his meetings with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr. Ismail Cem.

Asked about his visit to Ankara, Athens and Nicosia, Mr. Kavan said: ``I will have the opportunity to learn the opinion of the three capitals on the Cyprus question. My visits to all the three capitals does not mean that I have assumed a specific mission in respect of the Cyprus issue''.

In reply to a question whether the West/s insistence on unification of Turkish and Greek Cypriots was appropriate given the fact that Czechoslovakia, consisting of Czechs and Slovaks, was divided although there were no problems between the two nations, Mr. Kavan said: ``It is really a very difficult question to answer. I was opposed to division of our federation into two sections. A certain type of a confederation or a similar autonomous system could have been established instead. We could have set up a joint organization at the national level for defense and foreign policy. Unlike Cyprus, both nations had shared the same language and culture for 75 years. There were close relations in economic field, stemming from the coexistence of the two people. Had a referendum been held then, a majority would not have voted for separation, which later came as a fait accompli. We maintained lukewarm relations for a period. However, our ties are at a perfect level today. Both republics will join the EU sooner or later. What really counts is avoiding emotional reactions.

Separation would be inevitable in any country where people are unified artificially, or by using force, as was the case in Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. Yet, the homogenous structure of small countries may also facilitate their reunification in the future.

Today, globalization is the general tendency. It is impossible to resist globalization. Yet, a more coherent unity against competition brought about by globalization would provide stronger possibilities for resistance.

[05] The Turkish Cypriot leader returned to occupied Cyprus after visiting Ankara.

In a statement he made at illegal Tymbou airport, Denktash said that he went to Ankara to discuss the recent developments in the Cyprus issue upon the invitation of the Turkish Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee. Noting that he was most pleased about his contacts, Denktash said: Ankara, the parliament, the government are well aware of the plots being hatched regarding the Cyprus issue. Naturally, no one wants to fall into this trap. Denktash recalled the decisions adopted by the Turkish parliament regarding the Cyprus question and said that it has been stressed a few times that Turkey does not want to make concessions in Cyprus and that it favours an agreement based on the realities. Pointing out that during his contacts he explained the dangers he observed with regard to the Cyprus question, Denktash alleged that the plot of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo is to claim Cyprus through the EU path. Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side clearly admits this Denktash said that the EU is tantamount to Enosis and that the Greek Cypriots have admitted that they are exerting efforts in that direction. Denktash further alleged that the Greek Cypriots have been reiterating that they are working toward the victory and success of Hellenism, adding: We have explained to all the officials that this is the whole problem. Denktash further noted that there are no differences of views between the pseudostate and Ankara.

Denktash said that he also held contacts in Ankara to eliminate the bureaucratic obstacles at the ``customs'' of the two countries, adding that everyone is in agreement on the issue and the necessary steps will be taken. He continued: On the issue of money, the only point I dwelt upon was the aid they were thinking of extending to us which has lost value because of the devaluation. I dwelt on the issue of the ``TRNC'' receiving the same amount in foreign currency. He added that everyone is waiting for the economic package to be announced tomorrow. Noting that everyone is vigilant to make sure that the ``TRNC'' budget is not adversely affected within the framework of this package, Denktash said that he returned to the island pleased.

Denktash stated that Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will arrive in the ``TRNC'' accompanied by a delegation on 16 April, adding that the necessary contacts will be held with them as well.

[06] The Foreign Minister of Turkey is visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mr. Ismail Cem, yesterday arrived in occupied

According to illegal Bayrak radio (16.4.01) in a statement on arrival Cem said that he was bringing Turkey/s determination and guarantees for the ``TRNC'' well-being. He said that difficulties may arise but Turkey and the ``TRNC'' will overcome them together. He pointed out that the 57th Turkish Government is aware of the economic problems and is working to solve them. Cem stressed that during his two-day visit, he will discuss ways of further advancing the close cooperation and togetherness between Turkey and the occupied areas.

On his part the so-called Prime Minister Eroglu said that Cem/s visit will boost the morale of the Turkish Cypriots, and that at the meetings they will make important assessments. Eroglu stressed that the foreign policy decisions jointly made with Turkey must be implemented with determination. He added that an agreement will not be possible unless the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots is accepted. He reiterated that in order to reach a solution, the sides must act from the principle of the existence of two ``states''.

Ankara Anatolia (16.4.01) reports that Rauf Denktash met with the Turkish Foreign Minister in occupied Nicosia on 16.4.01.

At the meeting, a reporter asked Cem: ``Do you unconditionally support the UN Secretary-General Annan/s goodwill mission?''

Cem replied: ``As I said when I landed at the airport, I came here mostly to rest. I will meet with Mr. Denktash both today and tomorrow. We will also hold a meeting on Wednesday to assess the situation''.

KIBRIS (17.4.01) reports that Rauf Denktash hosted a dinner in honour of the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in occupied Kyrenia on Monday night.

During a speech he delivered at the dinner, Denktash, alleged that the Greek Cypriots have been trying to possess the whole island for 38 years.

Stressing his trust for Turkey, Denktash said it was unfair to say that Cyprus was an obstacle in front of Turkey/s EU membership.

Cem said Turkey was the biggest assurance of the ``TRNC'' and added that Turkey was resolved to help the ``TRNC'' to have a better future. ``We might be facing economic and political troubles but we will overcome these difficulties by working together. Our unity will never get any weaker'', Cem asserted.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIAS

[07] Levent: ``Ankara can no more keep the Cyprus problem on the shelf''

``...During this visit there was not the old pompous climate. It was an insignificant welcome and goodbye ceremony. It was a fifth class ceremony. Neither Sezer nor Ecevit or Cem were present at these ceremonies. Only Sukru Sina remained to welcome Denktash. This does not correspond to the fame of a great leader, but..

What about the Turkish media? They too did not show so much interest for the visit of the great leader to Ankara. They only referred to this visit in the not important corners of their inside pages with very small articles which were hard to be noticed. Denktash` words were published in a way we were not used to. For example the newspaper `Radikal` has written that `Denktash claimed that the EU uses the problem on the island as an instrument for putting pressure`. ... The verb `claim` is only used for the statements of the opposition. ...

The people of Turkey can no longer bear Denktash and his full of heroism speeches. ...However, we have come to the end of the road. If Ankara has economically bankrupted, this happened to a great extent, because of Cyprus. Especially, the Turkish economy went upside down after Denktash abandoned the proximity talks. This is how the collapse started. Ankara can no longer walk the road guided by Denktash. She could not do this even if she wanted to, because every corner of Anadolu has rebelled. ...

Do you know what the TUSIAD (Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association) has suggested, as Sabah newspaper wrote in its main article? First of all, the abolition of the death penalty and the annulment of Apo`s hanging. Giving permission to the Kurdish party, opening the way for those who did the coup of 12 September to be brought before justice and abolishing all articles of the penal code regarding the freedom of thought. ...This is the Ankara which Denktash found this time. It is not the same old Ankara. Ankara with the political and economic problems can no more bear Denktash. ...''

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

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