Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-04-25

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[B] TÏÕÑÊÉÊA ÊAÉ TÏÕÑÊÏÊÕÐÑÉAÊA Ì.Ì.Å. TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER

No. 77/01 -- 25/04/01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry warns UNFICYP of provocative acts in the buffer zone after the Decision on Tsiakourmas

[02] The Turkish Ministrer of Justice to visit the occupied areas

[03] Sixty nine Iraqis arrived in the occupied areas during last week

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey divided over Cyprus and Europe

[03] Avrupa Columnist urges to a common struggle to re-unite the Republic of

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry warns UNFICYP of provocative acts in the buffer zone after the Decision on Tsiakourmas

The so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry has warned UNFICYP about provocative actions that could occur tomorrow in the buffer zone after the announcement of the ``court/s decision'' for Tsiakourmas.

The written statement of the so-called Foreign Affairs Ministry is the following:

``It is known that during the past months the Greek Cypriot provocations in the buffer zone and especially in Pyla village have deliberately escalated. On this matter our /ministry/ has informed the UN Peace Forces both orally and in writing in the past as well.

Our ``ministry'' is again warning UNFICYP to take into consideration the provocations that could occur after the ``court/s decision'' in the case of Tsiakourmas on 26 April and asking UNFICYP to increase its security measures''.

[02] The Turkish Minister of Justice to visit the occupied areas

The Turkish Minister will depart from the occupied areas on 28 April.

[03] Sixty nine Iraqis arrived in the occupied areas during last week

In a week, 69 Iraqis have entered the occupied areas from the coasts as follows. On 17 April 32 Iraqis and on 18 April 11 Iraqis have been arrested and appeared before the illegal Famagusta District court yesterday where they were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment each. Twenty six more illegal Iraqi immigrants were arrested on 23 April.

The Iraqis have paid 3,000 dollars each to be transferred to Italy, but they had a shock when they found out that they were taken to the occupied areas.

The illegal immigrants, who were in fear that they will be sent back to their country, told the ``judge'' Ahmet Kalkan: ``Convict us, but do not deliver us to Saddam, if we are sent back then they will kill us and our families'' One of the Iraqis is suffering form asthma and is in a bad condition.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[01] Turkey divided over Cyprus and Europe

One could as well call it a slow-fuse time bomb. The Greek Cypriots will have closed nearly all the chapters of the European Union acquis by the end of 2002, and in 2003 the EU will have to make a decision based on all relevant factors according to Helsinki -- about whether or not to accept a divided island into the club.

It is no secret that Greece will threaten to veto all EU enlargement into Eastern Europe unless Cyprus is accepted. The other 14 members would have to decide whether they care more about enlargement or more about Cyprus not joining. Although two years plus is not such a long time in diplomacy, the odds are against the option to give up the entire enlargement plan. So Turkey has approximately 18 months either to convince EU members that relevant factors do not include "Turkish Cypriot President" Rauf Denktash's departure from the proximity talks last year; or to opt for what's beyond mental agility and strike a deal with the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots. There is a silent war in Ankara between the ones who say Turkey must remain a part -- and preferably a member -- of Europe at any cost and the ones who say Turkey must not give up Northern Cyprus at any cost.

And in this war, the odds are against the former rather than the latter because (a) fewer Turks see a future in Europe although they tend to behave more European, (b) most Turks believe they have no place in the EU no matter if they give up Cyprus -- or even Istanbul, (c) the generals on this side of the Aegean believe any deal on Cyprus other than a confederal formula would seriously threaten Turkey's national security, and (d) no Turkish politician in the foreseeable future will be brave and radical enough to sponsor a deal that would have the slightest element of treachery in it although most Turks are now too young to remember what really happened in Cyprus during 1963-1974.

This is how Dr. Andrew Mango, former head of the BBC South European and French Language Services and a prominent scholar on Turkey sees the aftermath of 1974:

The absence of bloodshed in Cyprus, achieved since 1974, is a boon to be treasured. There has been no bloodshed because the island's inhabitants are secure in their lives, homes and property, and because men of violence have been kept apart. Any settlement that jeopardizes this security would lead to a renewal of intercommunal violence. People say apply to Cyprus the EU rules on freedom of movement, freedom of settlement, etc. without thinking what would follow. But the consequences are very easy to predict.

Time is running out and there are good reasons to be worried about a lose- lose situation. The U.N. or American policy-makers should be able to understand that what Turkey did in 1974 was exactly the same as what the U.N. did in Kosovo in 1999. Similarly, the EU -policy-makers should be able to understand that the prospects of a very unlikely full membership into their club is no longer a carrot for the Turks nor is a likely refusal a stick. The Greek and the Greek Cypriots should be able to understand that Cyprus is no longer a Hellenic island -- and it will not be one. And, perhaps, Mr. Denktash should be able to understand that he was doing better in talks rather than out.

This is how a young Turkish diplomat whose young son was born in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC)" answers when his Western colleagues ask him of his opinion of how soon, if at all, there will be a solution: I really don't know how soon we shall have a settlement, but I know my son will do his military service in the "KKTC" army.

[65] Avrupa Columnist urges to a common struggle to re-unite the Republic of Cyprus

``Yes, comrade in the South, I do defend the old partnership between us. I say: /I am the citizen of the Republic of Cyprus/.

I do wish to return to that partnership republic in order to re-unite the island and create a common home land. I do insist on this because I believe that this is the logical way.

And, my comrade in the south, because of this I am under the pressure of those forces in north Cyprus that do not want to return to this partnership. You are at ease, in the south, but I am experiencing occupation of everything , but everything, including my partnership rights.

Comrade in the south, do we not wish to make Cyprus a common homeland again? So come on, propose the return of mypartnership rights in the Republic of Cyprus.

Let us uproot and get rit of this occupation, in the path of re- establishing the common homeland .

And comrade in the South if you are resolute in doing this, then hurry up. My job is not easy in the north to continue to resist.

If we are unable to re-unite then we will wait very long to unite in a common homeland.

Comrade in the South if you are realistic in defending the common homeland, let us show this without further delay.

Otherwise, if you chose to play for time and act at ease we shall not be able to establish the common homeland.

Then it is not necessary to raise your left fist over my grave as a sign of respect one day''.

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

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