Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-05-09

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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. 86/01 -- 9.5.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader tries to lay the blame on others for the bad situation in the occupied areas.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot Journalists/ Union gave a farewell dinner in honour of Charles Gaulkin.

[03] Denktash warns the Turkish Cypriots not to get Cyprus passports.

[04] New president of TMT Association.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Cengiz Candar criticizes Turkish policy on Cyprus.

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist expresses the view that the Cyprus problem is acquiring new dimensions because of the oil reserves in the Mediterranean.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader tries to lay the blame on others for the bad situation in the occupied areas

Noting that the ``government'', which is accountable to the ``parliament'', should cooperate with the ``President'' in matters that concern the ``state'', Denktash said: If the ``government'' does not stand by the ``President'' and if it fails to do something about the situation, there is nothing a ``President'' can do other than issue warnings. I am fulfilling my duty to protect my ``state and my people''. If, however, the government fails to wake up, the responsibility will remain on my shoulders, and everyone will point at me as the guilty party. Denktash also expressed regret over the developments in the occupied areas.

Denktash recounted that he discerned the current problems years ago and proposed the convention of a congress with the aim of solving the problems. The largest party, however, was the first to oppose such a proposal on the grounds that the ``President'' is trying to disband the ``Assembly'', Denktash added. He said: I thought it was necessary to hold such a congress in order to demonstrate to the world that we are united. However, the largest party evidently owes something to those it wines and dines, and is therefore unable to face such a responsibility. If the course of events in a country is to change, first the persons must change. Those who complain about the current trend are the very ones who led to it. They complain, but they still cast their votes, because they benefit from ``government'' resources. In that case, we deserve all this.

Stressing that partisanship, inequality and irregularity have reached a peak and the ``state institutions'' are being exploited like personal belongings, Denktash said that at this point it is essential that the reports of the ``Audit Office'' and the ``Ombudsman'' be assessed by the ``Assembly''. He added: These reports are not being assessed because those who are accused in the reports are either the ``ministers or the ministries''. All this is being overlooked. Moreover, those who plunder and pillage are being promoted to higher posts.

Denktash explained that with a view to solving the problems, he proposed the presidential system, but this proposal was dismissed and he was accused of reserving a place for himself. Denktash stressed that he did not make this proposal in order to reserve a place for himself. His only aim is to exert efforts to uphold the country. All these realities are very bitter, but they must be told, Denktash remarked.

And Denktash concluded: The outcome of the National Unity Party (NUP) congress was known in advance, because the system is evident. However, the votes received by Ertugrul Hasipoglu show that the NUP needs a change and intraparty democracy. I hope that Mr. Eroglu will assess this outcome and the party will be restructured.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot Journalists/ Union gave a farewell dinner in honour of Charles Gaulkin

During the dinner the Union/s President, Mr. Ozer Hatay, offered Mr. Gaulkin a present on the occasion of the completion of his duties in Cyprus.

[03] Denktash warns the Turkish Cypriots not to get Cyprus passports KIBRIS (8.5.01) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash,

Denktash said that this is not something new and added: ``In the past, when I said that this is dangerous and wrong, hundreds of people brought their passports to me''. He claimed that although the number of Turkish Cypriots who have Cyprus passports is small the Greek Cypriots said that 2000 persons posses Cyprus passports, in order to undermine their morale, whereas now they speak of 400 .

Denktash goes on: ``Let them publish their names. But if they make this mistake they should know that the state will take measures. The measures will be very hard. They have to be aware of this.''

Denktash added that they will not leave the door open to those who want to destroy the ``state'' and those who behave this way think only of themselves. Maybe these people are in distress. They face difficulties and they consider this a way out of that situation, but it will not work that way.

Finally, pointing out that measures will be soon taken and that everyone will see, Denktash said: ``I warn you again. Stop doing this. It is wrong. It is a mistake.''

[04] New president of TMT Association According to ``Halkin Sesi'' (9.5.01), Yilmaz Bora has been elected as the new

The paper writes that Ozker Kufi has been elected as vice president of the Association.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Cengiz Candar criticizes Turkish policy on Cyprus In an article in YENI SAFAK (7.5.01), Cengiz Candar writes the following:

Turkey has been so preoccupied with other controversies in recent months, and has become so distanced from the ``European perspectives'' that it is now unable to see the ``vital issues on the agenda''.

Since Turkey itself is outside the EU and the Cyprus problem remains unsolved, the only trump card Turkey can use is threatening the EU with the possibility of annexing Northern Cyprus to Turkey. This is what Foreign Minister Ismail Cem did two weeks ago.

If Cyprus gets admitted into the EU under a Greek Cypriot administration before the Cyprus problem is solved, then the green line separating the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot zones in Cyprus will become a ``military border'' between Turkey and the EU. And there is the possibility that the northern part of the island will be treated as ``occupied EU territory''. And who is holding that territory? Turkey, a candidate for EU membership.

Things - and, in that context, Turkey/s European perspective - will get really complicated.

And, since its December 1999 Helsinki summit the EU is no longer saying that Cyprus cannot be an EU member before the Cyprus problem can be solved. If no solution can be reached by 2004 this will not be a precondition for Cypriot membership in the EU.

Over the past three years Turkey has supported Rauf Denktash/s proposal for ``a confederation of two sovereign states'', though it was obvious that the ``proposed solution'' was not going to be accepted. It is not producing any other policy. Yet, the ``bizonal, bicommunal federation'' formula created by Turkey and stubbornly advocated by Turkey for nearly a quarter of a century, has by now been adopted by the United Nations Security Council as well. Yet Turkey has cast aside its own proposal and adopted new ``Parameters'' for a solution. It is as if Turkey is shooting itself in the foot on the Cyprus issue. It is not possible to attain a solution with this policy.

Cyprus will be in a position to join the EU towards the end of 2002. Meanwhile, in February 2003 the Greek Cypriots will elect a new president and Clerides will definitely not be a candidate. In other words, the Greek Cypriot side has locked onto the ``renewal in various aspects'' target.

Turkish Cypriots are aware of the situation. That must be why they apply to the Greek Cypriot administration in increasing numbers to get ``Cyprus passports''. The younger generation Turkish Cypriots are, in increasing numbers, trying to leave the island and get settled in other countries, preferably in Britain.

So, Turkey/s lack of a Cyprus policy - or, to put it differently, Turkey/s policy of ``The lack of a solution is the best policy'', is serving the following purposes:

It is pushing Turkish Cypriots towards the Greek Cypriot side.

It is bringing closer the possibility of Cyprus becoming a full member of the EU under a Greek Cypriot administration.

It is driving Turkey away from the Turkish Cypriot society.

It is driving Turkey away from its goal of becoming a full member of the EU. It is creating the possibility of Turkey being ``isolated'' from Europe.

Is this patriotism?

Here are two questions for you. Answer frankly:

If a decent referendum were to be held and the Turkish Cypriot people were to be asked, ``would you rather be annexed by Turkey or join the EU as part of a united Cyprus?'' What would be the result?

And if the people in Turkey were to be asked, ``Which one do you want, uniting Turkey with Northern Cyprus or with Europe?'' What do you think would be the answer?

[84] Turkish Cypriot columnist expresses the view that the Cyprus problem is acquiring new dimensions because of the oil reserves in the Mediterranean

``There is no doubt that the rich oil and gas reserves which have been discovered under the sea between Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt will sharpen the appetite of the world. They are a very important element which will influence the calculations of both the United States of America and the European Union towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. The only way for us as Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey to take our share from this natural wealth, which is under the sea, is to register our sovereignty and independence to the world. ...

All of us must know that now for the world Cyprus means oil and wealth. The oil consumed in the world will be pumped from the area of Cyprus. ...

The European Union is in a hurry to accept Cyprus in order to gain privileges for her companies in the oil business. The United States and the Jews, who are a ruling economic power in the USA, have to come closer to us, cooperate with us and unite their powers with ours, in order to prevent the Europeans from grabbing this oil wealth. ... I believe that the contacts and soundings of some American companies in Ankara and Nicosia were made for this reason. ....

Despite the collapse of some institutions in Turkey, the Turkish Army is still very strong and sees how important the oil reserves under the sea for the future of Turkey are. . The developments show that from now on discussions will not be conducted about `Cyprus`, but about `Cyprus and Oil`. .. Our politicians must see this reality and make their assessments having this in mind. ...''

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

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