Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-05-15

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

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

No. 90/01 -- 15.5.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu, Akinci comment on ECHR decision.

[02] Ertugrul Hasipoglu comments on the ECHR decision.

[03] Denktash warns Foreign representatives on initiatives to rescue Tekogul.

[04] Greek Cypriot entered the occupied areas.

[05] PUM: ``ECHR decision is the declaration for the bankruptcy of Ankara/s partition policy''.

[06] Cag - Sen: ``Turkish Cypriots are being used as hostages''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ilter Turkmen: Turkey urged to shape a clear policy on Cyprus.

[03] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to return to the federation proposal.

[05] Turkish Cypriot journalist criticizes Turkey/s policy on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu, Akinci Comment on ECHR Decision According to VATAN (15.5.01) the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash

Prior to the meeting, Denktash made statements and referred to the ECHR decision, as follows:

``We think it is our duty to announce that the decision of this court, which it took by not listening to us and by only listening to one side, does not bind us.``

The decision of the ECHR is a decision which settles the Cyprus question by taking into consideration the interests of the Greek Cypriots, Denktash noted.

Denktash continued: ``This court reached decisions on all the issues, which are under discussion in the way that the Greek Cypriots wanted. There are not any grounds to talk these issues with the Greek Cypriots on the table any more. That is, on one hand, keeping one of the equal sides on Cyprus bound to the negotiation table, and on the other hand, giving the other side the opportunity to apply to courts as a government to remove the principles put forward at the negotiation table, does not coincide with justice and it makes the process of talks meaningless.``

Addressing the Greek Cypriots who defined the decision as a ``victory``, Denktash said: ``If you want the permanent separation of Cyprus, you have gained a big victory.`` On his part Dervis Eroglu said that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights torpedoed possible talks.

Following his regular weekly meeting with Rauf Denktash, Eroglu told reporters that this decision will harden the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriots.

Eroglu said: ``It is not possible to reach anywhere by the decisions taken in the court halls. While we sought to start talks on new and realistic grounds and new parameters to search for ways of reaching an agreement, the Greek Cypriots applied to the ECHR. This application caused a deadlock in the question and confirmed the separation on the island.`` The European Union (EU) and the world should understand that an agreement cannot be reached if the realities on Cyprus are not accepted''.

In his turn Mustafa Akinci alleged that the decision of the ECHR will not contribute to the solution and that it is a temporary victory for the Greeks and Greek Cypriots.

Akinci said: ``The solution to the Cyprus question can be found in negotiation halls rather than court halls.`` July 20, 1974 is not a beginning but an end, Akinci noted.

Akinci added: ``Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe (COE) and has committed that it will obey the decisions of the ECHR by the agreements it signed. There is a situation which has to be taken as seriously by Turkey. Nothing will change by only saying that this decision does not bind us. The United Nations-Secretary General can form a new platform of talks following the election that will be held in the Greek Cypriot side on May 27.''

[02] Ertugrul Hasipoglu comments on the ECHR decision According to KIBRIS (15.5.01) the pseudostate/s so-called Assembly Speaker

Noting that the EU should not interfere in the Cyprus issue, Hasipoglu said that the interference of other countries in the Cyprus issue will only make the issue more complicated.

[03] Denktash Warns Foreign Representatives on Initiatives To Rescue Tekogul According to KIBRIS (15.5.01), the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash

Responding to journalists/ questions Denktash said:

``I received some letters last week. These threats may not be serious, but we have to take them into consideration and tighten security measures. Because any wrongful initiative will make the situation for Tekogul more difficult. I want to call on these people to be patient, and to refrain from initiatives that will damage the public order.``

[04] Greek Cypriot entered the occupied areas According to HALKIN SESI (15.5.01), Greek Cypriot Constantino S. Delitis, 74

The pseudostate/s Police said on Monday that Delitis entered the occupied areas on a motorbike with plate numbers HBH 565 on Sunday evening and he was drunk. Delitis, who was brought before a ``court'', was ``remanded in custody'', for three days.

[05] PUM: ``ECHR decision is the declaration for the bankruptcy of Ankara's partition policy''

According to ``Avrupa'' (15.5.01), in a written statement PUM states that the ECHR decision has proved that the military regime in the occupied northern part of Cyprus is against justice and the human rights.

``We have been stressing for years that in this military regime democracy is only on the surface and the administration is for the show'', continues PUM.

In the statement it is also stressed that Turkey cannot violate the rights of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and at the same time be a candidate state to become a member of the European Union.

``The ECHR decision regarding Northern Cyprus is the announcement of the bankruptcy of Ankara's partition policy'', adds PUM, concluding that the people want a solution to be found soon, within the framework of the High Level Agreements.

[06] Cag - Sen: ``Turkish Cypriots are being used as hostages''

According to ``Avrupa'' (15.5.01), in a written statement issued yesterday, Cag - Sen criticizes the comments of the political leaders in Turkey regarding the ECHR decision upon the application of the Republic of Cyprus and underlines that the approach of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli and Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel on the issue was not right.

Cag - Sen criticizes the above mentioned Turkish officials as they have said that their country would not take into consideration the ECHR decision. Such statements are not defending the interests of Turkey which started the process for joining the EU, notes Cag - Sen.

The Turkish Cypriot Union also says that Rauf Denktash does not support peace and solution in Cyprus and characterizes the confederation proposal as ``deviation''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[01] Ilter Turkmen: Turkey urged to shape a clear policy on Cyprus In a commentary in HURRIYET (12.5.01), with the title: ``Critical Timetable

``The current economic crisis, which we are desperately trying to overcome, has stemmed from a monumental political blunder, but all the elements of the crisis had emerged long ago. Defective policies, which had been pursued for decades, had prepared a fertile ground for a crisis. The inevitable outcome could have been foreseen even by politicians with an average foresight. Yet, they either could not predict it or remained indifferent even if they actually did. They were under an illusion that problems would be solved without any intervention. They deceived themselves. Foreign policy is not much different from economics. If dangers looming in the horizon cannot be foreseen, the result would also be a disaster in that domain. It should also be taken into consideration that diplomatic mistakes will have not only political, but also economic consequences.

``We know that there is a foreign policy timetable, which requires taking critical decisions. A part of this timetable includes events that will take place soon. Turkey has to formulate its position on institutional cooperation on security, which is to be established between the EU and the NATO, by the end of May. It will also have to develop a substantive argument about the negotiating method and a potential solution to the Cyprus issue not later than June.

In its meeting scheduled for 29-30 May, the NATO Council will review arrangements about the institutional cooperation between the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) and the NATO, which had been postponed due to the strong resistance put by Turkey in the meeting held on 14-15 December, and try to reach a final consensus.

However, Turkey, the NATO and the EU have yet to find a common ground to reach an agreement. It seems that Turkey is maintaining its objection to the proposal aimed at permitting the ESDI to have automatic access to the NATO's all planning facilities. Turkey's handicap is that the United States, which we substantially depend on, has made it clear that it would no longer lend its support to our views even partially. Thus, Turkey would be fully isolated should it block a new decision in the NATO Council. Besides, the EU would develop its own planning capabilities with US support and it would loosen its ties with the NATO. This is a possibility which the United States and Turkey and probably a majority of EU-member countries excluding France are keen to avoid.

Will Turkey escalate its resistance to that level in the NATO Council meeting to be held at the end of May? I do not think so. However, there may be an accident unless the matter is not assessed by all the government agencies in Ankara under a wider EU perspective taking all the parameters into consideration. The possibility of such an accident must be prevented at the political level, because the last thing we would need under present circumstances is an event that could create a tension in our relations with the NATO and the EU. Any friction with the EU over the ESDI could further weaken the fragile accession process.

May is also important from the standpoint of the Cyprus issue. General elections will be held in South Cyprus at the end of the month to be followed by an intense diplomatic effort to be launched by the United Nations and other countries with a view to resume dialogue between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in one way or another. Since the ``TRNC'' has already declared that it would not participate in the proximity talks, which ended in November last year, a new negotiating framework will have to be devised. Yet, the method alone would not be sufficient to overcome the present obstacles. There is a timetable that the ``TRNC'' and Turkey must take into account. It looks almost certain that South Cyprus will be assumed to be representing the island legally and be admitted to the EU in 2003 or 2004 if a solution cannot be found by that time and the EU concludes that the primary responsibility for that failure lies with the ``TRNC'' and Turkey. Ankara has refused to see the facts for a long period. Although it partly perceives these facts today it has yet to formulate a comprehensive policy, which could prevent this possibility likely to result in long-term adverse consequences. I will focus on this matter in my next article.

[75] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to return to the federation proposal Sedat Sertoglu writing in SABAH (14.5.01) under the title ``You Reap What You

What a beautiful saying. What a significant saying. You Reap What You Sow.

We are getting ready to reap what we have sown for years in Cyprus.

Congratulations. As a result of charting wrong policies, considering non- existent the changes the world is experiencing and continuously dragging on our feet in the settlement of the Cyprus problem, at last we have approached to the point where we will reap what we have sown.

It is a long time that I did not talk to my friend Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

During our last meeting which was held a few months ago we had a heated argument on the Cyprus problem. I have explained to Cem what kind of problems we are going to face if things go on this way. But it was impossible for Cem to justify us, because, he was a Minister in a government and was carrying political responsibility.

A lot of hawks, regarding the Cyprus problem, have come together in Ankara today. Let me list them: Ecevit, Sina Gurel, Ismail Cem, Devlet Bahceli and his team and the Chief of Staff. In the past Demirel too was part of this group. Everybody is shouting his own opinion.What a tumult!

When we were discussing, the present staff in the Turkish Foreign Ministry and I had told him: ``It is a major success to bring together so many hawks regarding the Cyprus problem''.

People living in the TRNC, are acquiring Greek Cypriot passports and leaving for abroad. or they are trying to leave. Because they are at their wits end, they lost their hope. Since 1974 Turkey did not make a significant investment in the TRNC, except Demirel/s show to bring water which too was unsuccessful. Do you think that peole in the TRNC are content with Turkey? Do you think that they would be happy to stay away from the EU?

We have to chart a new negotiating position. We have to do this very soon. We have to quickly return to Federation and we have to plan to put the Varosha trump card on the negotiating table. We have to chart and realize new ways that will put the Greek Cypriots into a difficult situation and force the West to say: `Turkey is right on this point/.

I know now you will ask: With this cadre? . If they do not replace them. yes, with this staff, because Turkey has to make this change. If we do not act and place new policies and settlement methods on the negotiating table, do you know where this problem ends up?

Until embargo is imposed on Turkey.

So, one has to understand the seriousness of the issue. There is no room for joking. I would like especially to address the soldiers. If this embargo is imposed it might hurt you as well. Be aware of it.

I do not know whether Prime Minister Ecevit is aware of this. This course is a very dangerous course that might totally destroy Turkey/s foreign relations.

We do see this. We do receive messages from everywhere and those who convey these messages to us are representatives of those countries with which we have close military and economic relations. Well, we are getting these messages. Does not the Foreign Ministry receive them?

If you ask us it definitely receives, but what it does after receiving them is not clear.

May be it would be beneficial if at this point the Chief of Staff, would come in and talk to the Foreign Ministry. If the Chief of Staff, General Kivrikoglu, talks to Ismail Cem, `may be he could tell all the realities to him, and in turn the general raises the issue at the National Security Council with all its nakedness. Thus securing a speedy action by Turkey/.

The Greek Cypriot side, exploiting our mistakes, as well, is going with full gallop towards the EU accession. Once this is realized it will be very difficult to withhold the TRNC Turks.

Let us be realisitic, do not hide behind our fingers.

Keynes has a famous saying: ``The difficulty lies not in the new ideas but in getting rid of the old ones.''

I do not know whether, we were able to explain our problem''.

[160] Turkish Cypriot journalist criticizes Turkey/s policy on Cyprus

According to ``Yeniduzen'' (15.5.01), in an article published in ``Guncel hABer'', monthly mouthpiece of Turkey`s Delegation to the European Commission, the Turkish Cypriot journalist, Hasan Kahvecioglu of ``Ortam'', criticizes Turkey`s policy on Cyprus.

In his article under the title ``Helsinki was really a historical date'', Mr. Kahvecioglu says that within the past year neither the occupation regime in northern Cyprus nor Turkey did anything in the direction of overcoming the impasse in the proximity talks procedure.

On the contrary, he adds, they have taken decisions which make things more difficult. Mr. Kahvecioglu notes that the Turkish Cypriots would never accept to live forever by taking aid from Turkey.

``It is not possible to say that Turkey has understood enough these fears and worries of the Turkish Cypriots'', writes the journalist adding that Turkey ``will never permit the Turkish Cypriots to enter the EU together with the Greek Cypriots, unless her own accession is ensured''.

``If Turkey sincerely wishes to become an EU member and if she contributes more `actively` towards finding a lasting solution in Cyprus, then the Turkish Cypriots will feel relieved'', he stresses.

Mr. Kahvecioglu expresses the view that the Turkish Cypriots are those who are affected more than anyone else by Turkey`s and Rauf Denktash`s intransigent policy on the Cyprus problem and because of this policy they are forced to emigrate.

``Does Turkey not see this danger'', he wonders, adding that ``either she does not see it or she does not consider important the Turkish Cypriots living in Northern Cyprus''.

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

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