Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-05-23

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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. 96/01 -- 23.5.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader expresses full support to NPM and says he does not expect progress on Cyprus problem until September.

[02] Mustafa Akinci met with Donato Chiarini in occupied Nicosia.

[03] Dervis Eroglu insists on the faits accomplis of the illegal invasion and the continuing occupation of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

[04] Tomorrow the final decision about the future of the so-called coalition government.

[05] Asil Nadir said to be behind the sale of bankrupt banks.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mehmet Ali Birand: Turkey, wake up/. We are losing Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TheTurkish Cypriot leader expresses full support to NPM and says he does not expect progress on Cyprus problem until September

Denktash, who last night took part in ``Akis'' programme of illegal Bayrak television, claimed that NPM ``has filled a gap''. Referring to the Cyprus problem he said that he expected no progress until September.

Meanwhile, according to Birlik (23.5.01) the so-called Prime Minister, Dervish Eroglu said yesterday that, as far as he knows, no application has been made to the so-called Ministry of Internal Affairs for the creation of an organisation named National People's Movement.

Furthermore, according to KIBRIS (23.5.01), Mr. Denktash, talking at the same programme, said that the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which found Turkey guilty of violating the human rights in Cyprus, is a political decision. He also alleged that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved with such decisions, but with taking into consideration the so-called realities between the two sides.

Noting that he expected no progress until September, Mr. Denktash added the following: ``They want again to play diplomatic games. We want no more diplomatic games. We want the realities to be accepted''.

[02] Mustafa Akinci met with Donato Chiarini in occupied Nicosia According to illegal Bayrak Radio (22.5.01) the leader of the Communal

Speaking to reporters, and commenting on statements allegedly made by Greek President Costis Stefanopoulos, Akinci said: They will certainly not propose anything else than minority rights if they view the Turkish Cypriots as minority. It is impossible to secure a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue with such an approach.

Explaining that the majority of the Turkish Cypriots seek to become EU members once a solution to the Cyprus problem is secured, Akinci added:

``However, not under the status of minority rights. We have no intention of becoming EU members with minority rights. EU membership comes after a solution. This issue places on the agenda the clarification of our status. No Turkish Cypriot will accept the status of minority''.

Chiarini, in turn, said that he was conducting a routine visit.

In reply to a question on the changes that can be expected on the Cyprus issue after the Parliamentary elections, Chiarini said: The election results will have an impact on the Cyprus talks. The election results can present new possibilities. Chiarini further said that it is difficult to understand the real views of the parties on the Cyprus issue because of the election atmosphere.

In reply to a question on why the Cyprus Republic is not considered a separate state by the EU, Chiarini said they seek to have one Cyprus within the EU, adding that it is impossible to have two Cypruses represented in the EU.

Chiarini continued by explaining that accepting two Cypruses as EU members can set an example to other members and cause structural problems within the EU. Giving as an example the situation in Lithuania, Chiarini said: The EU will be faced with grave problems in the event that there will be two members from one country.

Assessing Chiarini's response, Akinci alleges that the Cyprus Republic represents only the Greek Cypriots, and added: ``Lithuania and Cyprus cannot be compared because a joint republic was established in Cyprus in 1960. Both communities were partners in this republic. The Greek Cypriots have declared themselves sole representatives of the island''.

Expressing hopes that a solution to the Cyprus issue satisfactory for both sides will be secured, Akinci said that this depends on the efforts of the UN Secretary-General.

[03] Dervis Eroglu insists on the faits accomplis of the illegal invasion and the continuing occupation of Cyprus by Turkish troops

Pointing out that it is impossible to find a solution to the Cyprus issue as long as the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece adopt this mentality, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are one of the equal partners of the Cyprus republic, which was set up before, and not a minority on the island. Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots constitute a ``sovereign people'' living in freedom under the independent roof of the state they founded, Eroglu added: ``The Greek President should realize that a solution can be secured only if the sovereignty and equality of both sides are accepted. The Greek President's statement is considered a move backward vis- a-vis the United Nations, which considers us equal on the table. In other words, Stephanopoulos' remarks can be interpreted as though we are not equal on the table''.

Eroglu further alleged that the statement of the Greek President proved the extent that they do not want an agreement and added: Viewing the Turkish Cypriots as a minority of 18 percent only helps to continue the intransigence instead of securing an agreement . The world should realize once again that it is Greece, which is the intransigent side and the side which encourages the Greek Cypriot intransigence.

[04] Tomorrow the final decision about the future of the so-called coalition government

The paper reports that NUP`s leader and so-called ``Prime Minister'', Dervish Eroglu, said yesterday that the final ``official'' decision regarding the pseudogovernment`s future would be announced after tomorrow's meeting.

[05] Asil Nadir said to be behind the sale of bankrupt banks According to the weekly newspaper of the Turkish speaking communities in

It is noted that the owner of Credit Bank is Asil Nadir, while Industry Bank belongs to Salih Boyaci, Serdar Denktash`s father-in-law.

Invoking ``very reliable'' sources, the paper reports that the reason for these two banks being treated in a privileged manner, is political. Turkey and the occupation regime want to use Asil Nadir`s ``KIBRIS'' newspaper ``as a mediator'' in the so-called elections and with regard to the Cyprus problem, writes the paper. That is why they were not committed to ``trial'' like the other owners of the collapsed banks.

``Salih Boyaci can certainly thank his daughter's father- in-law for not having the same fate as other owners of collapsed banks in North Cyprus'', adds Toplum Postasi.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[01] Mehmet Ali Birand: Turkey, wake up/. We are losing Cyprus In a commentary in his regular column ``Opinion'' of Turkish Daily News

"The crisis has grabbed our attention yet we are facing a major threat over Cyprus. The messages coming from both Washington and Brussels are extremely frightening. If Denktash does not return to the negotiating table, both Turkey and the `TRNC/ will suffer major losses. We are now at a crossroads. In spite of this, Ankara is being stubborn.

The economic crisis has taken up so much of our daily lives we cannot see anything else; Our headlines are devoted solely to the crisis. Were it not for the deaths, we would even have forgotten about the F-Type prisons. And it is in this chaos that another topic exists but it has not caught the public's attention. Yet, the alarm bells are ringing and getting louder every passing day, telling us that we are on dangerous ground, that we are going to incur great losses unless we start moving now. The warnings are coming in thick and fast. I'm talking about Cyprus. We're all fed up to the back teeth with the Cyprus question. The public is tired of listening to all the talk. Consequently, they do not seem to be oblivious to the warnings. I can understand this lack of concern up to a point, but I cannot for the life of me fathom out the attitude of those in charge in Ankara. If this silence of theirs is the result of a conscious policy; if things are going to continue as they have been, then we should start to panic.

Only eight to nine months left for a decision Let me explain why we should be panicking... The decision as to whether or not to accept Cyprus as a full EU member will be finalized during the first half of 2002. The EU council will convene and, despite the lack of a political solution for the island, will debate whether or not to give the go-ahead for Cyprus joining the EU. All the signals coming out of Brussels are to the effect that Cyprus will be taken on board with or without a solution. Do you have any idea what this means?

[36] With southern Cyprus as a full EU member, the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus/ which is opposed to this, will be left out in the cold.

[39] A short time later, cases will be opened at international platforms and campaigns will be started up against the Turkish party on the pretext that

[48] The door to the EU is closed in two ways to Turkey. One is due to the domestic reaction Turkey will show. The other is due to the veto system

[52] It will mean the perpetuation of `TRNC/, which only Turkey in the entire world recognizes, as either an annex of Turkey or a piece of land

[56] It will see the start to new provocations and a new arms race in the Aegean.

[59] It will see Turkey being roughed up by the UN, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and other international bodies and then pushed into

What we will gain in response to all of this is the perpetuation of the current situation of Cyprus. That is a `TRNC/ that is protected by 30,000 Turkish soldiers and that is getting poorer by the day. Furthermore, it is uncertain how long `TRNC/ will be able to survive or how it will be able to stand up in the face of all the trials and political campaigns that are going to start once southern Cyprus becomes a full EU member. All the warnings and signals coming in from the outside are all concerned with getting Denktash back to the negotiating table so that a solution can be found without such a terrible situation occurring and without throwing Turkey up against such great risks. It is clear that the train is about to leave the station. The Turks are saying, "Firstly accept a confederation, and then we'll sit down."

The UN is saying: "Sit down. Bargain over the changes you want to see made to the points you disagree with. This attitude of yours shows that you do not want a solution." It is true that the package of solutions placed on the table by the UN Secretary-General contains elements the Turkish party should not accept. However, we should accept that this struggle cannot be perpetuated by us saying, "accept a confederation and then we'll talk" before taking part in the talks. If things continue as they are, it will mean that a lack of solution is what is being aimed at. If a solution is what is really wanted, then rather than give the impression we are being stubborn and imposing, we should play by the rules."

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

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