Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-05-24

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Another bomb attack against AVRUPA.

[02] So-called `coalition government/ was dissolved.

[03] Taner Etkin admitted that he is the co-ordinator of NPM.

[04] Citrus produce in the occupied areas going through a cirsis.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Mehmet Ali Birand: Why should Clerides be flexible?

[06] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to return to the federation proposal (3).

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Another bomb attack against

The bomb exploded at 3:45 am and, as it has been announced, from the explosion there were only material damages. As a result of a fire caused by the explosion, some books and paper were burned. Furthermore, a hole was opened in one of the walls of the building.

It is the second time that AVRUPA is attacked in a few months. The paper strongly critisizes the occupation regime, Turkey`s and Rauf Denktash`s policy on the Cyprus problem and supports the federation solution and the peaceful coexistence of the two communities on the island. The publishers of the paper have also been convicted by a so-called court to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to Mr. Denktash for articles it published against him.

[02] So-called `coalition government/ was dissolved

[03] Taner Etkin admitted that he is the co-ordinator of NPM

Commenting on the situation, AVRUPA newspaper calls on the General Staff of Turkey to withdraw its commanders from the occupied areas and warns that things are not going well in the pseudostate.

Meanwhile, according to YENIDUZEN (24.5.01) Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, issued a statement yesterday accusing the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of being the leader of the «illegal» NPM. Referring to the recent statements of Rauf Denktash on the «Akis» programme of illegal Bayrak television, Mr. Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot leader is trying to divide the so-called people accusing some of them of being traitors and spies.

«As RTP, we are calling on the active powers (of the Turkish Cypriot community) to go into action against such organisations and institutions like the Presidency, the Command of the Security Forces and the Civil Defence Organisation to withdraw their support for this illegal organisation», concludes Mr. Talat`s statement.

[04] Citrus produce in the occupied areas going through a crisis

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Kombos said that the producers cannot continue their job under the current conditions, because the cost of production is higher than the price they get in the market.

Meanwhile, the president of the Turkish Cypriot Farmers` Union, Alican Kabakci, has said at another press conference that because of the economic crisis and the increase of the problems in the field of agriculture, the farmers are forced to leave first the villages and then the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Mehmet Ali Birand: Why should Clerides be flexible?

Clerides sees EU membership as in the bag and is not moving an inch. Were you in his place, you would do the same. However, if this attitude is kept up, Athens and Nicosia will suffer losses as great as Ankara's.

If you were to take a look at the Cyprus issue as an outsider and ask, "Why have the talks stalled?" you would get the same answer from almost everybody: The intransigence of the Turks.

This is the image the Western world has of us. In part, this general impression is correct. However, there is another aspect and that is the attitude of the Greek Cypriots.

Just as I can criticize the Turkish party, I need to point out the role played by the Greek Cypriots, too.

Thanks to the signals coming from the EU capitals and especially due to the support being given by Athens, the Greek Cypriots see EU membership as in the bag.

The decision on this matter will be taken next year.

The Council of the EU will convene and if a political solution cannot be found the matter as to whether Cyprus can continue with its membership process will be debated. If any one party obstructs a solution, this will influence the decision accordingly.

The picture today, no matter how misleading it may be, is not in favour of the Turks. That Denktash is putting forward conditions is being perceived as an obstacle without even looking at the reasons why. The Greek Cypriots are being treated like "good children". Another factor is the threat of Greece saying, "If Cyprus is not accepted, we will veto the enlargement process and hold up the process." If Greece holds up the process, this will get Germany on its feet because as far Berlin is concerned, getting Poland, Hungary and the Czech republics on board is a matter of the highest priority.

So, Clerides is extremely pleased with what he sees. Membership is guaranteed with or without a solution. They have no concerns like "What if the EU keeps us out?" If there were any suspicion, they would adopt a more flexible attitude towards finding a solution and look for compromising formulas. Yet, it does not feel the need to do this. While it can obtain full EU membership with its current attitude, why work harder?

Clerides' assumptions are very logical.

He has two choices:

1. If he reaches an agreement with Denktash, he will lose at least 29 percent of the island to the Turks, he will be unable to send the displaced Greek Cypriots back north and in response will have to officially recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Cyprus file will be closed. Turkey will rest easily and "the Turkish occupation" will be legitimized.

2. In contrast to this, the moment he enters the EU without signing any agreement with Denktash he will win in the long-run. Turks will start migrating away from TRNC. Greek Cypriot individuals will apply to the ECHR and say: "My house is under occupation. It is the house of an EU citizen. Save me from Turkish occupation." Turkey will be treated as if it is a country occupying EU territory. Turkey will not be left unbothered. An international campaign will be started.

So, put yourselves in Clerides' place. What would you prefer?

Will you go all out whatever the cost for a solution, or will you opt to sit and wait it out seeing that you are going to become a full EU member even if you do nothing?

If I were him, I would not show the slightest flexibility.

EU should act now

The Greek Cypriot stance must be broken.

If the EU countries really do not want a disaster on their hands next year, and if they really do not desire to see the Cyprus problem inflamed, the Aegean once again in turmoil and the doors closed once again on Turkey, they should act now.

As much as they have been knocking on Turkey's door, they have to give Clerides the necessary warnings.

They should make it known to Clerides that he should not take the EU for granted.

Unless the EU capitals and Washington change their attitudes now, 2002 will be Cyprus' year.

Responsibility for this will be shared amongst all sides. However, by then it will be too late."

[02] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to return to the federation proposal (3)

The full text of the third article is the following:

«Today we are going to talk about Cyprus again. I talked to my friends at the Foreign Ministry.

I noted that the atmosphere there has changed rapidly. In fact those friends of mine who are among the most hawkish regarding Cyprus, they too either become milder or are on the verge of becoming so. Because of the seriousness of the case and the great problems it will create to us, it will be placed first before them. they see and they hear.

They told me: `We are aware of the situation. However, we are unable to make certain circles to accept this../ You can guess who these circles are. According to information I got the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff are resisting.

Let us see, will the (Turkish) Foreign Ministry place its views on this issue on the National Security Council, (NSC), agenda? The NSC will convene at the end of this month.

More important than this, will the Foreign Ministry get the necessary result from the NSC and will it make the NSC accept a new plan by which the negotiations on Cyprus will be resumed?

Recently, our country/s full membership to the EU is index to the Cyprus problem. The Council of Europe to which we are members for years continuously raises this issue before us and warns us.

These warnings are not hostile warnings. These warnings come from our friends in these institutions.

For years Ankara was speaking about federation, and one day all of a sudden it started speaking about confederation. And we have criticized this. You cannot make anyone accept confederation. Doing this without any reason is tantamount to pushing the things uphill. And this way you will lose the most important trump card in Turkey/s hand. You will be considered wrong for an issue that you are right. This cannot go on forever this way. You cannot carry on this thing like this. The world is changing. Do not play the game of a third world country. You will have everybody against you. You will be in serious trouble.

Everything that we have said comes true. And we are on the verge of being in trouble.

The time went by quickly and when the stark reality appeared and facts were put on the table, people started looking for the answer to the question «what shall we do?»

It is simple. What will be done is very simple. If necessary, of course we shall return to federation, which was our first proposal and immediately invite the Greek Cypriots to the negotiating table.

On the negotiation table we shall discuss everything. taking the example of the Israelis and the Palestinians. The return of a reasonable number of Greek Cypriots may also be included on the agenda. Of course, if they wish so. To those who went to the south and to those who came to the North the drawbacks can easily be explained. Perhaps after some generations the possibility of meeting each other may also exist.

The equality of the two communities is taken as a basis in the constitution.

If the President is going to be Greek Cypriot, as a pre-condition the Finance or Foreign Affairs Minister must be a Turkish Cypriot. Both communities shall be represented according to their population.

The articles for overcoming the arbitrary power of the Greeks will be explained to the world.

The USA and the countries of Europe are `extremely sensitive/ on the minorities issues. The examples in our days are innumerable. And this is an important trump card for us.

If we attempt to explain our positions well and bring on the agenda what can be achieved in the place of things that are unattainable , even though we might not succeed in placing ourselves in the position of being right, we may come to a position of being on equal footing on the negotiating table. The Cyprus problem will be solved through give and take. Something will be taken and in return something will be given. We have strong (trump) cards in our hands.

It is enough to use them at the right time and at the right place. We are not desperate. It will be enough if we take well calculated steps regarding Turkey and the TRNC Turks. And we should not black out our future. In addition, I want to tell you one more thing. Let us make null and void the TRNC citizenships that we have given to the Turks from Turkey. Did these people acquired TRNC citizenship because they love the TRNC very much?

No. the reason is something else. We will refer to this issue separately».

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