Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-06-19

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

[01] Cyprus debate heats up in Turkey.

[02] Rauf Denktash comments on President Clerides Remarks on EU membership.

[03] Turkish Cypriots vote in favour of UBP-DP `Coalition Government/.

[04] Rauf Denktash to address a forum in Istanbul.

[05] Enver Emin critisizes the new coalition pseudogovernment.

[06] Talat to Denktash: «Look in the mirror to see the spies».

[07] British Euro MP against Cyprus/ accession prior to a solution.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Ismail Cem criticized on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cyprus debate heats up in Turkey. `Sacrificing Cyprus for EU or not/ Turkish Daily News (18.6.01) carries the following report by Lale Sariibrahimoglu, in its front page: Turkey's military dominated National Security Council (NSC), in practice the highest influential organ in decision making, once more reiterated at the end of its May 29 meeting that the only solution for divided Cyprus should pass through the recognition of the Turkish Cypriots as a sovereign state equal with the Greek Cypriots. Except for Turkey the world community recognizes the Greek Cypriot section of the island as a state representing the whole Cyprus.

The U.N.-sponsored peace talks between the two communities have stopped since last November when the «TRNC» was denied equal status with the Greek Cypriots when U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan stepped back from his earlier decision in this respect.

The increasing debate over whether the European Union will formally accept the Greek Cypriot section of the divided island in 2003 for EU membership without waiting for a political solution to be reached on the island have once more prompted a hot debate in Turkey over Cyprus's future and Turkey's prospect for EU membership.

According to one diplomatic source, the swords have been drawn between Turkish "hawks" and "doves" on Cyprus. There are those including the Motherland Party (MP), one of three coalition partners, as well as some government bureaucracies, who believes that Denktash should restart talks with Glafkos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader. Those seen as hawks on Cyprus, however, regard such demands of the doves as a divergence from Turkish calls for the recognition of Turkish Cypriots as equal sovereigns with the Greeks.

From the hawks point of view the doves are pursuing a "Let's sell the Turkish Cypriots and get free" policy. The doves believe that Denktash's refusal to go back to the negotiating table is an obstacle to Turkey's EU membership. The EU, which declared Turkey a candidate member in its Helsinki summit decision of 1999, sees prospects for Turkish membership, among other things, through a solution to be found on Cyprus as well as on ending the Aegean territorial dispute between NATO members Turkey and Greece. So the EU has thrown the ball into the Turkish court. EU lobbyists anger Denktash Denktash, an outspoken politician, did not once hide his anger against those in Turkey, whom he did not name and whom he said have been blaming the TRNC for preventing Turkey's EU membership.

Addressing the Turkish-EU joint Parliamentary Committee in Ankara on June 7, Denktash recalled that many circles in Turkey have been blaming him for escaping the negotiating table.

"We [himself] are blamed as if we committed a crime by walking out of the meeting. Turkish Cypriots seek equality and sovereignty. We are sorry if our demands are an obstacle to your [Turkey's] membership," Denktash said in an angry and sarcastic tone.

According to a reliable source close to the May 29 NSC meeting, even President Ahmet Necdet Sezer suggested that Denktash might restart talks with his Greek counterpart. Though the military is relatively firm on Cyprus policies, according to the same source, there have been some top generals suggesting that it would be good for Denktash to agree for negotiations under the U.N. auspices as a goodwill gesture. Despite ups and downs a national policy emerges Despite all the ups and downs during the decades-long debates that have been taking place in Turkey over a solution to Cyprus, one Cyprus expert argues that a national policy on Cyprus in line with the hawkish stance has now been established and that it cannot easily be changed.

Denktash himself, during private talks with Turkish officials, expressed relief and confidence that Turkey has established a national policy favouring no concessions at all to be given to the Greek Cypriots.

Denktash always approached suspiciously the earlier Turkish government policies on Cyprus fearing that the just arguments of the Turkish Cypriots were ignored from time to time.

In the meantime, an increasing number of Turkish Cypriots, most of whom are residing in European countries, have been applying to obtain Greek Cypriot passports to become EU citizens. This projects that the Greek Cypriot membership to the union will become a reality. And this causes concern for both Turkey and the «TRNC».

[02] Rauf Denktash Comments on President Clerides Remarks on EU Membership

``Clerides is aware of the fact that he cannot drag the whole island to the EU. He should explain this fact to his people. This will be beneficial for the whole Cyprus and the region,`` he emphasized.

When a journalist quoted Clerides as saying, ``the U.S. and Britain did not welcome the position of the Turkish side. These countries are obliged to abide by decisions of the United Nations Security Council,`` Rauf Denktash said, ``Clerides is an experienced statesman. He knows the fact that statesmen of the other countries do not tell the same thing to different sides on the same issue. Britain is aware that Turkish Cypriots were exposed to atrocities between 1963 and 1974. Britain stated that it was necessary to satisfy Turkish side on the issues of security, equality and sovereignty. It is not the foreign countries who will determine the way to satisfy Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots who were exposed to atrocities and massacres will determine it.``

[03] Turkish Cypriots Vote in Favour of UBP-DP 'Coalition Government'

A total of 47 «deputies» voted in the elections. A total of 35 «deputies» voted in favour, while 12 others voted against the government.

Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the so-called Parliament Speaker expressed the hope that the «coalition government» will bring prosperity to the country.

After his «government» received a vote of confidence at the «Republican Assembly» so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu delivered a speech. He said that the country's problems can be overcome through the cooperation of the «government» and opposition under the roof of the «Assembly».

Eroglu pointed out that the economic problems and the Cyprus issue are the two main topics on his «government's» agenda, adding that the aim is to ensure the Turkish Cypriot people's peace, happiness, and prosperity. Noting that the Cyprus question is going through a sensitive period, he reiterated that his «government» will not approve a solution that ignores the «Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC].»

Eroglu said: «Our government is coming to power at a difficult time when economic problems and the pressure on the Cyprus problem are on the rise. While trying to solve the problems, our government will take the opposition's criticism and suggestions into account. Our government will always be open to dialogue».

Eroglu said that as always, the «government» is aware that the economic problems can be overcome with Turkey's support. He asserted that the «government» will try to develop and deepen the cooperation with Turkey, and that in addition to implementing old agreements with the motherland, it will try to sign new ones in order to solve the «TRNC's» economic problems. Eroglu also thanked the past and present Turkish Governments for their support.

Eroglu asserted that certain laws will be enacted to overcome the economic problems. We will show self-sacrifice and we will expect our people to show self-sacrifice, he said.

He affirmed that the «TRNC» will act in cooperation with the motherland in pursuing the Cyprus policy. We will continue to work to conclude the national cause in the way we desire, he stressed.

Eroglu pointed out that the general elections are over in the free areas of Cyprus and that this will mean increased pressure on the Cyprus problem. We will try to solve the problems under the roof of the «Assembly», he said, adding: «There is a need to act in unity and solidarity regarding the Cyprus cause, both inside the Assembly and in the country in general».

Eroglu asserted that as cited in the «government program», the «TRNC» will not make any concessions from sovereignty, equality, Turkey's active guarantees, or the current realities. We will continue to work with the conviction that this is the only way a solution can be found to the Cyprus problem, he noted.

[04] Rauf Denktash to address a forum in Istanbul

Mr. Rauf Denktash and Oscar Arias will address the forum during its opening session. The theme of their speeches will be «The solution of Conflicts» and during the deliberations emphasis will be given on the definition of the new leadership in the world of today and the importance of the views of the leaders for the solution of conflicts in the world of globalization. Denktash will return to the occupied areas on 23 June.

[05] Enver Emin critisizes the new coalition pseudogovernment

Speaking at a press conference regarding the confidence vote given yesterday to the new pseudogovernment by the «assembly», Mr. Emin said that its members are «the same crew from the same vessel», adding that they have destroyed all the wealth of the «country» and squandered the money sent by Turkey.

Furthermore, Mr. Emin accused NUP and DP that with their policy they have led the «people» to extinction and the «national cause», as he described the Cyprus problem, to erosion.

[6] Talat to Denktash: «Look in the mirror to see the spies»

Answering to Mr. Denktash`s statement that Mr. Talat told him he would bring him the list of the so-called Turkish Cypriot spies, the RTP leader, who is in Istanbul in order to address a Conference, noted that these statements of Mr. Denktash remind him of the cold war and called on the Turkish Cypriot leader to look in the mirror if he wants to see spies.

[07] British Euro MP against Cyprus/ accession prior to a solution

Andrew Duff, who is Deputy Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the European Parliament, put various questions to the Commission. He also criticized the European Parliament/s Cyprus rapporteur Jacques Poos of being biased. He said he will submit proposals to amend the Poos reports.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Ismail Cem Criticized on Cyprus

«I followed the views Ismail Cem outlined on Cyprus in a program on the TRT2 Television Network and at a convocation at the Near East University in north Cyprus a few days ago. I want to say before I discuss the Cyprus problem that I will support his views on ESDI [European Security and Defense Identity] if he maintains his policy. Cem stressed without adopting a chauvinist approach that Turkey's demands must be met and noted, "I believe that a compromise can be reached."

He is right. A middle-way must be found. I have the joint communique that was issued at the end of the NATO summit in Washington on my desk. Turkey wants the EU countries that signed it to honour their signatures. It is impossible for Turkey to agree to hold the drum while others hold the drumsticks. The matter is that simple. I believe that Britain is trying to find a solution. Let us wait and see the outcome of its initiatives.

Let us now focus on Cyprus. It seems that the three-day convocation at the Near East University in the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] did not go beyond being a meeting in which the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot participants propagated their views to each other. That might have been due to their habit of ignoring anyone who does not agree with them. Instead of trying to see the realities, they seem to believe that making heroic statements would suit them better.

Ismail Cem has not been able to adopt a flexible approach on Cyprus. That might be due to Ankara's strong pressure on him. He said that a middle-way can be found to solve Turkey's problems with the EU on ESDI. What he meant was that Turkey is prepared to hold talks. However, he has not changed his approach on Cyprus. Well, how will the problem be solved?

We called for negotiations. But that requires the sides to agree to hold talks and make concessions from their demands. That is how they can draw up a framework agreement. In other words, the Turkish and Greek-Greek Cypriot sides must make concessions for peace. The approach that agrees to talks on the ESDI but rejects talks on the Cyprus problem cannot be convincing.

We might tell the Greek Cypriots: "Look here, we have decided to return to the negotiation table with concessions in our files. You will never be able to return to north Cyprus if your leaders fail to change their demands and agree to hold talks. You must carefully consider the matter. You must act with common sense and put pressure on your leaders if you want to return to north Cyprus in the future. You will have to decide whether the policy that will make you lose north Cyprus completely will be in your interest. You must draw a lesson from the votes of the electorate in Ireland." Would that help the Greek Cypriots to come to their senses?

However, if we tell that to them, then we must be prepared to sit at the negotiation table with acceptable proposals on Varosha, the Nicosia International Airport, territorial arrangements, and constitutional changes. That is right. We must adopt a wise approach. Let the Greek Cypriot side decide to reject the resumption of the talks if it dares to do so after that...

Turkey can explain that its stand on Cyprus is right only through the intercommunal talks. We must realize that we cannot persuade anyone to agree that we are right by merely talking to each other. That is the wrong approach which will make us suffer in the end. We must avoid such a state of affairs. That is exactly what the Greek Cypriots want. Turkey and the «TRNC» cannot continue to live in the past. No country can do so. We have to look to the future with creative ideas. We will gain nothing from looking back into the past and believing that the third-world countries are still represented at the UN as a bloc. Obviously, time is against us. So, let us not fear. Others will fear us if we act with common sense.

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