Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-07-30

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01]Turkey/s Ambassador to London wants a solution based on the faits accomplis of the illegal Turkish invasion

[02] Mehmet Ali Talat criticizes Denktas for using NJP and NPM to oppose his party

[03] CLP pleased with Denktas/ decision to return to the Proximity Talks

[04] Efforts to solve the energy needs of the pseudostate by next winter

[05] Mark Parris describes press reports highly sensational

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Letter from Rauf Denktas to Mehmet Ali Birand

[07] Successor to TMT said to be preaching fanaticism in mosques

[08] NEU professor says that the Turkish side will agree for the resumption of the talks for Cyprus in order to solve its economic problems

[09] Why the Turkish side does not want a solution

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey/s Ambassador to London wants a solution based on the faits accomplis of the illegal Turkish invasion

Olgun, in turn, shed light on Rauf Denktas' contacts in Malaysia and the topics discussed during the meetings held between the UN Secretary-General and his special envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto. Olgun said that the talks conducted by Denktas, the Secretary-General, and de Soto were preliminary contacts for launching meaningful negotiations. Olgun explained that Denktas conveyed his concern with regard to the negotiations to Alvaro de Soto, stressing that the United Nations is considered the interlocutor in the Cyprus talks. Olgun said that the EU is not the interlocutor of the Turkish Cypriots in its quest for conciliation, and noted the EU decision on conducting the Cyprus talks under UN auspices.

[02] Mehmet Ali Talat criticizes Denktas for using NJP and NPM to oppose his party

Pointing out that Denktas made use of the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are fleeing abroad, Talat said that even this stand couldn't eliminate the existence of the Turkish Cypriots.

Talat stated that Denktas is using the NJP and the NPM because he is not willing to hold a meeting with the UN Secretary-General. He remarked that through this attitude Denktas is creating tension and damaging the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] CLP pleased with Denktas/ decision to return to the Proximity Talks

[04] Efforts to solve the energy needs of the pseudostate by next winter

Kucuk said that at the meeting they once again reviewed the priorities regarding the electricity projects to be implemented in 2001 and 2002. He added that a decision was also reached to speed up the necessary work to construct a 30-megawatt energy production center at Gastria and to issue a tender on the issue before the winter months. Kucuk said that the implementation of a $5 million project on the construction of four new transformers and two distribution lines was also discussed at the meeting, adding that an agreement was reached to implement the project before the winter months. Noting that there are no problems on the issue, Kucuk said that Ankara has made the necessary financial allocations, adding: «A tender file is being prepared. After the file is prepared, the tender will be issued». Kucuk said that within the framework of the $5 million project, transformers of 20 megawatts each will be built at occupied Mora and occupied Karavas, an additional one of 20 megawatts will be built at occupied Morphou, and one of 12.5 megawatts at Gastria. At the meeting a decision was also adopted to construct high-tension power distribution lines between Gastria and occupied Ayios Theodhoros and between occupied Karavas and occupied Myrtou.

Noting that Cakan gave the necessary instructions to the delegation accompanying him, Kucuk said that with this work to be carried out the infrastructure that was much needed in the occupied area will be concluded. Pointing out that the work and the investments in the energy field are not limited to these, Kucuk also gave information on the third stage of the activities. Noting that the third stage was fixed as $4 million, Kucuk said that joint work will be conducted between the two «countries» on the issue soon in a bid to give the project the final shape. In reply to a question, Kucuk said that they expect to issue the tender on the $5 million project within a month.

[05] Mark Parris describes press reports highly sensational

«Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris, who made two visits to Turkey recently, described the various accounts that have appeared in the Turkish press about what was said in his meetings as highly sensational and reflected neither the tenor nor substance of those meetings.

Responding to questions directed to him by the Turkish Daily News about press reports on the contents of his meetings with Turkish officials, former Ambassador Parris released a written statement. He said: "I was not in Turkey on an official mission and I conveyed nothing that could be interpreted as an official message. I made that clear to all my interlocutors and to the Turkish press when I made my statement in front of the Prime Ministry last week."

Parris was quoted in various Turkish dailies as urging Turkey, going through a deep economic crisis, to fight against corruption as well as to take measures not to discourage foreign investors.

Parris also claimed that a TDN story published on July 25 was without any basis in fact whatsoever. The TDN story argued that the reason behind Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit pressuring Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to visit New York to meet U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in an attempt to resume the stalemated proximity talks on Cyprus with his Greek Cypriot counterpart Glafkos Clerides was pressure exerted by former U.S. Ambassador Parris.

Parris said: "I know that you (the author of the story) would not have reported something you knew not to be accurate, so I have to assume that whoever gave you the information was himself making it up. It certainly did not in any way reflect any of the conversations I had in Istanbul or Ankara."

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Letter from Rauf Denktas to Mehmet Ali Birand

There is a reply from Mr Denktas:

We will not be the stoker on the Greek Cypriot train.

Dear Mr Birand,

I read your article of July 17 entitled "Last Chance for Cyprus". What you wrote coincides with what another and very important senior EU bureaucrat (now retired) once said to me: Van der Brook (EU Commission Head of Foreign Relations) had visited me a few years ago and said: "The Cyprus train has begun to move. You are dallying. You are not going to catch that train." By way of an answer, Denktas said: "There is no such thing as the Cyprus train. It is the Greek Cypriot administration that has held accession talks for political reasons. While the Greek Cypriots hold onto the title of 'Government of Cyprus', which they know to be false, and at a time when with Greek backing the Turkish Cypriots might be taken into the EU as a minority, urgency is being given to the matter of making 'Cyprus' an EU member.

Clerides has already explained the aim of applying for membership: 'If we become EU members, the guarantee states system loses its authority and all that was promised to the Turks (Bi-zonality, population exchange, global property and land swap, limiting the three freedoms) will all fall foul of EU laws. Thus, the Greek Cypriots who were displaced will return [to the north] and the Greek victory will be achieved.'

"We are saying this is how we evaluate the situation and that as we do not want to see any new fighting on Cyprus we want our status to be determined through reaching a consensus. Failing this, we are not going to set off on the road to Europe until Turkey herself becomes an EU member, in accordance with the 1960 agreements. We do not want to ride the Greek Cypriot train as third class passengers or stokers. When I tried to explain this while drawing attention to what we had been put through between 1963-74, this senior bureaucrat stopped me and said, 'Let's not live in the past, but talk about the future.'

"When by way of reply I told Van den Brook that what he meant by 'the past' was a series of murders the result of which was what he was calling today 'the legitimate government of Cyprus', and that in order for him to understand that the Greek Cypriot administration, which was using the EU to colonize us, was not the legitimate government nor would it be, it would be expedient for him to know about the 1963-74 period, the Akritas plan, the Enosis decision taken by the parliament in 1967 and the reasons for them applying to the EU. At this, Van den Brook's tone became tougher: 'That is all in the past," he said. 'Every other country recognizes the Cyprus Government. Why don't you?'

"When I tried to explain our rights and status as afforded by the 1960 agreements; Turkey's rights as a guarantor state; that the Republic of Cyprus founded in 1960 was not a unitary state, but a guaranteed suis generis partnership based on two equal founding partners and comprising measure to prevent dominance of one over the other; that this partnership called the Republic of Cyprus had got limited independence in order to prevent it being destroyed in the name of Enosis; that in order for Cyprus to apply to become a member of an organization like the EU both Greece and Turkey would have to be members of that organization and that both states would have to agree to it, this famous senior bureaucrat, who had come over to put across the joint view of the EU, said: 'Cyprus is not a legal matter, it is a political one. A political decision has been made. The legitimate government applied in the correct manner. The process continues. Neither you nor Turkey has the right of veto. So, don't be preoccupied with all this.»

We will either surrender or resist

"After an organization such as the EU in the 21st century accepts the Greek Cypriot administration, which trampled all over the rights given us in the international agreements, that inflicted genocide on our people when we stood up for our constitutional rights, which had already been ridden roughshod over, and that had ripped up the Constitution throwing it away and declaring itself the legitimate government; the only alternatives left open to us are surrender or resistance." Yourself included, there are those that say you should explain your circumstances through talks.

"What have we been doing all these years! I don't think there is anything I have not explained. I know that those who hear our words are not incapable of understanding them. But, because of their own interests they prevent us explaining the past. They do not oppose the Greek Cypriot leadership when it lies by saying: 'The Cyprus problem started with the invasion in 1974, is a problem concerning the return of 160,000 displaced people.' They do not take into account that because the Turkish Cypriots, 50 percent of the population, suffered inhuman treatment and were persecuted for 11 years, they migrated north and they will not be coming back. When we say the issue has a legal status backed by international treaties, they skip over that part. Today, the Greek Cypriot leadership is openly saying that EU membership is at the same time Enosis. In their belief that all the Greek Cypriot displaced people will be able to return, they assume that all the parameters for population and property exchange do not exist!"

When talks stalled, they got all fired up

"When the concerned parties who had been pretending for years the Turks had no rights saw the talks stall, they got all fired up trying to understand why. We want our rights as laid down in the 1960 agreements (which they did not take away when they ripped up the Constitution and which have been stressed by UN Security Council resolution) and which are parts of the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus recognized. We want the Greek Cypriots to reaffirm in accordance with the agreements that they do not have the right to represent us, to govern us, to dominate us or manage us. We maintain that the 1975 population exchange will not be reversed, that a commission for the global exchange of property that is bound by a resolution in the List of Ideas be formed immediately, that they cease assaulting Turkey's rights as guarantor state, and that the matter of Cyprus' accession to the EU be timed so as to coincide with Turkey's membership, in accordance with the 1960 agreements. It is imperative that they understand the need to turn bizonality into two sovereign states. These are the facts, these are the agreements.

"This is the law and our right."

They could even force us to accept

"Good neighbourly relations between equals is crucial. The Greek Cypriots they imposed 38 years ago saying the Turks refused to accept the legitimate government needs to be lifted.

"We want to see as a gesture of good will their renouncing the lie they have been maintaining that they had good relations with the Turks between 1963 and 1974.

"Then, their demands of us can be put on the agenda (redrawing the border etc.) This will not upset the Turkish-Greek balance in the region. The fear that the Greek Cypriots are going to resume their attacks on us at any moment will be lifted. If according to the senior bureaucrat that spoke with you all this is hot air and if they make the Greek Cypriot administration, complete with blood on its hands, a member of the EU in the name of 'Cyprus', they will still not be able to force us in this direction!"

Yours sincerely,

Rauf. R. Denktas TRNC President

Nobody is saying give it away and be rid of it in any case You have read the reply by TRNC President Rauf Denktas to a previous column. Mr. Denktas is saying he wants to be officially recognized, then their independence accepted after which he will sit down to talks.

There are still a couple of points that we are unsure of:

* The UN Security Council passed a resolution stating that the Greeks represented the island and that Cyprus was a bi-communal, bi-zonal unitary state. How can this resolution be changed?

* Turkey maintains that for Cyprus to join the EU before Turkey becomes a member is in contravention of the 1960 agreements. However, this article mentions that Cyprus cannot be a member of an international organization. Yet, the EU, GATT, the Council of Europe and so on are not organizations! The EU is an international body. Furthermore, Turkey does not accept the 1960 Constitution. So what kind of a constitution are you basing your claims on?

In short, we are not the type that are going to give it away and be shot of the problem. We are in fact those who believe that we will really lose Cyprus if we fail to implement wise policies and if we insist on not returning to the negotiating table.

Those in debt have poor bargaining power

Part of society is in confusion.

The attitude being taken in relation to the foreign policy issues facing Turkey is incomprehensible.

Developments over Cyprus and the European Army are being questioned. There are suspicions that the West is preparing to make Turkey pay the political cost.

This is a justified suspicion.

A solution is needed for both matters and Turkey is steadfastly resisting.

I wonder how long we can hold out?

We are in a very difficult situation.

This is because we are asking the West for money with bowed head and open hand.

In short, we have walked into a trap and do not know how to get out. If there is one thing that is known it is that people and countries in debt have no bargaining power.

The months ahead and, when it comes to Cyprus in particular, the first half of 2002 are going to be crucial from this perspective.

[07] Successor to TMT said to be preaching fanaticism in mosques

NPM (National People/s Movement), which is providing military rifle training to civilian citizens in the Morphou region, has now begun to engage in propaganda in mosques by using religion as a political tool.

Citizens speaking to our newspaper have said the following regarding the matter: "In a sermon that he read from a written text at Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque in Famagusta last Friday [20 July], a man of religion formally used religion as a political tool. In a sermon that he read from a written text, the man of religion said that there were traitors among us inside the mosque, adding that these traitors are the enemies of the nation and religion.

"The man of religion went on to say that patriotic and pious citizens have established organizations in order to silence these traitors, adding that the pious and patriotic citizens must back these organizations, which are supported by the soldiers and the high-ranking officials in our country. "Meanwhile, the man of religion claimed that these traitors have hoisted [EU] flags with multiple stars belonging to infidels during their meetings, stressing that Turks have only a single flag. The man of religion said that the West is the enemy of the Moslems and that the EU flag with multiple stars belongs to the infidels.

"These reactionary circles have trampled the legal existence of the state under the pretext that they are engaging in so-called nationalism. While doing so, these reactionary circles are continuing to carry out these activities by destroying the understanding of a secular state." Meanwhile, political circles have made the following comment regarding the matter: "TCSF» [Turkish Cypriot Security Forces], which has turned a blind eye to the endeavor [of NPM] to give rifle training to citizens in contradiction to the prevailing laws, has now signaled the green light to the use of religion as a political tool. The endeavor of those who daily talk about Ataturkism to signal the green light to the use of religion as a political tool, after turning a blind eye to the rifle training given to civilian citizens, has begun to shake the foundations of secularism after shaking the foundations of the state of law.

"While everyone can clearly see the harm done to Turkey by those who have earlier used religion as a political tool on the grounds that they will merely fight the leftist movements, our military circles are now turning a blind eye to the use of religion as a political tool by extending support to NPM and by expressing opposition to the EU. President Rauf Denktas, for his part, is protecting NPM. Therefore, we will see the drawbacks of the endeavor of TCSF and President Denktas to extend support to NPM in the coming days.

"While religious fanatics who are rejecting the idea of abandoning the religious community system for the benefit of nationhood are resisting the target set by Ataturk to integrate with the West--which Turkey aspires to join after becoming a candidate member in accordance with the Helsinki decision--by attaining the contemporary Western civilization level, nationalist fanatics are expressing their opposition to Turkey's target [of integrating with the West] due to their fanatic views. While these fanatics are exclaiming Ataturkist slogans, they are at the same time maintaining religious fanaticism within the framework of their enmity against the West. All these are unacceptable to us.

"History tells us of the troubles that Turkey has encountered in the aftermath of 12 September due to the understanding similar to that of 'teaching religion to impious Cypriots' maintained by individuals who have built more mosques than the ottoman rulers. The endeavor to resort to the same policies is an indication that those who resort to these policies have not learned any lessons from the past events and that the support that they extend to Ataturkism is merely a superficial support."

Indicating that the circles who are against the EU and against the idea of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem would not refrain from destroying the legal and secular foundation of the state, political circles have stressed that the tolerant Turkish Cypriots, both those who belong to the Left as well as those who belong to the Right, are against these developments, adding: "They will not be able to drag the people to adventurous actions for the sake of their personal and ideological passions, because our people are extremely tolerant."

[08] NEU professor says that the Turkish side will agree for the resumption of the talks for Cyprus in order to solve its economic problems

Talking on a programme prepared by Mr. Tekman on the First FM radio, «NEU» assistant professor noted that in case this procedure does not start by the end of September, a bigger economic crisis awaits Turkey within 2001. Mr. Tekman writes, among other things, the following:

«We are entering a period with high possibility to have unbelievable developments on the matter of Cyprus. Here there is the reality that the West and especially the Europeans put Cyprus as a condition for the overcoming of the economic crisis in Turkey. As precondition (they) put the resumption of the negotiations procedure on Cyprus. It is true that our Motherland Turkey is extremely disquieted for Cyprus` being put as a political precondition and tries to avoid this condition by making various diplomatic manoeuvres. However, the Turkish Foreign Policy is undoubtedly being influenced by the fact that some institutions of the globalisation are getting closer to the Turkish economy every day...

Recently we discussed these matters on my programme on the First FM radio with NEU`s assistant professor of International Relations, Dr. Hasan Kasapoglu. ... Assistant professor Dr. Hasan Kasapoglu made the following assessments on my programme:

1. The decision for the resumption of the talks has been taken in Turkey, especially in the National Security Council.

2. In order to overcome the economic crisis, Turkey will support the resumption of the talks on Cyprus. This has been a precondition put forward by the Western countries.

3. TRNC president Rauf Denktas and UN Secretary - General Kofi Annan will meet to discuss the place and the date of the new talks for Cyprus.

4. In case this procedure starts, the pressure on Turkey's economy will decrease; the EU perspective will become short. In case it does not start by the end of September, a much bigger economic crisis will be expected in Turkey.

5. The new solution plan is neither federation nor confederation. There will not be a name for it, but it will be a kind of confederation or a loose federation. ....

6. On these matters there are is pressure on Greece and the Greek Cypriot side. The pressures on Athens and the Greek Cypriot Administration will increase, as the West will not be prepared to sacrifice Turkey only for the issue of Cyprus.

7. And finally, if everything goes as expected by July 2002 a framework agreement is to be signed. ...»

[09] Why the Turkish side does not want a solution

It is not only this... There are other things as well, which are conditions for any solution. The return of territory to the Greek Cypriots... At this moment 37% of the island is in our hands. In case of whichever agreements a part of the territory will be given to the Greek Cypriots. The minimum will be 10%... If the Turkish side does not accept any kind of a solution, she does not do that for the following reasons...

Others? Whatever agreement will be reached, it is not possible to abandon the three freedoms. Which are these? Freedom of movement... Freedom of settlement... Freedom of property... Whether federation or a confederation or separate states... If you wish, do not put any name... We cannot avoid any of these... We cannot explain these to anyone, that we do not want them and that they entail danger. If the Turkish side does not accept any kind of solution, she does not do that for the following reasons...

Let us make a summary. The withdrawal of the Turkish troops... The territory concession... The three freedoms... Whether we want it or not, these are included in all the solutions. When we accept the federation and if the Greek Cypriots accept it also, then the majority of all these will be confirmed. The most important problem in the island is not the agreement... It is the withdrawal or not of the Turkish troops. If all the solutions foresee the withdrawal, it means that the problem is not finished yet...

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