Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-10-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkic republics withdrew from planned assembly, because they do not recognize the pseudostate.

[02] Denktas calls on President Clerides to solve the Cyprus problem before he dies.

[03] Denktas: «The European Union will have to face the problems if it accepts Cyprus».

[04] Eroglu: «Agreement with Clerides and de Soto is not possible».

[05] Turkish Minister of State denies that the army is monitoring the economy.

[06] Turkey/s trade deficit for 2001 estimated at $10.5 bin.

[07] Salih Cosar will attend an OIC Economic Committee meeting in Istanbul.

[08] The so-called Minister of Health went to Ankara.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Mehmet Ali Birand criticizes Turkey for wavering over sending troops to Afghanistan.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkic republics withdrew from planned assembly, because they do not recognize the pseudostate

«The Ninth Turkic Assembly that had been planned to take place in Cyprus this year has reached the point where it has to be cancelled because the Turkic Republics have sent the message, "We do not recognize Cyprus." The Ninth Turkic Assembly had earlier been planned for May 2001 and has once again had to be indefinitely postponed. The assembly had been set for the fall months when the coalition partners failed to see eye to eye but now it has fallen foul of the Turkic Republics, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, all of whom have said: "We do not recognize Cyprus as a state. We believe it to be a sub-identity." They said they would not attend the Turkic Assembly to be held in that country».

[02] Denktas calls on President Clerides to solve the Cyprus problem before he dies

Claiming that President Clerides "has responsibilities in solving the Cyprus problem" Denktas said the following: «They think they are the owners of Cyprus. This is a mistake. A big mistake. Now is the time to correct this mistake while Clerides is still alive. After that there will be a disaster because we know very well who his successors will be. During the period of EOKA Clerides was actively involved in the organization. However, it is better known what the others think and what they will resort to. For this reason Clerides/ responsibility is great. He must solve the problem. And the way of solving it is by accepting our existence and our `state/ for re-unification to exist. This will cause no harm to him at all.

On the other hand, their attitude that `we are the Government of Cyprus and we have the right to go to the North/ will harm both themselves and us. They must abandon this because they have no such rights."

Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot leader compared the problems in Cyprus and the Middle East, alleging that the Palestinians are waiting to establish their state after they sign an agreement with the Israelis, whereas the Turkish Cypriots "have established their state through an agreement".

"The exchange of population was made by an agreement. The only thing left now is to put a name on it or to be more correct the only thing left is for the Greek Cypriots to accept this name. If they accept it, we shall be good neighbours. If they don't, we shall still exist. This `state/ will exist. ." , said Denktas.

[03] Denktas: "The European Union will have to face the problems if it accepts Cyprus"

Talking yesterday at the 1298th meeting of the Kyrenia Rotary Club, Mr Denktas claimed that the reports prepared by the EU and the Australian government are defending the Greek Cypriot positions "from the beginning to the end".

Mr Denktas noted also that, according to assessments made by the diplomacy of Turkey and pseudostate, "the EU has closed the page of Cyprus in favour of the Greek Cypriots".

[04] Eroglu: "Agreement with Clerides and de Soto is not possible"

Talking yesterday at Istanbul University, Mr Eroglu said that an agreement could not be achieved in Cyprus as long as the "reality" of the existence of the pseudostate is not accepted.

Mr Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots wanted to be treated as equals on the negotiating table and added that there was no difference between him and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas on the way they approach the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the expected new initiatives for the Cyprus problem, the so-called "Prime Minister" said: ".They will come to Cyprus in November. Meetings aiming at convincing the sides will begin again. There are some thoughts that they will invite us again to proximity talks in December, saying that 'the ground has been prepared'. These are the messages coming to us indirectly. With time we will see to what extend they are right."

[05] Turkish Minister of State denies that the army is monitoring the economy

Some 125 verbal questions were voiced at the General Assembly, most of which involved local issues. While they were being read out, State Minister Hasan Gemici and other deputies called for solutions to be found to the problems raised. Gemici said that many questions could be answered simply by looking at the relevant ministry's Internet site and if that were not possible then the minister concerned should answer. He said this would enable Parliament to devote its time to other work.

[06] Turkey's trade deficit for 2001 estimated at $10.5 bln

In a recent study cited by the Anatolia news agency the authority anticipated that Turkey's export revenues would increase by 10 percent from last year to $30.5 billion.

The study said imports were expected to slip 25 percent from last year to $41 billion, as a result of the sharp economic contraction.

The authority suggested that August value added tax data indicated that the slump in imports persisted that month.

[07] Salih Cosar will attend an OIC Economic Committee meeting in Istanbul

[08] The so-called Minister of Health went to Ankara

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Mehmet Ali Birand criticizes Turkey for wavering over sending troops to Afghanistan.

"Turkey is in the grip of fear. Oh, are they going to demand troops from us? Are we going to send our troops to foreign countries? What would happen to us if we sent them? Some former commanders come up and say, "Beware! Let us not jump into an adventure!" Yet, they themselves have tried to put Turkey into an adventurist path from time to time.

We know that as a general rule the military do not like taking risks, that compared to the civilians they act in a much more reticent manner when it comes to war; however, to tell the truth, I find it strange when I hear a number of veteran politicians as well say, "Oh, don't let us enter Afghanistan together with the United States."

I find that strange because these debates are taking place -- purely on the basis of certain assumptions -- at a time when it is not known yet how many troops will be sent and in which capacity.

I could understand it if we were debating this issue if thousands of troops had been demanded from Turkey as a force which would be placed on the front line and actually take part in the fighting, that is, fulfilling the tasks of the American and British soldiers. Then we would calculate the advantages and the disadvantages. If they tried to make us do the kind of things that the troops of other countries would not do, I too would oppose that.

Although this is not the situation, there is this heightened sensitivity on the troop dispatching issue.

And I want to pose the following question to those who oppose the sending of troops in principle:

Despite our being so poor, despite the scarcity of our resources, why do we spend billions of dollars on our armed forces? Only to see them make a "balance adjustment" in domestic politics from time to time? Or so that they will protect us at home and abroad from terrorism and enemies?

If we are not going to use our armed forces now when are we going to use them? What does being a NATO ally mean?

Today, a war is being waged in Afghanistan against the most dangerous kind of terrorism. If this terror -- which its perpetrators claim to be acting in the name of Islam -- is not beaten, tomorrow it will strike at Turkey too.

I find it funny that the radical Kemalists, who brand as "fundamentalist" even the simplest remark, are now up in arms, saying, "The country is losing its independence." And I do not understand at all the way many an author and politician who used to spew fire against radical Islam, have now turned into anti-war "doves" advocating peace for the sake of gaining "popularity." Those who are secular at home should be secular abroad as well.

This is the time to take an unequivocal stance

Today, look at it from any angle you want, Turkey's basic political-economic-social interests require that Turkey wages a struggle in the same ranks as the United States.

This is the time to take an "unequivocal stance."

And the way to take such a stance is to take part in all kinds of activities -- including the sending of troops -- without letting oneself be treated as a sucker.

To date, Turkey has sent troops abroad on various occasions. Mehmetcik has been used in Korea, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo without this becoming a highly sensitised issue or the topic of so many debates.

Yet, today, there is the kind of development that can affect all of the balances in the region, a phenomenon that can change international relations. This is a climate in which Turkey can have a say and boost its influence. Yet Turkey is oddly hesitant.

This is really not understandable."

KV/SK

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