Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-11-19

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sukru Sina Gurel says that the meeting between President Clerides and Rauf Denktas must not be confused with the UN Secretary General/s efforts.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister is not pleased because the Greek Cypriots use legal means to get their houses from the occupation army.

[03] Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen criticizes Turkey/s policies on Cyprus.

[04] The Foreign Minister of Turkey and the so-called Foreign Minister of the pseudostate are trying to get support from the Islamic countries.

[05] Ismail Cem: Turkey wants proximity talks to resume.

[06] Rauf Denktas to unveil a radical settlement plan at the meeting with President Clerides.

[07] Azerbaijani MP/s: Azerbaijan always treats the pseudostate like a state.

[08] Investigation about the children who participate in Birand/s "32nd Day" programme.

[09] The daughter of Dr. Fazil Kucuk has been attacked by a Turkish settler; strong reactions.

[10] Commercial relations between FYROM and the pseudostate discussed.

[11] Talat meets MP/s from Belgium.

[12] The French Ambassador/s car caught fire in the occupied areas.

[13] German parachutists in the occupied area.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[14] Let us dispose of Cyprus.

[15] Columnist in "SABAH" calls on the Turkish Government to let the Turkish Cypriots decide for their future.

[16] Nelson Ledsky: Rauf Denktas seems to be deciding Turkey/s future.

[17] Columnist replies to Turkey/s EU Membership skeptics.

[18] EU Progress Report said causing `Strain/ in Turkey/s coalition.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sukru Sina Gurel says that the meeting between President Clerides and Rauf Denktas must not be confused with the U.N. Secretary-General's efforts

Gurel said that another person can be present at this meeting but only with observer status. He reiterated that Denktas' proposal for a confederation is very constructive.

Replying to a question on the UN's and Turkey's stand on Cyprus, Gurel stressed that the UN stand is wrong and dangerous. He alleged that both Denktas and former UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar had warned the EU that the Cyprus/ application in 1990 was wrong. Gurel added: "Turkey too issued frequent warnings about that, but we were not heeded. As a result, the EU pushed itself into a corner. The EU is now in a dilemma; it is threatened by Greece on the one hand and it can have Turkey against it on the other. If the EU admits south Cyprus as the representative of the entire island, it will be confirming Cyprus' division. This will lead to a limitless freedom for advance in the relations between Turkey and the `TRNC/".

Gurel expressed the belief that the Greek Cypriots will act with common sense in the end. He stated that Turkey has responsibilities regarding Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people, and that it will never give up exercising its responsibilities.

The minister pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots can join the EU on the basis of the equality of the two peoples and simultaneously with Turkey. He said: "Turkey must be the guarantor of the sovereign equality, and the best way to do this would be with a confederation as proposed by Denktas".

I believe, Gurel said, that the Turkish Cypriots will not accept joining the EU as an appendage to the Greek Cypriots. Turkey would not allow that, he added.

In reply to a question on the British policy on Cyprus, Gurel said that Britain pushed aside both the guarantee agreement and the entire international consensus system on which the Cyprus Republic of 1960 was based, picked only those clauses that served its interests, considers them still valid, and tries to create the impression that it is acting legally. Gurel said: "Of course this is impossible. Britain's stand has become extremely hypocritical and illegal. If Britain wants to retain its responsibilities as a guarantor state and maintain the status of its bases in Cyprus, then it must respect the entire legal structure. Otherwise, I am afraid that Britain will move away from the law and will have to give up both its responsibilities and rights regarding Cyprus".

On the economy, Gurel pointed out that Turkey too is going through a serious crisis. He stressed that it would be wrong to attribute the reason for all the economic problems in the pseudostate to Turkey. He said: "We started to have these problems at the same time, and we will overcome them together. I believe that 2002 will be the year Turkey and the `TRNC/ overcome their economic difficulties".

Gurel noted that Turkey allocated 400 trillion Turkish Lira from its 2002 budget to the occupation regime. In addition, he said, there is an incentive package worth $140 million.

Gurel said that next year Turkey and the pspeudostate will begin to overcome their difficulties, and then leave them completely behind.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister is not pleased because the Greek Cypriots use legal means to get their houses from the occupation army

Referring to the EU and Cyprus issues, Akgun asks the Prime Minister to comment on the messages contained between the lines in the EU Progress Report. Ecevit answers: "I find the messages between the lines positive. We cannot be sure, of course. There are officials in the EU who would like to see us in a difficult situation, as there are others who are more understanding. Criticism has always been leveled against us with regard to human rights and judicial procedure. Since 11 September, however, measures that are more severe than those applied in Turkey have been applied in certain Western European countries and in the United States, in particular. Despite this, there are officials who do not approach Turkey positively as well as those who are positive in their approach. Generally, I am optimistic with regard to our relations with the EU. As you noted a while ago, the harmonization laws must be enacted as soon as possible."

Prompted by Akgun to comment on the Cyprus issue, and on the possible face-to-face meeting between Rauf Denktas and President Glafcos Clerides, Ecevit declares: "This depends on whether Greek Cypriot leader Clerides will reconcile himself with pursuing a realistic attitude. This is what I mean when I say realistic: For years, there has been a Cyprus reality, namely two totally separate and detached states. If these two separate states had not existed, maybe no Turks would be left in Cyprus today. Continuous acts of terrorism and genocide were being perpetrated against the Turkish Cypriots before July 1974. These acts were curbed to a certain extent through Turkey's intervention. Consequently, the Turkish Cypriots were obliged to establish their own state. Not only were the Turkish Cypriots subjected to acts of genocide, but all their constitutional rights had been eliminated. The Turkish Cypriots' rights based on international agreements were eliminated, as were their economic rights. They were subjected to severe embargoes in every field, and these embargoes are still in force. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriots can attain a tranquil and secure life only if they have their own state. However, these two states are obliged to live side by side on this small island. In certain aspects, they are even obliged to live intermingled. This is something that can be attained without ignoring the reality of two separate states.

"As it happens, Mr. Denktas has been making certain concrete proposals, such as: Let us meet as two states; let us take measures together in the economic, social, and tourism fields. However, the Greek Cypriot sector did not even consider these proposals, because they want to seize the whole of Cyprus again. I am not the one who is saying this. Some officials in Cyprus are saying that they will return to Kyrenia, that they will go swimming in Kyrenia, and that they will repossess their old homes. They even filed lawsuits in this regard. Certain persons who consider themselves informed on this subject, certain circles, and certain writers are saying that this is no longer possible, but the Greek Cypriots have submitted numerous petitions to the European Court of Human Rights in this regard. Furthermore, there are certain circles and writers who dismiss our concerns regarding the issue of genocide. They question the likelihood of genocide taking place in our times. I observed this during an interview the day before yesterday, and I was amazed. Only a few years ago, one of the gravest acts of genocide in the history of humankind was perpetrated against the Bosnians in the middle of Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people, including women and children, were killed. The biggest assistance and support to the perpetrators came from the Greek Cypriots. Therefore, I ask these persons to stop deceiving themselves on this subject. I believe that it would be useful for them to remind themselves about our recent history.

"Moreover, it is essential that a separate state structure exist in north Cyprus, not only in terms of the security of north Cyprus, but also for Turkey's security. What is more, the importance of the eastern Mediterranean will increase even further when the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project is implemented, for the entire region and especially for Turkey. When anyone looks at the map of the eastern Mediterranean, he can see how vitally important north Cyprus is for Turkey. This does not mean that we should take that region. If they want, the Turkish Cypriots can perpetuate their own state separately. They have special relations with Turkey, and these ties can develop.

"As far as Turkey is concerned, north Cyprus cannot be handed over to the Greek Cypriot administration. The EU must come to terms with this fact in a realistic stand. The situation in Cyprus does not harm Europe in any way. In fact, this situation does not harm anyone. On the contrary, there were constant clashes on the island before the Turkish peace operation. These were not only in the form of attacks on the Turkish Cypriots, but also clashes between the Greek Cypriot guerrillas. Since the Turkish peace operation, however, there has been uninterrupted peace on the island. There was also no proper democracy in Cyprus prior to the peace operation, whereas now both communities are ruled by solid democracies. Cyprus used to be a poor island; now, the Greek Cypriot sector is very rich, and the Turkish Cypriot sector has developed significantly despite all the economic embargoes. In other words, the existing regime actually benefits both communities. If the Greek Cypriot sector accepts this fact, if Mr Clerides comes to terms with it, a very happy period can begin in Cyprus."

Akgun inquires further: "The Turkish public is now discussing the price that must be paid, because the EU appears likely to admit the Greek Cypriot sector as a member even without a solution on the island. One of our options in such a case is bringing about integration between Turkey and theTRNC. This is likely to adversely affect the ties between Turkey and the EU. What will Turkey's position be in such a situation? Is Turkey ready for a deterioration in its relations with the EU?"

Ecevit states: "If the EU is to choose between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot sector, it would probably not opt for the latter. If there is the Greek Cypriot sector on one hand, and Turkey, whose strategic importance in the world is increasing and whose importance is soaring within Europe, within the whole world, and especially within Eurasia, on the other, it would probably not be easy to sacrifice Turkey.

[03] Turkish Indusutrialists and Businessmen criticize Turkey/s policies on Cyprus

Assessing the statements that have recently been issued with regard to the Cyprus problem an issue that has an important place in Turkey's foreign policy--the TUSIAD stressed that these statements raise concern among the Turkish business circles. Explaining that the Cyprus issue continues to become one of the determinant factors of Turkey's foreign policy due to the fact that substantial results have not been achieved with regard to the solution of this problem, the statement added that this prevents Turkey from reaching the positive point that it deserves in its relations with the outside world. The statement said: "Our country's national interests require a stable economic growth and an improvement in the economic conditions of the people. This, in turn, requires that Turkey becomes an EU member without any delay. In this regard, it is necessary to ensure that the Cyprus issue does not constitute an obstacle in the way of Turkey's EU membership and to pursue policies that will not bring about intensive crisis in Turkey's relations with the EU. It should not be forgotten that if the nonsolution of the Cyprus issue prevents Turkey from becoming a full member in the EU, this will create intensive historic and social problems."

The statement pointed out that the democratic reforms that were accelerated with the recent constitutional amendments should be completed without any delay so that problems with regard to the adaptation process to the EU are not experienced. Stressing that efforts should be made to increase Turkey's respectability in the international arena and to strengthen Turkey's position in the negotiations on Cyprus, the statement underlined that additional efforts should be made to ensure that circles against the EU in Turkey do not make use of the Cyprus issue to prevent Turkey from becoming a full member.

Emphasizing that it is of utmost importance to explain Turkey's stand with regard to conciliation and the solution of the Cyprus problem, the statement added that it is also necessary to strengthen the international support on this issue. The statement said: "This will only be possible if Turkey puts forward its political determination and takes comprehensive and fast steps."

The statement also noted that as in all democratic countries, the proposals with regard to the solution of the Cyprus issue as well as "the prices" that the officials mentioned that "will be paid" should be discussed within the framework of concrete national interests and the transparency principle.

[04] The Foreign Minister of Turkey and the so-called Foreign Minister of the pseudostate are trying to get support from the Islamic countries

Cem thanked member countries of the OIC for their solidarity on the issue of the Cyprus question.

``OIC members are the factor of confidence and support for Muslim Turkish Cypriot people. Greek Cypriots should be encouraged to resume the talks in line with the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan`s statement he made in September of 2000. We welcomed the proposal of Rauf Denktas to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, `` he said.

Cem said that they planned to bring together European Union (EU) member countries with OIC member countries at an international conference in Istanbul in 2002.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the so-called Foreign and Defense Minister of the pseudostate, asked late on Thursday for active and efficient support from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) countries for the recognition of the pseudostate as a state in international arena and its inclusion among the international community.

Speaking at the OIC coordination meeting held in New York, Ertugruloglu said that the Cyprus question, which had not been solved for 38 years, still occupied the agenda because the international community had put a wrong diagnosis.

Both Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the pseudostate's Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu attended OIC coordination meeting and delivered speeches.

In the final declaration issued at the end of the meeting, OIC members confirmed the support they extended to 'rightful case' of the Muslim Turkish Cypriot people and reiterated the resolutions that they had accepted so far."

The declaration noted that the members called for a solution to Cyprus question, which would respect legal demands of Turkish people and stressed that political status equality between two sides in the island was necessary.

Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides should recognize equal status of each other to ensure a progress in the path to find a permanent solution, the declaration underlined.

OIC members welcomed the statement that United Nations (U.N) Secretary-General Kofi Annan had made before the Cyprus proximity talks started in September 2000. Annan had mentioned ``political equality of sides in Cyprus`` in his statement and drew the attention that ``neither of the sides represented the other. ``

The final declaration also extended full support to organize a conference in Istanbul at the beginning of 2002, which would bring EU-OIC countries together. This proposal was made by Turkey and announced by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in the speech he made during the meeting.

OIC Secretary General Abdelouhed Belkeziz defined Cem`s proposal as a ``wise initiative`` and said that that conference which would bring politicians, academicians and intellectuals from EU and OIC countries together would contribute to dialogue among western and Muslim civilizations.

[05] Mesut Yilmaz: Turkey wants the proximity talks to resume

Responding to questions of journalists following the forum, Yilmaz said: ``The Turkish government wants proximity talks sponsored by the United Nations to resume between the sides in Cyprus. However, a frame should be put forward first to reach a joint and satisfactory solution.``

``United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Rauf Denktas and we held consultations to determine this frame. I believe that this frame will be put forward soon, and talks will resume. A solution of the Cyprus question will be a positive development in regard to EU full membership of both countries. However, it was stated in the final statement of the Helsinki Summit in 1999 that Cyprus could not become a full member before solution of its problems. It is correct. EU organs and member countries are aware of inconveniences that will stem from Cyprus` EU full membership without solving its problems, in regard to regional security,`` he said.

Noting that he wished evaluations about this issue would be made on a more sound basis, Yilmaz said: ``I hope that some developments which can hurt everybody would not be allowed.``

[06] Rauf Denktas to unveil a radical settlement plan at the meeting with President Clerides

The summit will take the form of an "open agenda" and also taking part, at the request of Clerides -- as the Greek Cypriot leader is scared that Denktas would end the four-decade-old goodwill mission of the U.N. Secretary-General -- will be a "senior" official from the U.N..

Sending a letter to Clerides Friday, Denktas thanked the Greek Cypriot leader for accepting his offer for a summit meeting and suggested that the meeting be held on the island, anytime the 83-year-old Greek Cypriot leader considered appropriate until December 10.

Denktas suggested the residence of the U.N. resident representative, in the buffer zone close to the former Nicosia Airport, as the venue of the meeting but diplomatic sources said he would not object to having the meeting at the Ledra Palace Hotel, the headquarters of the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), in the Nicosia buffer zone.

The last time Denktas and Clerides met was the summer of 1997 and the residence of the resident U.N. representative on Cyprus was again the venue of that meeting. That meeting was also attended by Gustave Feissel, the then deputy of the U.N. representative.

The news that the two veteran leaders of the eastern mediterranean island agreed to have a "heart-to-heart meeting raised hopes for the resumption of the U.N.-sponsored Cyprus talks process. The process was deadlocked last November when Denktas walked out and demanded he be recognized as an equal of Clerides, who enjoys international recognition as the "president of the sole legitimate government on Cyprus."

The Turkish Cypriot leader, according to well-placed sources, is anticipated to unveil a radical settlement plan at the meeting with Clerides. The sources, refusing to go into details, said the proposal of Denktas would be "very much different" from the other proposals the veteran Turkish Cypriot leader has presented to the Greek Cypriot side over the past 28 years and will be based on the "partnership in the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus" of the two peoples of the island and would foresee EU accession of the island immediately after a settlement.

The summit decision also came amid new increased tension on the island over the prospect of Cyprus joining the European Union.

Turkish Cypriots and Turkey vehemently oppose the admission of the Greek Cypriot admission to the EU as the "sole legitimate government on Cyprus" and Ankara is threatening to integrate further with the TRNC, has even suggested annexing it, if the EU admits the island without a political solution on the island.

"They are playing with fire, this situation could go as far as a Turkish-Greek war," Denktas warned, referring to the EU, which is set to admit the island by 2004.

In Ankara, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who ordered Turkey's 1974 intervention on the island in the wake of a coup by supporters of unification with Greece (enosis), Ecevit said international attempts to unite the island into a single state would only bring a return to fighting between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Ecevit warned of a "replay of violence by Greek Cypriots." "If the two separate states are forced to live together, then Greek Cypriots will rush to the north and occupy the houses of Turks," Ecevit said in stern comments to his party's deputies in Parliament. "We will never be persuaded to leave the Turks in Cyprus under Greek Cypriot domination."

The EU this week told Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, that it expected concrete steps to help U.N. diplomatic attempts to end the division. Turkey wants the northern Turkish Cypriot administration that it alone backs to be recognized as a state in its own right.

"If the wishes of certain foreign circles, the EU and the U.N. Secretary-General are agreed to and Turkish Cypriots are forced to live alongside Greek Cypriots on the island, they will be confronted with worse than the genocide that was faced before the Turkish peace operation," Ecevit said.

"We will not be willing, we cannot be willing, to allow Turkish Cypriots to fall under Greek Cypriot domination," he added.

"They must know that if they persist on this issue they will take on a heavy responsibility," Ecevit said. "If the two states are forcibly united then the following day Greek Cypriots from the south will raid the north. They will invade the houses in the north -- Turkish houses."

Turkey and Turkish Cypriots argue that Cyprus' admission to the EU would amount to the island's unification with Greece. Turkey and Greece, two NATO members, have come close to war three times in the past 27 years over Cyprus and Aegean boundary disputes.

[07] Azerbaijani MP's: Azerbaijan always treats the pseudostate like a state

The paper writes that Mr Rustemhanli noted that Azerbaijan is officially represented at every anniversary of the establishment of the pseudostate and added that the Azerbaijani people recognize the pseudostate. The Azerbaijani MP said he believed that his country would soon recognize officially the pseudostate and pointed out that even now the pseudostate is represented in Azerbaijan as all the other states and his country always treats the pseudostate like a state.

Meanwhile, Mr Denktas expressed his satisfaction about the visit of the Azerbaijani MP's to the pseudostate, noting that if you do not share your celebrations with your brothers then these celebrations will be faint.

"We are all brothers, we come form the same blood, from the same nation and if brothers participate in your celebrations then it becomes a real celebration and the joy is great", said the Turkish Cypriot leader.

[08] Investigation about the children who participated in Birand's "32nd Day" programme

The paper writes also that, as it has been known, the so-called "presidency" and military circles reacted strongly against Mr Birand. As it is announced the "real mistake" is believed to have been committed by those who gave permission to Mr Birand to make his programme at the "NEU". The Press in Turkey is still writing many comments on the programme, which seems to have great influence on the public opinion in the country.

[09] The daughter of Dr Fazil Kucuk has been attacked by a Turkish settler; strong reactions

Meanwhile, according to "Ortam" (19.11.01), Mustafa Akinci so-called MP and former chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) said that similar incidents happen every day in the pseudostate where anyone can enter without control. Mr Akinci added the following:

"Perhaps after this incident the ears of those who pretended that they did not hear our young girl who tried to explain these problems on the programme of Mehmet Ali Birand some days ago, will open. The daughter of the late Dr Kucuk says that this is not the country that Dr Kucuk left. This is right. This is the Cyprus which Rauf Denktas has created and it is understood that if the hands which reached the throat of the daughter of Dr Kucuk reach the throat of Denktas as well, then may be taking measures will be considered".

Furthermore, commenting on the issue Turgut Afsaroglu of "Avrupa" (19.11.01) writes the following:

"This time came the turn of Dr Kucuk's daughter. .Before they (the criminals) used to come at midnight. They used to enter from the balcony. This one came from the door. It was not midnight. He came in the early evening hours. His manner was innocent, as if he wanted to ask for an address. He comes from Izmir and he was well-dressed. .Is this the Cyprus, which Dr Kucuk left? Of course not. During the English period we used to sleep with our doors open. During the period 1963 - 74 we took guns and we alone defended our lives, our properties and our honour. Now we are like sheeps waiting to be sacrificed.

We do not want to be ungrateful, but we have never lived such a bad period in our history. .

One Turk leaves, another Turk comes. .Neither the Englishmen nor the Greek Cypriots did what the Turks have done to the Turks. .".

[10] Commercial relations between FYROM and the pseudostate discussed

According to a written statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC), in the meeting, which took place at the Chamber's offices in occupied Nicosia, have also participated Ali Erel, President of TCCC, Salih Tunar, President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry and Boro Gavriovski, Mayor of the city of Kabrinci in FYROM.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Erel said that there are no obstacles for establishing commercial relations between FYROM and the pseudostate and expressed the readiness of the Turkish Cypriot businessmen for such a development. The Turkish Cypriot businessmen informed their colleagues from FYROM about the sectors of the economy of the pseudostate.

Mr Gavriovski said that they are ready to assist for the development of the commercial relations between his country and the pseudostate.

In the statement it is also mentioned that the participants in the meeting decided to exchange visits.

[11] Talat meets MP's from Belgium

Answering to questions, Mr Du Vivier said that they are going to prepare a report to the Belgian Foreign Ministry regarding the recent developments concerning the procedure towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' EU accession talks.

The Belgian MP's noted that there is time for the solution of the Cyprus problem until the end of next year and characterized the face-to-face meeting between President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas "important development".

Mr Talat accused the EU of not behaving in a neutral way in the procedure towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriot party leader argued that the accession talks with "the Greek Cypriots", as he said, are not just.

"The Turkish Cypriots who are one of the two equal partners of the Republic of Cyprus must also be included in this procedure as soon as possible", added Mr Talat.

[12] The French Ambassador/s car caught fire in the occupied areas According to KIBRIS (19.11.01), the car of the French Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Jacques Depaigne, caught fire yesterday while travelling on the main Nicosia-Kyrenia highway at the Ciklos section of the road in the occupied area. The Ambassador had a lucky escape.

KIBRIS reports that the fire almost destroyed the Renault made car with plate number 17CD1.

The accident happened at around 18:00 hours.

[13] German parachutists in the occupied area.

The German tourists numbering 17 are staying in the Bilfer Palm Beach Hotel in the occupied area. Kibris reports that the parachutists arrived in the occupied area in cooperation with the so-called Turkish Cypriot Aeronautics Club

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[14] Let us dispose of Cyprus

"RADIKAL editor in chief Ismet Berkan's articles occasionally prove to be very useful. I returned from a trip ye-sterday and I was not able to think of an issue to write about.

In fact, there were some issues coming to my mind, but they were all serious issues and even thinking on them could be boring.

As I was trying to figure out what I could write about the title of Ismet Berkan's column caught my eyes.

The editor in chief said, "Who Suggests That we Should Dispose of Cyprus?" in the title of his article.

A theme for writing an article immediately flashed through my mind after reading the title.

I thank him for the favor he has unintentionally done me and I wish him success in his career.

I cannot speak in the name of all the Turkish public, but there is at least one person who could say, "Yes, let us dispose of Cyprus" in response to this question.

That person is me, my dear readers.

We should dispose of it quickly, because its price would fall if we delay its sale further.

In fact, all `TRNC/ citizens are enthusiastically waiting for and desire to see the Greek Cypriot Side's accession to the EU.

When that happens and they are provided with the opportunity to be treated as Cypriot citizens, they would not hesitate even for a second to flee to the United Kingdom as European citizens.

One day Rauf Denktas [Turkish Cypriot Leader], who has built his career upon insolvability of this problem, will wake up to see that there is no citizen left on the `TRNC/ side of the island except himself and almost everybody had fled to Europe using the north virtually as a transit route.

In short, the `TRNC/ will soon look like a town entirely deserted before the Dalton brothers' arrival.

This dismal end is fast approaching.

My efforts are only aimed at encouraging and providing guidance for the government officials to find a way to dispose of the `TRNC/ before it faces this inevitable end.

Of course, this article is based on the assumption that the human factor would increase the sales prices of the island.

However, after pondering on the issue for a while it becomes clear that it is a considerably false assumption when it comes to the `TRNC/.

A very interesting kind of rentier citizen has evolved in the `TRNC/ because it is under an international embargo and Turkey is lavishing substantial amounts of funds on the `TRNC/ as if it has a lot of money.

In fact, they have a lifestyle which I also yearn for: they live without working.

This has been the case for years and eventually one of the communities, which live only thirty meters apart from each other, has a national income equal to that of Switzerland while the other is rapidly moving towards becoming a place like Kenya.

Therefore, the price of a deserted land could be higher if all these people seize this opportunity and emigrate to Europe exercising their rights of free movement as Cypriot citizens. This is only an idea and I believe it is worth considering.

There is an additional benefit we could reap if we dispose of the `TRNC/ without further delay.

As you probably know, the search for forming a government made up of technocrats continues at full speed in Ankara although everybody denies it.

In fact, picking persons, who could take part in the cabinet, would not be so difficult.

The most challenging task would be selecting the man who could coordinate them.

Finding such a man would not be easy at all.

At this point, Turkey's salvation also hinges on sale of the `TRNC/, my dear readers.

If the sale eventually takes place, Rauf Denktas would lose his job.

He would be a perfect prime minister for Turkey.

Suppose that there is a country, which has not been recognized by other countries and has no economy. All but one of the countries refuse to import or export goods from and to that country.

The sole country, which maintains commercial ties with that country, has neither any goods to sell or money to buy goods. Furthermore, its currency has lost much of its value against other currencies.

Successfully ruling a country, experiencing such difficult conditions, for years, and transforming this country into an international problem while exhausting patience of even more powerful states could not be achieved by every ambitious person.

Denktas has achieved this perfectly.

There is no doubt that he would be even more successful if he assumed Turkey's leadership after the `TRNC's/ sale.

The situation in Turkey is not as bleak as the one witnessed in the `TRNC/ yet. However, Denktas will soon become unemployed if my proposal is not immediately put into practice, because, as I have mentioned above, Turkey is on the verge of a failure.

Denktas is probably bored with running a failed country for years and he deserves to take over leadership of Turkey with its present capabilities at least.

We will miss this opportunity if we wait 3 months more. In that case Denktas would also lose his job like the rest of us. I swear, however, that I would not feel sorry for myself, but for him, who would lose his job after all those years.

[15] Columnist in "SABAH" calls on the Turkish Government to let the Turkish Cypriots decide for their future

"Prime Minister Ecevit said yesterday that the Turks in Cyprus "may face a threat of genocide."

Those who live in the `TRNC/ at the end of the day are Cypriots... In other words, "Islanders." A Greek diplomat with whom I spoke the other day, told me that the Greek Cypriot section told them, "We love you, but do not forget we are Cypriots."

It is not possible to agree with Ecevit... Greeks who are capable of thinking this way must not be very sane... In other words, the Greeks are going to kill all the Turks that they are going to find in the north, is that so Mister Prime Minister? And we are going to sit back and watch... How can this be?

Look Mr Prime Minister, if the Greek Cyprus becomes an EU member, and it seems like it will, then you will hardly find any people in the north of the island. We have been saying this since the beginning: "Let us conduct a public opinion poll in the `TRNC/... Let them decide upon their future themselves... Let us not decide here on their behalf."

But Ankara would not understand... Nobody is for the Turkish Cypriots' getting under the Greeks' sovereignty. However, Ankara refuses to see that we shall not achieve anything by escaping the negotiating table, and that time is running against both us and the `TRNC/... Ankara does not want to see that...

Let us see how far we can go with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear".

[16] Nelson Ledsky: Rauf Denktas seems to be deciding Turkey/s future

The full text of the commentary is as follows: "Can the two peoples in Cyprus coexist? According to Prime Minister Bulent Ececit, they cannot do so. The Turkish Cypriots will be annihilated.

One must be opposed to a solution in Cyprus in order to assess the problem in that way. It is true that tension is escalating. Has the EU adversely affected the problem? Yes, it has... But the Turkish side cannot achieve anything through threats.

Why has such a style been adopted? Is it that the officials have been encouraged by the reports that the developments that took place after the attacks on the United States added to Turkey's importance?

The present approach is wrong. Turkey defied the world for 10 years. We made many decisions. Sometimes we claimed that we will support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to become a prosperous country and sometimes we said that we would annex it. What have we achieved? A great nothing! No one listens to us. And, we describe that as foreign policy.

Ambassador Nelson Ledsky, who was US Coordinator for Cyprus Affairs when the Greek Cypriot side prepared to apply to join the EU, visited Istanbul to participate in the National Democratic Institute's meeting yesterday. He opposed the Greek Cypriot application to join the EU in the past. He said: "If an application is to be made, then it has to be made by the two sides. Otherwise, it will be wrong."

I found an opportunity to interview him yesterday. He said that the EU process obstructed the solution of the Cyprus problem and noted, "The EU will torpedo the process for the solution of the problem under UN auspices."

Ledsky had an influential role in the effort that was made to solve the problem in the past. In fact, he was the architect of the "set of ideas" which were an important step in the negotiations that were held under UN auspices. However, he failed to prevent Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration from persuading various European institutions to take up the problem. He said: "The situation now is very complicated. The sides insist on their positions. They make threats. That might lead to dangerous developments."

I asked him to explain how the situation can be improved. He said: "Rauf Denktas is my friend. But, I must say that allowing him to influence Turkey's future and relations with Europe will be wrong. The Turkish Government was actively involved in the problem in 1991. However, Denktas holds the ropes now. He seems to be deciding Turkey's future."

I then asked him to comment on what Turkey should do. He said: "It must take action. It must adopt an active approach in diplomacy. The Cyprus problem can be solved only if Turkey and Greece decide to adopt an active approach."

Well, Greece is already making initiatives on Cyprus. It does not divert its attention from the problem in the EU even for a minute. However, Turkey seems unable to take any action.

The countdown that began during the Helsinki summit has gained momentum. The EU will approve Cyprus' accession to the organization as a full member. We will not be able to achieve anything through threats.

We need a Government that will be prepared to hold talks on something other than the possibility of a massacre in Cyprus--for example, on how the two peoples on the island can coexist and what can be done to help them do so".

[17] Columnist Replies to Turkey's EU Membership Skeptics

"Will Turkey be accepted by the EU or not? According to certain people, the answer to this question has always been negative. They say: "No matter what we do, we can never become an EU member."

One of these people has sent me an e-mail regarding my two recent articles:

"As someone who lives in Britain, I cannot understand how thousands of intellectuals such as you still believe that Turkey will be accepted to the EU. As a university graduate and as someone who has a masters degree, I believe that I have the ability to follow, to understand, and to interpret events.

"I have the chance to follow both the Turkish press and the British media. They do not care about Turkey. I can also see this in simple citizens who attend the classes that I teach. When something negative happens in Turkey, this makes very short news and it is used as a trump card against Turkey.

"Believe me, this is the same for Cyprus... You may be sure that their opinions regarding Turkey have not changed for the past 50-100 years."

This is the content of the e-mail message.

Our reader, who lives in Britain, has lost hope in the EU a long time ago. He is trying to tell us not to make efforts in vain.

This is a lobby!

This is the "they will not accept Turkey to the EU anyway" lobby...

First, where is Turkey in terms of the EU?

Currently 3,5 million Turkish citizens live in Europe... Some 50 percent of Turkey's foreign trade is with Europe... Some 65 percent of Turkey's foreign exchange profits is from Europe...

The Turkish workers who work in Europe send Turkey approximately $5 billion every year... Some 70 percent of the investments in Turkey is made by Europe...

Some 80 to 90 percent of the tourists who come to Turkey are Europeans...

Turkey has been a member of the Council of Europe for the past 50 years... It has a Partnership Agreement with the EU since 1963... It has been within the Customs Union -- in other words within the 'economic field' of Europe -- since 1995...

It has been a candidate country for the past two years...

Furthermore, for the past two years, Turkey has been viewing the participation in the "European Army" as a requirement of Turkey's national security interests.

What do these facts show? Only one thing: Turkey is intertwined with Europe.

Moreover, it is very much intertwined with Europe... In this regard, Turkey does not want to be torn away from Europe. The "they will not accept Turkey to the EU anyway" lobby should primarily remember this.

Even more important, with Ataturk, Turkey has adopted the values shared by Europe as a civilization project. The Turkish Republic State has undersigned countless agreements. As a democratic state of law, it has accepted market economy. It has pursued policies that are in line with the rules of free competition in economy. Why has Turkey taken such steps?

This is because Turkey believes that Europe serves its interests. Turkey has taken such steps because it believes that integration with Europe contributes to its economic prosperity and security.

Have we, as Turkey, carried out the requirements of this? No we have not. We have many deficiencies.

Let us first eliminate these deficiencies because to eliminate the deficiencies serves Turkey's interests. The "they will not accept Turkey to the EU anyway" lobby should never forget this.

The European Dream... Let us first carry out the requirements! May the EU refuse to accept us despite this? It may.

We will not lose anything, however, because carrying out the requirements is moving forward in the path of contemporary civilization.

There is an additional fact that the lobby should take into consideration:

The Turkish people's European dream... According to public surveys, some 70 percent of the people in Turkey see their children's future in Europe. Do not forget this!

[18] EU Progress Report Said Causing 'Strain' in Turkey's Coalition

"The strains that the EU's 2001 Progress Report on Turkey has created among the coalition partners became evident yesterday.

Today both Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli responded to ANAP [Motherland Party] General Chairman Mesut Yilmaz's remarks to his party's Assembly group on November 14 to the effect that the EU's criticisms against Turkey were "justified." Ecevit's address to the DSP [Democratic Left Party] parliamentary group focused on the sections of the EU report related to Cyprus. Ecevit not only did not find these sections "justified," he said that the EU recommendations may lead to a genocide on the island.

A more direct and sharper retort to Yilmaz's remarks came from Bahceli. A written statement faxed from Bahceli's office in the Prime Ministry to press agencies while the Council of Ministers was in session leveled very harsh criticisms against the EU report and "those who find it justified." Bahceli's two-page statement, printed on stationery with the letterhead "Office of the Deputy Prime Minister," contained the following sentences that expose the tension among the coalition partners:

. "The comments and criticisms contained in the EU report are unfair and baseless. Finding such remarks justified is equivalent to questioning the joint political will that was expressed in the National Program eight months ago."

It is evident that this time Bahceli, who expressed his views about the EU earlier in his address to the MHP [Nationalist Action Party] parliamentary group on November 14, was targeting ANAP leader and government partner Mesut Yilmaz and indirectly questioning the coalition partnership itself.

Fault Lines

The points of strain that the EU has exposed in the coalition can be summarized as follows:

. It is clear that Bahceli, who had great difficulty in winning the endorsement of his parliamentary deputies and his constituency for the constitutional amendments that were passed earlier this year, is disappointed that the EU report has dismissed these amendments with comments such as "let us see them implemented."

. The term "implement" is used primarily with reference to the adaptation of certain laws to EU norms. Chief among them are Articles 159 and 312 of the Turkish Penal Code, Article 8 of the Law on Combatting Terrorism, and the "mini democratization package" which envisages changes in detention conditions. It is evident that the MHP is uneasy about the submission of this package to the Assembly especially after the EU's Progress Report. . It is known that Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk sent the legislative amendments contained in this package to the Prime Minister one week ago so that it would be signed by the ministers and forwarded to the Assembly. Many ministers say that they have not yet seen this bill. That means that the bill remains stuck somewhere in the Office of the Prime Minister.

. Yilmaz's remarks to the effect that he finds the EU criticisms justified and that implementation steps must be taken without delay has put the MHP leader in a difficult position vis a vis members of his party and the EU. One can sense in MHP ranks the belief that Yilmaz has essentially complained to the EU about the MHP.

. The EU's posture about Cyprus constitutes another fault line dividing the coalition partners. The DSP and the MHP stand closer to each other and the position of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Rauf Denktas on the Cyprus issue. In contrast, ANAP differs with them by taking a more moderate view of the EU report that condemns Turkey's policy on Cyprus. . Moreover the prevalent view in both the DSP and the MHP is that Yilmaz's sally on the EU report is a "political tactic." There are suggestions that, by taking on this "liberal" look, Yilmaz wants to stanch the loss of blood in his parliamentary group with a political thrust. In addition ANAP appears to be harping on the theme of "outmoded parties" (which was heard during the work on an alternative economic program) by differentiating itself from its partners on this issue. In any event it is obvious that the EU report has generated points of strain among the coalition parties. It is hard to see at this point whether these tensions will delay the democratization steps the government has promised to take or lead to fresh bickering within the coalition. The fate of the "mini democratization package" may serve as an indicator of the answers to these questions".

KV/SK

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