Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-03-19

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Rauf Denktas before leaving for Adana.

[02] Interview of the Turkish Cypriot leader on TV published in KIBRISLI newspaper.

[03] Sukru Sina Gurel continues on the threats and clashes scenario.

[04] Rauf Denktas talks to Al Jazeera and calls on the Islamic countries to recognize the pseudostate.

[05] Talat: "We seem unable to understand the urgent need for a solution in Cyprus".

[06] The 41 organizations members of the platform "This country is ours" send a letter to the UN Secretary-General protesting for the "passport law".

[07] Bi-communal exhibition of cartoons in the free areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] National Security Council members involved in common crimes.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Rauf Denktas before leaving for Adana

In reply to a question by a reporter regarding the statements being made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Verheugen, EU Commissioner in charge of expansion, to the effect that the Cyprus problem will be resolved in June, Denktas said: I earlier stated that we will see whether this problem can be resolved by June. I did not say that the problem will be resolved by June. Why did I say this? Because the Cyprus question is being assessed and analyzed for the last 38 years. It is being discussed in direct and indirect talks and meetings. The problem has no hidden aspects. Denktas further alleged that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved as long as the Greek Cypriot side wants to own the island through the EU path and as long as it views the Turkish Cypriot side as a minority and ignores its equality and sovereignty.

Referring to the issue of Karen Fogg, the EU representative in Turkey, Denktas said: "As the dailies report on the plots she has been hatching, I reach a stage where I want to say I hate diplomacy and diplomats. Naturally, it is not right to say this. Let our valued diplomat friends not be offended, but it is impossible to understand the audacity, the decisions, and the betrayal of this lady, which have cast a large shadow over diplomacy and diplomats."

Noting that the fact that the EU has chosen to recruit votes through such agents creates question marks in everyone's minds, Denktas said that Fogg, hiding behind her diplomatic immunity, has bought journalists, is using paid agents, has divided the people into those who favor the EU and those who are against it in a bid to create enmity within the Turkish public, and is shamelessly continuing these initiatives. Denktas continued that it would be beneficial to state that from now on we will not be able to receive with the same sincerity the journalists from Turkey and the pseudostate who have received money from this lady to do this job. He noted that this business which was undertaken with the aim of destroying a country from within will remain as an unforgettable page in the history of Turkey and the occupied areas, adding that the youths have to learn from it. He concluded by saying that Turkish Cypriot youths should see and understand the plots foreigners can stoop to in a bid to create enmity among the Turkish Cypriot people who have sacrificed all in order to defend their national cause in unity and solidarity.

[02] Interview of the Turkish Cypriot leader on TV published in KIBRISLI newspaper

Question: What is the situation with regard to the direct talks? Is distance being covered during these talks?

Answer: The direct talks are useful. The talks are useful in that the two sides are being able to talk face-to-face about their problems, about the principles that they have adopted, about the question as to whether or not any softening can be achieved regarding these issues, about the question as to whether or not flexibility can be displayed regarding these issues, and about the reasons behind these problems. I believe that it is for the first time that the talks have proceeded in this way. Meanwhile, are we achieving any progress? We have adopted a principle, mainly, that "we will not consider that we have reached an understanding before reaching an understanding on all the issues." Consequently, we cannot say that we are achieving progress.

Question: Is it possible to reach an agreement on every issue under the behavior that the Greek Cypriots have displayed until now?

Answer: Had you been the Greek Cypriots, would you be ready to reach an understanding when the whole world recognizes you as the legitimate government of Cyprus, when the whole world turns a blind eye to everything that you have done, when the whole world truly recognizes the Turkish Cypriots--whom the Greek Cypriots are trying to show as a minority and even as a rebellious people--as a minority, when the EU opens its doors to the Greek Cypriots, who have applied for EU membership unilaterally in contravention of the 1960 agreements, and when the EU says that it will accept the Greek Cypriots as an EU member even if a solution is not found to the Cyprus problem?

That is, there are certain difficulties. There are certain difficulties coming from abroad. As a matter of fact, the main reason why the Cyprus problem was not solved is because the foreign world, including the UN Security Council and the major countries, recognize the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus by ignoring the Constitution, the laws, and the international agreements. This is why difficulties exist regarding the Cyprus problem. We must accept this fact.

Question: How do you assess the EU's approach toward the Cyprus problem? You talked about foreign intervention. How do you assess Europe's approach in general?

Answer: Greece is an EU member. Greece is trying to achieve with the help of EU membership the things that it failed to achieve with the help of arms and to gain with the help of EU membership the things that it failed to gain by recognizing the Greek Cypriot government as the legitimate government of Cyprus. The question is, will the EU be deceived by this game? I can see that the decision that has been made at the European Parliament against Turkey, the Armenian genocide... The placing of the Cyprus problem before Turkey has created the image that Turkey has brought about the Cyprus problem.

It is not Turkey that has created the Cyprus problem. It is the Greek Cypriots and Greece that have given rise to the Cyprus problem. However, no one is asking them [the Greek Cypriots and Greece] to solve the Cyprus problem before [applying for EU membership]. They have also placed Cyprus as an obstacle before [Turkey's EU membership].

They are saying that Cyprus will be immediately accepted as an EU member in 2002 and are asking Turkey to support this process and to apply pressure on Denktas for this purpose. However, they must first examine the conditions under which they will accept Turkey as an EU member after 10 or 15 years. Cyprus constitutes the greatest obstacle before Greece now for escalating the Aegean crisis.

Turkey must be in a strong position in Cyprus. They are making decisions at the European Organs as they like on the withdrawal of the Turkish soldiers from Cyprus. However, will Greece soften its stand regarding the Aegean after securing [the withdrawal of the Turkish soldiers], or will it display a tougher stand? We are studying all these issues.

Yet, we are trying to find a middle way by telling the truth to the Greek Cypriots at the table and expecting that in return, we will hear the truth from them. It is not possible to say that the way has been opened before us. However, we are working on opening the way before us.

Question: General Tuncer Kilinc recently made the following remarks: "Turkey has not received the slightest support from the EU. The EU views the issues that interest Turkey negatively." Do you agree with these remarks?

Answer: Do not view me as an anti-EU individual. There is some truth in what he [Kilinc] said, but it is Turkey that must assess this issue. Turkey views the EU as a target. However, Turkey must decide as to what it can give in order to reach this target. For I got the impression during my meetings with EU representatives that the EU believes that Turkey will abandon Cyprus and that Turkey will bow to pressure.

Turkey must openly declare as to up to where it wants to go. Turkey has assumed responsibility of the Lauzanne Treaty with the help of the 1960 agreements with regard to Cyprus. The 1960 agreements are stronger than the Lauzanne Treaty from Turkey's security and geopolitical perspectives. Will Turkey abandon the powers that it has derived from these agreements? Turkey must reply to this question in great clarity.

That is, Turkey must make its calculations carefully if it will gain EU membership by abandoning this or that place. The EU factor has been brought into being intentionally at a time when the problem was on the verge of being solved. Greece has perceived that it will lose at the table. It was also clearly evident that Greece would lose on the war front. Therefore, the EU factor was all of a sudden brought into being so as for Greece to win at the table.

The Greek Cypriots thereafter abandoned all the parameters that existed on the table such as the restriction of the freedoms, bi-zonality, and the continuation of the guarantees by claiming that these parameters are against the EU norms. The Greek Cypriots are now slowly accepting a number of norms so as not to have their EU membership obstructed. However, we have not received any sincere answer from the Greek Cypriots yet.

Question: You mentioned a clear stand. Do you mean a clear stand to be taken by the EU or Cyprus?" This issue will then be raised on the agenda. In your opinion, is Turkey bluffing?

Answer: They also used to say that Ataturk and Anatolia would not endure during the war of independence. However, Turkey is capable of achieving certain things during times of crisis. Unfortunately, the allegations to the effect that Turkey is bluffing are coming from the EU circles. The Greek Cypriots are pleased with these allegations and they are being encouraged by these allegations.

I believe that Turkey is not bluffing. Therefore, I wanted to immediately talk with Glafcos Clerides. I wanted to talk with Clerides to preclude any difficulties that may emerge in the future, because the allegations made [by the EU circles] had begun to spoil the Greek Cypriots. They are still acquiring weapons and helicopters. However, we will continue [the talks].

The statements that the Greek Cypriots make are spoiling the atmosphere. We are asking them to stop making these statements. Let us first learn how to become good neighbours. Being good neighbours means respecting each other's rights and refraining from punishing each other. Being good neighbours also means the lifting of the embargos. I believe that we will be good neighbours if we learn all these things. However, we are still not taking a step at becoming neighbours because of the existence of these embargos. They must lift these embargos.

Question: Is Turkey facing a situation where it will choose either the EU or Cyprus? What kind of a decision would you make had you been in Turkey's place?

Answer: I am not in a position to reply to this question. I believe that Turkey must not and will not encounter such a situation. I believe that Turkey will not encounter a situation where it has to choose either the EU or Cyprus if it seriously explains to its friends what Cyprus means for it, if it stresses that the 1960 agreements are as important as the Lauzanne Treaty and that it will not abandon the 1960 agreements, but that however, it would consent to Cyprus' EU accession after the two equal sides establish a partnership state in Cyprus on condition that Turkey's rights are not violated.

I believe that Turkey will not encounter a situation where it has to choose either the EU or Cyprus if it explains all these things. Assume that the Cyprus problem was not solved. Will they throw Turkey out of the EU? No, they will not. As a matter of fact, Turkey's accession process will last for 15 years. In the meantime, Turkey will continue exerting efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Turkey's EU accession process may encounter stagnation at times, but this process will certainly continue. However, should Turkey lose Cyprus, it will then be able to watch Cyprus only from afar.

[03] Sukru Sina Gurel continues on the threats and clashes scenario

Speaking on the panel entitled "Where to Cyprus?" that was held at the Istanbul Bilgi [Knowledge] University, Gurel alleged that Turkey has taken many correct steps with regard to Cyprus.

Gurel emphasized that to put forward new conditions with regard to Cyprus just in order to show that Turkey is in the wrong and to carry this issue to the relations between Turkey and the EU would be an injustice to both history and Turkey.

Noting that Turkey is carrying out the requirements of the agreements that it has signed with the EU, Gurel explained that the deficiencies stem from the EU and that the EU does not carry out the requirements of the Partnership Agreement and the Customs Union Agreement.

Stressing that the steps taken by the EU neither facilitate the solution of the Cyprus problem nor enable Turkey's membership in the EU, Gurel stated that the EU is merely creating problems for itself.

Alleging that the direct negotiations that are underway for the solution of the Cyprus problem are being held on the island without outside supervision, Gurel stressed that this is the way in which direct negotiations should be held. Gurel added that the EU's stand constitutes the most important factor in the solution of the problem.

Gurel said: "If at a time when the negotiations are underway, the EU reports that it will accept Cyprus as a member and that the Greek sector represents all of Cyprus, the Greek side will sit at the negotiation table just for the sake of appearances. They will believe that they do not have to make any concessions. This is what will happen."

Noting that the EU, which is a side to the issue, should take positive steps in order to enable a solution, Gurel underlined that these steps should not remain in words and that the EU should remove the so-called embargo that has been imposed on the Turkish Cypriots for years.

Stating that a solution that is not based on the equality of the two peoples on the island cannot be successful, Gurel said: "The Turkish Cypriots see their security and future together with the Turkish people. A solution that does not take this unshakable bond into consideration cannot be successful."

Noting that if Cyprus is accepted as an EU member before Turkey becomes a member, this will violate the law and the agreements, Gurel said the following:

"If the EU says: 'I have accepted Cyprus as a member,' it will have accepted only the Greek sector as a member. Under these conditions, the EU will inscribe its mark on the division of the island. Under these conditions, the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish people will take the steps that they see fit for their future. In fact, they will be freer than ever to take these steps.

"At a time when the negotiations continue, the Greek sector is spending an average of $ 2 to 2.5 million daily on armaments. If these arms are intended to be used against Turkey, this amount is not enough. If they are intended for use against the Turkish Cypriots however, this amount is too much. The armament efforts might mean that as an EU member, the Cyprus Greek administration might try to bring about clashes on the island in order to provoke the EU or others against Turkey. In this regard, if the EU continues to take erroneous steps, clashes might occur in Cyprus."

Gurel explained that if the EU accepts Cyprus as a member, it would also undermine the balance between Turkey and Greece and that it would prepare the ground for further instabilities in Eastern Mediterranean. Noting that the EU may postpone the membership of the Cyprus Republic until a solution is found, Gurel said the following:

"Greece wants to prevent the EU from postponing the membership and this is why it threatens the EU with obstructing the expansion program. The EU, however, will eventually find a wise solution. It will eventually understand that accepting the Cyprus Republic, as a member will be more costly than the efforts to persuade Greece not to stop the expansion process. In my opinion, the EU will adopt this alternative for its own good."

In answer to a question, Gurel noted that Turkey should take steps in order to ensure that the "TRNC" is also acknowledged by other countries.

Stating that the "TRNC" and Turkey have taken important steps in order to create a joint economy, Gurel explained that they are making the necessary arrangements to ensure that all kinds of goods, for which VAT has been paid, penetrate the Turkish markets.

Stressing that Cyprus is of vital importance for Turkey, Gurel explained that Turkey closely follows the direct negotiations and that Turkey extends great support to Rauf Denktas.

Gurel said the following in answer to a question related to Turkey's EU membership:

"The Turkish people are in favour of Turkey's EU membership. However, if the Turkish people are asked whether they want Turkey to become an EU member at all costs, they will say: 'No.' This is because our real aim is to elevate our values and to reach the highest possible international levels by our own efforts."

[04] Rauf Denktas talks to Al Jazeera and calls on the Islamic countries to recognize the pseudostate

The paper writes that Mr Denktas alleged that the recognition of the pseudostate by the Islamic countries would contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, because the Greek Cypriots would understand that they cannot convince the world any more.

Referring to the efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr Denktas claimed that the Turkish Cypriots could accept the relations of the two communities to be based on the "big - small state" principle, but not on the "minority- majority" principle.

Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the Turkish Cypriots expected from the Islamic countries to show "the same interest" for them as they show for the Palestinians.

Mr Denktas claimed that the aim of the Greek Cypriots is "to obtain the sovereignty of the whole island" and they try to avoid the bi-zonality.

Mr Denktas alleged also that in spite of the exchange of population in 1975, the Greek Cypriots say at every opportunity they get that they will return to the northern, occupied part of Cyprus. He also argued that the Turkish Cypriots have a so-called "sovereign state" in the occupied areas and added that they do not intent to give it up.

"Turkey says that it will not give up the guarantee rights deriving from the 1960 agreements and this gives us strength", said Mr Denktas adding that in case a new agreement is reached a number of Greek and Turkish soldiers could remain on the island. This is a precondition for facing possible internal and external threats, he claimed.

[05] Talat: "We seem unable to understand the urgent need for a solution in Cyprus"

In a written statement issued after a meeting of Mr Talat with a delegation from the German Ministry of Foreign Affair which was accompanied by Mr Peter Witting, Germany's ambassador to Nicosia, Mr Talat said that all the EU officials "give with determination the message" that the enlargement of the European Union could not be endangered or delayed.

Mr Talat noted that during his meeting with the German delegation they discussed the recent developments in the Cyprus problem and the relation of the face-to-face talks with the timing of the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU. Noting that "there is a great languish" in the Turkish Cypriot side, Mr Talat added: "We seem unable to understand the urgent nature of the solution of the Cyprus problem, or we think that we could preserve the status quo by letting things to time and not being in a hurry. However, the Helsinki decision and Turkey's accepting this decision showed that the existing status quo could not continue.".

[06] The 41 organizations members of the platform "This country is ours" send a letter to the UN Secretary-General protesting for the "passport law"

The paper writes that the so-called Turkish Cypriot "police officer" told the head of the delegation, Turk-Sen's chairman Onder Konuloglu, that the so-called "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" should approve the letter before they send it to Mr Annan. The members of the delegation refused to do this and decided to send the letter by e-mail.

[07] Bi-communal exhibition of cartoons in the free areas

The exhibition, which will last until Saturday 23 March, is co-organized since 1989 by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot cartoonists. This year 13 Turkish Cypriot cartoonists are expected to participate in the exhibition.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] National Security Council members involved in common crimes

Korkut Eken, a lieutenant Colonel in the Turkish Special Forces, was involved in illegal dealings. He has been sentenced for forming underground criminal groups to commit crimes.

Former Turkish chief of staff retired general Dogan Gures and six other retired generals defended Eken, saying that what he did was for the state and that he was a hero and they were aware of his activities. In the 80/s he was transferred from the Army to the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) where he organized common criminals to kill PKK members and people who supplied financial aid to the PKK with the knowledge of the Turkish National Security Council (NSC).

Ismet Berkan, quoting the duties Eken performed, says: "Eken is a retired soldier, one of the former Special Forces officers. He is one of the parachutists who were dropped there before the Cyprus operation. (Tr. Note: Cyprus invasion). Later on he had taken anti-terrorist courses. He then became an instructor, a hero officer who was decorated (with medals) several times."

KVISK

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