Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-04-11

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader resorts to the events in Palestine to justify the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

[02] Sukru Sina Gurel alleges that the EU is maintaining a negative attitude on Cyprus.

[03] An international conference on Environmental Problems in the Mediterranean region will be held in the occupied areas.

[04] Opinion poll shows that 45.1% of the Turkish Cypriots residing in occupied Nicosia did not respond to the question posed to them "which political party truly wants a Cyprus settlement".

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers were dragged yesterday to so-called "court", because of a written statement they had issued against Turkey/s policy in Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Sener Levent compares the situation in Cyprus and Palestine: "I live like a Palestinian who is under the Israeli occupation" he says.

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand: As long as the Turkish side strives stubbornly to keep open the path to "independence", the talks cannot go anywhere.

[08] Columnist in Aydinlik says that the US and Britain are promising to support Turkey/s position in Cyprus if it supports a military operation against Iraq

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader resorts to the events in Palestine to justify the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus

Denktas met yesterday with the Palestinian Ambassador to Nicosia Samir Abu-Ghazalah and conferred with him for some time.

In a statement during the meeting, Abu-Ghazalah expressed pleasure over the meeting and remarked that the Palestinians are experiencing historical moments in their struggle. There is a blood bath in the region, but the barbarism applied by Israel will not stop the Palestinian people's march to freedom, Abu-Ghazalah stressed. Recalling that Palestinian head of state Yaser Arafat is under siege, Abu-Ghazalah stated that all Palestinians support Arafat.

On his part, referring to the Cyprus problem during the meeting Mr Rauf Denktas said that if peace is to be instituted in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots must cease to claim that they are the owners of the whole of Cyprus and Turkey is occupying the island. He recalled that both Turkish and Greek Cypriots live on the island. Denktas alleged that the Greek Cypriots tried to oust the Turkish Cypriots from the island and take possession of Cyprus, but Turkey stopped this. Denktas said: " If another country comes to assist you to stop the fierce attacks against you, would it be occupying Israel? It would be helping to end the Israeli attacks, because the two countries agreed to live side by side. We had also reached an agreement, but now the Greek Cypriots are claiming that everything is theirs. Now, you can better understand the portrayal that Cyprus is under occupation. The incidents in Israel and Palestine can be prevented. Good-neighbourly relations and mutual trust and assistance will help everyone".

In reply to a journalist's question, Denktas denied Turkish media reports that during the Cyprus talks yesterday, he submitted to President Glafcos Clerides a 16-point solution plan and a new partnership proposal with equal status. Denktas explained that he is negotiating the establishment of a new partnership with Clerides but no document was submitted. We are always discussing a new partnership, we are not discussing anything else, he remarked, adding: "There is no document, points, or anything. From the beginning, we have been discussing a new partnership, because the partnership was destroyed".

[02] Sukru Sina Gurel alleges that the EU is maintaining a negative attitude on Cyprus

Replying to reporters' questions on the Cyprus issue in Ankara, Gurel said: "The intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side is mostly caused by the EU attitude. I hope that the EU will end this negative influence on the Greek Cypriot side, and that from now on the Cyprus talks are conducted in a positive atmosphere. In truth, however, I do not think that the Greek Cypriots will be in favour of an agreement as long as the EU maintains its current attitude on Cyprus."

[03] An international conference on Environmental Problems in the Mediterranean region will be held in the occupied areas

The scientists will come from USA, Brazil, Chile, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Lithuania, Estonia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Yugoslavia, Albania, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tatarstan, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Portugal, Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Burundi, South Africa, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Turkey.

[04] Opinion poll shows that 45.1% of the Turkish Cypriots residing in occupied Nicosia did not respond to the question posed to them "which political party truly wants a Cyprus settlement"

In another question the 64.7% of the inhabitants of the occupied Nicosia are not aware that the municipality of the occupied Nicosia is the only municipality in the occupied areas that is recognised by the world and even by the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers were dragged yesterday to so-called "court", because of a written statement they had issued against Turkey's policy in Cyprus

The paper writes that because of the "trial" KTOS called all its members to go on a 24-hour strike and notes that about 100 teachers were present in the "court"-room to attend the "trial", which will continue on 28 May 2002.

The 30 teachers were gathered at the offices of KTOS and went all together on foot to the "court", reports AFRIKA noting that during their march and the "trial" the so-called "police" took strict security measures.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Sener Levent compares the situation in Cyprus and Palestine: "I live like a Palestinian who is under the Israeli occupation", he says

"Have the Palestinians a Motherland like we do? They have not. Their homeland and Motherland is one: Palestine.

You may say: 'Look, they do not even have a Motherland, like we have, to save them'. And your gratitude to Turkey may be increased when you look at the Palestinians.

However, do not forget. Neither Palestine nor the Palestinians are about to be wiped out from the face of the earth. This will not happen, even if a thousand or five thousand people die, even if the Israeli tanks raze these towns, villages and cities, even if all of them, from the youngest to the oldest one, are arrested, even if they send them to the gallows without a trial, even if they throw them into ovens like Hitler did. Neither the Palestinians, not Palestine are going to be wiped off from the face of earth, because there is no other way. History demands it.

Until now, which other nation has been wiped out from the earth by a genocide? Will the Palestinians be the first nation to whom this will happen? Which nation has remained without a country and without land? . Even if today the Palestinians are defeated, oppressed and imprisoned one day they will be revived. There is no other way, because history demands it.

Why should they feel sad because they have no Motherland to save them? They have saved us, and what have we gained from this? What have we gained except squirming, continuously expressing gratitude and asking for money like beggars? When we raise our voice a little bit to protect our honour, has our saviour not silence it in a cruel way? Has he not imprisoned us like the Israelis do to the Palestinians whom it suspects? Do they not ask for 'permission' for everything we do in our country? Have they not sworn badly even at the man whom they put onto our head to be our Prime Minister? Are they not those who decide even for which newspapers we should read and who should talk on the television screens? What is the reason of the existence of the military courts? Are they not there to try us? Where are our people who have been saved? Where have they emigrated? If they have been saved why did they not stay and enjoy this 'heaven'? Do those who have been saved run away like those who run away from the occupation?

Look, in the city I was born and grew up, I live like a Palestinian who is under the Israeli occupation. Nilgun, Umit, Ali Osman, Kazim and all my friends are also living like me. Even talking about 'our saviours' is forbidden in the city I was born and grew up! Even saying to them that 'this country is ours, we are going to rule it' is forbidden! All those who have said this were thrown into dungeon-like prisons!

Let our Palestinian brothers who live under occupation not feel sad because they have no motherland to save them. Let them not forget: Being saved is worse than the occupation itself!".

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand: As long as the Turkish side strives stubbornly to keep open the path to "independence", the talks cannot go anywhere

Judging by this outcome, you may, naturally, be disappointed. The only reason that hope is being maintained is the fact that Denktas and Clerides have not yet left, slamming the door behind them. Their still remaining at the table and talking is being considered a satisfactory reason.

However, time is running out.

Denktas says, "We cannot be put under time pressure." Yet, he himself had said that they would finish this job by June. Maybe not by June but the Cyprus problem will indeed be finished off by the end of the current year. And Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will join the European Union together.

Until now, the Turkish side suggested that an agreement be reached first on the principles. If an agreement could be reached on what kind of Cyprus was going to be created, then the two sides would start discussing the details and it would be easier to get results.

The Turkish proposal was for a confederal structure in domestic affairs and a single representation in foreign affairs. In other words, the federal government would have highly limited powers while the "confederal wings", that is, the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot zones, should be equipped with wider powers. Agreement should be reached on this principle.

The Greek Cypriots opposed this thesis, put forth by Denktas, right from the start. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to be able to step out and set up its own independent state if and when it wanted to, they refused to alter their stance.

Clerides wants a stronger federal structure. He insists that some of the powers should be vested in the central government.

So, the first two rounds proved inconclusive. Now the third round of talks has begun. And the Turkish side has decided to make a tactical change. This time it will present a detailed list to the Greek Cypriot side. It will specify the things it considers indispensable for a solution.

A joint solution can only be found through concessions to be made mutually by the two sides.

As long as the Turkish side strives stubbornly to keep open the path leading to "independence", the talks cannot go anywhere.

Also, as long as the Greek Cypriot side continues to ignore the 1974 phenomenon, no solution can be found.

Since the talks take place behind closed doors, we do not know the details. However, one day it will be found out who has made what kind of proposal. And, on that day, some people's defects will be all too obvious.

There is a reality which both the Denktas-Clerides and Ankara-Athens duos should know. No war is being desired in the Aegean. And peace can be achieved only through a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Turkish public does not want a return to the pre-1974 situation in Cyprus. It does not want the Greek Cypriots to govern the Turkish Cypriot community. It wants a loose federation where each community would govern itself, with free movement starting three or four years later and the property purchases in one another's zones starting eight to ten years later.

These are the indispensable points from the standpoint of the Turkish public.

Are these demands too exaggerated that they cannot be accepted? No, they are not. I fear that this chance could be missed if enough care is not taken. There is no point in beating about the bush.

I leave aside some of the exaggerated strategic grounds being cited by the Turkish side, some of the Turkish side's political ploys. Similarly, I reject the Greek Cypriots' sterile long-term plans and the sensitivities of the ultraconservatives in Greece.

In Cyprus, now the bells are tolling for a solution. One can hardly find a more suitable climate. This is an historic era in all aspects.

If this chance is missed, we will all be presented with the bill."

[08] Columnist in Aydinlik says that the US and Britain are promising to support Turkey/s positions in Cyprus if it supports a military operation against Iraq

The Incirlik military base is indispensable for a military operation against Iraq. Meanwhile, the United States is trying to break Turkey's resistance against a military operation against Iraq. The United States and Britain are promising Turkey to support Turkey's position regarding Cyprus in return for Turkey's support for a military operation against Iraq. Setting off from these facts, Turkey will be committing a big mistake if it opens the Incirlik base for use in a military operation against Iraq.

The US administration, which is working on determining the timing of a military operation against Iraq, received a negative answer from Turkey with regard to the use of the Incirlik Base and other bases in eastern Anatolia.

In addition to seeking to use the Incirlik Base, the United States is exerting pressure on Turkey and is trying to break Turkey's resistance in order to use the Mus and Batman bases, which are located at a distance of 500 miles from Tehran and 700 miles from the Basra Gulf.

There is no doubt that the United States is also conducting extensive work on the use of other bases as alternatives for the aforementioned bases. The Incirlik Base is a key base for the United States, because this base is at a distance of only 1,000 miles from the Gulf region, which produces about 60 percent of the oil throughout the world. The Incirlik Base is very close to the coast and allows the [United States] to intervene in crises that may emerge in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Turkey is continuing to resist Dick Cheney's requests. It will be moving into action in accordance with its national interests as long as it resists Cheney's requests in this regard. Turkey in the past maintained its position regarding the base by halting the activities in the base on the following occasions:

1. In response to the embargoes that the United States imposed on Turkey following the 1974 Cyprus Operation, Turkey closed down the bases in eastern Anatolia, particularly the Incirlik Base, in July 1975. Turkey based its decision to close down these bases on the argument that the embargoes are weakening Turkey's defences.

2. The Chief of the General Staff suspended the operations at the Incirlik Base on 17 January 1991, the day the air raids began against Baghdad during the Gulf War, on the grounds that the parliament had not made any decision on the use of this base.

A military strike against Iraq comes on top of the issues on the agenda of the United States. The United States may strike Iraq from the Incirlik Base, from the bases in Israel, from the bases in Kuwait, or from the bases in Cyprus respectively. The United States is now unable to strike Iraq from the Incirlik Base because Turkey is not allowing it to do so.

Meanwhile, given that Israel possesses nuclear weapons and that Iraq is capable of responding to similar weapons, striking Iraq from the Israeli bases seems unlikely, because such a move would give rise to a world war. The bases in Kuwait are considered a last resort. However, striking Iraq from Kuwait also seems unlikely, because a military strike launched from the Kuwaiti bases would endanger the rich oil reserves and the oil production in this country.

Sub-title: There Remain Only The British Bases in Cyprus

The Saudi administration is not allowing the use of the bases in its territories for a military strike against Iraq. Under these circumstances, the use of the British bases in Cyprus remains the only option after the Incirlik base. The Dhekelia base in the southeast part of Cyprus and the Akrotiri base in the southwest part of Cyprus are the only two suitable bases for a military strike against Iraq due to their proximity to the region.

Everyone is aware of the fact that these two bases in Cyprus are used together with the United States under special circumstances. Britain for the first time last week made an official statement hinting at the use of its two bases in Cyprus for launching a military strike against Iraq. In this way, Britain officially announced that it would allow the United States to use the Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases for a military strike against Iraq.

Meanwhile, despite the involvement of the Akrotiri base in the developments, the United States is still emphatically insisting on the use of the Incirlik base. However, Turkey is resisting against the use of both the Incirlik base and the Akrotiri base for launching military strikes against Iraq, because a military strike launched against Iraq from any of these two bases would result in the partitioning of Turkey.

In order to break Turkey's resistance in this regard, Britain and the United States are hinting at making concessions to Turkey on Cyprus. Turkey would make a big mistake if it supports a military strike against Iraq by proceeding from these concessions.

KV/SK

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