Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-08-19

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Written reply by Rauf Denktas to the Common Vision announced by 86 civilian organizations

[02] Rauf Denktas comments on the latest situation in the Cyprus problem

[03] US Congress ratified AWACS sale to Turkey

[04] Angolemli calls on the guarantor powers, the UN, the EU and the USA to be more active on Cyprus; the UN Secretary - General must make proposals on 6 September

[05] Campaign for the freedom of expression in the occupied areas

[06] PUM is facing internal problems

[07] Serdar Denktas meets Ali Erel and notes that the vision of the 86 organizations refers to a new formation in Cyprus

[08] Ismail Cem will meet with Gerhard Schroder

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] One of Denktas/ close aides alleges that Turkey has the greatest right of say over Cyprus

[10] Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament calls on the government and the army to be on permanent alert in view of a military operation against Iraq

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Written reply by Rauf Denktas to the Common Vision announced by 86 civilian organizations

Denktas said in the letter: ``The conclusion that I got from the letter is that the Common Vision rejects the politics determined with Turkey for reaching an agreement in Cyprus, it is a politics which contradicts with peace and EU membership and that the Common Vision put forward a new vision instead.

The Common Vision says that it will lift the biggest impediment that stands in front of Turkey's accession to the EU by sorting out the Cyprus issue. Turkey didn't ask for such a mission from me. Turkey supports us to make an agreement based on lasting and equal sovereignty. Do you, as being representatives of the Common Vision, think Turkey more than Turkey thinks itself; you try to give concessions which Turkey does not want to give in the Cyprus cause and do you think this will open the way to EU membership for Turkey? ``

Denktas also said that the Common Vision was giving incorrect messages to the Greek Cypriots and to the world. ``I had expected you to call on Greek Cypriots to quit their forgery and tell the world that the Cyprus problem cannot be resolved as long as this false image is seen by the international community. This is the issue we're trying to resolve, `` he said.

``In this situation, talking about a common vision could only raise hopes among Greek Cypriots that we're going to make compromises, `` he went on. Rauf Denktas further said that they were ready to form a partnership with the Greek Cypriots, but the Greek Cypriots wanted one third of the occupied land and added: ``We have a more clear proposal. Both states will give a part of their sovereignty to the partnership state and this way they'll form a partnership state. ``

Denktas concluded by alleging that the Common Vision is weakening his stance in the talks by giving the Greek Cypriots the impression that there is another vision other than the one he has been pushing for in the talks for months.

[02] Rauf Denktas comments on the latest situation in the Cyprus problem

Denktas remarked that on the basis of this approach the Greek Cypriots are trying to solve the problem by dragging the Turkish Cypriots into the EU without Turkey. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriots will not bow to this approach. Noting that the population exchange conducted in 1975 yielded the principle of two peoples and two territories, and this principle lies at the basis of security, Denktas said that the restriction of the three freedoms would avert the dangers to be created by integrated living, but now the Greek Cypriots are overturning these principles.

Mr Denktas stated: "Our being dragged into the EU in the wake of the Greek Cypriots without Turkey, without solving the problem, without our sovereignty's being accepted, and without adopting the measures that will preserve the Turkish-Greek balance stipulated by the 1960 agreements, would mean the beginning of our end."

The pros and cons of EU accession must be carefully considered, Denktas remarked, adding: "As long as the EU considers the application submitted by the Greek Cypriots on behalf of the legitimate Cyprus government as a legitimate application and views us through the eyes of this so-called government, any sensible person should regard the EU as a development that will complement the 1963 adventure."

Denktas was asked the question: Both sides are displeased with the course of the negotiations. What are the difficulties in the talks? In response, Denktas said that the Greek Cypriot side views the Cyprus issue as a problem that began in 1974. According to them, Denktas explained, the matter is one of occupation, namely the presence of Turkish troops here and the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their old places.

Reminded about the EU declaration that Cyprus will be admitted into the EU whether or not a conciliation is reached in Cyprus, Denktas said: "Should we renounce our equal sovereignty and our state just because they will do this? If we do that, we will anyway be finished. If we resist, the day will come when they will have to address us and negotiate with us -- naturally, as long as we cease to quarrel with one another on the basis of personal interests. Societies that know how to protect their states, their rights, and their freedom gain the esteem of this world."

[03] US Congress ratified AWACS sale to Turkey

Boeing spokesperson Dave Sloan, stated to Anatolia News Agency that the U.S. State Department is working on the paperwork and the contract is expected to be valid by autumn. According to Anatolia News Agency, Democrat Senator Paul Sarbanes wanted to object to the arms deal but the Nortrop Grumman corporation, which will produce the radar equipment in Maryland state, applied pressure on Senator Sarbanes the Senator of Maryland. This connection prevented the senator from objecting to the deal. Turkey will be able to monitor military activities in the region besides Greece and Israel, which also have similar purpose aircraft.

[04] Angolemli calls on the guarantor powers, the UN, the EU and the USA to be more active on Cyprus; the UN Secretary - General must make proposals on 6 September

In a written statement issued on Saturday, Mr Angolemli expressed the opinion that the peace in Cyprus is important not only for the two communities of the island, but also and for the region and all countries concerned.

Mr Angolemli noted that on 6 September the UN Secretary - General Koffi Annan must make to President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas proposals, which "will overcome the disagreement of the leaders who have been locked onto a terminology quarrel".

[05] Campaign for the freedom of expression in the occupied areas

The organizations demand the release of Sener Levent and Memduh Ener, who have been imprisoned by the occupation regime because of an article written by the latter in AVRUPA newspaper, accusing the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas.

Among the organizations participating in the campaign are the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) and the Patriotic Unity Movement (PUM).

[06] PUM is facing internal problems

The supporters of Mr Izcan have formed a "Patriotic Unity Group". This Group and the local chairmen of PUM in Trikomo, Kyrenia and Morphou called on Saturday a conference of the Movement in order to define its future. The conference is planned to take place on 15 September 2002 in the occupied part of Nicosia.

[07] Serdar Denktas meets Ali Erel and notes that the vision of the 86 organizations refers to a new formation in Cyprus

During the meeting Mr Denktas said that no one should accuse an organization because it simply began to talk. The style of the approach may be different, but actually the Chamber of Commerce talks of a new formation in Cyprus.

Mr Denktas expressed the opinion that the Chamber of Commerce was an important organization and added that it made its importance more known with its initiatives during the last few months.

Mr Denktas noted that irrespective of whether one agrees or not with the Chamber of Commerce, "attacking it in a not agreeable manner is not an acceptable way of thinking".

Mr Erel, on the other hand, said that he agreed with Mr Denktas regarding the importance of the Chamber of Commerce and expressed his sorrow because of the opinion of Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so-called "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense", who alleged that the Chamber of Commerce does not represent the Turkish Cypriots.

[08] Ismail Cem will meet with Gerhard Schroder

According to Istemihan Talay, General Secretary of NTP, Mr Cem will meet also the German Internal Affairs Minister, Otto Schily and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Hans Dietrich Genscher.

HURRYET notes that Deniz Baykal, leader of the Republican People's Party (RPP) had also asked a meeting from Mr Schroder, but he is still waiting for an answer.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] One of Denktas/ close aides alleges that Turkey has the greatest right of say over Cyprus

"The importance in every period of history of the island of Cyprus, located in Eastern Mediterranean, has never diminished. On the contrary, it has increased as history has progressed. This importance has almost climaxed today. The geo-strategic location of the island, its command of the sea trade routes, and its commanding position in the Middle East have contributed to its importance in history to this day. The existence of oil, described as black gold, around the island and generally in the Eastern Mediterranean, has elevated the importance of Cyprus to the highest point. It seems that these values will force other actors, alongside the true actors involved in the conflict on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean region, to appear on the stage. They have already started appearing.

Those trying to establish a position for themselves alongside those who have true right of say because of the importance and the value of the island and the Eastern Mediterranean region cannot be in a justified position. As a matter of fact, the country in possession of the Anatolian peninsula should have the greatest right of say on the island and in the region from the point of view of its security. Turkey is in such a position and is the country with the primary right of say. As far as we know, Turkey is firmly determined to protect its natural position alongside its rights on the island and in the region.

For this reason, no one should engage in miscalculation. Among those who should not miscalculate are organizations that strive to establish a privileged and distinct place for themselves among the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

In their efforts to establish a rightful position for themselves in the island and in the region, certain foreign circles have no right or authority to instigate division among our people with the purpose of disturbing our self-sacrificing and suffering people and rendering meaningless the struggle for existence and freedom they have been waging for many years. Likewise, no organization can come forward claiming to have the right and authority to undertake to promote a special mission or to get involved in initiatives that are liable to undermine the unity and solidarity of our people, showing as a pretext a three-cent worth temporary and group interest to be procured from a certain circle or circles. Actions and initiatives that tend to disrupt the order of the people also constitute a violation of the global principles of democracy.

Despite this fact, the leaders of our Chamber of Commerce stepped forward in violation of the global principles of democracy and started an initiative that divides our organizations and our people into rival camps. As a result, this wrong move has led to a counter move, although this was never desired. In a justified move a "TRNC Civil Initiative Declaration," approved by over 100 organizations, has been prepared with the purpose of conveying the true views and voice of the Turkish Cypriots to the world. This declaration will be brought to the attention of our people and the world at a press conference today.

This sensitivity demonstrated by our organizations that are wholeheartedly loyal to their nation and their case has strengthened our struggle for existence and freedom. It has also stood in the way of an attempt to create a feeling of weakness and to mislead the international platform and the world.

It should be realized that this sensitivity will be kept up uninterrupted. Collaborators, those under mandate and willing to submit, will not be given a chance. Our organizations, which represent a great majority of our people, are knowledgeable and firmly determined on this issue."

[10] Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament calls on the government and the army to be on permanent alert in view of a military operation against Iraq

"With domestic issues, especially the early elections business, steadily intensifying, the two most important issues in the months to come are already at our door. One is the military operation that the United States is going to carry out against our southern neighbour Iraq. The other is perhaps the more important of the two -- our national cause Cyprus. Both are very delicate issues of extreme importance to our national security. The effects that the course of the operation, which the United States is clearly bent on conducting, on the region plus varying scenarios and possibilities concerning just what kind of regime will be installed once Saddam is toppled are being produced. Consequently, all this uncertainty is leading to instability in the region and creating special problems for Turkey when it comes to formulating foreign policy, and is the reason for the nail biting suspense.

According to an evaluation by prof. Hasan Unal, who writes about foreign policy, questions pertaining to which of the post-Saddam Iraq regime scenarios would be in Turkey's best interests should be put onto the agenda and evaluated. Seeing that it is clear the United States is adamant when it comes to mounting a military operation against Iraq in order to topple Saddam, the correct thing to do is to persuade and coax the United States to carry out an operation that would not harm Turkey's interests. Turkey does have the military might and the potential to do just this.

Turkey has been asking for Iraq's territorial integrity to be preserved since the outset. However, the guarantee of this could well be the establishment of a central government along federal lines. In the organizing of this as far as Turkey is concerned it is of paramount importance for all ethnic groups including the Turkomans, who are the victims of attempts to ostracize them, to have equal rights within this federal administration. If a powerful central administration capable of affording equal rights to all the ethnic groups is not formed, then before too long independence movements will spring up within each of the ethnic groups and could thus jeopardize Iraq's territorial integrity.

On the other hand, it might well be necessary to post foreign troops in the various regions of Iraq in order to prevent the emergence of various armed ethnic groups and other groups that could cause chaos for various reasons both during and after the operation. There is a definite need for Turkey to be among these groups of foreign forces in order to ensure peace among these groups and to prevent the inevitable harm that would befall the Turkomans. All these developments and the various emerging questions and scenarios show that we have entered a critical phase. Therefore, the Government, the General Staff and other relevant official bodies must be permanently on alert, must follow up in meticulous detail all likely developments and carry out all necessary relations and interventions at the correct time and place. This is necessary in order for us to get through this critical period successfully."

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