Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-01-21

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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 the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under UN auspices.

[02] The puppet regime/s so-called Prime Minister blames the countries which try to help for the non-solution in Cyprus.

[03] Water transportation to the occupied areas from Turkey was stopped.

[04] Republican Turkish Party leader Talat : "Denktas is playing a dangerous game".

[05] Devlet Bahceli to visit the pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Rauf Denktas believes that the EU is playing a role in the demonstrations against him.

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand analyses the stand adopted by Mr Denktas recently.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under UN auspices

Denktas said that bizonality, the equality of the sides, and Turkey's effective and de facto guarantee appear to be part of the document, but the facts are not as they appear. We are trying to solve the many existing problems, he said. Denktas added: "We will continue to inform the people and the parliament as we cover distance to enable the people to vote with awareness in the referendum on 30 March."

Pointing out that when the first plan was proposed, certain sectors wanted it to be signed, but when the Greek Cypriot side also objected to it, the second plan was put forth, Denktas alleged that the changes in the second plan are mostly aimed at pleasing the Greek Cypriot side. Denktas remarked that the Turkish side asked for changes in the maps, adding that it is not auspicious for the Turkish Cypriots to become refugees for a fourth time. Denktas reported that he asked the foreign diplomats about compensation for the refugees, and the US diplomat expressed readiness to assume this responsibility. This cannot be achieved through words, it needs a project and scientific work, Denktas noted, adding: "This does not mean that we accepted the maps, but it appears that some of our people will have to be displaced. We are trying to rectify this. We must display sensitivity in this regard".

Denktas stated that he will submit the plan to the "Republican Assembly" before the referendum. If the majority says do not sign the plan, Denktas said, then the Greek Cypriots will join the EU and we continue our struggle. He added: "If, however, the majority says sign the plan, I, as the negotiator, have a duty and must offer the best to my people, and I would be failing in my duty. The people may accept what is done, but my conscience does not. This is not opposing the people. If the people do what they want, they also shoulder the responsibility. I am not shouldering this responsibility, the people are. I am not obstructing them. This is tantamount to respecting the will of the people. The ability to distort everything I say to suit themselves and present it to the people has turned into an art. Our people are probably aware of this."

Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.01.03) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas and President Glafcos Clerides presented each other on Monday the amendments they want to make in Annan`s plan. The meeting between the two leaders ended.

Upon questions of journalists after the meeting, Denktas said that the sides exchanged documents on their reservations about the Annan plan. ``We must examine the documents,`` Denktas said.

Answering a question, Denktas said that there is no change in the attitude of the sides and that both sides maintained their positions.

``They defend their own cause and we defend ours. The positions have not changed for the moment,`` Denktas added.

Mr Denktas and Mr Clerides will come together at 16.00 on Wednesday. U.N. Secretary-General`s special representative to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto and consultants of the leaders also attend the meetings.

[02] The puppet regime/s so-called Prime Minister blames the countries which try to help for the non-solution in Cyprus

Addressing a panel meeting on the Cyprus question in Ankara, Eroglu charged that the aim of the Annan plan is to remove the Turkish presence from the island. He said he regrets Annan's remarks to the effect that Denktas should heed the voices in the north, meaning the rallies. Eroglu asked: "Isn't Turkey's voice a voice too? Isn't the voice of the Turkish Armed Forces a voice? Isn't Denktas' voice a voice? Isn't our voice a voice? It should not be forgotten that 70 million Turks are on the side of the people of north Cyprus. Annan should heed this voice.

Surely, had the United States not stuck its finger in Cyprus and stirred things up, the Cyprus question would have been solved a long time ago. The United States has always stuck its finger in Cyprus. It has always interfered. It has taken Britain to its side. Lately, somebody called Lord Hannay came on the scene. He stirred things up even more. The unfortunate Annan plan is the work of Greece, Lord Hannay and Alvaro de Soto. We leave them to it to see if they can do something about it. We hope that this document will be improved thanks to recommendations of powerful Turkey, and that an accord will be reached. Nevertheless, the talks are as likely, no, more likely, to fail. The reason is that the Greek Cypriots are in a powerful position. They have guaranteed their membership in the EU. As Simitis has said, the Greek Cypriots' accession to the EU is a victory of Helenism."

Eroglu expressed the hope that a forced marriage will not take place in Cyprus. Forced marriages end up in court, he said, adding; "How do forced agreements end up? We are trying to console ourselves by saying that hopefully they do not end up in bloodshed," he concluded.

Meanwhile Illegal Bayrak Radio (19.01.03) broadcast that Dervis Eroglu has said that a third map can emerge during the Cyprus talks, and that the Annan plan can be revised for a third time.

Eroglu who will be returning to the occupied areas this evening, participated in the live "Sunday Panorama" program aired on TRT 1 Television this morning.

He pointed out that the flurry of activity in Cyprus is focused on 28 February. He recalled that Denktas and Clerides will be meeting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until then.

Asked to comment on the rally held under the banner of peace and the EU, Eroglu replied: "I am concerned about these rallies and the fact that the country is being divided into fronts."

He stressed that everybody wants to join the EU and everybody wants lasting peace, adding that the people want the problem to be solved and to join the EU at the end of the negotiations. He charged that certain politicians and certain circles that consider themselves to be left-wing are playing into the hand of the other side. He said that some of the placards that were carried during these rallies are regrettable in terms of the relations between Turkey and puppet regime. He noted that nothing was said at the rallies about the content of the Annan document.

Summarizing the dangers seen by the Turkish side in the Annan plan, Eroglu charged that the plan dilutes the sovereignty and the guarantees and also tries to eliminate the principle of bizonality that has been defended for years. Alleging that 76 percent of the Greek Cypriots are opposed to the plan, Eroglu said this is because the plan partly opposes the Greek Cypriot policy that has been pursued for years to the effect that all Greek Cypriots will return to their homes and properties and also because it disappoints those who were raised on enosis dreams.

Mr Eroglu stated that Lord David Hannay, the British special representative for Cyprus, played a role in the creation of the Annan document. Greece was also involved, Eroglu added.

Noting that a third plan may soon be placed on the agenda, Eroglu said this would be an improved version of the Annan plan and that it would also have maps.

Asked if the Annan plan was sufficiently explained to the Turkish Cypriot people, Eroglu replied: "The way this document emerged is interesting. A document linked to the Copenhagen summit and to the EU was posited when Rauf Denktas was in hospital and while a new government was being established in Turkey. Since we pursue our policy together with Turkey, I became involved late. I behaved with a little hesitation so as not to fall out of step with motherland Turkey."

Asked if there was a conflict between the puppet regime/s Administration and the Justice and Development Party [JDP] in Turkey, Eroglu answered: "The JDP government started to handle the Cyprus issue at a time when Turkey was trying to get a date from the EU for the accession talks. This created some doubts and hesitations. Certain circles may have thought that Ankara wanted to get the Cyprus issue over with. That is not true however. I observed that Ankara and the TRNC think the same way, that they are on the same frequency."

Referring to the differences between the Turkish Cypriot ruling party and the opposition, Eroglu said that the opposition wants the document signed immediately, whereas the "government" wants it negotiated and improved. He added: "The grounds for negotiations have been created. If we sign the document without improving it, we will be digging our own grave. We are going through a stage where rallies are being held calling on us to sign the accord immediately, no matter what. This plays into Clerdes' hands.

On the participation of the people in the rallies, Eroglu explained that the Turkish Cypriots are sick and tired of the negotiations too adding: "Some of the demonstrators have problems of their own, some are angry at the government, some go in order to achieve a sense of identity. We have reached a certain point in 30 years but that is not enough. The people will rebel if we tell them to tighten their belts and wait some more. That is where we are at."

Finally Mr Eroglu emphasized that the puppet regime/s government wants an agreement. If that does not happen, he said, we will have to take measures for our future and to raise our prosperity levels. This will happen with Turkey's investments, he added.

[03] Water transportation to the occupied areas from Turkey was stopped

The water is carried by the Norwegian Nordic Company and the Antalya-based Mediterranean Water Distribution Trading Corporation. Issuing a statement to the AA correspondent Askin Cetin, assistant board chairman of the Mediterranean Water Distribution Trading Corporation noted that they had to stop the transportation of water because the occupation regime failed to pay its debts.

Noting that Turkey constituted the guarantor country in the agreement that was signed with the puppet regime, Cetin said: "The `TRNC/, which appeared as the employer in the agreement, was supposed to pay 4.20 Norwegian crowns per cubic meter of water. Currently, the `TRNC/ owes us $1,100 million. We have stopped the transportation of water due to `TRNC's/ failure to pay its debt."

Stating that the negotiations on this issue continue and that the "TRNC" has already submitted a payment plan, Cetin said: "Some of the clauses in the payment plan are quite attractive. We might reach an agreement. We will increase the transportation fee to 0.68 cent in the new agreement."

Explaining that the water is supplied from the water resources that reach to the surface near the sea shore in Aydincik at an hourly flow of 1.121 cubic meters, Cetin reported that a pumping station was established for loading water. Noting that the water reaches a platform within the sea through 930-meter pipes, Cetin explained that later, the balloons are filled with water with a flexible pipe.

Pointing out that an unloading station that has the same capacity was established in the Kumkoy position of the occupied Pentayia District of the occupied areas, Cetin explained that the station pumps the water to the depot that is located 2,500 meters from the shore and that the water is then pumped to the network station.

Noting that the water is carried on certain days of the week by a tugboat that draws the balloons, Cetin explained that two of the balloons have a capacity of 35,000 cubic meters, while the third has a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters.

Recalling that the water transportation officially began on 15 July 1998, Cetin stated that water has not been carried for approximately 1.5 years for certain reasons.

Cetin said the following:

"Approximately two million tons of water has been carried to the `TRNC/ so far. We carry approximately 300,000 tons of water every month, depending on the weather conditions. It is impossible to carry water on stormy days and when there are very high waves. The balloons, which are filled in approximately 14 hours, are made of a two-millimeter thick material that consists of fiber and plastic."

[04] Republican Turkish Party leader Talat : "Denktas is playing a dangerous game"

Inviting everybody to see and realize Denktas' dangerous game Talat said: "As though his dangerous aims of shaking the democratic unity of the Turkish Cypriots is not enough, now Denktas has started to undermine Turkey's domestic stability by his lies and unfounded allegations. He wants a fratricide struggle to be waged in North Cyprus for his political and ideological objectives". Talat said that Denktas tries to encourage mobilizing the nationalist right wing Grey Wolves and other radical groups for his narrow political expediencies.

Talat drew the attention of everybody and invited them to see this dangerous game of Denktas .

[05] Devlet Bahceli to visit the pseudostate

Meanwhile illegal Bayrak television (21.01.03) calls on Turkish Cypriots to go to the airport and give Bahceli a warm welcome.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Rauf Denktas believes that the EU is playing a role in the demonstrations against him

"How does Mr Rauf Denktas, who has resumed the talks with Greek Cypriot leader Mr Glafcos Clerides, feel? How are the protests being staged against him at a time when he is sitting at the negotiations table, the pressure applied on him for signing the Annan plan, and the calls for his resignation affecting Denktas?

We started our get-together with Rauf Denktas with the above mentioned questions. Denktas received these questions with the smile of a politician who has a 40-year experience in the political field.

"Naturally, I did not feel comfortable. I felt as if I was being stabbed at the back while heading for the negotiations table. However, Iam used to this. This is not the first time that I encounter this kind of a situation. I encountered similar reactions while establishing the `TRNC/. The team that displayed reaction in those days is the same team that is today staging the protests, which are weakening my position," Denktas said in reply to our questions.

Denktas said that we should examine the manner in which the Greek Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot press is assessing the protest marches in north Cyprus in order to grasp the significance of these rallies.

Subtitle: They Think I am Obliged

In further remarks about the matter, Rauf Denktas said: "Naturally, after seeing these protest meetings, Clerides is conveying the following message to me: 'You are obliged to sign this document. The situation among your community is clearly obvious.' Clerides thinks that I am obliged to sign the Annan plan in its present form. After watching these protest marches, the Greek Cypriot press, for its part, is saying: 'Denktas' wings have now been broken, and this is an opportunity for us.'"

Stressing that this is how the situation looks when viewed from the perspective of the Greek Cypriots, Denktas said: "Naturally, this is how the Greek Cypriots would view the situation. Had I been in Clerides' place, how else would I have reacted when Denktas came before me with broken wings? Naturally, I would not have given what the Turkish Cypriots wanted had I been in Clerides' place, for I would have told Denktas that his wings are now broken. Well, this is exactly how Clerides is treating me now."

Denktas believes that in addition to the unfavourable activities taking place in north Cyprus, certain voices raised in Ankara are also weakening his position. Denktas assessed the remarks made by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Yasar Yakis and Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf Buluc to the effect that "Cyprus policy will change" as follows: "These statements inflicted wounds in me. I assess these statements as the outcome of the confusion resulting from the success of coming to power for the first time.

"As a matter of fact, these officials thereafter tried to correct their remarks, because the National Security Council [NSC] in Turkey made certain remarks in this regard. The Cyprus policy is a national policy and not Denktas' policy. Consequently, the remarks and assessments in this regard should be made within the framework of the national policy."

Subtitle: EU Supporting

Expressing the belief that the EU is playing a role in the organization of the protest marches against him in north Cyprus, Denktas explained the activities taking place behind the scenes with regard to these protest marches as follows: "The EU is holding contacts with Turkish Cypriot officials. However, the EU is holding contacts also with civilian public organizations in north Cyprus and is providing funds to these organizations, which in turn are holding these demonstrations.

"The leftist team that opposed us when we struggled for bringing about `TRNC/ and establishing a state in the past is holding these protest marches with a more organized manner today. Those who are organizing these protest marches do not care about `TRNC/ or Turkey. However, these people are forgetting that the Turkish Cypriots cannot exist without Turkey, for they [the Greek Cypriots] would immediately destroy the Turkish Cypriots in the absence of Turkey's support."

Stressing that those who think that "TRNC" is an obstacle before Turkey or that Turkey is an obstacle before the Turkish Cypriots are mistaken, Denktas explained the relations between Turkey and "TRNC" as follows: "Dr. Fazil Kucuk used to say that the Turkish Cypriots cannot exist without Turkey. This is true, since Turkey's strategic interests depend on keeping the Turkish Cypriots on their own feet. For, while protecting the interests of theTurkish Cypriots, Turkey would at the same time protect its own interests.

"This is also valid for the Turkish Cypriots. This is a vital relation and cannot be destroyed. Should the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots be severed and should the Turkish Cypriots move into action without Turkey, the situation may appear as if it is proceeding favourably in the beginning, but the Turkish Cypriots would be destroyed within a period of 3-5 years. They [the Greek Cypriots] would wipe us out in the absence of Turkey's support."

Pointing out that certain criticisms leveled against him constitute a serious injustice, Denktas said: "They are waging propaganda campaigns against me similar to the propaganda campaigns waged earlier against Milosevic and Caucescu. Whose conscience would accept this? This is a big shame and insult. I have no doubt that the Turkish Cypriots will give the necessary reply to these offending campaigns.

"My people should also keep in their minds that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is obliged to remain impartial, is acting in a biased manner. The United States, de Soto, and the EU are also maintaining a biased approach toward the Turkish Cypriots. I am trying to hold the talks in this kind of an atmosphere. Those who are taking part in the protest marches should understand this. Moreover, a number of Turkish columnists who are calling on me to sign the Annan plan immediately and who are mounting campaigns for this purpose should also understand this."

Noting that Clerides himself said that it is difficult for the talks to conclude by 28 February 2003, Denktas said: "Clerides himself said that this matter cannot be concluded by 28 February. Moreover, it does not appear that Clerides has the intention to have the matter concluded by that date, for he has solved that problem. Within this framework, Clerides is asking me not to request any basic changes in the Annan plan. He is telling me that only minor revisions can be made to the same plan. However, I showed to Clerides the changes that were made to the plan in favour of the Greek Cypriots in response to the request of the latter. I asked Clerides as to how can he do all this. However, he is deceiving me by saying that he introduced only minor revisions to the Annan plan."

Subtitle:The Path We Will Follow

Denktas explained the path along which he will proceed when an agreement is not reached by 28 February as follows: "We would move into action as follows: As "TRNC", we would apply for EU membership and ask the EU to hold talks with us. Should the EU accept holding separate talks with us, Cyprus would unite in the manner the EU desires. This union would be realized within the EU. The EU would prepare us for entering the EU by holding talks with "TRNC" and contribute toward our progress.

"We, for our part, would guarantee entering the EU on the same date with Turkey. Should this be realized, Turkey would become an EU member and, at the same time, the EU, which wants to accept Cyprus as an EU member as a whole, would unite Cyprus within its structure. Naturally, we should become determined in this regard and should show to the EU that our people are not divided or fragmented.

"Moreover, we should explain that Turkey is behind us and that we, for our part, are behind Turkey. Should the EU realize these facts, it would become obliged to hold talks with us after a while even if it initially turns down our application for EU membership."

Mr Denktas believes that the realities will be understood better during the talks process and that those who misled the Turkish Cypriots in the past will remain without any support in the end.

Subtitle:I would not Sign the Document; I Would Hold a Referendum

Noting that his conscience would not accept signing the Annan plan before the introduction of certain revisions to the same plan, Denktas said: "I am also exerting efforts for finding a solution. However, the solution I am seeking is one that guarantees the existence, the security, the future, and the equal sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots. The structure of the Annan plan is not guaranteeing any of these and, at the same time, is eliminating Turkey's guarantorship. This plan would also destroy the existence of the Turkish Cypriots within the next 10-15 years.

"For this reason, I would not sign this plan in its present form. I also said the same thing to Clerides. However, Clerides said to me that I am obliged to sign this document. In reply, I said to Clerides that if pressure is applied on me, I would refer the document to a referendum. Should my people ask me to sign this document [through the referendum], I would call my conscience into account. My conscience would not accept the signing of this document in its present form.

"After refusing to sign this document, I would go to the parliament and ask it to relieve me of my duties as a negotiator and to appoint another negotiator in my place. That is, I would tell the parliament to find someone who can sign this document with a clear conscience. As an individual who struggled for this cause for the past 40 years and as an individual who sacrificed his life for the establishment of this state, I would not put my signature to this document. I would not capitulate in this way. I would also not accept the capitulation of the Turkish Cypriots".

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand analyses the stand adopted by Mr Denktas recently

"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus president has recounted to MILLIYET representative in Ankara Fikret Bila how the Cyprus talks would evolve. With his statement, which appeared in Milliyet last Sunday, the process has become clear.

Here is the scene that emerges as a result of Denktas's words:

He stresses that -- though, in the past he had said that he would not sit down for talks if Southern Cyprus were to be admitted into the European Union -- now he will not go against Ankara's wishes.

In other words he will remain at the negotiating table to the very end. Though, during the initial months he had said that the Annan plan was not even negotiable, definitely opposing it, he has, by now, flexed his stance significantly -- again, obviously in line with Ankara's wishes.

In other words, he agrees to accept the plan as a "basis" and to keep the negotiations going.

He says that, together with Ankara, he has relayed to the UN the changes being sought in the plan, but that due to the opposition he is faced with in the `TRNC/ his bargaining position has been compromised.

He points out that under the circumstances Greek Cypriots would not be inclined to agree to make changes.

In other words, he is shifting the responsibility onto the opposition and the Greek Cypriots.

During the coming months the UN will have talks with the two sides.

It is a strong possibility that Washington and the EU too will intervene and, as a result, the UN will put forth a final -- in fact, for the third time -- plan.

Knowing well that the Turkish side's demands are not going to be accepted without any change, Denktas has announced that he is not going to sign the final package that will emerge.

He stresses that he will subject it to a referendum, that he will ask his people about it. Denktas has announced that even if the "Annan plan's latest version" came to be accepted in a referendum he would still refuse to sign it as the "negotiator".

He says that he would ask Parliament to find a new negotiator. He says, "I would not destroy my people. Let anyone who dares, sign it." Thus, he gives the message that a new negotiator who would be willing to sign the document may come to be branded as a traitor. Subtitle: It would be very hard for JDP to cope with this issue Developments in recent weeks seem to have stifled the hopes for a solution which had budded at some point. The Turkish Republic and the `TRNC/ administration have thrown their weight.

With the military and the bureaucracy, they have launched a terrific campaign against those who want a solution.

With the Denktas/ latest remarks, the end of the tunnel is now in sight. And I do not think it is so likely that people would say YES in case of a referendum. Already there is such a campaign of "blackening". Prior to a referendum this pressure would further increase and the general public would be intimidated.

That leaves the possibility of JDP throwing its own weight. However, I have deep-seated doubts about that. Mr Arinc's attitude shows that this party has failed to shape a sound and consistent policy.

It will all be clarified by the end of the month. Who will win and who will lose? That remains to be seen.

Subtitle: You are hurting the Turkish Cypriots

The Turkish Cypriots who want a solution are being rapped. They are even accused of committing treason, of being collaborators, of wanting to sell their lands. This is a big shame. They are being done a great injustice. This is a highly dangerous stance which we will regret in the future.

Turkish Cypriots who have been holding demonstrations, demanding a solution, are being rapped. Those political parties who think differently are being portrayed as "Greek Cypriots' collaborators", that, is portrayed as an enemy. Both in Ankara and in the `TRNC/, administrators who hide behind the pretext of "being able to negotiate the Annan plan from a strong position", are verbally attacking those who speak out in favor of a solution.

Both in Ankara and the `TRNC/, those public figures who see Cyprus only as a "strategic asset" are staging a merciless counteroffensive against those who want a solution.

One hears hurtful and harsh statements -- such as in the case of Parliament Speaker Arinc, statements that cause great astonishment and, to tell the truth, statements whose message can hardly be understood.

Thousands of people who took part in the demonstrations and, rejecting the official line, spoke differently, are openly being threatened. By citing examples they are being told what would happen to them if they maintained this attitude.

They are even being accused of being ingrates and of having bad blood.

It is as if they are being treated as people who have committed high treason. It is being said and written that they hate Turkey and the Turkish flag and that they are prepared to "sell" their country just to be able to get a little richer.

The Turkish Cypriot is being treated in a shameful manner.

This makes all the more clear the difference between the way we look at the island and the outlook the Turkish Cypriots have.

These people do not hate Turkey or the Turks. They are proud to display the Turkish flag. Their only "mistake" is that they have expressed different views rather than supporting the official policy.

They are expressing the accumulated feelings caused by so many years of mismanagement. They are making their preferences known. Why do we get angry? Do they have to think like we do? Is that essential?

Don't we know that attempts to silence a society through intimidation would create even greater problems in the future? Subtitle:We are distancing these people from us Don't we see that by treating these people so harshly we are alienating them, distancing them from Turkey and the Turks?

Besides, it must not be forgotten that the campaign to silence by force the different views being expressed in Cyprus, could backfire.

Can you imagine how these people -- whom we have accused so much -- would react if no solution gets found in the future and they become obliged to continue to live under the same conditions?

If we are saying, "Well, we would increase the aid, pump money and silence the discontented ones," we are making a big mistake. Lack of a solution will further incite the people we rap and insult today.

Relations between Turkey and "its offspring" will be further poisoned. Tension will escalate.

Even if a solution were to be found, the wounds opened today will not heal so easily. With our own hands we are pushing the Turkish Cypriot away from us.

Tens of thousands of people pouring into the streets cannot have been merely incited by a few writers or swayed by the calls issued by a few parties. So many people cannot have been deceived by the much talked about "hostile external forces".

No matter how many bills we pass to adjust our system with that of the EU, we will not be able to "digest" different views as long as we do not change our mentality. Cyprus constitutes the latest example.

Do not do that. Just don't. Don't hurt the Turkish Cypriot. Do not leave tens of thousands of people out because they do not think the way we do. Tomorrow you will be needing these people in this or that manner.

If no solution can be found you will be praying that they will not rebel. And, if they become an EU member, you will be asking them to help Turkey.

Do not blame these people. If, today, only few of them carry the Turkish flag when they march, we are mainly responsible for that. Do not forget this. Do not shift our own fault onto the shoulders of these youngsters.

If you have failed to inspire confidence in them, if you have failed to give them hope about their future, if you have failed to explain to them the pains of the past and the realities of today, whose fault is that?

Is the fault of the youngsters that fill the city squares or of administrators like you? We may have saved the Turkish Cypriots and provided them with a piece of land where they can live at ease.

However, we must not present them with a bill because of a sacrifice we did for them 29 years ago. Let us act grandly. Let us understand the changing world conditions.

Northern Cyprus is an asset Turkey has inherited from his father. It belongs to the Turkish Cypriots.

If we see the island as our own property and do not want it to slip through our fingers, let us say so openly.

Let us be frank, telling the Turkish Cypriots, "In 1974 we did not send troops to the island because we liked you so much. Our martyrs' blood was shed for the sake of our strategic interests. So, do not raise your voice. I took it and I would give it back if I wanted to. If I wanted to, I would keep it."

Don't let us debase the Turkish Cypriot. "

/SK

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