Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-01-22

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 14/97 22.1.1997

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Tayan on Cyprus.

[02] Denktash meets Turkish Assembly Speaker.

[03] Demirel hosts Denktash, expresses support for security.

[04] Karadayi: Turkish warships to visit Cyprus 24 - 29 January.

[05] Ciller to Denktash: Threat to Cyprus means threat to Turkey.

[06] Erbakan demands from Greeks to declare missiles not to be deployed.

[07] Eroglu leaves for Istanbul, rejects Russian proposal for Cyprus.

[08] Denktash, Ecevit on Joint Defense Concept.

[09] Greek protection for transport of missiles to Cyprus.

[10] Turkey seems prepared to revoke its Euro-Court recognition.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] Columnist criticizes Ciller stand on missile crisis.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Tayan on Cyprus

"The Cyprus problem has already been dealt with. Its status has been determined by the London and Zurich agreements. A republic has been set up. The known developments in 1974 ended up with us using our guarantorship right. The republic has de facto disappeared and we own the prevailing peace to this. We want the problem to be solved through talks. We remain attached to our obligations".

To a question on a possible Turkish blockade of Cyprus, he said: "I talked about a blockade in terms of similar incidents in the past. The United States showed its determination in a similar situation regarding Cuba. We also stated that we do not favour a clash but will meet the requirements of the day. We are capable of taking the necessary measures according to developments. No one could expect us to remain indifferent".

Asked whether, if the blockade is put on the agenda, it will start in the Straits, Tayan said: "There is nothing very explicit about this in the Montreux Convention. I cannot say much about the passage through the Straits. That issue comes under the purview of our Foreign Ministry and it is assessing the problem. I wish to resolve the affair before it reaches the Straits. I did not say we would impose a blockade, but no one should expect us to remain indifferent. We will not remain irresponsible and heedless".

Asked to comment on the speculation that the missiles will later be used for bargaining purpose, he claimed:

"It is not that we do not harbour such worries. If they say let us demilitarize the island, it will be a trap. We took our 180,000 kinsmen and their lands in the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) under guarantee with blood". And added: "Now anything to eliminate the Turkish Republic's guarantorship rights would not be an agreement but surrender. Let no such thing cross anybody's mind".

To a comment that if the missiles arrive on the island it is understood that their preventive destruction is being considered, Tayan said:

"I spoke about such a destruction attack under such a condition, but I wish we had shown the same determination as regards the demilitarization of a number of islands in the Aegean. Now let no one have doubts or worries about our determination".

To another comment that it seems the possibility and "right" to destroy the missiles comes to the agenda at this point, Tayan alleged:

"I did not talk about it in these terms. I simply put forward the principle. The first stage would be to prevent the sale, the second stage to prevent the transfer of the arms to the island, and in the third stage we will not be in a position to acquiesce to a trigger directed at us and on the verge of being pulled. There is a tendency to escalate the incident in this direction, but we are avoiding it".

[02] Denktash meets Turkish Assembly Speaker

Kalemli stated that the TGNA has stood by the Turkish Cypriots ever since the day the "Turkish Cyprus cause" began.

He added that they have supported and will continue to support the initiatives Denktash has taken within the framework of the goodwill efforts of the United Nations.

Referring to the joint declaration signed with Turkey, Denktash said: "We have shown to the Greek Cypriots and the world the final line we have drawn and on which we will be standing. Peace should be achieved under equal conditions. It should be achieved between two equal sides. Cyprus cannot become a Greek island.

It cannot be left to the Greek Cypriots. Turkey will consider an attack to be launched against the Turkish Cypriots as one that has been launched against itself. Turkey has given the necessary signs that the balance between Turkey and Greece cannot be disrupted on vital issues".

[03] Demirel hosts Denktash, expresses support for security

He added that the first thing that should be done in Cyprus is to ensure that "new and positive relations are established between the two different peoples and political administrations on the island". Demirel claimed that only in this way can the existing atmosphere of mistrust be eliminated.

Denktash, in a sentimental speech, said that "his people own their existence to Turkey" and claimed he wished that the messages being conveyed from Ankara today will give the Greek Cypriots another opportunity to think. He said: "The message we are conveying is that we will never relinquish Cyprus' land registry rights".

[04] Karadayi: Turkish warships to visit Cyprus 24 - 29 January

[05] Ciller to Denktash: Threat to Cyprus means threat to Turkey

Ciller said at the meeting that Turkey and the pseudostate are inseparable and are "flesh and blood", and that there is no difference between threatening the "TRNC" and threatening any part of Turkey. She said: "Cyprus is to us what Edirne or Kars are to us".

Ciller claimed that the Cyprus Government's intention in becoming a full member of the EU is to prevent the simultaneous membership of the two Cypriot sides and Turkey. After "warning" the world public once again on this issue, Ciller said: "The solution is obvious. In this solution, Turkey will surely be able to exercise its guarantor rights in accordance with the agreements. It will surely exercise the rights given it by the London and Zurich agreements. It is impossible to admit south Cyprus as an EU member before a solution is reached in Cyprus and when Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are not members. Everybody must realize this".

Denktash said Ciller always encourages the Turkish Cypriots and boosts their morale. He said that the joint declaration signed gives a final answer to the concerns. He added that thanks to the declaration, the balance on the island will not be upset.

[06] Erbakan demands from Greeks to declare missiles not to be deployed

Addressing the Welfare Party's Assembly group meeting, Erbakan said that Rauf Denktash on his arrival in Turkey was received with an official ceremony "as the head of an independent country". Noting that this is an indication that Turkey attaches great importance to the "TRNC" and that it will support it at every opportunity, Erbakan said that the "TRNC" will be transformed into a region of industry, tourism and universities. He said that the necessary steps to achieve those goals will be taken within this year.

"We attach importance to these issues for the following reasons. If there are any developments that are contrary to our national policies, then when Cyprus is integrated with Turkey, the infrastructure will be ready.

That is why we attach importance to these preparations. The issue will be discussed as a national problem at the next National Security Council meeting. I believe that the passive attitude that has been exhibited until now will be abandoned", he said.

He said that they will not wait sixteen months speculating as to whether the Greek Cypriots will agree or not. "We have no intention of passively waiting. They should definitely announce now that these missiles will not be arriving on the island. If such an announcement is not made by a specified date, then we will definitely not hesitate to take the necessary measures. We will determine these specified dates. We will put forth what we intend to do. We will take action", he threatened.

[07] Eroglu leaves for Istanbul, rejects Russian proposal for Cyprus

In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot New Agency) and illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio and Television) before his departure from occupied Tymbou airport, Eroglu said that the aim is to keep the Cyprus issue on Turkey's agenda. He noted that the economic cooperation protocol and the reaction shown against the S-300 missiles are an indication of the importance Turkey attaches to the "TRNC".

In a statement at Ataturk Airport on his arrival in Istanbul, Eroglu said that a solution can be reached through negotiations between the "TRNC" and the Cyprus Government. "It is impossible for us to accept solutions that are imposed on us", he said.

According to TRT (16.00 hours, 21.1.97) Eroglu also categorically rejected the recent Russian proposal calling on the UN Security Council permanent members and the EU members to get together to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. He claimed that the problem can be solved through talks between the two sides in Cyprus.

[08] Denktash, Ecevit on Joint Defense Concept

After repeating his known views regarding recent developments, Denktash claimed:

"They (the Greek Cypriots) are playing with the policy of drawing Russia into the Mediterranean, against the United States and Britain, against Europe. While they do that, however, they make it look as if they are doing it for world peace. It is now the problem of the United States and Britain". And continued: "I heard a statement by the Russian Ambassador this morning. He clearly tells the United States and Britain: 'You have lost your dominance in the Mediterranean. We are here. We have off-shore banks and 2,500 people in Cyprus. We are closely interested in Cyprus. If Turkey strikes at our missiles, we will react strongly'.

You have the East-West, United States-Russia dichotomy once again, this time in Cyprus".

On his part, Ecevit claimed that "Turkey is being surrounded by an Orthodox siege that starts from Serbia, goes through Greece, Russia, the Caucasus, and ends in south Cyprus".

The Greek Cypriots are now getting what can be considered long-range missiles from Russia, he said, and alleged: "In this way, they are involving the Russian factor in the Cyprus problem for the first time".

He then repeated his known view for an autonomy relationship with the pseudostate, something he has been advocating for the past few years. "The TRNC would continue to be an independent republic, but Turkey would assume its foreign security and foreign relations, without intervening in its domestic affairs at all. That is the de facto situation to a great extent, anyway. This de facto situation would be formalized. This would close the Cyprus file", he said and added:

"I fully support the idea of opening Maras (Varosha) to settlement, as Mr Denktash recently proposed. I believe that should be done immediately, without any conditions. Anyway, it would take years to open it fully to settlement".

On the concept of Turkey's security, Ecevit said: "Our Turkish citizens should not think, however, that it is only Turkey that guarantees the Turkish Cypriots; the Turkish Cypriots guarantee Turkey as well. You do not need to be a strategic expert to understand Cyprus' importance for Turkey. It is enough to look at the map. Cyprus will become either a guarantee of or a source of threat to Turkey's entire southern shore, including the ports of Iskenderun and Mersin. Should Cyprus fall into the hands of a country hostile to Turkey -- and that will happen unless Turkey takes a decisive step -- Turkey will be surrounded not only to the west from the Aegean but to the south from the Mediterranean as well, and Russia will be involved in this siege for the first time. Therefore, I believe that Turkey must take a decisive step as soon as possible, without wasting any more time".

[09] Greek protection for transport of missiles to Cyprus

[10] Turkey seems prepared to revoke its Euro-Court recognition

An increase in costly convictions for gross violations of human rights, mostly relating to the crisis in the Southeast, and a favourable decision on behalf of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou, appear to have pushed Ankara to this point.

Turkish officials informing the Turkish Daily News about the "deep Turkish dissatisfaction" over what are seen as "politically motivated rulings" against Ankara, maintain there is a concerted effort by "certain circles" to erode Turkey's standing in Europe. Officials do not openly say that Ankara will withdraw its recognition of these two key institutions of the Council of Europe.

Recent press reports from Stransbourg, where the Council of Europe is located, indicated that Ankara has signalled that it may withdraw its recognition of the competence of the European Court of Human Rights.

These reports also said that a delegation from the Human Rights Commission would be arriving in Ankara in February to try and dissuade Turkey from taking such a step.

Turkey's main bone of contention vis-a-vis the Commission of Human Rights is that it has been accepting as admissible, cases brought by Turkish citizens against the government even though full legal recourse in Turkey has not been exhausted.

A recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favour of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou is being taken in Ankara as further evidence of anti-Turkish bias.

In the "Loizidou case" the court upheld that the Greek Cypriot woman's rights had been violated by Turkey, which was preventing her from accessing her house in the occupied part of Cyprus.

Turkish officials are angry that this case was deemed admissible.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] Columnist criticizes Ciller stand on missile crisis

What have we pointed our and what is this strong trump card? Greece, throughout its political history ever since it emerged as a state, has never taken the risk of engaging in a bilateral war with Turkey. It has, however, been able to get everything it wants from Turkey, for we are familiar with the act of losing at the negotiating table our gains acquired on the battlefield.

We won the 1897 war. We lost Thessalia, Mora, and our Western Thrace. Crete was lost in the same manner. So were the islands.

The Greeks do not conceal that fact. A Greek Cypriot minister in Cyprus said the following two days ago: We are not so stupid as to fight the Turks.

This sentence is the manifestation of the history of Greek politics. It means the following:

We do not fight you. We attain the support of the entire world through our policies, however, and punish you. Though it is bitter to admit what they say is true and has been proven.

Now the United States and Europe are supporting and defending Greece.

Our lady Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister out of innumerable alternatives chose the one that should have been the last on the list, and announced that we were ready to wage a war. With this untimely and unfortunate announcement we have not yet lost Cyprus but we have antagonized the entire world. Had Turkey and Greece been left alone it would have been a disaster for Greece. That is true. Our determination on the issue should have been our greatest strength. And it is so. The result, however, is the following:

Greece, raising the Russian missiles issue, wanted to block our path and ensure Cyprus' membership in the EU. It has attained its goal.

Mrs Ciller banged her fist on the table four times during her visit to Moscow. Nothing happened. She is saying that 'both the missiles and Cyprus will be hit'. Maybe she needs the public to believe in the image of 'the hero Ciller' they were expecting. The way to achieve that image should not have been the one she chose.

Are Ciller's words her own opinion or do they represent the official decision of the Turkish state?

As far as we know, one can attempt a military operation on another country and declare war only through an Assembly decision.

Is there such a decision? Has Mrs Ciller received an indication from foreign countries that could be interpreted as 'If you hit Cyprus, we will support you'?

It is clear that Mrs Ciller has not seen the need to be informed on political history. She showed signs of the same weakness while she was banging her fist on the table in Moscow as well.

Will the Turkish state and nation be fighting on a second front while the bloody war that has been continuing in the southeast for the last 10 years has yet to end? It will not only fight against Greece but also against its allies and the measures they will be taking. Then there is the price to be paid for the isolation we will be facing in the world.

Meanwhile, the press is more interested in the sensational aspect of the issue. Even the plans of the chief of staff whether right or wrong -- are revealed. Do not be surprised if this lack of seriousness soon extends itself to records on our fighter planes.

Turkey is a great and powerful country. If necessary it knows how to hit in the proper manner and it can undertake such a duty through unity among its political parties. War, however, is an alternative that should be resorted to when peaceful possibilities are exhausted. It is a very serious business.

We are in need of serious people, no matter what their title, and balanced statements with regard to this very serious issue that concerns the existence of a nation.

If timely political measures are not taken, the untimely use of weapons might backfire".