Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-08-28

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 158/97 -- 28.8.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash "warns" Greeks against madness of war.

[02] Turkish Spokesman claims S-300 missiles to sabotage Cyprus peace talks.

[03] Turkey "Warns"Russia, Greece on S-300 missiles.

[04] Mehmet Ali Talat to visit Brussels, London and Paris for contacts.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Paper slams Denktash' threats of war and his approach on Cyprus' accession.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash "warns" Greeks against madness of war

Denktash alleged that his assessments and remarks to the EU, were reported in a distorted manner. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot press have distorted his recent statements.

In a statement he issued yesterday Denktash claimed that if the Greek Cypriots, who are treated as the Cyprus Government, are admitted into the EU, they will engage in the same madness, as he put it in the period between 1962 and 1974. Denktash added:

"In such a case, the Greek Cypriots will feel they have the right to expand their sovereignty to the north, and Greece, in turn, will support the south by means of the faits accomplis it is planning in the Aegean. This is what I have been pointing out for some time."

"There will not be war in Cyprus unless Greece has gone mad and the Greek Cypriot leadership again plays the part of demigod Hellenic idol," Denktash concluded his claim.

[02] Turkish Spokesman claims S-300 missiles to sabotage Cyprus peace talks

Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel recalled that both Turkey and the "TRNC" did not hesitate to express their views at all levels and platforms in which the issue was raised on the dangers, as claimed, that the Cyprus Government's purchase of the S-300 missiles from Russia will pose.

"The last information we received was that parts of these missiles would be delivered before the announced time. We are carefully following up and assessing this information in light of the sensitivity of the issue", Akbel said.

In reply to a question, Akbel said that Russian Foreign Affairs Yevgeniy Primakov is expected to visit Ankara even though a date has not been fixed yet and added: "This issue will be taken up during this visit."

[03] Turkey "warns" Russia, Greece on S-300 missiles

According to the paper, Turkish diplomatic sources have said that Turkey will try to obstruct the delivery of the missiles. It has even planned to blockade the island if necessary and it is currently trying to establish the possible routes that may be used to have the missiles transported. The sources said Turkey will take the necessary steps if the missiles are deployed regardless of the blockade. They asserted: "The steps will include military measures."

Stressing that the first measure Turkey will take will be to transfer military units to its Mediterranean border, the sources said Ankara will not remain inactive against any development that may pose a threat to Turkey. They also said: "We maintain our diplomatic initiatives. We hope military measures will not be necessary."

It has been ascertained that considering the reports that Russia will deliver the missiles it will sell to the Greek Cypriot side earlier, Turkey has warned Moscow not to do so. The diplomatic sources have said the Foreign Ministry has summoned Aleksandr Chikanov, Undersecretary of the Russian Embassy in Ankara, to ask him to inform the officials on the matter. The Russian sources in the capital have confirmed the Foreign Ministry's initiative.

[04] Mehmet Ali Talat to visit Brussels, London and Paris for contacts

(A.Th/EF)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Paper slams Denktash' threats of war and his approach on Cyprus' accession

However, I realized similar questions have been asked by other sources. Nevertheless, I have not been able to refrain from outlining mine because they deeply concern Turkey...

In a statement to his own news agency two days ago, Denktash said: `The EU, by deciding to allow the Greek Cypriots to join the organization, will cause a war.'

Well, against whom are we going to fight? Does the Turkish Nation not have the right to be informed? Where will our military forces be ordered to go? Who will they attack? Will we fight only with the Greek Cypriot side because it joined the EU or will we declare war on the EU because it agreed to the Greek Cypriot side's accession? Let us establish this first and then decide on the action we will take.

Or, will we decide to fight both of them, believing one of them will not be able to harm us? Yes, against whom are we going to fight?

This seems like a bad joke... It makes us recall the proverbs `this kind of head gets that kind of haircut' and `God, please help me maintain my common sense.' Yes, that is exactly what the situation looks like...

Undoubtedly, `making statements about war' will be very useful when Turkey has begun to make initiatives in its foreign policy to avoid being excluded from the EU meeting in December.

Believe me, making similar statements will create a historic advantage for Turkey when it prepared to receive frigates from the United States...

Undoubtedly, similar remarks will create a positive atmosphere for Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz when he prepares to visit Germany and the United States... Explaining how they will strengthen his position will be impossible... We are sure Chancellor Kohl and President Clinton have definitely been impressed...

Rauf Denktash would not have given more support to Turkey in foreign politics if he had said something else not related to war. Obviously, his remarks have made the Foreign Ministry officials rejoice.

Let us assist Rauf Denktash... For example, he may say:

`We will force Moscow to account if the Greek Cypriots acquire the S-300 missiles... We can quickly occupy the Greek Cypriot side and Russia...'

He may continue as follows: `The Greek Cypriot side cannot defeat us... Our ancestors reached the outskirts of Vienna in the past... We can achieve what they failed to do at the time... We can even drive the people of Great Britain to the Sea...'

Meanwhile, his officials must support him with threats such as `we will get down to the playground,' a slogan frequently used in football games. That will strengthen Denktash' remarks.

Naturally, he must be careful not to neglect the United States. He must attack it as well. The message he may convey to the officials should be as follows: `We will establish a new world and take our place in it. Meanwhile we will challenge those who interfere and offer local stuffed sausages on skewers to those who do not...'

What else is there to say or write against such a ridiculous approach? On the one hand, we have Turkey, which is trying to convey a `message of agreement' to the world, and, on the other, we have Rauf Denktash who unexpectedly decides to inform the world that `war may break out.'

Is it that easy to talk about war? Let us hope common sense prevails...

No one has the right to place Turkey in a comical situation. One of the ministers of Luxembourg, who is the current EU chairman, is expected to visit Turkey. He may ask Ankara to explain Denktash's statement. What will the officials tell him?

Our children, grandchildren, and their sons will continue to live in this country. We should start feeling sorry for them if we fail to change our mentality..."

EF/SK

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article