Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-11-07

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 207/97 -- 7.11.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: We can support EU membership on the condition that we are recognized.

[02] Gen. Karadayi says `ricocheting bullet' caused accident.

[03] Turkey's "National Security Political Document" adopted by the National Security Council.

[04] Turkish political parties comment on NSC's "Political Document".

[05] Aim of Holbrooke's Cyprus visit as seen by Turkish Cypriots.

[06] Military's think tank behind policy decisions in Turkey.

[07] Yilmaz interviewed on Greece, Cyprus.

[08] Denktash admits being Polycarpos Yorgadjis's agent.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: We can support EU membership on the condition that we are recognized

In his statement at occupied Tymbou airport, Denktash explained the reasons for his visit to the United States and stressed that his US visit aimed at saying the last word in light of the recent developments and not to bring a new proposal.

Alleging that it is out of the question to support the "illegal initiative", as he put it, to eliminate the rights granted to the Turkish Cypriot side with the 1960 agreements, Denktash added:

"There are certain conditions to be met before extending support along these lines. Among these fundamental conditions is the recognition of the TRNC and Turkey's membership in the EU or at least paving the path for Turkey's EU membership. The grounds of an agreement in Cyprus should be laid on bizonality and an exchange of properties."

Recounting that he met with Richard Holbrooke, President's Clinton's special envoy to Cyprus, five times while in the United States, Denktash added that he talked with Holbrooke on the phone upon his return to Istanbul. Denktash further said that Holbrooke expressed the desire during the meetings to have a meeting between him and President Clerides during his visit to Cyprus on 10 November. Denktash continued: "In return for Holbrooke's intention to have us meet, I explained to Holbrooke that the Turkish Cypriot side does not seek to launch negotiations until the EU adopts a final decision", and added: "Holbrooke said that he sought to have both sides' views concerning his new proposal."

Recalling that Diego Cordovez, UN Secretary General's special adviser to Cyprus, will arrive in Cyprus on 18 November, Denktash added: "I have to go to Turkey to undergo an angiography during that time. However, I can postpone my angiography upon the request of the UN Secretary General. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told me that Cordovez's visit is geared toward learning more about the region and the Cyprus issue and not at launching negotiations."

[02] Gen. Karadayi says `ricocheting bullet' caused accident

In reply to reporters' questions on the issue General Karadayi said: "These kinds of accidents can occur in such exercises. The accident was caused by a ricocheting bullet.

There is no need to look for other reasons causing the accident."

[03] Turkey's "National Security Political Document" adopted by the National Security Council

The MGSB was to be discussed at the Council of Ministers last Tuesday and turned into a "secret decree." It is composed of two booklets and 10 addenda. Only the two booklets will be distributed at the Council of Ministers meeting.

The MGSB will determine the policy to be pursued by the Turkish state from now on. Once it is turned into a decree, no law, directive, or regulation will be able to contradict it.

Public establishments will not be able to act outside the lines determined by the MGSB.

Turkey's weakness, sensitive points, and balances of power are placed on the table by means of the MGSB, which is being seen as Turkey's secret constitution. The preparations for the document began during the Refahyol (Welfare Party-True Path Party) government. At the time, the General Staff asked the Security Directorate General and the Refahyol ministers to prepare a list of primary threats and then assessed it.

After the Refahyol government collapsed, the same questions were posed to the Anasol-D (Motherland Party-Democratic Left Party-Democratic Turkey Party) government's ministers concerned with internal and external security. In fact, meetings were held with some of these ministers. The new measures prepared at the end of this process and unanimously approved by the NSC are as follows:

"-- Separatist and reactionary activities are equal and primary threats.

-- Political Islam continues to be a threat to Turkey.

-- Certain circles want to turn Turkish nationalism into racism. The Idealist mafia wants to benefit from that. This also constitutes a threat.

-- The extreme left continues to be a threat. However, it has been observed to be somewhat ameliorating.

-- The relations with the Turkic republics must be strengthened, and Turkey must support the protection of their administrations' power.

-- The element of threat in our relations with Greece must be carefully assessed. Even through Turkey does not have a preference one way or the other, we must not ignore the fact that a confrontation with Greece is possible.

-- If there is a confrontation with Greece, Syria may also get into a clash with Turkey.

-- Earlier assessments in connection with Turkey's neighbours must be retained as they were.

-- Measures must be taken to develop local and cultural characteristics without moving to the public field.

-- The lacks and deficiencies in the judicial and state administrative systems must be eliminated urgently.

-- No changes must be made in Turkey's outlook to the West.

-- Turkey's goal of full membership in the EU must be maintained. However, the negative stands of certain European countries regarding this issue must not be ignored.

-- (We will not publish this article because it is a very secret and sensitive state decision.)

-- More economic efforts must be made for Turkey's integration with the world, including privatization."

[04] Turkish political parties comment on NSC's "Political Document"

Welfare Party deputy leader Riza Ulucak expressed the views of his party regarding this document. Ulucak said that the claim that work on the document was launched when Necmettin Erbakan was prime minister is frivolous.

"It may be true that some work was undertaken and even that it was undertaken without the knowledge of the prime minister of that period. The document revealed today, however, has an element of secrecy to it that excludes the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), the government, and certain institutions. Utmost care has to be exercised in dealing with this issue. Our Constitution and the constitutional institutions are in effect.

No other institutions can be established outside this framework," Ulucak said.

In reply to reporters' questions, Motherland Party deputy leader Agah Oktay Guner said that the NSC cannot draw up a document which stands above the Constitution and added that the National Political Document should be assessed within this framework.

During the True Path Party (DYP) assembly group meeting, DYP leader Tansu Ciller said that no power in Turkey is above the national will and the Assembly.

"Implementing the document's policies during an interim period is tantamount to confirming that democracy is suspended.

This document is a written confirmation along these lines. Mr.

Yilmaz says that the National Political Document will be transformed into a secret decree and that everybody will have to comply with it. How can people comply with something they know nothing about? How can the Assembly pass laws on something it knows nothing about? How can the Assembly grant authority to the government on something it knows nothing about?" Ciller said.

Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal emphasized that it is out of the question for any document drafted by the NSC to be above the authorities of the Assembly.

"The NSC cannot adopt a political document which seeks to restrict the authorities of the TGNA. There can be no such thing. I think that those who criticize and express uneasiness in connection with this document are only voicing their worries with regard to the work undertaken along these lines", he said.

Justice Minister Oltan Sungurlu, in turn, said that all the governments and the NSC are under obligation to work in harmony with all the state institutions. "I call on all past governments: Is there any cabinet member who can say that he rejected or amended a political document submitted after years of work, at the Council of Ministers meeting?" he said.

Interior Minister Murat Baseskioglu said that the NSC is a constitutional institution and that nothing is kept secret from the public.

"The NSC derives its authority from the Constitution.

There is nothing secret in this respect. Everything that is discussed at the NSC is later taken up at the Council of Ministers meeting. Consequently, each minister will then implement the necessary document adjustments pertaining to his ministry," he said.

[05] Aim of Holbrooke's Cyprus visit as seen by Turkish Cypriots

According to Anatolia News Agency, Holbrooke, who has ambitiously taken upon himself the solution of the Cyprus problem, met Denktash four times in the United States. Denktash told Holbrooke time and again that the intercommunal talks will come to an end if a decision emerges for the commencement of the EU membership talks with the Greek Cypriot side.

Richard Holbrooke, who got none of the things that he wanted during his recent visit to Ankara, confronted Denktash almost with a fait accompli by saying that he will be going to Russia and on his way back he wants to visit the island. Richard Holbrooke told Denktash: "I will bring you and Clerides together."

According to information at hand, illegal BRTK says, Holbrooke, wanting to get a positive reply to what he wanted, opted to adopt the approach of saying: "We are trying to improve Turkey's position in the EU. Turkey might find itself in a difficult situation. Come together with Clerides for the sake of Turkey."

Upon such an approach by Holbrooke, Denktash said that his views and position have not changed, however, the (US) President's special representative could still come to the island and a meeting could be arranged. Accordingly, Holbrooke will meet the leaders of the two communities first separately and then hold a tripartite meeting on 12 November. However, according to observers, the tripartite meeting carries no meaning beyond mere symbolism.

Alleging that President Glafcos Clerides, who is getting ready for elections, cannot make any concessions if he wants to be reelected, the observers noted that Rauf Denktash' position is already known and clear and the United States has had frequent opportunity to hear that position.

A specialist said that for Holbrooke, who until yesterday was saying that he will not visit the island, to suddenly change opinion is an indication that he has become seriously anxious and has come to realize how tough the Cyprus problem is, and having set off ambitiously, Holbrooke has now come to realize this fact.

Specifically emphasizing that in the case of the break off in talks it will be said that the US representative was unsuccessful, the observers said that Holbrooke is trying to save his name, the situation, and the process.

It is also being indicated that the United States wants President Clerides is to be reelected thinking that the election of DIKO (Democratic Party) leader Kyprianou would further complicate the problems in Cyprus, illegal BRTK alleged.

As such, Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus is assessed as an operation to save President Clerides, it claimed.

[06] Military's think tank behind policy decisions in Turkey

From military operations to clear the Kurds from northern Iraq to relations with the United States, NATO, Greece and Cyprus, the think tank plays a key role in various critical issues.

"We actually established this body in 1983, but under an order at the end of 1995 from the Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Cevik Bir, the authority and the sphere of the think tank were extended in order to make it more active, and it is now working at full capacity," said a senior official from the General Staff.

The organization is made up of two main departments, the foreign bureau and the internal affairs bureau. The recent National Defense Policy Document that rocked Ankara was prepared by this think tank.

Important internal issues such as that of the southeast, the fundamentalist threat and extremist activities from both the left and the right are being discussed every day by the expert officers belonging to National Security Department under support in theoretical matters from academicians. Later, the reports are being presented to top generals.

Within the think tank's international affairs department, which handles foreign policy, are special desks, including those dealing with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Cyprus, Greece, Europe, the United States, Russia, and the Balkans. The think tank, under the command of General Bir but administered by some junior generals, is also closely following all media reports and research. It is also in close contact with some departments within the office of the National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General, which determine the issues to be discussed during MGK meetings.

The think tank sends its drafts to the MGK, forming the backbone of the MGK agenda and the military's policy decisions.

Numerous officers who are experts on foreign policy and domestic issues are working in the think tank, while it has also been authorized to request information from academicians, businessmen and diplomats. Some prominent businessmen have also given information to the organization concerning the pros and cons of the business angle of policies.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Cevik Bir, land, naval and air force commanders and other top officers are periodically being briefed by reports prepared by the think tank.

"The think tank, which is also working in cooperation with the West Working Group (BCG) that closely monitors fundamentalist activities, is playing a key role in almost all policy decisions of the Turkish military, whose considerable role has been seen in the past in Turkey," the senior general added.

The National Security Policy Document, which was approved by the full consensus of the National Security Council (MGK) last week and which consists of two booklets and 10 attached papers, is radically changing about one-third of the country's security policies: it says that political Islam has gained equal importance with separatism as the primary threat, while the organizations called the Ulkucu (ultranationalist) mafia are now being seen as a threat.

[07] Yilmaz interviewed on Greece, Cyprus

To a comment that he said extremely good things about Prime Minister Simitis after their meeting and asked if he sincerely says that he can work together with this man, Yilmaz said:

"Yes. Definitely. This was the first meeting I held with Mr. Simitis. I held a very short meeting with Mr. Simitis during the Florence summit last year. We did not have a chance to really get together. This was the first time for me. I can say that Mr. Simitis inspired great confidence in me during this first meeting. In other words, I believe that great distances can be covered, provided both of us are still in power."

On the issue of the military exercises, inter alia, Yilmaz said: "If our military officials get together and if we set up a consultation mechanism regarding this issue, the exercises will not be a problem, nor will they cause any tension. The first thing we must do is reduce the tension and prevent an accident from happening as a result of the exercises, of the constant reconnaissance flights in the region, of the flights aimed at preventing the reconnaissance flights, of the tug of war in midair. That is the first thing we must do."

Asked if the wants to keep Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos out of the picture, he said: "He is the foreign minister of Greece. If he continues to be foreign minister in the future during the process we have started, then he will assume certain responsibilities and will have to fulfill certain functions; however, I saw him as an obstacle to launching this process."

At one point of the interview, Yilmaz inter alia said:

"Mr. Simitis said to me: I was very doubtful when I accepted this declaration in Madrid. I had serious doubts about whether it could work or whether we could progress with it. Unfortunately, the time that has passed justifies my doubts. This, too, has failed to lead us anywhere. Consequently, I do not want to sign a new declaration or agreement and raise hopes. I want the existing resources to be used. I am in favour of a dialogue, but let us not sign a new declaration or agreement that will raise the public's hopes. Let us build on the existing resources.

I turned to Mr. Simitis and said in response: It seems that what lies at the bottom of this is the fact that there are inadequate channels and insufficient contacts between the two countries. As we cannot constantly meet and assess the developments at every stage, let us determine two persons whom we trust."

Asked what kind of person does he want to appoint for this, Yilmaz replied: "A person who is a ware of the technical difficulties of these problems but is not a slave to these difficulties; a person who aims to overcome these problems."

Being a diplomat is not an obstacle. You cannot overcome these difficulties, however, by viewing them only as a diplomat, he added.

To a question whether the Turkish side will take part in the negotiations between Cyprus and the EU and what are its conditions, Yilmaz said:

"It is impossible for us to respond to this issue, because we have yet to receive the answer to a question we asked the EU earlier. It is true that they are inviting the Turkish Cypriot side to the accession talks, but in what capacity?" And he continued, claiming: "What will be the status of the Turkish Cypriot side during these negotiations? As you know, both the EU and the third countries recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration as the legitimate representative of Cyprus. They do not recognize the TRNC as a separate state. Therefore, they are telling the Turkish Cypriots to come to accession talks that they will hold with the Greek Cypriots, whom they consider the representatives of all of Cyprus. Actually, it is this legitimacy business that has complicated the Cyprus problem so. It constitutes the basic difficulty at the core of the problem. Everybody knows - and I told the Greeks today, too - that there are two different communities in Cyprus with different religions, languages, and cultures. These two communities have been living separately for more than 30 years. In other words, the island has been divided de facto. The aim of the exercise conducted in Cyprus since 1964 is to establish a federal state based on these separate communities. What is needed for that? First, each of the two communities must want that, agree to that, and contribute to that. Now, I ask everyone and I asked Holbrooke as well: You want to establish a federal state based on these two communities; however, you regard one of these communities as the representative of all of Cyprus. You keep on sending aid to it. You enable it to represent Cyprus at all international platforms. On the other hand, you isolate and impose an embargo on the other side, which should be the other half, the other part, of this federal state.

Now, put yourself in the place of the first side I mentioned.

Would you, in its place, contribute toward the establishment of a federal state? Now we have reached an even worse period. With the EU's interference, the inequality between the two countries has grown. Greater inequality means that the possibility of establishing a federal solution based on equal conditions -- which Turkey supports -- is even harder to reach."

Asked to clarify if Turkey will participate in the accession talks only if its sovereignty is accepted, Yilmaz said:

"No, we are asking a question. We are saying: You say that a federal state must be established on the basis of equality. We agree to that. But then you say that you will hold accession talks with the state to be established. First of all, this decision is wrong. You can hold negotiations with a state only after it is established. If you consider the Greek Cypriots the representative of Cyprus, then hold your negotiations with them; the Turkish Cypriots will not take part in that."

In reply to a relevant question, he said: "Holbrooke is after something creative. He is looking for a creative solution. He is advising the EU not to hold negotiations with the Cyprus republic but with the federal state to be established: a federal state which the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots will be part of as separate communities - not as states but as communities. He is also working on another exercise: Let us recognize the Turkish Cypriots for one day; let us recognize them as a sovereign state and then hold negotiations with the two federated states."

Asked if Holbrooke made this proposal, Yilmaz replied:

"No, these are all mental exercises". Asked if there is still the danger of a war, Yilmaz replied: "Mr. Birand, there is an atmosphere of deep distrust between the two communities based on the bitter experiences - of both sides -- of the past. In fact, the atmosphere of distrust borders on enmity. Now, if you add domestic political considerations and provocations to that, a confrontation can occur at any moment. The smallest confrontation -- consider that the persons who guard the borders and who fly the planes are young, hot-blooded 20 year olds or 30 year olds -- can quickly escalate. We lived through a similar incident in Kardak recently. Such a confrontation can lead a country of 10 million and another of 70 million to a confrontation. Mr. Simitis said to me: I lived through World War II. I know what war means. There may be lunatics in both countries; however, I do not think that either the Greeks or the Turks will fight."

[08] Denktash admits being Polycarpos Yorgadjis's agent

During a dinner meeting with the participation of former TMT fighters, Kenan Coygun, one of the TMT leaders who is known in our community with the name of BOZKURT, had asked Denktash:

- Who was Yorgadjis's spy? You know Yorgadjis, the famous EOKAIST and the real name of the "Akritas", and the Interior Minister of the Republic of Cyprus...

Denktash replied:

- I was.

"Bozkurt", looking irked, leaned back and replied:

- I knew it.

Denktash answered:

- If you knew it, why didn't you shoot me?

Following this reply, the atmosphere became electrified. Kenan Coygun said: "Which one of you I was going to shoot?" and jumped up, but people present there calmed the atmosphere. This incident was told to somebody by late Ismail Sadikoglu before his death and in turn I learnt it from another person. I have asked Tremeseli whether it is true or not."

(MY)

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

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