Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-04-14

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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. 65/98 -- 14.4.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem: We will discuss integration and implement it as long as the conditions are ripe.

[02] British Parliamentarians visit the occupied area.

[03] Turkey will have aircraft carriers in the 2000s.

[04] Pseudostate seeks to ban Cyprus Republic passports and Identity Cards.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem: We will discuss integration and implement it as long as the conditions are ripe

In reply to a comment that the signals emanating from the United States is that they recognize two communities and not two states in Cyprus, Cem said: "It is even more than that. One side is acknowledged as a state, whereas our side is seen as a community. The United States, Britain, and the EU may have policies with regard to Cyprus, but the important thing is our policy. In other words, it is important that we implement a correct policy, that we refrain from excessive reactions, but that we continue to defend our rights all the way. I would also like to declare that I am speaking here in the knowledge that the right to speak belongs primarily to the president, the government, and the people of the TRNC. Our duty is to speak our mind when our opinion is sought and to provide our support to the very end when this support is requested. Our thesis is as follows: If a federal solution seems possible in Cyprus, it must be between two equal and independent political units. This is what we advocate, as does Mr. Denktash. Our government gave prominence to the concept of a state. We stressed this. Mr. Ecevit raised this point in a very clear-cut manner. Our government has been pursuing this path.

I would now like to comment on the reported German formula with regard to Cyprus: We will admit south Cyprus into the EU. We will then wait for the situation to mature so that the northern section can also be included sooner or later.

No mistake should be made in this regard. The world should especially refrain from making the following mistake. All kinds of injustices, pressures, inequalities, embargoes are being inflicted on the Turkish Cypriots, while south Cyprus becomes integrated with Europe and the Turkish Cypriots continue to wait. We are not providing such a guarantee to anyone. The message I gave in my statement to the people of Cyprus during my recent visit to Cyprus is clear. If the TRNC -- this is up to the TRNC, we would not impose anything on them -- chooses to integrate with Turkey or to engage in a federal relationship with Turkey at any time during this waiting process because of difficulties, pressures, or oppression, we will naturally discuss this seriously and implement it as long as the conditions are ripe. In other words, let no one expect the TRNC to sit with its hands tied, accept its destiny, and endure the continuation of the inequality and injustice".

Asked whether the policy of the Turkish Government will be two separate states even if the United States insists on the idea of two separate communities, Cem replied: "No, our policy is not linked to the viewpoint of the United States. Now, the United States is exerting sincere efforts to bring about a peaceful and intelligent solution in Cyprus. We hope -- as does Mr. Denktash -- that these efforts will develop along a realistic path. But, we are not dependent on this. There is no optimistic sign as yet, but if a positive development takes place, we will provide all the necessary support in this direction, as long as the TRNC also concurs. In addition to the essence of the matter, there are also certain important differences with regard to methodology between Turkey and the United States. The Americans want everything to take place instantly. This may be in part their strength and in part their shortcoming. My approach is very different."

Asked by Ismail Soysal whether the Turkish Cypriots can join an EU that does not include Turkey if there is an agreement between the two sides in Cyprus, Cem claimed: "Nothing can happen unless full symmetry is achieved between Turkey and Greece and between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots". And Cem continued: "In my opinion, the situation in Cyprus is now clear. This is the way everyone else must view the situation. We respect the views of the United States, the EU, or anyone else, but our stand is clear-cut. All Turkish governments advocate the following for Cyprus: a federation made up of two independent political units or states with equal status, a bizonal and bicommunal federation comprised of two politically equal and sovereign communities. This matter will either be resolved in the direction of a federation on the basis of this concept, or the TRNC will become integrated with Turkey on the basis of a decision it will adopt if it feels pressured or threatened. These are the two alternatives.

Can a federation -- which is advocated by all Turkish governments and by Europe, the United States, and others -- be achieved in Cyprus? A significant advantage of the foreign policy we are pursuing consists of its openness. We are not misleading anyone, threatening to do something we do not intend to implement, or making empty threats. We are telling the entire truth.

Everyone should be aware that we are not in favour of starting the talks for the sake of starting them and imposing a fait accompli on the sides with the aim of achieving a federation. If a federation is to be attained, it must be attained between equal and sovereign units. Furthermore, as far as our foreign policy is concerned, it is not sufficient to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We must also be able to see what comes after the tunnel. We must have acquired all the guarantees with regard to thereafter If a development takes place on the path to a federation on the basis of this concept, it will be acceptable. As I have been underlining all along, however, these decisions are first and foremost the decisions and preferences of the TRNC administration. We are merely providing unconditional support.

I concur with the view that the 21st century will be the century of the eastern Mediterranean and of Eurasia. In the beginning of the 21 century, the eastern Mediterranean will become the world's most strategic point where all the riches in the world flow and intersect. Turkey is not about to be impressed by membership in the EU and hand the Turkish Cypriot community over into a hostile environment like a helpless minority. Everyone must realize this and make their calculations accordingly. We are in favour of conciliation. Mr. Denktash may be even more conciliatory than myself. We are genuinely conciliatory, but we are pursuing this attitude along the correct direction and within the framework of reason", Cem claimed.

To a question on Germany's stand vis-a-vis Turkey, Cem said: "Turkey was more hurt by the Germans' move than it would have been by an enemy's action. Some of us had great expectations from Germany with regard to the EU. I personally did not have any expectations in this regard, so this was not an unexpected development for me. Our feelings were hurt when Germany failed to adopt the positive approach we had generally expected from it. There were also certain mutual misunderstandings. During my recent visit to Germany, I held unofficial meetings with those who manage German foreign policy.

I believe that the matter will be resolved. It is extremely illogical for Turkey and Germany to remain in a state of discord. There are 2.5 million Turks in Germany, and it is in Germany's interest to maintain good relations with the motherland of those citizens. Germany exports vast quantities of goods to Turkey. We have extensive economic ties. Naturally, we would want to have good relations with a country to which we have entrusted 2.5 million of our citizens. The number of German tourists visiting Turkey is expected to reach 1.5 million this year. Naturally, we would want to have good relations with the motherland of the 1.5 million citizens we are hosting in our country. We will resolve these issues."

Asked if there are any concrete steps being taken in this direction, Cem replied: "I believe that things will improve.

This is my guess. I would also like to state that we are engaged in a dialogue with the Germans with regard to the EU issue. They are trying to take matters to the furthest possible point. In my opinion, the point to which they indicated they will advance the matter will constitute a development, but it will not be sufficient. However, things are developing with the Germans."

[02] British Parliamentarians visit the occupied area

Alleging that there are two different communities, two different "democracies" and two different "states" on Cyprus, Etkin claimed that the EU had demolished with its last decision the equality between the "TRNC" and the Greek-Cypriot side and the Turkish-Greek balance.

Emphasizing that the visit of the British parliamentarians was the first visit to the "TRNC" from that country after the general elections in Britain, Taner Etkin said "there are two equal sides on the island. It is always important to listen to these two equal sides and obtain information from the authorities and this is the approach that we have been expecting ever since the beginning."

[03] Turkey will have aircraft carriers in the 2000s

"The notion of Turkish aircraft carriers criss-crossing the waters of the western Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Black Sea in the 2000s is not a fantasy but a necessity", officials from the Naval officials Forces Command said, according to the Anatolia news agency.

The officials stressed that Turkey's national might, geography and historical factors "are forcing Turkey to become a regional power whose interests are not limited to its neighbours only," and this can only be achieved with the formation of a powerful flotilla, including aircraft carriers.

They also noted that the operational capabilities and the structure of the Turkish Navy should be modified in a way that would not limit its activities only to the Turkish shores, but would allow it to undertake immediate and various actions in all areas with Turkey's interest.

"The significant participation of Turkish troops in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Somalia, Bosnia and Albania shows the world that Turkey has become a regional force whose interests are not limited to its neighbours," according to the military officials, quoted by Anatolia.

"Participating in the multinational forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania with land, air and naval troops and simultaneously carrying out cross-border operations in northern Iraq with a 50,000-strong force is a capability which only a few countries in the world have", the sources stressed.

Commenting on the financial burden that the purchase of aircraft carriers would bring, the naval forces officials said that the cost was not as much as was believed.

The approximate cost of an aircraft carrier is around $400 million, they stated, comparing it with the huge cost of $1 billion for a destroyer.

"In return for this amount of money, the might of any nation can be considerably increased with a 10-15,000 ton carrier. History has shown that no civilization progressed without utilizing the seas, no economy grew without opening to the seas", the officials emphasized.

Currently, the United States, Britain France, Russia, India, Italy, Spain and Thailand are the countries comprising the so-called "aircraft-carrier- countries club", the same officials said. The United States has 12 carriers, Britain three, France, Russia and India two, while Italy, Spain and Thailand have one each.

[04] Pseudostate seeks to ban Cyprus Republic passports and Identity Cards

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, "Deputy Prime Minister" Serdar Denktash said that the "draft" had already been approved by the "cabinet" and sent to the pseudo-assembly for ratification, the Anatolia news agency reported.

The "draft" envisages imposition of fines for those "TRNC citizens" holding Greek Cypriot passports and identity cards. It also gives those who possess these documents 90 days to give them up.

Denktash asserted that the banning of Greek Cypriot identity documents would not pose any problems for those "TRNC citizens" receiving insurance restitution from Greek Cypriot firms.

Recent press reports claiming that some 3,000 "TRNC citizens", including "deputies" and even "ministers", had obtained Greek Cypriot passports have sparked a big controversy. All the accused deny the charges, the report says.

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

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