Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-04-28

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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. 73/98 -- 28.4.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Holbrooke puts forward three options for Cyprus solution.

[02] Yilmaz on Turkey's EU prospects, S-300 missiles.

[03] Denktash speaks of "duty" to forge tighter ties with Turkey.

[04] Germany's Kinkel may visit Ankara in May to improve ties.

[05] Eroglu says "government" adopts Denktash-Demirel declaration, insists on "two-states" principle.

[06] Exercises in the occupied area, East Mediterranean begin 28 April.

[07] Test water-balloon to arrive 30 April in occupied area.

[08] Turkey lifts ban on cruise-liners that call on ports in the free areas of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Businessman criticizes Turkey's role in Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Holbrooke puts forward three options for Cyprus solution

High-level diplomatic sources told the Turkish Daily News that the two Cypriot sides would give their official responses to Holbrooke's proposals during his upcoming visit to the island in early May.

During his visit to Cyprus on April 3-4, Holbrooke had put forward three suggestions for resuming the talks between the two Cypriot sides and outlining a framework for an ultimate solution, but none of them were accepted by the parties, the same sources said. The US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, who is assisting Holbrooke in his mission, discussed the same proposals during his recent tour of Nicosia, Ankara and Athens, which he defined as "a preparation of the ground for Holbrooke's visit in May."

The first proposal put forward by the Americans envisaged the convention of a Dayton-style peace conference under the chairmanship of the United States and the participation of the two Cypriot sides, Turkey and Greece, as well as other parties, whose participation "could be regarded as appropriate", the sources said.

The objections of the Turkish side to this framework were related to the status which the "TRNC" would be granted and under what capacity it would be able to negotiate. Holbrooke reportedly proposed that "the existence of two distinct Cypriot administrations" be acknowledged, but the Turkish Cypriot side maintained that the definition was obscure and unsatisfactory, while the Greek Cypriots completely rejected the suggestion on the grounds that after acknowledgement of its "existence" the "TRNC" could withdraw from such talks. The "TRNC" demands its recognition as an equal sovereign "state" as a precondition for any talks. Political observers suggest that the farthest concession that Rauf Denktash may give is "the acknowledgement of the TRNC's existence as an equal sovereign state".

Another point of objection regarding the proposal for a Dayton-style conference was due to concerns of some Turkish Cypriot "officials" that it might become a means of pressuring the parties and forcing them to accept formulae that would not be accepted under normal circumstances an experience which was witnessed during the Dayton negotiations. Turkish Cypriots believe that the pressing atmosphere of such a conference will be in sharp contradiction with previously adopted UN principles, which envisage unhindered negotiations based on the free will of the two Cypriot sides.

Holbrooke's second proposal envisaged the inclusion of the Turkish Cypriots into the European Union (EU) accession process as a separate and equal team along with the Greek Cypriot delegation, which already officially started entry talks with the Union on March 31, the sources said. According to this proposal, the two teams will wield equal power and will represent their respective communities under "a common umbrella of Cyprus". The Turkish Cypriot side again dubbed this suggestion as very obscure and demanded clarification of "equality of the two teams" and the formula according to which the number of Turkish Cypriot representatives will be set. They also said that the term "equal powers" was quite vague and did not include any specific notification of whether the Turkish Cypriot team would have a determining say on the most important issues.

The sources told the paper that the Turkish Cypriot side continued to maintain their well-known stance that Cyprus could not join any organization to which Turkey and Greece are not both members.

In his third and last proposal, Holbrooke suggested that the issue of Cyprus' EU membership be set aside and that the parties start direct talks aimed at the establishment of a federation, beginning by solving outstanding issues of dispute and adopting "a case-by-case" approach. The obscurity regarding the structure and type of the proposed federation led to objections by the Turkish Cypriot side. The status envisaged for the "TRNC" was not clear either.

Although the fact that none of Holbrooke's suggestions were welcomed, the sources said that the proposal for a Dayton like conference was the one that the Turkish Cypriots were most inclined to discuss. Ankara has also expressed veiled support for convening such a conference. A high-level government official who asked for anonymity, said last week that Ankara was in favour of direct talks between the two Cypriots sides which would "somehow" include the other interested parties. However, Greece and Greek Cyprus have openly said that they will not favour such a platform due to their concerns that it may strengthen the hand of the Turkish Cypriots and eventually could lead to international recognition of the "TRNC".

The official responses to these three proposals will be conveyed to Holbrooke during his upcoming visit to the island, starting on May 1. Miller has said that the visit will be open-ended with no "artificial time constraints."

[02] Yilmaz on Turkey's EU prospects, S-300 missiles

Austria would use its presidency of the EU starting on July 1 to find ways to rebuild trust and confidence with Turkey, which were shattered by Turkey's exclusion from the current round of expansion talks.

Schuessel Saturday met Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz at a gathering of European conservative leaders.

On his part, Yilmaz said he was encouraged by the meeting with Schuessel, which also included a senior member of Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union, Bernhard Vogel, and said the time for angry polemics was over.

Schuessel cautioned against over optimism, saying change was unlikely to happen overnight. Apart from Turkey's bloody struggle with Kurds, its frosty relations with neighbouring Greece also present a huge obstacle to closer ties with the EU.

Yilmaz said the "fight against terrorism" had been very successful and it was now time to use cultural, social and political measures to resolve the Kurdish issue.

He also talked tough over the proposed deployment of Russian S-300 missiles on Cyprus. "The deployment of missiles is a problem for the whole of Europe. If missiles are deployed on the Greek part of Cyprus, Turkey will take all necessary measures on the Turkish part", he said.

[03] Denktash speaks of "duty" to forge tighter ties with Turkey

Denktash yesterday met with a delegation of the so-called platform for the national goal struggle headed by Halil Pasa.

Noting that his organization approves and supports the declaration issued in Ankara, Pasa presented Denktash with a bunch of flowers.

[04] Germany's Kinkel may visit Ankara in May to improve ties

"Let us improve relations. If you want, I can even come to Turkey tomorrow."

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem gave a positive reply to that message and invited Kinkel to Turkey. The only problem now is determining the date of the visit. Kinkel will visit Ankara sometime in May. Germany's intention to defuse the crisis and restore relations to normal was expressed during Turkish Ambassador Volkan Vural's farewell visit to Klaus Kinkel.

In receiving Vural, who has been appointed Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, before the latter's departure to New York, Kinkel said: "I am really sorry that relations have fallen to such a low point. We must correct this situation." .../...

He added: "If it will help improve relations, I am ready to go to Turkey even tomorrow. Or, if Ismail Cem wants he can come here. We can even come together at a weekend accompanied by our spouses."

Kinkel said that it is hard for them to understand why Prime Minister Yilmaz has personalized his reaction, adding: "Let us leave aside this type of polemics. On our part, we will not dwell on it too much. Let us free our relations of polemics. Let us forget all that and make a new start."

Ankara reacted strongly to Germany's key role at the Luxembourg summit in excluding Turkey from the EU's expansion process. Mutual accusations escalated tension between the two countries and brought relations to the breaking point.

Yilmaz said that "Germany Chancellor Kohl promised me that he would support Turkey. He has deceived me. Germany is the main reason for our exclusion from the EU."

Yilmaz kept Kohl under fire with his subsequent statements. Yilmaz accused Kohl of engaging in religious discrimination against Turkey and said that by giving preference to Eastern Europe, Kohl was implementing Hitler's "Lebensraum" (New Living Area) policy. Yilmaz said finally that "the old friend has now become an enemy."

While Kinkel replied to Yilmaz's remarks, Kohl preferred to maintain his silence. Engaging in a duel of words with Yilmaz, Kinkel raised the tension further when he said: "We are not a banana republic. Turkey is an occupier (in Cyprus). Panicked and not knowing what to do, Yilmaz is attacking right and left."

[05] Eroglu says "government" adopts Denktash-Demirel declaration, insists on "two-states" principle

Eroglu said that he discussed the Cyprus question with Rauf Denktash and exchanged views with him concerning the meetings that will be held with Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus.

"We insist on our decision to negotiate the Cyprus question on the principle of two-states," he added.

[06] Exercises in the occupied area, East Mediterranean begin 28 April

The exercises, which are being conducted with the aim of testing cooperation methods between ground, naval, and air elements, will also incorporate battle group terrain exercises, above water combat, air defense, underwater defense combat, close air support, (word indistinct) duties, and air attacks against tactical targets. .../..

Turkish so-called peace forces units, which are deployed in the pseudostate, two frigates belonging to the Southern Group Command, and planes taking off from air bases in Turkey will take part in the exercises. Turkish Navy ships will visit the occupied Kyrenia port during the exercises, and the ships will be open to visitors. High-level civilian and military personnel will participate in the exercises as observers on 30 April, the last day of the exercises.

[07] Test water-balloon to arrive 30 April in occupied area

On that day, the water will arrive from Turkey. In the context of transporting water from Turkey in balloons, the first water-filled balloon will set sail today after a ceremony in Antalya. Because the filling stations have not yet been completed, the water to be brought from Turkey will not be emptied and, instead, after a while, the water-balloon will return to Turkey with its water. The purpose behind the exercise is to test the water-filled balloon in the Mediterranean waters.

[08] Turkey lifts ban on cruise-liners that call on ports in the free areas of Cyprus

The paper adds that the ban imposed on cargo ships is still in force.

AVRUPA reports that the Turkish Marine Trade General Directorate, in a note to the Ports Authorities and Ports Directorates, informed that ships and yachts belonging to firms and/or persons of third countries that do not carry the Cyprus flag, whose owners or captains are not citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (that do not ply regularly between Turkish parts and the ports in the free areas of Cyprus), shall be allowed to enter Turkish ports even if they had previously called on ports in the free areas of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Businessman criticizes Turkey's role in Cyprus

But, it should never become a center for gambling.

I have been talking to Turkish Cypriots. They want me to find a candid, honest, truthful, and undistorted answer to the question: `Who transformed the economy of Cyprus from a productive to a lethargic and parasitic entity?'

Let us look for that answer.

Who made Cyprus parasitic? The Turkish Cypriots themselves? Or the governments in Ankara?

Kemal Keremoglu of Teknikom Corporation explained:

`After 1974, the Turkish Cypriot Industrial Enterprises began to sell polyurethane panels for refrigerator doors and interiors to Arcelik, which is the flagship of the Koc Holding Corporation. At the same time, feminine tampons were exported from Cyprus to Eczacibasi despite all attempts by Turkey to stop this. In addition, liquid and powder detergents, shampoo, socks, citrus juices, and plastic beverage and beer cases were exported. At that time Turkey was still using wooden cases'.

Keremoglu is right. Truth does not have just one face. There is always another face.

The Turkish Cypriots were producers 24 years ago. They were not parasites. Before Ankara intervened in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots knew how to produce, enjoyed it, and were successful at it. They were able to export a wide range of citrus products, potatoes, carrots, and cured tobacco to numerous European countries. In the 1960s when companies like ENKA, STFA, Alarko were not yet mature in Turkey, the Turkish Cypriot building contractors provided jobs for Turkish Cypriots and expanded their knowledge and horizons by winning contracts in Libya and Saudi Arabia. It is sad that today these Turkish Cypriot contractors are not allowed to bid on any contract in the TRNC because all contracts are tendered in Ankara. If the Turkish Cypriot contractors are allowed to participate it will be difficult to engage in patronage and preferentialism.

Keremoglu continued: `After that time all Ankara governments and their collaborators in Cyprus deliberately transformed the Turkish Cypriots from producers into parasites to make us vitally dependent on Turkey. As long as there are leaders and government officials like Denktash in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots will not be able to realize the economic surge to put you to shame even if another 24 years pass. The charge d'affaires of the Turkish Embassy attends TRNC Council of Ministers meetings.

The Council of Ministers cannot approve any decision that is not approved by the Turkish charge d'affaires. If the $250 million that Ankara pumps as aid into Cyprus each year was in fact sucked up by the Turkish Cypriots, per capita income among native Turkish Cypriots which today number only around 90,000 would not be $3,000 per year. It is incumbent upon you, more than upon us, to drive out Kamer Genc when he comes to gamble in Cyprus. Was it the Turkish Cypriots who allowed the opening of casinos in Cyprus? And not just casinos. Where did the offshore nameplate banks whose extensions reach Susurluk spring from? It was Ankara that made Cyprus parasitic. Now it wants to turn it into a gambling center'."

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

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