Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-11-18

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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. 213/98 -- 18.11.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash Gurel on integration.

[02] Alleged attack against ``policeman'' at occupied Tymbou airport.

[03] Turkey-pseudostate ``Partnership Council'' decisions.

[04] Denktash: Bizonality an accepted future for Cyprus.

[05] Russian envoy says does not know date of S-300 deployment.

[06] Akdeniz TV, Akdeniz FM Radio start broadcasts on 15 November.

[07] Turkey threatens Greece, Cyprus about stand on PKK and Ocalan.

[08] Ecevit to inaugurate new Kyrenia harbour.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Gurel on integration

Rauf Denktash and Turkey´s State Minister for Cyprus Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel replied to Mete Tumerkan´s questions in the illegal BRTK´s studio.

In reply to a relevant question, Denktash said: ``The clock cannot be put back. The TRNC exists and will continue to exist. Any possible agreement with the Greek Cypriots would be based on the existence of this republic. This is underscored by the confederation proposal. I hope the Greek Cypriots will take advantage of it.''

On his part, Gurel said: ``I would like to tell the world that the Turkish Cypriot people has attained this stage through arduous work and long struggle. It has established the TRNC , and Turkey is the guarantor of that state. Already, soon after taking power, we had declared not only that we are the guarantor of the TRNC´s security, but that the very existence of the TRNC here is a guarantee for Turkey´s welfare and security. We remain true to his view. Only proceeding from this reality could a final solution be found to the Cyprus problem acceptable to all. No one can achieve anything by ignoring the realities. This is how everyone should seriously view the matter. Let them not be carried away with the illusions that they could sever Cyprus from Turkey and relegate the Turkish Cypriots to a minority status. No one has the power to do that. That is what I want to say''.

To a question on the planned measures in the framework of the third meeting of the Turkey-``TRNC'' so-called Partnership Council, Denktash said:

``The document signed by esteemed (Turkish Cypriot) Foreign Minister and esteemed Sukru Gurel the day before yesterday (14 November) and the situation that they spoke about is, I think, a reply to your question. We are no more interested in what the Greek Cypriots do or will do with the EU. We will continue on our path. This is the path of integration. But I want to say something at this point. I want to talk about the campaign (apparently by the opposition) which says that the statement of `let us stand up for the republic, made by a student (apparently in a television program), is a rejection of integration. Naturally, this is not the fault of that young girl student. There are parties which present integration to these children as annexation. These parties are asking for the people´s votes on a platform of rejection of integration, as if integration is same as annexation. At a time when the opposite side (Greek Cypriots) announces that it has forged a hundred percent integration with Greece and when it is trying to put the seal on the integration with the EU, for us and Turkey to countervail it and to preserve the balance is the only path for our salvation. Besides, integration is not annexation. Some 15 countries in Europe live in an integrated manner in Europe. But, have they abolished their states because of that? Have they declared that they are not states anymore? That means that integration is not tantamount to the elimination of the state; rather it implies the combination with another state to accrue further strength by coming to agreements on certain matters, such as mutual assistance on economic, defense, and social issues. People go for integration to further strengthen the state. Annexation is something else. We did not talk about annexation. No one talked about annexation. Why are the Greek Cypriots integrating with Greece and with the EU? So that they can gain further strength vis-a-vis the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey and thus claim the ownership of Cyprus. We are now giving a reply to them. Yet there are people who teach our children otherwise. Who are they? They are the henchmen of those moneyed foreign diplomats, or the parties which are on the wrong path.

And, what is my response to all that? I am calling on these children: If you have any doubts on any issue come to me, my door is wide open, I will readily welcome you, speak to you for hours, and explain you the truth, or at least tell you what we, our side, is thinking. You can then make your own mind. But, at this young age do not pass such a final judgement concerning the national cause. Do not take the wrong path, do not allow yourselves to be goaded into the wrong path, because if you take that wrong path it would be hard for you to return back. What we want from our teachers is that if they observe such trends in their schools, they should invite us so that we can talk to the classes and entire schools. I am ready for it. If the teachers do not do this they would be failing in their duties. This is coming to a head. It means that there is the danger of the realization of the utterances by some paid agents that `if each agent persuades five persons into taking this wrong path we could in time overpower Denktash, and his votaries Turkey and its votaries´. I am not saying that there is the danger of this ever being realized. In this country it will never be realized. But, we have no right to lead these children into the wrong path.''

To a question on the joint statement issued after his meeting with ``foreign minister'' Taner Etkin, Gurel said: ``In announcing the most salient points of the decision we said the following: We would lift all the hurdles before the formation of the common economic area. We also said that the TRNC citizens in Turkey would benefit from all the rights enjoyed by the Turkish Republic citizens. Steps further than these are not required for integration.''

[02] Alleged attack against ``policeman'' at occupied Tymbou airport.

Illegal Bayrak said that the incident occurred at around 3.50 hours, when an unknown person or persons approached the sentry post but where seen by the ``policeman'' on duty who warned them to stop. To the ``policeman´s'' warning the unknown persons answered with three fire shots, illegal Bayrak says.

The ``policeman'' retaliated and forced the attackers to flee. Following the incident Denktash´s ``police'' carried out on the spot investigation and found out that the barbed wires were cut. They also found three empty 9mm cartridges and four broken ``VSOP 31'' bottles filled with petroleum and packed in a HARAVGHI newspaper of 22 October 1998, and a match box manufactured in the free areas. ``Police'' also found fresh blood traces in three different places.

The ``policeman'' allegedly attacked was not injured. (MY)

[03] Turkey-pseudostate ``Partnership Council'' decisions

Gurel and Etkin claimed that for the EU to commence substantive talks with the Greek Cypriot side for full membership is tantamount to the Cyprus Government forging unification with Greece via the EU and to the disruption of the Turkish-Greek balance in Cyprus established under the 1959-1960 agreements.

Gurel and Etkin announced that the EU countries must realize that Cyprus´s EU membership process would not facilitate efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Rather, an ongoing membership process prior to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the establishment of a balance between Greece and Turkey in linkage with the EU, would only render the division and non- solution on the island lasting, they claimed.

Gurel and Etkin also made important decisions, such as the ``empowering of the TRNC citizens to benefit from all the economic and social rights recognized to the Turkish citizens, the introduction of a single customs system, and the establishment of a Search and Rescue Center in the TRNC''.

Also, joint work would be undertaken to further develop the defense ties between the Turkish Republic and the ``TRNC''.

The ``Partnership Council'' will hold its third meeting in Ankara in December.

Gurel and Etkin, as co-chairmen, announced the content and the decisions of the meting which they held together with their delegations at a news conference.

The joint statement was read out by Gurel at the news conference also attended by Denktash and ``prime minister'' Dervis Eroglu.

Gurel read out the following joint statement:

``With their statements on 11 November 1998, Turkey and the TRNC put forward their views on and reaction to the EU´s decision to commence substantive talks with the South Cyprus Greek Cypriot Administration (SCGCA) for full membership.

The destructive affects of the membership process launched by the Luxembourg Summit on efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem are for all to see. The EU´s disregard of the equal sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people and its commencement of talks with the Greek Cypriots on behalf of Cyprus have eliminated all the parameters, primarily the equality of the sides, that had emerged during the process to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

With the strength derived from the EU, the Greek Cypriot side rejects the equal political and legal status, including the sovereignty rights, of the Turkish Cypriot people, which is one of the two equal co-founder partners of the Cyprus Republic, and aims at heightening the military threat on the island and in the region by unilateral policies.

The EU countries must realize that, contrary to the claims of the Greek- Greek Cypriot duo, the Greek Cypriot administration´s EU membership process would not facilitate efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem, rather, an ongoing membership process prior to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the establishment of a balance between Greece and Turkey in linkage with the EU, would only render the division and non-solution on the island lasting.

The signs that some EU members have come around to realizing these realities were duly noted in the statement made to the EU General Affairs Council by four member countries.

For the EU to commence substantive talks with the Greek Cypriot side for full membership is tantamount to the Greek Cypriot administration forging unification with Greece via the EU and to the disruption of the Turkish- Greek balance in Cyprus established under the 1959-1960 agreements.

In their 20 July 1997 and 23 April 1998 statements, Turkey and the TRNC set forth the course of action they would pursue in the face of the SCGCA´s EU membership progress. They had decided in that framework that an integrative move similar to the one between the Greek Cypriot side and Greece via the EU would also be effectuated between the TRNC and Turkey.

The Partnership Council and its two subcommittees, all set up for the above purpose, have made important decisions over the past year since their inception, agreements have been concluded to lay the infrastructure for the economic integration between the two countries, and relevant regulations have been drawn up. This joint policy will continue.

The co-chairmen of the Partnership Council have agreed to convene the third meeting of the Partnership Council in Ankara in December.

In addition to the above, the sides have agreed to urgently implement the following decisions:

A. To empower the TRNC citizens to benefit from all the economic and social rights enjoyed by the Turkish citizens.

B. To complete the harmonization of the customs regulations between the Turkish Republic and the TRNC, and introduce a single customs system between the Turkish Republic and the TRNC.

C. To lift the bureaucratic hurdles, conclude the harmonization work, and speedily complete the necessary arrangements for the formation of a Common Economic Area between the Turkish Republic and the TRNC to ensure free circulation of goods, services, capital, technology, and investments under free trade conditions.

D. To establish a Search and Rescue Center in the TRNC within the framework of the Agreement on Search and Rescue between the two countries.

E. To undertake a joint work to further develop the defense ties between Turkey and the TRNC in the face of heightened tension and the military threat''.

[04] Denktash: Bizonality an accepted future for Cyprus

Specifically he alleged: ``They have no right over the north. In the south, we left them lands far more valuable than the ones they are claiming. Bizonality is an accepted future for Cyprus. As such, the problem would be solved through an exchange of lands and property. This has been put down on paper by the UN Secretary General and it has been an accepted fact at the negotiating table for years. But the EU has eliminated this fact and created opportunity for the Greek Cypriots to continue with their provocations''. And he went on claiming:

``The TRNc exists and its borders are defended securely. The Greek Cypriots will always try to infiltrate from outside, raise a hue and cry, and return back. Do not pay any attention to them. Our sons, soldiers, and the Turkish troops are on the borders defending us.

What they are doing proves only one thing: It is impossible for the two peoples to come together and live together''.

[05] Russian envoy says does not know date of S-300 deployment

Denktash and Muradov discussed the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue. During the first part of the meeting that was open to the press, Muradov talked of the drought and praised the project of bringing water from Turkey to the occupied area saying: ``That is a good project.''

Denktash said that the project was launched by bringing water in huge balloons but that it will be further developed by laying pipes between Turkey and the ``TRNC'' in a couple of years.

Dentkash pointed out that the free areas of Cyprus are more affected by the drought, and the water that will be brought from Turkey to irrigate agricultural land may, in future years, ``be shared with the Greek Cypriot sector in line with agreements that will be signed''. He added: ``We have offered to give water to the Greek Cypriot sector. So far, they have not taken an amicable view of this issue.''

[06] Akdeniz TV, Akdeniz FM Radio start broadcasts on 15 November

A statement issued by the Akdeniz TV and Akdeniz FM officials note that the one-year long test broadcasts yielded successful results. Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot will in this way have another voice and opportunity for expressing views, the statement added that Akdeniz TV will broadcast on Channel 54 and Akdeniz FM on 86.6 frequency.

[07] Turkey threatens Greece, Cyprus about stand on PKK and Ocalan

In its statement, the Foreign Ministry called on the Greek Government ``to give up this distorted mentality and act with common sense''.

In the same statement, the Foreign Ministry claims that the support the Cyprus Government extends to the PKK has been proven with documents. It alleges that ``the terrorists are fed and hosted in south Cyprus and trained with Greek Cypriot weapons.''- The statement says: ``We want to warn the Greek Cypriot Administration that if it continues to act in this way, it will be faced with heavy consequences it will not be able to shoulder.''

[08] Ecevit to inaugurate new Kyrenia harbour

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

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