Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-05-18

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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. 83/99 -- 18.5.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem on Cyprus: the issue is about sovereignty.

[02] Denktash leaves for Istanbul to address meeting.

[03] YENIDUZEN on demographic change in the occupied area.

[04] Eroglu rejects G-8 initiative for Cyprus.

[05] ``Parliamentary'' delegation leaves for Strasbourg.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem on Cyprus: The issue is about sovereignty

Specifically, in reply to a question on the current stage of Turkey´s foreign policy, Cem inter alia said: ``Now that Turkey is better aware of its strength there will be certain problems. Historic and economic factors and the fact that it is on the verge of becoming a world power open a very wide range of possibilities. The thing to be done is to limit the problems and to make the most of the possibilities and opportunities. This is what we are trying to achieve. Otherwise, problems will always exist. For example, there is the Cyprus issue. We have clearly presented the problem. This issue is about sovereignty. In other words, any approach that does not accept that the TRNC is a sovereign and equal unit is unacceptable to us and cannot be implemented. Mr. Denktash has submitted a very good formula, a plan on the Cyprus issue. If any change is to be sought in Cyprus then it should incorporate the sovereignty and equality of the TRNC. He said that the confederation of two equal units might be considered. This is the model that Mr. Denktash has presented. This is where the issue stands. We will not exceed that framework. I do not accept the word pressure because no one has the right to apply pressure on Turkey. Initiatives in that direction will be dealt with. The G-8 issue is an additional factor. Now the G-8 issue has come up. Naturally, I am against it in principle, not only with regards to the Cyprus issue. Units such as the G-8 and the contact group have recently been formed. In a way, these are being formed in an informal manner.

They are being created with the aim of establishing a world order. They are, however, unable to establish that order. We believe that these methods are not right and that they can actually create problems with regards to the Cyprus issue to which we attach great importance. We have made our view on the issue known to all the parties concerned.'' And Cem went on: ``As I have just mentioned, Turkey has problems but also has opportunities which are being activated to a certain extent. Turkey has the most dynamic economy within this large geographic region. It also has the most powerful armed forces within this same region. We are now trying to incorporate the historic dimension to our foreign policy. One can say that we have succeeded to some extent. We have a lot of historical experience. We have shared our history with the people of 26 communities that have now become independent countries. In Central Asia we share the same language and traditions with many countries. As for the countries in the Balkans, we have been together for centuries. The same can be said for north Africa. The closeness to Turkey that I observed in Algeria can be observed in very few countries. Algeria is writing an almost identical history with us. Barbaros and Oruc Reis are all mentioned in their history books.

We are also developing new relations. For example, I had never thought that Turkey would find an action field and friendship in Sudan. Many of our relations in the Middle East are being improved despite various hitches. Turkey is present in the Middle East, so is it in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. These relations provide us with great opportunities. I believe that we should mainly concentrate on how we can develop these relations in the period ahead of us. We have achieved a lot in the last two years. I believe that these relations should be furthered. How can we achieve that? Our men of science and our Foreign Ministry officials should concentrate on this issue.

We should definitely become a EU member. This is one of our goals. We are working in that direction. We shall achieve that goal when the time comes. Turkey, however, should not limit all its horizons to the EU. Turkey is, at the same time, the central country of Eurasia which is currently being created. We should exert our efforts in that direction as well. While working in that direction, we should also be aware that every step we take in the west increases our worth in the east and vice versa. We have improved our relations with many Arab countries in the Middle East and consequently Turkey´s cache increased in the meetings held in western Europe. I am confident that when our relations with the EU progress our value in the Middle East and the Caucasus will increase. This is very important. Turkey has many opportunities. These opportunities have not been sufficiently discussed even in their initial planning stage. For example, the geography of joint interests is an important idea. We have a geography of joint interests. We have a very large geography of joint interests that very few countries enjoy.''

Cem concluded:

``I view the issue of EU membership from Turkey´s perspective. Western Europe might want to include Turkey in the EU or it may not. That is its own problem. I, as the foreign minister of Turkey, have brought two approaches to the issue. One of them is that EU membership is one of Turkey´s important goals but that it is not as obsession. I believe that this was the first time that this perspective was mentioned at the ministerial level in Turkey. The second approach is that Turkey is not only European but at the same time Asian. Belonging to both groups simultaneously is a privilege. There are constant discussions in Turkey as to whether we are European or Asian. I have stated that this approach is wrong and that one can belong to both groups simultaneously. Belonging to both groups should be viewed as a privilege. When I view the EU issue, I do not have the approach that if we can not join it we shall be destroyed. I also do not believe that our democracy will be saved in the event we join the EU. I have never been obsessed about this issue. When we say the EU, I can say that we have been integrated into the European economy. Although at times, we underestimate our economy and we have various justified complaints, we can say that our economy has been integrated into the European economy with, maybe, certain limitations. Does Europe want us politically? I am saying that politically do we want to join Europe? That aspect has never been discussed in Turkey. I do not believe that this issue has sufficiently been discussed.''

[02] Denktash leaves for Istanbul to address meeting

[03] YENIDUZEN on demographic change in the occupied area

Sevgul Uludag says that these figures demonstrate that 12 thousand Turkish Cypriots have left the occupied area.

Quoting figures given by the ``SPO'' she further says that in the world, the female population is more than the male population. The only exception, she says, is the ``TRNC'' where the male population is almost double the female population.

Sevgul Uludag gives the reason behind this ``abnormal'' situation, saying that illegal workers from Turkey as well as those who were given ``TRNC citizenship'' for political considerations are included in the ``SPO'' figures and are considered ``citizens''.

She says that with this arrangement the Turkish Cypriot demographic structure in the occupied are is being openly changed.

According to the ``SPO'' figures there are 17 thousand spinsters (female) and 31 thousand bachelors (male) in the occupied area.

YENIDUZEN´s correspondent further says that, according to 1996 figures given by the so-called SPO, the occupied area´s population is made up of 97 thousand females and 86 thousand males.

(MY)

[04] Eroglu rejects G-8 initiative for Cyprus

Addressing the head of the news section of the Mongolian TV (RTV), Hasipoglu reported the known Turkish views claiming that there are ``two peoples'' in Cyprus, and that there is no ``Cypriot Nation'' in Cyprus.

In his turn, the so-called prime minister of the pseudostate Dervish Eroglu, speaking to the visiting Mongolian journalists, expressed his opposition in carrying the Cyprus problem to the international platform through the G-8 involvement.

He said that Turkish officials in Turkey were also against the G-8 initiative. Eroglu added that any decision taken by the G-8 will not be accepted by the occupation regime.

(MY)

[05] ``Parliamentary'' delegation leaves for Strasbourg

Ertugrul Hasipoglu will lead the so-called delegation.

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

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