Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-07-23

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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. 129/99 -- 23.7.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash vows to struggle for recognition `right´.

[02] Denktash repeats known claims.

[03] Turkey wants Germany to reevaluate Cyprus qustion.

[04] Turkish Cypriots frustrated with economic hardship.

[05] Hannay : ``If there is no Cyprus problem, why are 30,000 Turkish troops on the island?''

[06] Denktash intensifies calls for recognition.

[07] Talat trade unions, strongly reject ``Partnership Council'' decisions.

[08] Canadian of Greek Cypriot origin held by occupation regime.

[09] Turkish Environment Minister in the occupied area.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Columnist urges Turkey to be realistic on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash vows to struggle for recognition `right´

In his dinner toast, Denktash criticized President Glafcos Clerides´ statement to the BBC that the Cyprus problem is one of occupation and it will be solved if the Turkish soldiers withdraw from the island. Claiming that the Greek Cypriots are able to act in this manner on the basis of the strength they acquire from other states, Denktash said that the necessary response was given to the whole world on 20 July 1974, but no one understood this response.'' ``The only way to explain this'', Denktash remarked, ``is to display unity and solidarity ad to further solidify the bridges built with motherland Turkey''.

Noting that he views the future with hope, Denktash declared: ``We exist and we will continue to exist whether we are recognized or not. Recognition is a right and we will struggle until the end to obtain this right. The whole world should realize this''.

[02] Denktash repeats known claims

Denktash added that to attain this, the Greek Cypriots should renounce their claims over the north, as he put it. Denktash said ``a compromise can be reached in Cyprus only between Turkey, Greece, and the two Cypriot peoples''.

[03] Turkey wants Germany to reevaluate Cyprus question

Cem and Joshka Fischer, German foreign Minister who held contacts in Ankara, held a joint press meeting.

Cem said that the Cyprus question was also discussed in their meeting with Fischer, and he conveyed Turkey´s views about the issue.

``We think that it would be useful if a country like Germany who closely knows Turkey, reevaluates the Cyprus question'', Cem said.

Cem stressed that the relations between Turkey and Germany are not limited to the regular relations between two countries, but they have a very special humanitarian aspect along with history and growing economies.

Recalling that there are 2,5 million Turks living in Germany, Cem also pointed out that there are 2 million German citizens visiting Turkey as a tourist every year.

Cem stressed that this humanitarian aspect in the relations gave them ``the responsibility of developing the relations in other fields''. Adding that some steps were taken to remove some misunderstandings between the two countries by the efforts of Fischer especially after Gerhard Schroder government came into power, Cem said that the Ankara visit of Fischer was very important in this context.

Foreign Minister Cem stated that they decided to hold a regular meeting at foreign ministers level once every year between Turkey and Germany. Cem said that Joschka Fischer invited him to Germany and proposed him to set up contact together with the Turkish people living in Germany, and that he accepted the invitation.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Thursday that they expect that the proposal brought by Germany concerning Turkey´s EU membership during the Cologne summit will again be brought by Finland, the EU term chairman.

Cem said: ``We expect Finland to bring the proposal which Germany brought in Cologne. And we hope that the EU will give the right decision in Helsinki because this issue has been dragged on too much. I conveyed Mr. Fischer our concern that Turkey´s interest in the EU may decrease to very low levels if a result cannot be achieved in Helsinki.''

Stressing that they expressed Tukrey´s pleasure due to Germany´s ``constructive'' policy concerning Turkey´s full membership during her EU term presidency in their meeting with Fishcer, Cem said, ``we discussed the membership issue once again and we conveyed our views once again''. Cem added that he also had contact with Finnish Foreign Minister in this respect.

Noting that the issue of human rights was also discussed at the meeting, Cem said that they did not assume a ``persistent'' attitude as it was claimed by the press.

Pointing out that Fischer had some opinions about the issue and this was very normal, Cem said that they mentioned the racist movements in Germany. ``It is already seen that there are specific developments in Turkey who is developing herself although she faced difficult problems'', he said.

On his part, Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, said that they succeeded in opening a new page in Turkish-German relations.

Stressing that the period of misunderstandings between the two countries have been overcome, Fischer said that this was to the benefit of both countries.

Fischer said that Turkey and Germany should not be insistent on these misunderstandings as two neighbours, adding that otherwise it would cost too much for both countries as was seen in recent years.

German Foreign Minister Fischer said that Kosovo showed how much the interests were in fact linked to each other and thanked Turkey for her efforts concerning Kosovo.

Stating that Kosovo was a good experience as it proved that there is not a separated, but a single security in Europe, Fischer said that Kosovo also proved that the western organizations like the NATO and the EU are not actually Christian clubs or religious unity, but they are based on global values like democracy, human rights, and economic liberation.

Stressing that those values are basic values for them, Fischer said that Germany participated in a military intervention at the level of clash first time after the Second World War, and she did this to protect a small Moslem European nation´s right of living.

Fischer said Europe evaluates peace and security of Europe and the EU within that framework.

``Thus, we want Turkey to be given full-membership status like the other candidates at the Helsinki Summit,'' Fischer stressed.

[04] Turkish Cypriots frustrated with economic hardship

But at one point when Ecevit briefly paused, expecting another ovation, only a few weak claps were heard from where the dignitaries were sitting.

``In the past Cyprus was a poor island. Now it is prosperous. In the south the Greek Cypriots are quite rich, and the Turkish Cypriots have recorded a significant pace of development'', was the statement which Ecevit´s emotional audience refrained from cheering.

This short, chilly moment reflected the Turkish Cypriots´ growing frustration, not with Ecevit himself but with the growing economic problems of the pseudostate, the report says. Since 1974, the economic situation has been deteriorating, and at present, a huge gap has opened between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

The average per capita income in the ``TRNC'' is estimated at some $3,500, while that of the Greek Cypriots is nearly 10 times higher.

``In the past the Turks worked in the Greeks´ businesses, and they were quite well off. Now we are the bosses, but we are poorer'', a taxi driver in occupied Kyrenia said.

The Turkish Cypriots blame both their own ``government'' and Ankara for the economic hardships. ``This is a small country of only 200,000, and Turkey releases so much money. But where is it? We see no investment'', a shopkeeper in the occupied part of Nicosia said.

The Turkish Cypriots wish that a solution to the political problem on the island would be found as soon as possible so that the embargoes are lifted and their isolation from the world comes to an end, the report says, and adds that only a few of the men on the street are ready to take the ``carrot'' offered by the European Union and the Cyprus Government. It also says that opposing reunion of the two communities for many other reasons, the majority also says that if the ``border'' between them is removed, the rich Greek Cypriots will rush into the north and try to expel them from the island by establishing economic superiority.

The young generation appears more willing concerning suggestions that the island be reunited and enter the EU without Turkey. This will bring about, they say, many job opportunities and a higher standard of living. According to the report, however, the elderly and middle-aged Turkish Cypriots say that living next to the Greek Cypriots is no longer possible and believe that a confederation could be a good solution framework.

The ordinary Turkish Cypriots wish that the endless official talks and consultations would make a visible change in their lives. ``Economic power means political power. One day, when there is a solution on the island, we shouldn´t be any weaker than the Greek Cypriots'', the Turkish Cypriots say.

[05] Hannay: ``If there is no Cyprus problem, why are 30,000 Turkish troops on the island?''

In his opening remarks Mr. Hannay admitted Cyprus was a difficult problem to solve but he remained optimistic and stressed the two sides should come to the negotiating table without any preconditions.

He explained his role as the special envoy was to help UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in his efforts to bring a settlement on the island.

``We have no magic wand in our hands. We are here to help, to assist, to encourage both sides. I must say that no progress can be achieved by the two sides attacking and accusing each other. A settlement is in favour of the people of Cyprus, especially in favour of the Turkish Cypriots. A federal state with weak central government and strong wings will be the solution and it is very important that the political equality of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots at all levels is achieved. We want to see a federal Cyprus joining the European Union and I hope the Helsinki Conference this year will give a clear perspective to Turkey which I hope will open the way.''

In answering questions about the intentions of the West to put pressure on both sides for reaching a settlement on the island Mr. Hannay said:

``You can put on pressure, but up to a point. Use of force does not produce good results. Force had been used in the past and we know that both communities suffered as a result. We must try to understand both sides, their concerns. We cannot achieve progress by ignoring realities''.

About the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots from the world, the embargoes and visa restrictions Mr. Hannay added that these could all be problems of the past by bringing a solution to Cyprus.

``I do understand the difficulties you face. I believe that these problems are all as a result of the Cyprus issue. We therefore need to address the real issue. Neither do we help solve the problems by referring to Denktash as pseudo-state, nor do we help by asking the international community to recognize TRNC as a precondition for a settlement. Now you are asking whether the international community is willing to put pressure on the Greek Cypriots. How can we when you put forward something that the international community is not even prepared to accept? Greek Cypriots will come under massive pressure if you come to the negotiating table with reasonable demands'', he said.

When reminded about the recent declaration of the Turkish Parliament about the Cyprus problem and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit´s comments on the Cyprus issue Mr. Hannay said:

``This is not something new. Every now and then the Turkish government and the TRNC take decisions, make declarations saying they are not going to give an inch, they are not going to back down. But who the hell are they talking to? Who are they addressing? They are talking to each other.

Mr. Ecevit said there is no Cyprus problem, the problem has ended in 1974 . If there is no Cyprus problem why are 30,000 Turkish troops on the island? Why Greek Cypriots are spending so much on armaments? Why have we had so many meetings and negotiations since then? We all know very well that Cyprus is a serious international problem''.

[06] Denktash intensifies calls for recognition

Tebrizli who arrived in the occupied area to attend the 25th anniversary ``celebrations'' of the Turkish invasion and occupation of the island, paid a courtesy visit to so-called foreign and defence minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu who is also responsible for information.

During the visit Tebrizli gave Ertugruloglou a book calendar in which the pseudostate´s flag was printed.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had a meeting with Azeri and FYROM journalists during which he wished that after Turkey, other countries such as Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Jordan become the first countries to recognize the pseudostate.

``We are seriously awaiting their action'' Denktash said.

Denktash said ``Azerbaijan has no difficulty in recognizing the TRNC''. (MY)

[07] Talat, trade unions, strongly reject ``Partnership Council'' decisions

``Cypriots´acquiring Turkish citizenship and the right to reside in Turkey, and the understanding to facilitate Turkish citizens to acqurie TRNC citizenship are contrary to the Turkish Cypriot community´s interest'' the statement stressed. The statement further noted that the ``Council´s'' decisions were put on the agenda following Denktash´s statement that `the issue is not to save 100-200 thousand Turks.´ ``The decisions are unacceptable'' the statement stressed.

``In order to get some money, the government blindly signed these decisions which are aimed at doing away with the hundreds years of existence of the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus. Is the Motherland so cheap that, because we got angry with the Greek Cypriots, Greece, the G-8, Europe, the USA and the UN, we have to resort to methods that will uproot the Turkish Cypriots from their own land?''.

It also declared that the RTP neither accepts ``the Greek Cypriots chauvinistic stance'' nor the Turanist (Pan-Turkish) understanding that considers Turkish Cypriot identity as non existent. The statement concluded: ``The issue is to lead the Turkish Cypriot community on this land to the future in peace, prosperity and democracy.''

Trade Unions CAG-SEN, KTOS, KTAMS, KTOEOS and EL-SEN also expressed their opposition to the ``Council´s'' decisions.

(MY)

[09] Canadian of Greek Cypriot origin held by occupation regime

(MY)

[08] Turkish Environment Minister in the occupied area

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Columnisit urges Turkey to be realistic on Cyprus

This is why this prospective visit is such a vital one from the viewpoint of Turkey´s interest, he says. He further adds that either direct talks or proximity talks will definitely take place and puts the question whether Rauf Denktash should present the Secretary General with that aforesaid ``nice package'' without waiting for Kofi Annan to send his invitation.

``Since it will be to the benefit of neither Turkey nor the United States to start a quarrel at a time when the Ankara-Washington relations are acknowledged by everyone to be at their all-time best, would it not be in the best interests of everyone concerned for both capitals to find a common ground in order to be able to make progress toward finding a lasting solution?'' Ergin wonders and adds:

``While speaking to CNN yesterday, Denktash used the phrase `two independent regions´ twice to describe the TRNC and the Greek administration in Cyprus. We believe his message went out. It would appear that a letter to Kofi Annan by Denktash, who does not refrain from using this phrase, would be quite useful inasmuch as it might serve to expose the Greek side´s real intentions.

Our Foreign Ministry is very well aware that there is nothing to be gained by picking a quarrel with everyone and that compromises must sometimes be sought. Besides, since it is Prime Minister Ecevit himself who said that `the United States and Britain have a right to voice their opinion about the situation in Cyprus´, Ankara must attach significance to what these countries have to say. This being the case, Ankara must maintain its dialogue with Washington and London despite the unfavourable attitude the latter occasionally assumes toward Turkey. Our Foreign Ministry is for maintaining this dialogue anyway.

Very significant decisions about Cyprus will be made in the days to come. These decisions will be important not only for Cyprus but for Turkey as well.

Cyprus must cease to become a much-exploited domestic policy item in Turkey. If we adopt a rational attitude toward the Cyprus issue, an attitude dictated by the demands of the coming century and of globalization and the New World Order, this will be in the best interests of both Turkey and the TRNC.

What we need to do is to realize, as it is pointed out in a publication by the War Academies, that `no country that is not able to see what is feasible and what is not can have an effective foreign policy´.

It is the military that is saying this.

It is as simple as that.''

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

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