Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-01-13

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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. 8/00 -- 13.1.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu leaves for Istanbul to address conference.

[02] ``TRNC'' seeks additional loans from Turkey.

[03] Turkish party leader visits pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish commentator on Denktash/s optimism and flexibility on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu leaves for Istanbul to address conference

Eroglu, who will proceed from Istanbul to Trabzon, on 14 January will address a conference entitled ``Cyprus before and after Helsinki'' organized by the Black Sea Technical University.

[02] ``TRNC'' seeks additional loans from Turkey

Miroglu said the Turkish government welcomed this request, pointing out that efforts were under way related with the issue.

Miroglu said the amount of the requested credit for the investments and projects will be determined at the end of talks.

Miroglu said several officials from Turkey/s Central Bank were currently holding contacts in ``TRNC''.

[03] Turkish party leader visits pseudostate

Oymen will have meetings today with Rauf Denktash, Ertugrul Hasipoglu and Mustafa Akinci.

Tomorrow (14.1.00), Oymen will visit all the political parties and will depart the occupied area later the same day.

During his visit, Oymen will be accompanied by former Turkish envoy to the occupied area, Inal Batu, and the Undersecretary of the CHP Sule Bucak. (DP)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish commentator on Denktash/s optimism and flexibility on Cyprus

``This is the one-sentence summary of the long interview I had with him at his residence in Kyrenia. It is very significant that Denktash expresses optimism, though guarded, at the turn of the new year and the new millennium. `The things are going for the better; we feel more comfortable now/ he says. `We are now looking ahead. There can be a satisfactory outcome for all of us from the talks/.

When Denktash, who for years, was without hope and sometimes angered by the unsympathetic attitude to his cause not just by the Greek Cypriot side but also by the whole outside world, now thinks this way, it is an indication that there is a move underway for a solution.

What is it then that drives Denktash to optimism (though with caution)?

Preparing for the second round of the `proximity talks/ in Geneva on 31 January, the Turkish Cypriot leader says that the third round may take place in June, thus signalling that he is engaged in a serious `negotiating process/. It will be recalled that the first round of the talks was held in New York last month. In other words, Denktash considers these talks not for show but rather as a process that can lead to a solution, provided, of course, that the fundamental interests are preserved. He, too, like the Turkish Cypriots, believes that the time for a settlement has come (in other words, he now believes that no solution is no longer a good solution).

I understand from his words that there are two main reasons for his optimism. First, in his words, `the world now understands us better and is beginning to see our rightful position/ . Denktash gives examples of this by naming even several famous diplomats and statesmen, from Kissinger to Hugo-Gobbi. It is now accepted in many circles that Cyprus does not just comprise of the Greek Cypriot side, the equality of the two entities on the island can no longer be ignored, and a potential solution should be based on these principles.

The second reason or his optimism is related to the `EU factor/. On this issue, Denktash makes an important observation. He says, `Following the Luxemburg summit, the EU was a hindrance to the solution in Cyprus. But now, (by accepting Turkey/s candidacy) it can be a facilitating factor for a solution, of course, if a balance between Turkey and Greece is established and the realities on the island are acknowledged/.

Denktash goes even further and says, `a balance can be established between Turkey and Greece in Cyprus. It is our duty to show the required flexibility now that the EU door has been opened (to Turkey)./ He then adds, `if we play our cards well, a settlement can be reached soon. I am a man of negotiation. However, we must stand firm during the negotiations./

Turkey/s move into the EU as a candidate is considered by Denktash as advantageous for the Turkish Cypriot cause. Because of that, he says, the TRNC can establish a dialogue and relations with the EU. He announces, `The TRNC will launch a series of initiatives towards the EU in the next six months. Preparations are made for that in Nicosia. The TRNC will even outline the necessary arrangements for (EU) membership. There will be contacts between the TRNC and the EU and even visits to some EU capitals/.

But despite his optimism on `foreign policy/, the Turkish Cypriot leader does not hide his disappointment about the domestic political situation. The heavy criticism and behaviour of Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu hurts Denktash. Besides, the banking crisis in the TRNC worries him a great deal. In all likelihood, these issues will heat up the domestic scene prior to the elections in April.

While on it, I ask Denktash, whether he will be a candidate again (for presidential elections). He replies, `If I am required to finish a business I started, then yes/.''

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

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