Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-06-23

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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. 118/00 -- 23.6.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Sezer: Turkey and "TRNC" are two separate parts of a whole.

[02] Turkish President, Rauf Denktash hold joint news conference.

[03] Eroglu proposes `feasible/ measures against UNFICYP.

[04] AVRUPA calls Turkish Cypriots to resist Ankara and Denktash.

[05] Ecevit comments on UNFICYP resolution.

[06] German Foreign Ministry official sees Mr. Denktash.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Sezer: Turkey and "TRNC" are two separate parts of a whole

In a predeparture statement at Ankara/s Esenboga Airport, Sezer said that his visit is taking place at a time when important developments are occurring in Cyprus. Pointing out that the Cyprus negotiation process has entered a new phase, and following the first two rounds the third round of proximity talks are expected to begin at the beginning of July, Sezer said that he will listen to Denktash/s assessments on this subject. According to TRT 1 (13:00 hours, 22.6.00) Sezer said:

"I would like to underline certain aspects in this context. The important thing for Turkey is the secure, tranquil, and prosperous living of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will continue to faithfully display its determination in this regard, which it has proved until now without leaving any room for doubt.

Turkey and the TRNC are the two separate parts of a whole. Turkey and the TRNC view matters through the same window, and they wage a struggle in the same ranks, together, and shoulder-to-shoulder with regard to the Cyprus issue, which is a national cause for Turkey. At present, there is only one solution on the island, that of basing oneself on the facts; in other words, the existence of two separate states and two separate peoples in Cyprus, which constitute the two partner owners of the island. A lasting solution can be attained in Cyprus when the relevant sides cease to ignore these facts".

[02] Turkish President, Rauf Denktash hold joint news conference

Denktash, inter alia, said: "The motherland sacrificed its own sons for the sake of conciliation and peace. It does not have anything to take from Cyprus, nor does it covet any of its territories. It only has rights, geopolitical rights. It is as a result of these geopolitical rights that Turkey became a guarantor of Cyprus. There is equality between Turkey and Greece stemming from this guarantor status. We do not want this to be disrupted. They did not allow us to live together in Cyprus. We want to be good friends side by side and as good friends, we want to assist in the friendship between Turkey and Greece.

However, a certain amount of goodwill and respect for the realities is needed to this end on the part of the opposite side. As a sign of goodwill, we are waiting for the embargoes to be lifted and we will continue to wait". He then added: "There are decisions we are about to adopt in the coming days. Certain situations will arise as a result of these decisions. We have found the motherland at our side in all our troubles, and we are confident that we will continue to find it by our side now. We will not hesitate in protecting our rights.

My honourable president, I am uttering these words in order to seize the opportunity of your visit to convey a message to the other side. Here is the message: Come, let us become good neighbours. Come, let us accept each other for who and what we are. Come, let us announce to the world that there are two separate democracies and states in Cyprus. Let us build the bridges of peace between us on the basis of two states, and let us produce formulas that will present Cyprus to the outside world as one single Cyprus. We have placed this on the table. The Greek Cypriot side has not put anything on the table. We want your help, too, in order to promote to the world this formula, which we have placed on the table, which we believe is just, and which we know and see does not hurt any of the Greek Cypriots rights. We are certain that you will be helpful".

On his part, President Sezer, inter alia, said:

"For us, the important thing is for the Turkish Cypriot people to look at the future with confidence. Turkey is determined to take the necessary measures in all fields to achieve this. For us, our people and the Turkish Cypriot people are the same. The security of the Turkish Cypriot people is our security, and their problems are our problems. The Turkish Cypriot people will live in tranquillity and security as long as Turkey continues to exist. Moreover, I have no doubt that the economic problems of the TRNC will also be overcome in cooperation with Turkey.

During our meeting with Mr. Denktash, we also discussed the recent developments following the extension of the UNFICYP (UN Forces in Cyprus) mandate as well as the Geneva proximity talks in this connection. UNFICYP has been serving on this island since 1964. The biggest reason for the successful discharge of this task consists of the cooperation conducted by the Turkish Cypriot authorities with UNFICYP despite the objections to the expressions used in the resolutions.

This time, the UN Security council pursued a mistaken path by extending the mandate of UNFICYP without obtaining the open consent of Turkey and the TRNC. North Cyprus is not a territory without an owner or a territory under the authority of the Greek Cypriot side. Here, sovereignty belongs to the Turkish Cypriot people and their state, the TRNC. If UNFICYP wants to continue its activities in the TRNC, it will need the consent and cooperation of the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

It is evident that these developments will also affect the proximity talks process. In contrast to the constructive attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side with regard to UNFICYP, the Greek Cypriot side has displayed a highly intransigent attitude, and more important, it has witnessed the indifference and even the encouragement of the international community in this regard. Under these circumstances, it will not be realistic to expect the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a constructive attitude during the talks.

Turkey/s stand concerning the Cyprus issue is very clear. Turkey wants lasting peace in Cyprus, and it does not want a recurrence of the pre-1974 events on the island. It is a fact that peace and tranquillity has prevailed in Cyprus since 1974. Thanks to this peace, the two sides on the island strengthened their democratic way of life and economic development moves. Today, when we look at Cyprus, we are faced with the reality of the existence of two separate sovereign states within their own borders.

The TRNC is a 17-year-old reality. It has its own territory, flag, government, parliament, courts, and president. It guards its borders and collects its taxes. My official visit here today is part of this reality. It is unprecedented for a people who has adopted life under a state to relinquish its sovereign living and accept a lesser legal situation just for the sake of a solution. Therefore, I call on everyone who is exerting efforts to find a solution for the Cyprus problem to see the reality.

The two states on the island have the possibility of resolving the problems between themselves and jointly exercising some of their authorities under a joint structure. The confederation proposal, which Mr. Denktash announced and which we also support, constitutes a constructive solution along these lines. There is no doubt that given the conditions on the island, this proposal is the most realistic and feasible attitude because it safeguards not only the balance between the two states on the island but also the balance between Turkey and Greece."

[03] Eroglu proposes `feasible/ measures against UNFICYP

"We should take a decision which we can implement without taking a step back," he said. "We have to know what we want and implement these decisions".

Eroglu said they are discussing to change regulations so that soldiers of the UN Peace Force would be considered like a "tourist" and have to go through the same procedures as tourists.

"We are discussing whether the existence of the Peace Force is necessary or not in TRNC. These soldiers have no use for us anyway", Eroglu said.

Eroglu also responded to questions over whether or not Rauf Denktash will attend the third round of talks on Cyprus. He claimed that the Security Council/s decision was a part of the "plot" of the Greek Cypriots. Eroglu added that they should not give the impression that they "avoided the talks".

[04] AVRUPA calls Turkish Cypriots to resist Ankara and Denktash

A new and major operation has been launched by Denktash - who enjoys the support of Ankara - to completely silence AVRUPA, which has become the voice and the spirit of our people.

The distrainers sent by Denktash are getting ready to take away everything that belongs to AVRUPA. In the past those who waged the struggle that we are waging today were gunned down and killed. People like Fazil Onder, Ayhan Hikmet, Ahmet Gurkan, Kutlu Adali... All of them were annihilated because the wrote the truth in the newspaper columns. Their killers were never found.

The Turkish government and Turkey/s Chief of Staff will be responsible for all the threats, oppressions and intimidations directed at or intended to be directed at AVRUPA and its journalists, because it is they who are ruling this land as though it is one of their provinces. Neither the Turkish President, nor the Prime Minister, nor the Chief of Staff can do away with this responsibility. It is unbecoming of a powerful Turkey, which is trying to be a EU member and is after modernization, to silence the patriots of this small island.

It is time to say "STOP" to Denktash who has dragged our community to collapse. Come on Patriots and the Turkish Cypriot People! Let us resist together. This oppression and cruelty is not only directed against us, it is against all of us. Let us own our free will which is under occupation".

[05] Ecevit comments on UNFICYP resolution

He said the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Chief of Staff are studying the issue.

Ecevit further said that Denktash/s views on this issue are extremely important.

[06] German Foreign Ministry official sees Mr. Denktash

German Ambassador to Cyprus Peter Witting who also acts as Germany/s Special Cyprus Representative, and the head of the South East European Desk at the German Foreign Ministry Matthias Jonn were present at the meeting. There was no statement after the meeting.

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

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