Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-07-20

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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. 137/00 -- 20.7.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash issues message on anniversary of Turkish invasion.

[02] Ecevit says "independent state status of TRNC cannot be denied."

[03] Turkey/ Kutan off to Cyprus, comments on Ecevit/s failure to attend "ceremonies".

[04] Turkish naval commander pledges Turkish Army/s Force support for "TRNC".

[05] Akinci says Turkish army presence not occupation.

[06] EU denies draft on accession partnership.

[07] Turkish Cypriots demand 20 July to be declared "World Day of Human Rights".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash issues message on anniversary of Turkish invasion

Every state can have problems and difficulties, but those problems and difficulties can be overcome within the structure of that state, within the freedom supplied by that state, with the rights granted, and always in unity and solidarity. However, if we give up our state, if we give up trying, we will see that our fate will be far worse, we will lose our freedom, and there will be a need for a new 20 July operation. We do not want new 20 July operation. We do not want new 20 July operations. Such operations mean martyrs, war, the recurrence of the incidents we lived through from 1963 to 1974, our call for the motherland/s help, and bringing the motherland once again to our side.

However, our policy is to make sure that our motherland protects our state as our guarantor and as our motherland, and that it helps us to advance.

We have among us many who say and write wrong things. They may demoralize us but we must not let that happen, because we know the few people who are behind them. You too saw those persons who tried to distort the rallies organized to protest the economic package into something else. Do not believe them. Believe in yourselves. Believe and trust your state and your motherland.

We must be aware that the Greek Cypriots still want to come to Kyrenia and liberate it, to go to Famagusta and to liberate it, to go to Karpas and liberate it. Who are they going to liberate those places from? From the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots claim that the Turkish Cypriots occupied these lands with Turkey/s help. That continues to be their philosophy to this day.

Regarding this issue, I want to tell you, and in your presence, to the Greek Cypriots, a few words. If they listen to me well, and if you try to understand me, I believe that it will be beneficial.

My dear citizens, for the past eight months, we have been conducting a process called proximity talks with mediators. We will resume these talks in Geneva on 24 July. I know that you are trying to follow the developments closely in that they concern your future. At the moment, what we are trying to do in this process is to lay the foundations for meaningful negotiations. If the foundations are laid, we will be able to go onto the stage of negotiations for a comprehensive solution.

During the talks last week, we posited our view that a comprehensive solution can be reached with the establishment of confederation between the two peoples on the island and between the two states that represent them. Despite the understanding that the content of the talks was not to be disclosed, we were surprised to see that the Greek Cypriot press began to publish the document containing our views the same day. This is obviously not an act of goodwill. Despite that, we assessed the situation and decided to continue with the talks.

Our people should not forget this point: The road before us is long. If a comprehensive solution is reached, it will be submitted to your direct approval by means of a referendum in the TRNC. If you see fit, it will be implemented. The Greek Cypriots will also hold a referendum in the same way. Consequently, the right to reach a final decision will always be in your hands, as one of the two peoples on the island. You will determine your fate with your own free votes, and you will be able to exercise your sovereignty under the roof of your own state. The solution will depend on your approval and on your free will. I would like you to follow the developments with this sense of security.

We are seeking a lasting solution based on sovereign equality, a solution between the two peoples and states on the island that will debar the recurrence of the bitter experiences of the past, that will provide maximum security to the two sides, and that will not allow either of the sides to establish dominance over the other. In this regard, we consider it essential to maintain the system of guarantees and our special relations with motherland Turkey.

If the Greek Cypriot side is seeking a common future with us, the way to do that passes through the establishment of a new partnership between the two states that have equal status. If that is not what they are thinking, then the inevitable arrangement would be one which makes do with the solution of some of the problems between the two states that have equal status. If that is not what they are thinking, then the inevitable arrangement would be one which makes do with the solution of some of the problems between the two states on the island and which allows these states to live peacefully side by side".

[02] Ecevit says "independent state status of TRNC cannot be denied"

Ecevit sent congratulatory messages to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu on the occasion of 26th anniversary of the Turkish invasion. In the message he sent to Denktash, Ecevit said that "the whole world will accept this reality sooner or later".

"Turkish Cypriots will always find Turkey beside themselves in every difficulty", Ecevit said.

Ecevit stated that "TRNC`s" independence has vital importance for Turkey/s security.

Ecevit added, "I wish the continuation of your successful contributions to the national case of Turkish Cypriots and welfare and happiness to the Turkish Cypriot nation".

[03] Turkey/ Kutan off to Cyprus, comments on Ecevit/s failure to attend "ceremonies"

Before he left, Kutan was asked at Ataturk Airport what he thought of Prime Minister Ecevit/s failure to attend these celebrations. Kutan said that it is impossible to understand that, claiming:

"The ceremonies in Cyprus mark the anniversary of an operation that was carried out to prevent a massacre, what we can almost call a genocide, by the Greek Cypriots on the island. Mr. Ecevit was the prime minister of the government that had decided to launch this operation. Even if UN Secretary General Annan asked him not to, it would have been appropriate for Mr. Ecevit to attend the anniversary of this military operation that was carried out entirely for humanitarian reasons. The government is being represented very weakly in these ceremonies. That is why we are going to Cyprus to attend the ceremonies."

Kutan then took off for Cyprus aboard a special plane.

Anatolia at 1854 hours adds that Denktash had a meeting with Kutan. Asked to comment on Annan/s request to Ecevit not to attend the ceremonies, Denktash replied that "this request was a requirement of diplomacy".

[04] Turkish naval commander pledges Turkish Army/s Forces support for "TRNC"

Admiral Erdil arrived in the "TRNC" to hand over a coastal security boat to the "Security Forces Command" and to participate in the 20 July "celebrations".

Admiral Erdil had a meeting with Denktash. In a statement at the meeting, Denktash said: "Turkey is standing by our side. We are not going to bow down to the demands of the opposing side. We believe that this visit once again conveys the message that Turkey fully supports an agreement between two states based on equal rights and goodneighbourly principles".

Also making a statement during the meeting, Admiral Erdil said that "the TAF, which has always stood by the TRNC in its just cause, will continue this atmosphere of peace and stability achieved on the island with the same determination". Noting that the Turkish Cypriots have always supported the TAF under the most difficult circumstances, Erdil added: "We are fully confident that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to extend the same support in unity and solidarity in the solution of national issues". Erdil later presented Denktash a written text sent by General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Turkish Chief of the General Staff. In his message, Kivrikoglu expressed his sorrow "over not being able to share this happy day together with the Turkish Cypriots" and noted that Turkish Cypriot presence on the island will exist forever under the continued guarantee of Turkey. Kivrikoglu said that Turkey and the TAF are determined to do all that is necessary to ensure the existence of the "TRNC".

[05] Akinci says Turkish army presence not occupation

Akinci said the "TRNC" hopes that the third round of proximity talks will end successfully and that the process of direct negotiations will begin. He pointed out that a process of give-and-take will be natural when the two sides reach the stage of an agreement. However, he asserted, the Turkish Cypriots will never give up their freedom, their political equality, or Turkey/s guarantees.

Akinci called on the Greek Cypriots to come to terms with the idea that there is another "state" on the island that is their equal. He added: "We hope to establish a structure that will have two states internally, but one international representation externally a structure that will take its place at the United Nations and the EU."

[06] EU denies draft on accession partnership

In an exclusive interview with the Turkish Daily News, Fogg clearly stated that the speculation surrounding Verheugen/s meetings did not reflect the facts. Fogg denied press reports that Verheugen had presented a draft document in which the EU had imposed certain conditions such as education in Kurdish and the denial of the existence of the Turkish Cypriots. Fogg made it clear that there was no such document but that an exchange of views had taken place. "I think that a lot of distortions have taken shape because there was no draft document. There was an exchange of views on a number of ideas. That is all," said Fogg.

Responding to reports that Verheugen had referred to Greek Cypriots as the only legitimate representative of Cyprus, Fogg indicated that no such reference had been made. Stressing that she did not know what these reports were referring to, Fogg said no discussions about Cyprus, as claimed in press reports, had taken place.

"I do not know what these reports are referring to because to my knowledge discussions to this effect did not took place during Verheugen/s two-day visit. To my memory the issue of Cyprus was not discussed during the meeting with Cem. The discussion was primarily about the political criteria and the democratization of Turkey. Cyprus was discussed in the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Verheugen in the context of exchanging views about the progress of UN talks. Verheugen wanted to discuss the time frame for the search of a settlement since negotiations will start and are expected to finalize within the next two years", said Fogg.

[07] Turkish Cypriots demand 20 July to be declared "World Day of Human Rights"

In a written statement, the chairman of the association Hasan Y. Isik claimed that "the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus have achieved peace and stability for 26 years now, something that the UN Peace Forces in Cyprus have not been able to achieve."

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

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