Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-02-12

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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. 29/01 -- 10-11-12

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktash: ``I will return to the negotiating table only if ``TRNC'' is acknowledged''.

[02] Rauf Denktash: The Turks cannot accept Greeks as Government of Cyprus.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat: The EU will accept the property arrangements to be agreed in a solution.

[04] Mustafa Akinci stresses the necessity of resuming the negotiating process.

[05] Columnist in YENI SAFAK stresses that all the international problems of Turkey stem from Cyprus.

[06] Turkish professor calls on his country to change her policy towards the EU.

[07] Sami Kohen: Time is running short.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktash: ``I will return to the negotiating table only if ``TRNC'' is acknowledged''.

According to Ankara Anatolia News Agency (10.2.01) Denktash was addressing the seminar on local administration being held in occupied Kyrenia with the participation of some mayors from Turkey and the occupation regime.

The rights, economic problems and services of the local administration are being debated in the seminar.

Speaking in the seminar, Denktash said that the Turkish side does not escape from talks and that it is always in favour of talks.

Denktash also said that Cyprus will be a dagger stuck on Anatolia if it is seized by the Greek Cypriots and that Turkey will never permit this.

[02] Rauf Denktash: The Turks cannot accept Greeks as Government of Cyprus

Denktash noted that a dialogue between two equal sides is beneficial, adding that it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriots to accept the Greek Cypriot administration as the government of the entire island. He continued: The Greek Cypriots are not our government. You might accept them as the Cyprus Government because your state has recognized them as such. My people, however, have no obligation to accept them as such. Even if this reality might have escaped your attention, my people are obliged to cross over to the south through borders established through a cease-fire. Pointing out that intercommunal talks were held in the past, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot administration, taking advantage of these talks, claimed that there are no problems between the two peoples and that the problems stem from the leaders themselves.

Denktash further noted that the Greek Cypriot press depicted the participation of Turkish Cypriot journalists in intercommunal talks as a passage from the occupied sector to the free one, adding that this is unacceptable.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat: The EU will accept the property arrangements to be agreed in a solution

Speaking at the news conference held at the party headquarters, Talat said that during his contacts in Brussels he had the opportunity to convey the views of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the EU. Noting that the major purpose of their visit to Belgium was to participate in a conference entitled `Good Management in the Private and Public Sectors in the Age of Globalization/ organized by the OSCE in conjunction with the EU Commission, Talat gave detailed information to the other participants. Noting that the major goal of the conference was to prepare for the World Economic Forum meeting to be held in Prague in May, Talat said that within this framework they held contacts with the various officials of the Commission. Pointing out that their main purpose during these contacts was to be informed on the progress made at the unilateral talks being held with the Greek Cypriot side and to convey their requests to the negotiators. Talat said: Contacts held at the political and parliamentary levels are mainly directed toward having an impact on the political will.

Talat said that during his contacts he stressed the fact that the Turkish Cypriots were unjustly left outside the EU process, adding that he expressed his views on how this injustice can be rectified and how the Turkish Cypriots can be included in this process.

Talat further noted that at the talks they also pointed out the problems Turkey will be facing and the imbalances that might be created in the region in the event south Cyprus joins the EU. Noting that Rauf Denktash is misinforming the people on the EU issue, Talat said that they also stressed the importance of directly briefing the people.

Talat stated that during their contacts they were informed that the EU member countries accepted national law arrangements concerning property ownership and that they can in no way be abolished by the EU laws, adding:

The EU will accept the property arrangements we will make in an agreement we will conclude with the Greek Cypriots when the Cyprus issue is solved.

[04] Mustafa Akinci stresses the necessity of resuming the negotiating process

Akinci, who participated in a conference organized by the British Foreign Relations and Commonwealth Affairs Office held in Sussex between 5 and 8 February, made a statement to TAK in connection with the conference. Akinci, who addressed the conference in which the Cyprus issue as well as Turkey/s domestic and foreign problems were discussed, noted the high level of this conference when compared with the one held two years ago again with the participation of Greece and in which issues concerning Turkey were discussed. He added that the conference was successful. Akinci said: The goal of the conference was not to solve the Cyprus issue and the problems between Turkey and Greece around a table. The views expressed, the assessments made, and the approaches put forth here showed that the opportunity to solve these issues exists, but that it will not be available forever. Noting that the various discussions held and statements made at the conference once again demonstrated that time is dwindling, Akinci said that the possibility was expressed that the EU will conclude its negotiations with south Cyprus in 2002, even without the approval of Turkey, and that south Cyprus might accede in 2004. He continued: If there is no solution and if the Turkish Cypriot side is held responsible for a non- solution, then the accession of south Cyprus into the EU will become a reality. If this accession is realized, then this membership will have many drawbacks for Turkey, Greece, and primarily the Turkish Cypriots. Akinci added that the time has come for the Turkish Cypriot side to well assess this possibility and to adopt a more realistic approach to the issue.

Stressing that the problem on the free trade issue stems from the Greek Cypriot side, Akinci said that the Greek Cypriots put forth proposals - for both prior to and after a solution - on the issue of contacts between the businessmen of the two sides. He noted that the first step to be taken in cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side might be in the field of tourism.

Addressing the conference in which Turkish-EU relations were discussed in depth, Akinci said that Turkey was conveyed the following message: If you want to be a member, then implement what is requested from you. Akinci noted that at the conference it was stressed that the requests mentioned both at the Helsinki Summit and in the Accession Partnership Document should be implemented as soon as possible. He added that Ankara was asked to conclude its national program by the end of the month at the latest and to speedily begin implementing the requests.

[05] Columnist in YENI SAFAK stresses that all the international problems of Turkey stem from Cyprus

The full text of the column is as follows: ``Protests continue to be voiced in northern Cyprus against Ankara/s concept of controlled independence. A newspaper announcement by the Teachers/ Union, saying ``Ankara, we want neither your money, nor your package, nor your officials'', has caused great furore.

At a time when the Armenian issue enjoys great publicity, the other ``national issue'' has come to the fore once again.

Actually it has not. For the media is as blind to what is going on in Cyprus as it is to claims that two HADEP (People/s Democracy Party) officials are missing.

The Kurdish, Armenian, and Cyprus issues have been Turkey/s unending problems for a very long time. The state, political parties, and a greater part of the media and non-governmental organizations refer to these problems as national issues. By so doing, they hope to give some sort of immunity to these issues whereas the more Turkey refrains from debating them and introducing solutions to them, the more compounded they become and assume international dimensions.

There is a problem in Cyprus. That we must accept. Even North and South Korea are on the verge of a union.

Nicosia is the only city left in the world divided in two by walls and wire fences. Saying that the Turkish presence on the island prevents problems from arising and that there is peace and stability in Cyprus is a tissue of lies. It is to deceive ourselves. The fact that we sometimes pretend to ignore the Cyprus issue does not mean that there is no problem on the island. All our international problems seem to stem from Cyprus. Turkey/s argument is that northern Cyprus is an independent state, which should be recognized by the entire world. Turkey will simply not go to the negotiating table unless the Greek side recognizes northern Cyprus.

It is this concept of independence which seems to be the real problem. For Turkey has bent the rules of the game as in the case of its bid for EU membership and came up with a subjective concept of sovereignty which it expects everyone to accede to.

What kind of independence are we talking about? Can a sovereign state be under the control of another?

Northern Cyprus is an ``independent'' state with the following characteristics: It uses the Turkish currency, does not require Turkish visitors to have a passport, has its Central Bank Governor and Security Forces Commander appointed by Turkey, has the salaries of its ``government officials'' paid by Turkey, has its international relations controlled by Turkey, and has its domestic policy directed by Turkey.

On this island there is Turkish military presence. Military and civilian officials occasionally emphasize that for Turkey northern Cyprus is indispensable from a strategic and military standpoint. And of course they conveniently chose not to say anything about the fact that if southern Cyprus joins the EU as a separate state, Turkey will be virtually sharing a border with Greece in the south.

Can a country like this be called independent? This is why nobody will recognize Cyprus. And as far as I am concerned, Turkey does not want Cyprus to be recognized either, for should such a thing happen, Turkey might simply be forced into doing whatever is required by Cyprus/ recognition in the international arena.

The Cypriots on the island occasionally voice their objection to this artificial situation, too. I say ``the Cypriots on the island'' advisedly, for since 1974, when Turkey intervened in Cyprus, the composition of the island/s population has changed. It is known that Cypriots are in the minority at the present.

The recent newspaper announcement by the Teachers/ Union, which objects to the economic package imposed by Turkey, caused a great commotion. The announcement said: ``Ankara, we want neither your money nor your package nor your officials''.

Thereupon the usual thing happened and the police raided the headquarters of the union and arrested union officials following incriminating remarks by Cypriot leaders.

Denktash accused those who had the announcement published of treachery and issued a statement saying that only the Greek side could have made such an announcement.

The teachers accused Ankara not Turkey. There is not a single province in Turkey which would not voice similar complaints if only it were allowed to. Is there anyone not fed up with Ankara anyway?

We remember how a General accused the owners and columnists of the daily AVRUPA of spying for Greeks following reports that criticized Turkey. We also remember, of course, how these accusations were proven to be unfounded.

Denktash and Turkey do not want Cypriots to remember who they are, to press for the solution of the Cyprus issue, and to say that they can co-exist with the Greeks under a restructured administration.

The majority of the Cypriots are on tenterhooks and want to stop being a community with dubious status. They want to join the EU. They want prosperity, freedom and democracy.

They believe that old feuds have ended. They want to put violent episodes behind them and be able to look forward to times ahead.

Yet in vain. For it is known that neither Denktash nor Turkey want a lasting solution. Denktash simply does not want to relinquish his hold on power.

As for Turkey, it does not want a solution for, apart from claims that for Turkey Cyprus is an indispensable cornerstone of international drug trafficking and a money-laundering center, Turkey/s policy on Cyprus boils down to the following precept: take action only when things come to a head.

We know how much progress has been made in the Kurdish and Armenian issues.

Let us see how much progress will be made in solving the Cyprus issue.''

[06] Turkish professor calls on his country to change her policy towards the EU

Prof. Baydur further said that in case Turkey proceeds with integration of the occupied part of Cyprus to mainland Turkey, them ``South Cyprus will become EU member''.

Speaking at a conference on ``Turkey in the EU Pincers'', organized by the ``Association of Ataturk/s Ideas'' in Istanbul, Prof. Baydur claimed that there exists an historical animosity against the Turks in Europe.

Baydur warned about the difficulties Turkey might face if she withdrew its application for EU membership.

``In case Turkey challenges the EU she will have to face the EU in the Aegean because the Aegean issue by then will not be an issue of Greece but of the EU'', concluded Prof. Baydur.

[07] Sami Kohen: Time is running short In an article in his regular column in ``MILLIYET'' newspaper on 9.2.01, Sami

``The speeches made by a number of people with official titles shed light on a certain fact which should be known well in Turkey.

That fact is as follows: The European Union will definitely admit Cyprus into its ranks as a full member regardless of whether a solution is reached in Cyprus, that is regardless of whether the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots unite or not. The decision to this effect will be made at the end of 2002. And the Cypriot membership in the EU will take place in 2003 or early 2004.

In Turkey there is a widely-held conviction along the following lines: The EU would never admit South Cyprus as a member on its own, ignoring the divided nature of the island. Many EU countries know that this would cause them too many troubles. Besides, they cannot possibly not take into consideration the objections being raised by Turkey.

Turkish diplomats closely concerned with this issue tend to believe that the EU is determined to admit South Cyprus as a member despite the objections being voiced by Ankara and Mr. Rauf Denktash.

In other words, the ``They cannot admit the Greek Cypriot side on its own'' argument is no longer valid. Or, to say the least, that argument is not realistic. Turkish diplomatic officials must make their plans according to the possibility that the Greek Cypriots may well be able to join the EU on their own.

And the Turkish public must know that this is ``feasible'' on the part of the Greek Cypriots. Otherwise the situation that will arise when the time comes - and that date may not be so distant - may come as a big disappointment to the Turkish public and cause tensions in Turkey/s relations with the EU.''

And Mr. Kohen went on:

``A message along the following lines is clearly being given: ``Time is running short for a solution. The decision regarding Cyprus/s membership will be made in no more than two years. Frankly, you must not expect the EU to set Cyprus apart from other candidates and delay its membership until an intercommunal solution is reached in Cyprus. That decision concerns closely the EU/s internal structure as well. Therefore the Turkish side should sit down for talks as soon as possible. Yet the Turkish side is not sitting down for talks, putting forth new conditions. This will not get us anywhere. There is no reason why the negotiation process should not begin on the basis of the views expressed by the Untied Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Turkish side can object to those views that it does not like. These are all negotiable. It is high time to leave aside the quarrels about procedure, and tackle the substance of the issues, producing solutions. Let us not close down this window of opportunity.

There is a lot to be said in favour or against this call. Indeed, differing views were expressed at the conference not only by the representatives of the parties directly involved but also by participants not directly related to this issue.

Undoubtedly this forum is not a place where a consensus is to be reached or a decision to be taken on this issue.

However, there is an aspect that we find significant. The EU is inclined to admit Cyprus - or, to put it more specifically, Southern Cyprus, if no agreement is reached by the two communities on the island - to its ranks by the end of 2002 with or without a solution to be reached on the Cyprus issue. This intention on the part the EU must not be taken lightly. There are those who say that if the EU does that it would be confronted by Turkey, that the island would remain divided, that the TRNC would merge with Turkey, and that Turkey may even abandon its attempt to join the EU.

But is Turkey really prepared to take all these risks? Where would Turkey head for with such a radical policy change? Could we find a pragmatic solution to avoid such consequences?

We would be better to ponder these issues well and debate them. I wish we had, in Turkey, a Wilton Park-type forum where such issues could be debated publicly and in a cool-headed manner.''

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

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