Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-02-16

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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. 33/01 -- 16.2.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The leader of the Communal Liberation Party met with the Slovak Ambassador.

[02] So-called Assembly Speaker accuses the opposition of treason.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader/s Adviser, Mr. Ergun Olgun, delivered a speech at the American University of Cairo.

[04] The Turkish Cypriot leader left for Izmir.

[05] The leader of the Patriotic Union Movement urges for the resumption of the proximity talks without delay.

[06] Juvenile delinquency on the increase in the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Ilter Turkmen advises the Turkish side to have patience and apply prudent and balanced strategies.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The leader of the Communal Liberation Party met with the Slovak Ambassador

According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1, (15.2.01), in a statement after the meeting, Akinci remarked that the Slovak Ambassador frequently meets with Turkish and Greek Cypriot politicians, and recently assumed the role of organizer in bringing together the Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties. Pointing out that another such meeting is planned for 19 February, Akinci said that views will be exchanged during that meeting on EU issues. He announced that he will also attend the meeting, adding that the EU is an important process and the Turkish Cypriots will have another opportunity to express their views on this subject, and added:

``The unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU will also fail to benefit the Greek Cypriot side in the long term. This course will eventually lead to the division of the island. What must be done in Cyprus is to attain a solution first, then accede to the EU under a framework that will not allow the future violation of the rights to be gained by such a solution. The intelligent stand in this regard would be for South Cyprus to support Turkey assuming its place within the EU.

Greece is a member of the EU. When the Cyprus problem is solved, and when Turkey accedes to the EU after meeting the necessary conditions for EU membership, the relations will develop in a more healthy and secure manner and regional stability will be well served.''

Explaining that during his contacts in London and during the conference at Wilton Park he stated that it will be beneficial to append a timetable to the EU road map presented to Turkey, Akinci said that the wrongness of the Greek Cypriots/ joining the EU unilaterally was underlined, as was the fact that supporting Turkey/s EU road map with a timetable will play a serious role in dispelling Turkey/s concerns. Akinci also declared that the future of Turkish and Greek Cypriots as well as that of Turkey and Greece lie in the EU, and pledged that his party will do its utmost to progress soundly along this path.

[02] So-called Assembly Speaker accuses the opposition of treason According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1, (15.2.01), the so-called Republican

In a statement during the meeting, Hasipoglu asked the association members to voice their ideas loudly without fearing anyone and added: ``Some people are now preaching the independence of other countries, but refuse to recognize the independence of their own nation and people, or try to secure their integration with other communities. This is impossible. There must be a hidden agenda here.

There are those who want the Turkish soldiers to leave the island, but the minute that happens, within 15 days everyone in the south will arrive at houses. We will then see what those people will do''.

There may be different views with regard to the administration of the ``state'', and the people will express this at the polls, Hasipoglu went on, but selling or eliminating the ``state'' would constitute the biggest act of treason. The Turkish Cypriots are an integral part of the Turkish nation and there is unity of religion, language, and race. Now we are Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are also Cypriots. Do we have any unity of religions, language, or race with them? No, there is no such thing. How can you join us together?

In his speech, Hasipoglu also referred to the EU issue, underlining the need for the EU to renounce the talk on war and admit Cyprus into the Union under a joint Cyprus based on two separate states, regardless of its name. The EU is a union of interests, and members are admitted if their interests overlap, Hasipoglu remarked. He said that it is not the problem of the Turkish Cypriot side if the EU wishes to unilaterally admit the Greek Cypriots as members and transport the Cyprus problem into the Union. Hasipoglu concluded by saying that if peace is to be attained in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots will eventually be recognized, and a solution based on two ``states'' will be accepted on the island.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader/s Adviser, Mr. Ergun Olgun, delivered a speech at the American University of Cairo

Speaking at a seminar organized at the American University of Cairo in Egypt, Olgun claimed: ``Unless the UN accepts the equality of the two communities on the island, and unless the EU freezes the accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side the ``TRNC'' will not return to the negotiating table''.

Olgun also alleged that ``actions to make the Greek Cypriot side EU member, is a time bomb''.

He also expressed the view that Cyprus/s accession to the EU will endanger Europe/s economic and political interests, EU enlargement plans, EU-Turkey relations and the Greco-Turkish dialogue.

[04] The Turkish Cypriot leader left for Izmir According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1, (15.2.01), the Turkish Cypriot leader,

In a statement at illegal Tymbou Airport before his departure, Denktash said that as guest of the University he will address a conference on the Cyprus issue and that he will also receive a honorary doctorate from the university. He further noted that he will also hold contacts with the high- ranking officials of the city.

Denktash referred to a statement made by President Clerides to the effect that the Turkish Cypriot side is assisting the accession of Cyprus the EU by withdrawing from the proximity talks, adding that certain diplomats as well as certain circles within Northern Cyprus share the same views. He continued: Had we really assisted Clerides with this decision we made in order to safeguard our rights, then he would not have announced this to the public and he would have expected us to continue on our erroneous path. Denktash said that EU member countries should ask why the Cyprus question has not been resolved for the last 36 years and make a realistic diagnosis of the problem. Denktash also said that the EU, within the light of these realities, should create an atmosphere in which the Cyprus problem can be solved through a new approach and under equal conditions.

[05] The leader of the Patriotic Union Movement urges for the resumption of the proximity talks without delay

In a written statement Izcan strongly criticized the occupation regime and said: ``The Turkish Cypriots are an honourable people who do not deserve this administration. They have for years waged a struggle to maintain their identity and their existence. They will continue to defend their existence and their identity in Cyprus, under democracy and peace''.

He urged for the resumption of the intercommunal talks without any further delay.

[06] Juvenile delinquency on the increase in the occupied areas According to KIBRIS (16.2.01) juvenile delinquency is increasing in the

KIBRIS says that 226 youths under the age of 16 were involved in criminal acts last year and were taken to ``courts''.

Sixty nine youths were taken to ``court'' for stealing and robbery, 75 were accused of violating traffic regulations and 25 were involved in murder, attempted murder and causing serious bodily harm and raping. The rate of Juvenile delinquency was highest in occupied Famagusta area.

According to the activity reports of the so-called Famagusta Court, 110 youths were brought before the Court in 2000.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Ilter Turkmen advises the Turkish side to have patience and apply prudent and balanced strategies

So far so good, but did we ever performed a serene analysis of the point reached as a result of the proximity talks held so far? Have not some of our concerns been allayed? It would be better to leave debates over creation of a confederation or a federation aside and find out if there has been a progress in different parameters of a potential solution.

It goes without saying that security is one of the crucial elements to be considered in any proposal designed to tackle the Cyprus question. The security factor has two aspects: security of Turkey and security of Turkish Cypriots. From Turkey/s standpoint, the possibility of a threat which might be posed by Cyprus to Turkey in the future needs to be eliminated. Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, need de facto guarantees that could protect them against potential dangers such as use of force against them and seizure of their rights. The model, which emerged not in the form of an agreement but as an hypothesis as a result of negotiations conducted to date, has the following cornerstones: the Guarantee Agreement will continue to remain in force without any change. It will be assumed that an intervention in any event which may take place in Cyprus, which may be considered necessary even after its accession to the EU, will not be judged inconsistent with the EU/s norms. In the past, deployment of a NATO force, instead of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, was once considered, but this idea was dropped because deployment of a NATO force would not be conducive to implementation of the Guarantee Agreement concluded between NATO-member countries. In addition to the Guarantee Agreement, the Alliance Agreement will also be preserved, but the number of soldiers in Turkish and Greek quotas will be increased. Turkish soldiers will be deployed in the north while Greek soldiers will be stationed in the southern part of the island. Cyprus will be demilitarized with the exception of these forces and British military bases and an international supervision system will be established in order to prevent any attempt to violate the new status quo.

Would these measures be fully sufficient in terms of security? The answer to this question should not be based only on military data or conflict models. If Turkey and a Cyprus, which has solved its problem, are admitted to the EU, an environment of peace and cooperation should be expected to emerge both in the Aegean and the Mediterranean. We should not forget that the EU is mainly a project designed to ensure continuous peace and that security always has a political dimension.

Security is not the sole element that should be taken into consideration in any proposed solution to the Cyprus question. There are many issues such as the scope of internal sovereignty, an equal sharing of external sovereignty, striking a balance between claims arising from migration from both sections of the island and sharing of land, that need to be tackled. This article would not be sufficient to analyze all these details. Yet, I would like to touch upon a point which I consider important: In his set of ideas, Kofi Annan urges the parties to accept the rule that none of the states may withdraw from the political structure which would be established as a result of negotiations. However, it would not be fair to tie Turkish Cypriots/ hands for the sake of the principle of ``indivisibility'' at a time when even Kosovo is seeking independence. The door should be left open at least for a new referendum that could be held ten years later at the request of either of the parties. Such an option would create a psychological atmosphere conducive to overcoming many difficulties more easily.

Turkey and the TRNC have not fully shut the door on the possibility of resuming negotiations. They both acknowledge that Annan/s goodwill mission is still alive. Let us bargain tough, but not refuse dialogue. Each negotiation process requires patience. Ataturk and Ismet Inonu achieved their glorious diplomatic victories through patience as well as prudent and balanced strategies.''

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

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