Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-12-20

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas: Once a partnership is established the issue of joining the EU will come to the agenda.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister still talks about two states in Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIAS

[03] Open letter to President Clerides from AFRIKA newspaper (former AVRUPA).

[04] Turkish Cypriot newspaper publishes smearing articles against Greek Cypriot politicians including President Clerides.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas: Once a partnership is established the issue of joining the EU will come to the agenda

Denktas asserted that the Turkish Cypriot side is trying to achieve an agreement that will not eliminate the rights and status created by the 1960 Agreements. On the reports that he will have dinner with Clerides in the latter's residence before 16 January, the date of their scheduled meeting, Denktas said that they did not discuss whether the dinner is to take place before or after the New Year. He said that they are talking about extending an invitation for dinner.

Denktas alleged that the Cyprus Republic is now defunct, and that Cyprus can be united only by means of a new partnership. He said: With his remarks that a new partnership can be established in Cyprus, Lord Hannay is repeating what UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on 12 September 2000 when he discussed a new partnership formula.

Denktas further said that once a partnership is established in Cyprus, the issue of joining the EU will come to the agenda, and this will be decided by means of separate referenda to be held by the two sides.

Denktas said: "It will not be right if I make detailed statements on these issues. It is necessary to find solutions to the problems, with good will, which will safeguard the five sides' rights and status that are equal, which are the signatories of the 1960 Agreements".

Denktas went on and claimed: "What is making me feel sorry is the statements made by oroganizations like "Free Kyrenia", "Free Bellapais", that they want to return to their homes. With such statements they confuse the atmosphere, may be most of them are people who did not live the period 1963-1974".

He urged the Greek Cypriot press to convince these people that they cannot go back to their homes. "If they do this then our work with Clerides will be very easy. This is not demanding concession from the Greek Cypriots. This is the admitting of the realities that emanated from what the Greek Cypriots did.

Let them give us the chance to continue the talks. Once we reach a certain stage we will inform the public. We will hold referenda. If the people say 'no' everything will stay where it was. If they say 'yes', in that case it will be strengthened", Denktas added.

He stressed that theTurkish Cypriots are trying to find a solution that will protect the rights and status created by the 1960 Agreements. He concluded that this is the framework within which the talks have resumed.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister still talks about two states in Cyprus

On Cyprus Mr Ecevit replied to the following two questions:

Question: You have earlier said that you will not allow Cyprus to become Crete. How do you view your idea of a two-state solution in Cyprus?

Answer: There are two states, two democratic structures in Cyprus. Peace has already been achieved. What else do they want? An agreement may be reached in this regard. As a matter of fact, it suffices if they leave us to talk with the Greek Cypriots alone. We will solve the problem if others do not interfere.

Question: Rauf Denktas has complained about the approach of the Turkish media toward Cyprus. Do you add your voice to Denktas' worries regarding the matter?

Answer: Yes, I add my voice to Denktas' worries regarding the issue. A group of media in Turkey and the "TRNC" are saying: "Give up and finish the issue." However, a major part of the people does not think likewise and, in my opinion, this is the most important thing.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Open letter to President Clerides from AFRIKA newspaper (former AVRUPA)

The full text of the editorial is as follows:

"Please excuse us Mr Clerides. Our letter is not starting with 'Agapite Glafco'.

We are not that close like Rauf Bey (way of address in Turkish).

We cannot call you and talk to you as we wish.

We are unable to express to each other our sympathies for our close relatives who have passed away.

Our acquaintance is limited to the level of politician - journalist.

If we have visited your palace we have done so for only this reason. If we have shaken your hands we did so as journalists. If we have sat and talked to you next to that well-known fireplace, we did so for the same reason.

Had we not been in trouble, we should not have written this letter to you today. We should not have extended our bitter salute to you from AFRIKA. But now, writing this letter has become an obligation.

Since the Greek Cypriot press gave the news, is it possible that Mr Clerides did not hear about it?

AVRUPA stopped being published.

Why it stopped?

Because Denktas demanded billions of TL fine from AVRUPA.

Denktas seized the paper's revenues. Distrainers came and took everything.

Does Mr Clerides, hold himself a little bit responsible, a little bit guilty, for all these things that happened?

Nobody knows.

Why he is responsible?

Because Mr Clerides was an important witness in that court case opened against AVRUPA. The case, which lead to AVRUPA's closure.

In fact he was the key-witness. He was issued a summons, but he did not show up at the court.

He did not give his testimony.

Had he come.

And said before the court what he had written in his book and what he had told us. The things would not have been like this.

Would they have closed down AVRUPA?

What had AVRUPA written?

It had written that - 'In the beginning of 1964, Clerides picked up Denktas' family from the border by his car and took them to the Nicosia airport, bought their tickets and sent them to Ankara'.

Clerides, has written this in his book (My Deposition) as well as he has told this to Sener Levent. Which is recorded on Sener's tape.

But Denktas has denied this in the Court.

He said that this was not true and it was a slander.

It is not late.

Mr Clerides did not present himself at the court and tell the truth, but he could say it now.

He can tell this during the dinner while eating fish.

During drinking wine.

May be this will not change anything at the court, but it is important that the public opinion should know the realities.

AVRUPA lost that case because Cyprus is divided into two.

Whatever happened, it was because of living in a divided country.

Don't you think that this legal mistake should be amended at a time when there is an attempt to unite our country?"

Government Spokesman Director

[04] Turkish Cypriot newspaper publishes smearing articles against Greek Cypriot politicians including President Clerides

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper VOLKAN went into circulation on 12.12.01, one week after the meeting between President Clerides and Rauf Denktas.

From its very first editions the paper attacks the Turkish Cypriots who acquire passports of the Republic and co-operate with the Greek Cypriots. It also started a smearing campaign against Greek Cypriot politicians.

It is obvious that "VOLKAN" is the voice of the Turkish Cypriot extremists who support the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. The paper started another smearing campaign this time against the President of the Republic, Mr Glafcos Clerides.

It started in its 14.12.01 issue with an article that through former president George Vassiliou, President Clerides has offered a ministerial post to Dr Ozdemir Ozgur, a retired Turkish Cypriot diplomat, living in the free areas.

The paper in its 15.12.01 issue publishes the so-called telephone conversation, between Vassiliou and Dr Ozgur (Tr. Note. Mr Vassiliou publicly denied the existence of such conversation).

In its 16.12.01 issue VOLKAN reports under banner headlines: "Hyperides code named Clerides' last ring on the Akritas Plan chain!? Eleven Turkish Cypriot quislings have declared to join the Greek Cypriot Parliament in Turkish Cypriots name". VOLKAN asks: "Who are they?" and gives the names as follows: Hamza Irkad, Mehmet Soy, Ali Hasan, Arif Kuklali, Ayse Ser, Huseyin Burgu, Aliye Hasan, Cumali Kasli, Asli Guryay, Nikos Hasan and Ilker Devrim.

The paper alleges that in the UK a new party "New Cyprus United Left Party" has been established which has declared that it will send representatives to the "Greek Cypriot Assembly". VOLKAN strongly criticizes this group and vows to struggle against it.

In its 16.12.01 issue VOLKAN under banner headlines: "Undaunted Enosis Soldier Glafcos Clerides at last opened his purse and is ready to pay one million Cyprus pounds". "The quisling will get Cyprus Pounds laundered with Turkish blood and will enter the Greek Cypriot Assembly".

The article claims that President Clerides will pay this money from the "Slash Fund" and the Cyprus police from the funds earmarked for waging psychological warfare against the Turkish Cypriots.

KV/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article