Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-05-13

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] Statements by Presidential Adviser on the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader and the President of Turkey.

[02] Mesut Yilmaz: "In ten years the Turkish Troops in Cyprus will be more than the Turkish Cypriots".

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Turkish Prime Minister.

[04] Denktas delivered speeches in Ankara. He repeated his hackneyed statements.

[05] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Ismail Cem.

[06] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader to CNN Turk Television.

[07] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader upon his return from Ankara.

[08] Devlet Bahceli stated that Turkey wants to accede to the EU in order to gain an influential global position.

[09] Talat accuses Denktas of being afraid of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[10] The Turkish Defence Minister threatens that his country could bring to Cyprus 70 million people if "a handful" of Turkish Cypriots leave the island.

[11] The European party has been closed down; Nilgun Orhon independent "candidate" in occupied Nicosia.

[12] Vagif Bayatli: Karabakh is an obstacle for Azerbaijan to recognize the pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] Rauf Denktas wants the advice by Yilmaz to stop being intransigent in writing.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Presidential Adviser on the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader and the President of Turkey

He said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Rauf Denktas held a tete-a-tete meeting, and took part in a luncheon, and added:

"`President/ Denktas put forward comprehensive and constructive proposals suitable for a new partnership understanding. He made the real contribution to continuation of the direct talks. These proposals put forward the frame of a sustainable and realistic solution. During yesterday's meeting, `President/ Denktas told President Sezer that the direct talks would continue with the same good will. We also support both the direct talks process and Denktas` determination to continue the talks with a constructive approach and to insist on a permanent and comprehensive solution in Cyprus. Cyprus is the national cause of Turkey. In this context, we aim at a solution which will take under guarantee the security, sovereignty and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people, and regard strategic interests of the `TRNC/ and Turkey and the balance between the motherlands.``

When a reporter reminded him about the Denktas` criticisms of Fogg and asked if this issue was brought to the agenda of the meeting between Sezer and Denktas, Ildem said: ``I cannot make a statement in detail about the content of the meeting. The meeting, which lasted for almost one hour, was very beneficial and constructive. Denktas informed our President about the negotiation process. Denktas also gave information about the `TRNC`s/ economic situation. I do not want to give further information. Denktas might have touched on Karen Fogg. But, I do not want to discuss this issue at the moment.``

[02] Mesut Yilmaz : "In ten years the Turkish troops in Cyprus will be more than the Turkish Cypriots"

Speaking at a conference organized by the well-known Turkish industrialist Sarik Tara on the occasion of EU day Yilmaz listed what would happen if Turkey misses the EU train:

1. The national per capita income of Bulgaria and Romania will be 3-5 times greater than that of Turkey.

2. After ten years the number of Turkish troops we deploy in Cyprus will be greater than the number of Turkish Cypriots living there.

3. Since we will not take the necessary democratic steps that we should have taken for the fear that Europe will divide us social tension will increase, and I do not know if Turkey will succeed in safeguarding its national unity after ten years.

Referring to the Cyprus problem Yilmaz said that Turkey should be more active and should take the initiative: "We have to prepare a package of proposals regarding the Cyprus problem, suitable to the international framework and within the parameters that the EU could accept and we have to explain it quickly.'' Yilmaz went on and said that the proposals submitted by Denktas the other day are not enough. "This is the first package. There will be continuation. But not this way. If Denktas wants to help Turkey he should act in more reconciliatory manner,'' Yilmaz stressed.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Turkish Prime Minister

In the written statement Prime Minister Ecevit says: "The Greek Cypriot side did not make positive contributions to the direct negotiation process Rauf Denktas started with goodwill. If this Greek Cypriot stand continues, inevitably the Greek Cypriots will go their own way and the Turkish Cypriots will go theirs. No compromises should be expected from the Turkish Cypriots' freedom or independence. The losses of the Turkish Cypriots are Turkey's losses. Turkey will act with this understanding."

Reporting on the meeting Ankara TRT 2 Television (11.05.02) broadcast that after the meeting, Denktas made the following statement to reporters:

"I am happy to have found the honourable prime minister in good health. I explained to him the current point reached in the Cyprus issue. I am also happy to note that he is aware of all the details of the issue and that we conducted a very good meeting on the problem. We are leaving with a good feeling."

Denktas also replied to Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz whose statement on the Cyprus issue appeared in various dailies: Turkey should be more active, and Denktas should be more conciliatory. Denktas said that the Cyprus issue is being conducted within the framework of a program prepared together with the Turkish government.

After his meeting with Ecevit, and reminded of the statement made by Yilmaz, Mr Denktas said:

"Had Mr. Yilmaz contacted us, he would have seen that his assessment is not that realistic. We are defending the Cyprus cause, together with Turkey's interests, in line with a program prepared in conjunction with the Turkish government. We do not want much. We are not against the EU. We, however, expect the EU to safeguard the principles they advocate, namely justice and equity. For justice and equity to prevail all the parties involved in a problem should be granted equal opportunity to explain their viewpoint and to defend their cause. The decisions made without listening to the Turkish Cypriot side are encouraging the Greek Cypriots, which have usurped the title of the Government of Cyprus by digging mass graves, not to reach a conciliation with us. We want the EU to diagnose the Cyprus problem and to act accordingly. This is our right, because we are the party whose rights have been abused in Cyprus. As has already been pointed out by the UN Secretary-General, the Greek Cypriots and we are two equal sides in this issue. We are ready to establish a new partnership as two equal sides with neither side having the right to represent or oppress the other. We have taken a great leap by expressing this fact. The Greek Cypriot side has failed to make the most of this leap because the EU is conveying the message that Cyprus will accede to the Union regardless of whether a solution is reached. So long as this guarantee is given to the Greek Cypriots, no one can expect them to reach a conciliation with us."

[04] Denktas delivered speeches in Ankara. He repeated his hackneyed statements

Denktas addressed students at Ankara University's Political Sciences Department today. Alleging that the Cyprus problem has yet to be diagnosed, Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to re-establish the partnership, which was destroyed in 1963, in a manner that it cannot be destroyed once again. He said that the Greek Cypriot side maintains the view that the problem will be solved by forcing Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island. Denktas then explained the appeal he made to the United Nations and the major countries:

"We have asked these major countries and the countries that are Turkey's real friends to please organize an open panel discussion in which the Cyprus issue will be put forth with all its documents, diagnosed, and a solution sought."

Assessing the point reached in the direct talks being held with President Clerides , Denktas said: "There is still resistance in the essential issues. They are proposing to include us in the legitimate Cyprus Government given certain conditions." Denktas also criticized the stand adopted by the EU. Referring to the name [Fogg] of the representative of the EU Commission in Turkey, Denktas said that certain persons are being bought within a great fog in a bid to hatch the plot of driving a wedge between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, a young woman was not allowed into the conference hall because she was wearing a headscarf.

According to Anatolia News Agency (10.05.02), speaking at a conference at Ankara's Bilkent University, Denktas said that the success of the Turkish Cypriots lie on the close cooperation between Turkey and the pseudostate. He said that some circles that realized this are now trying to damage Turkey's relations with the occupied areas.

``We are witnessing that an ambassador is working as an agent. This is unprecedented in the whole world. This woman is continuing to work as an agent so brazenly. He tells Turkish Cypriots to rebel against Turkey and me,`` he asserted.

Denktas later briefed students about the developments that took place in Cyprus since the 1960 agreements.

Denktas admitted that the occupied areas were important for Turkey for strategic reasons, not only for emotional, historical and cultural reasons.

Denktas said that the statements of the EU like ``Cyprus would be an EU member even if a solution was not found`` and ``do not miss EU train`` made the negotiations impossible.

The EU was trying to bring forth the condition of solving the Cyprus question to Turkey before the membership, Denktas noted.

``If the EU really wants to accept a country where the question cannot be solved for forty years, which is divided into two, where U.N. soldiers are on duty between the two communities, and where there is a buffer zone, and if it is this much fearless, what can we do? There is not any remedy than resistance. We are trying to get our rights through talks. The negotiations are continuing by one step forward and one step backward. Where we will reach is not clear,`` Denktas said.

Denktas pointed out that the train which would take Cyprus to the EU had speeded up but that they saw that there would be an obstacle on the railway like ``Turkish rights. ``

``Either this train will stop or will be stopped on time or it will hit this mountain. I could not stay comfortably after seeing this and to this end, I called on Clerides to direct talks,`` Denktas alleged.

Asked how the relations between Turkey and the occupied areas would be if Cyprus was included in the EU, Denktas said that a decision had already been made on this issue. He stated that the occupied areas and Turkey would integrate as much as Cyprus integrated with EU and Greece.

While in Ankara Denktas also addressed a conference entitled `` The Future of Cyprus in the Accession Process to the EU, ``held by the National Security and Strategic Researches Association (UGSAD).

In his speech Denktas called on the international community to send independent jurists and diplomats to Cyprus to make a right diagnosis.

Denktas said Turkey's membership process to the EU and the Cyprus problem could not be connected to each other, noting that Europe told the Greek Cypriot side that ``don't worry, we will accept you whether or not there is an agreement. ``

``The Turkey I know will try to explain itself till to the last moment with patience. If it can't, it will not allow Cyprus agreements to be damaged. It will stand still like a huge rock, `` Denktas said, noting that, ``Turkish Cypriots don't have to reunite with the Greek Cypriots if the conditions are not appropriate. ``

Meanwhile, National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, who addressed the conference, pointed out that Cyprus was an indispensable value for Turkey with respect to history, geography and security.

Pointing out that Europe, which defends human rights and supremacy of law, ignored the guarantee agreements, Cakmakoglu said European countries should fulfil the requirements of those values.

Cakmakoglu said efforts are underway to make impositions regarding Turkey's membership to EU, stressing that, ``the EU should accept that Cyprus is indispensable for Turkey. ``

Cakmakoglu said the Cyprus question and Turkey's membership to the EU should not be connected with each other.

[05] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Ismail Cem

During his meeting with Cem, at the Glass Mansion where he is staying, Denktas said that he does not view the Cyprus cause as only the cause of the Turkish Cypriots, and added:

"They are saying that if we accede to the EU under the current conditions, then enosis will have been achieved. The day they renounce this, the day they renounce their aspiration to become our government, the day they decide to conclude an agreement between two equal sides based on equality and sovereignty, then 80 percent of the Cyprus problem will have been solved. We are exerting efforts to that end".

On his part Mr Ismail Cem said that Turkey extends full support to Denktas, adding that at the talks Rauf Denktas is not only representing the occupied areas but the whole of Turkey, and added:

"The views of our government and our ministry are clear. So are mine. We are aware of the necessity of extending full support to Denktas especially during an atmosphere of negotiations. As I have already pointed out, we find that Mr Denktas is extremely successful in conducting these negotiations, though it might not be up to us to say so. We are working together aware of the fact that the support we extend to him is, actually, a support extended to the future of Turkey."

[06] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader to CNN Turk television

Belovacikli begins by referring to the reports that the direct Cyprus talks are in difficulty and that Denktas is planning to withdraw from the talks. Denktas denies this, adding: "If I criticized the EU in Ankara -- and I did -- it was justified. Some call it harsh criticism. For me, the EU is the union of countries that constitute the centre of civilization. This is what we learned. International agreements and the Cyprus Constitution grant the Turkish Cypriots known rights. We are the founding partner. Turkey has geostrategic and geopolitical rights over Cyprus. These rights were formulated and acknowledged in the 1960 agreements. The Turkish-Greek balance established in the Lausanne Treaty was also transported to Cyprus with the 1960 agreements in order not to upset the Turkish-Greek balance. The Greek policy to take over Cyprus and realize enosis was an act that would upset this balance. Cyprus' importance is great for Turkey."

Denktas goes on to explain the history of the Cyprus issue at length. He then calls on the EU to "please abide by the supremacy of the law," and to grant the Turkish Cypriots the right to speak and be heard. Pointing out that the Turkish side is asking the EU to correctly diagnose the problem after listening to both sides, Denktas says: "The EU is failing to do this, and it is insistently pressuring us. I will tell you what will happen if this course of events is not prevented. They will say that they have admitted Cyprus into the EU. The Greek Cypriots will immediately cry out that Turkey is now occupying European territory and ask for help to oust it. We are trying to show what will happen. We are trying to warn the EU. We expect and want the EU to abide by the rules of justice."

Yetkin asks Denktas if it is reasonable to expect the EU, which constitutes a "peace and development project," to want to import one of the most rooted border disputes in the region.

Denktas answers: "From their viewpoint, the Europeans continue to make the mistake of regarding a single, legitimate, and excellent Cyprus as more superior to any other candidate from a political and economic angle. This cannot be an oversight. They are doing it deliberately. As I said yesterday and the day before yesterday, our suspicions are increasing. What is the point of positing the Cyprus issue in front of Turkey? They are asking Turkey to first resolve the Cyprus issue or assist in its resolution. Turkey was not the one that created the Cyprus problem. It was the Greek Cypriots who created this problem and who did to us what even Milosevic did not. It was guarantor Greece that assisted in this and that denied its signature in international agreements."

Asked if he means that the EU is not sincere, and it is doing this in order to exclude Turkey, Denktas notes that "this suspicion is increasing." He points out that the EU is ignoring the UN resolutions to the effect that Cyprus' EU accession will be discussed after a solution, as well the UN Security Council resolutions that state that the Turkish Cypriots are not a minority, they are one of the peoples in Cyprus. Denktas claims that EU "interference" is eliminating the parameters for negotiation and conciliation, adding: "There were parameters and principles on which we agreed, the most important and vital of which was the restriction of the three freedoms. The Greek Cypriots' freedom to buy property, to return to live among us, to turn us into a minority, and to create threats were to be prevented. My agreement with Makarios envisages this. The Europeans are ignoring all this." Denktas concludes: "The answer to your question is I do not know. I see a grand plot."

Yetkin asks Denktas about the importance of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan/s impending visit to Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot leader says that Annan is not visiting Cyprus specially, he is stopping over en route to Asia. "He was probably asked to stop over in Cyprus by Alvaro do Soto and the Americans," Denktas suggests, for the official reason of encouraging both sides to accelerate the talks and reach a concrete outcome. If Annan tries to force a solution on us, Denktas warns, "naturally he will not be contributing. He did this in Geneva, and the outcome was bad. Therefore, I believe that he will not do this. He is a very distinguished and measured diplomat and statesman whom we greatly respect."

Prompted about a special message to Annan, Denktas refers to the Turkish Cypriot "non-paper" of 29 April, a document that was termed by foreign diplomats as "very realistic and excellent" that can lead to a conciliation. Denktas continues: "What we attach most importance to -- also in order to help Turkey -- is the establishment of a new partnership state in Cyprus. It is important that this centre, which will be established with the authority to be accorded by the two peoples, become an effective entity vis-a-vis the EU, in line with the wishes of the EU. In this way, we eliminated the Greek Cypriot complaints that the Turkish Cypriot demands are obstructing Cyprus' accession to the EU. In my opinion, we took the biggest step. If the Greek Cypriots fail to appreciate this as well, their intention is to insist on their mantra: We are the Cyprus Republic. We can accede to the EU with or without a solution. Good-bye. We do not have the intention of granting rights to the Turkish Cypriots."

Belovacikli asks Denktas to comment on reports that the Turkish Cypriots are opposed to Turkey's interference in Cyprus and they want to get rid of Denktas and Turkey. Laughing, Denktas asks if he is referring to "Mrs Fogg's nonsense." Denktas rejects these reports and goes on: "I thought the Greek Cypriots' difficulty was in not having a united Cyprus with regard to EU accession. Now, I am opening the doors for them. I am proposing to unite the two sides, but I am asking them to accept my sovereignty, my equality. Some people ask me why I insist on sovereignty. For us, sovereignty is a guarantee against the Greek Cypriots, who did to us what they did despite all the guarantees of 1960." Denktas mentions as an example of insincerity the Greek Cypriot recourse to the European Parliament via Greece to extract a resolution calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus.

Referring to Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's "unusual" call on Denktas to display greater moderation, Yetkin asks Denktas to comment on this. In response, Denktas notes: "There is no such thing as becoming more moderate or hard-line in the Cyprus problem. I guess that Mr. Yilmaz has not seen or studied our 29 April proposals. When he does so, he will see that we moderated our position as much as we can. This is a kind of moderation that preserves our security, sovereignty, and equality. Everything else is open for the sake of uniting Cyprus. It is also a position that protects Turkey's rights. The section pertaining to Turkey's rights was discussed and formulated in cooperation with Turkey. This is something I must state. Turkey has undeniable rights over Cyprus. Turkey is the guarantor of Cyprus under international agreements."

Asked to outline the 29-April non-paper, Denktas reiterates the history of the Cyprus question dating back to the 1960 agreements. He adds: "After the 1974 operation, the Greek Cypriots accepted that the two peoples live in two separate regions. This is what we want. We will live in separate regions. They accepted that the Greek Cypriots will not return to this region and turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority. This is a principle, and this is what we want -- no return. They accepted that an exchange of property will be conducted and this matter will be resolved by means of compensation." "We want Turkey's guarantee to continue without being diluted. If we are to join the EU as a united Cyprus before Turkey, we want Turkey's rights over Cyprus -- as stated in the 1960 agreements -- to remain valid and we do not want Greece to gain additional rights over Cyprus because of the EU, until Turkey joins the EU. We want to preserve some of our rights until Turkey's accession to the EU. Once Turkey joins the EU, those can also be discussed. In other words, what we want is a new partnership."

"In a spirit of goodwill, we outlined the necessary framework. We are now asking to flesh out this framework together. Anything better than this does not exist. We proposed the Belgian example with regard to Cyprus' representation in the EU. As for the Greek Cypriot claims that we want two states, anyway there are two states now. We are allocating some of the powers of the two states to a centre; and the remaining powers will naturally be based on sovereignty. This is how it is in Switzerland, and everywhere else in the world. However, Cyprus is in a special situation. We experienced a war bordering on mutual annihilation. Therefore, certain special measures are needed to prevent a recurrence of this. The Greek Cypriots must accept this, because they are the ones who created the threat and the war. I cannot conceive of a more moderate stand. If I moderate my attitude further, I must accept the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate Cyprus government, in accordance with their wishes, make do with limited rights, ask not to be oppressed, and not to allow many people to return. Is this what we should do? We do not believe that this is tantamount to helping Turkey. I am sure that if Mr Yilmaz studies our 29 April proposals, he will conclude that the Turkish Cypriots have done their utmost."

Denktas is asked if he feels he has sufficient support in the Turkish public. He responds by "complaining" about the media, "which is sick of the Cyprus problem, which fails to accord the necessary importance to it, and which refrains from informing the people properly." Denktas notes that he was "devastated" when on 20 July, Turkish newspapers failed to mention that Turkey was forced to sacrifice its sons because of the deeds of the Greek Cypriots. "However," Denktas notes, "I see the people; I go to the provinces, to the universities; I speak to them; I speak to the statesmen, to the administrators, to the soldiers." "Their enthusiasm is still the same." Denktas also mentions the unanimous decision of the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding the Cyprus issue. He explains that certain circles view Cyprus as an obstacle on the way to EU accession. "If the media had challenged the EU in this regard and questioned the portrayal of Cyprus as an obstacle, Turkey's road to the EU would automatically be opened, because the EU would have realized that it is being unjust," Denktas remarks. He adds that the Greek press does not call on Clerides to become more moderate.

[07] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader upon his return from Ankara

Denktas asserted that respecting the principles of justice and equality means granting equal right of speech to the sides of a conflict, and reaching decisions after listening to both sides. We believe that this is very necessary, he emphasized.

[08] Devlet Bahceli stated that Turkey wants to accede to the EU in order to gain an influential global position

Stressing that the EU constituted one of the important dimensions of this process of gaining peculiar and influent position, Bahceli said: ``However, it is impossible for us to leave aside our sensitivity to some factors by being carried away by the atmosphere created by the temporary optimistic environment in terms of our relations with the EU. The Cyprus issue comes on the first place among these. The EU should give up unilateral Cyprus perspective, which contradicts with international laws and may cause expectations about a lasting solution in Cyprus to decline.

Expressing insistently that the Greek Cypriot side would be a full member within the timetable even if there would not be an agreement in the island won't bring any result except insolubility, `` he said.

``Unfortunately, the attitudes and statements of many EU officials and recently the attitude and statements of the bloc's representative in Turkey revealed that their understanding which lacks common sense and wisdom still continues. It is impossible for us to accept approaches, which clearly destroy and violate not only friendly relations but also even diplomatic courtesy rules. The Turkish nation's and state's understanding of respect to international rules should not mislead anybody and everybody should know his or her place.

We are in favour of becoming a full member of the European Union (EU) at the same time with a Cyprus of two states and communities. The Turkish nation wants a solution based on justice and fairness. Briefly, Turkey is in favour of a fair and lasting solution on the island. It will resist any kind of pressure except for it. No one should expect Turkey to display weakness against separatism and terrorism. If Europe thinks once again over the possible dangers in relations between Turkey and the EU during the capture process of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK, it will catch a more realistic perspective.

I want to mention that we find some attitudes displayed both in Turkey and in Europe about inclusion of separatist and destructive terrorist organizations in the EU`s list of terrorist organizations very strange. Undoubtedly, the new arrangement in this list is a starting point and the first step. However, this situation could not remove the question marks like why this change was made so late and how the implementation will be.

I especially stress that inclusion of two terrorist organizations in the EU`s list is not a kindness of Europe towards Turkey. The EU has fulfilled its responsibility towards Turkey. However, the EU should make clear its real target by including the false PKK instead of real PKK which changed its name as KADEK,`` he concluded.

[09] Talat accuses Denktas of being afraid of a solution to the Cyprus problem

Speaking on Saturday at a Press conference where he explained the views of his party regarding the Cyprus problem, Mr Talat said that at the direct talks the Turkish Cypriot side must rabidly abandon the demand of establishing a confederation or two separate states in Cyprus and "make its stamp on the procedure" by adopting an understanding aiming at joining the EU simultaneously with a federal solution based on the bi-zonality and the political equality.

Mr Talat argued that the negotiations procedure is at "a very serious stage" and there is a competition with the time. Commenting on tomorrow's visit of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan to Cyprus and the opinion expressed by Mr Denktas that Mr Annan is passing by the region and that is why he will stop to Cyprus, the RTP leader described the visit as "very necessary, natural and useful", because as he noted, everybody realizes the dangers deriving from the fact that the direct talks have been turned into a game of delaying tactics.

Asked to comment on Denktas' opinion that "the solution is not a necessity" Mr Talat said: "Mr Denktas is afraid of a solution" and added that the Cyprus problem will be solved with or without Denktas. He also pointed out that the negative behaviour of Denktas against the EU is getting worse and this behaviour harms Turkey.

Comparing the way the decisions are taken in the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, Mr Talat said that the Greek Cypriots take their decisions with the participation of all the political parties and Greece supports these decisions even if sometimes it could not agree with them. "However, in our side Denktas and Turkey define their policy and drag the others after them", concluded Mr Talat.

[10] The Turkish Defense Minister threatens that his country could bring to Cyprus 70 million people if "a handful" of Turkish Cypriots leave the island

Noting that the tension is being escalated on the Cyprus problem while June comes nearer, the paper adds that Mr Cakmakoglu addressing the EU said: "The size of the dress you have sewed does not fit Turkey."

[11] The European party has been closed up; Nilgun Orhon independent "candidate" in occupied Nicosia

In the decision the "attorney general" claims that the name "European" party could not be accepted because this is the name of a continent. "Therefore, giving a political party this name would be objectionable and wrong", alleges the office of the "attorney general" and demands the removal of sentences from the aims of the programme of the party such as the following: "to at all cost oppose the order and the policies, which take from the hands of the Turkish Cypriots their will and protect our existence", "we are being melted like a candle since 1974", "we are being annihilated", "we have become minority in our own country" and "our demographic structure has been changed".

Meanwhile, AFRIKA (13.05.02) reports that Nilgun Orhon, who would have been the European Party's candidate for the office of the so-called "mayor" of occupied Nicosia, will participate in the "elections" as independent candidate.

[12] Vagif Bayatli: Karabakh is an obstacle for Azerbaijan to recognize the pseudostate

"Karabakh is an obstacle for us to recognize the TRNC. If we recognize the TRNC as a state, some European countries, and mainly Greece, will recognize the independence of Karabakh."

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] Rauf Denktas wants the advice by Yilmaz to stop being intransigent in writing

The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas visited the home of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday in the Oran District of Ankara. After the visit, in the handwritten statement made by Ecevit, he once again showed what an important place Cyprus has in the Turkish foreign and domestic policies. The statements of both Denktas and Ecevit were addressed not only to the Greek Cypriot side and the EU, but were perhaps addressed even more to the ANAP [Motherland Party] leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The day before yesterday, when Yilmaz talked with the businessmen, he said, "In 10 years there will be a greater number of Turkish soldiers on Cyprus than there are Turkish Cypriots. Denktas should be more moderate".

Denktas' reaction to this was harsh. Denktas, in front of the cameras, expressed his reaction by saying, "Evidently, Yilmaz did not read the proposals we presented on 29 April". He went beyond this in our private conversation:

- "We determine our policies together with Turkey. We received very positive reactions to the proposals we presented on 29 April, not only from Turkey, but also from a majority of the EU member [country] diplomats. In these proposals, most of which are the developed form of the agreements reached in previous years with the Greek Cypriots and the UN, we made efforts to open the path for Turkey's accession to the EU.

Sub-title: Salvo Against Yilmaz

- "I look at the Greek and Greek Cypriot press and politicians and no one says to Glafcos Clerides, 'be more moderate'. However, Yilmaz and a section of the Turkish press are telling me 'be more moderate', as though I was the only person responsible for all of these problems. If we become more moderate, then it will be necessary for us to accept the Greek Cypriot government as the sole sovereign power of Cyprus.

- "If Turkey wants this, then they can say to us in writing, 'We only recognize the Greek Cypriots', and then we will take care of ourselves. If this is not the case, then Yilmaz is a member of the Turkish government, he can suggest amendments to the proposals through the Turkish Foreign Ministry, or directly to me and we will take these into account. Whenever he wants, I am ready to talk."

Denktas must have also said similar things to Ecevit, because Ecevit said, unlike Yilmaz, "The Greek Cypriots are the side, which is not coming to an agreement. If these attitudes continue, then everyone can go his own way, because the loss of the Turkish Cypriots is equal to the loss of Turkey".

Ecevit, by saying, "Of course, Turkey is acting with an awareness of this", was directing a covered criticism at Yilmaz. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem also reinforced this attitude by saying, "Denktas not only represents the TRNC, but Turkey as well".

However, the essential important emphasis of Ecevit's short statement should be made on the section, "The loss of the Cypriot Turks, is the loss of Turkey".

Sub-title: Binding Reciprocally

This section once again negates the thesis, "Cyprus has nothing to do with Turkey's EU membership", which was previously made repeatedly (and actually that is not very convincing), both by Ecevit himself and by Foreign Minister Cem and other government officials. If to miss the EU train will be a loss for Turkey, then naturally, the Cyprus problem has a relation to the EU target.

Another characteristic of this dispute is the fact that it was made on the eve of the visit that the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will make to Cyprus on 14-15 May [2002]. Annan will be the first UN Secretary General to visit Cyprus since the visit of Kurt Waldheim in 1977. However, the fact that the visit will not be made specifically to Cyprus, but is a part of an Asian tour, removes it from being of critical importance. As long as Annan does not come with a new proposal, then it appears as though a new problem will not emerge. In case Annan brings a new proposal, then the matter "could cease to be encouraging the sides" and it could come to the point of "everyone will go his own way", which Ecevit mentioned.

After the National Program was announced on 19 March 2001, it became quite clear that without solving the Cyprus problem, it would be impossible for Turkey to reach its EU membership goal. Namely, it became clear that even if Turkey fulfils all of the Copenhagen criteria, including the abolishment of the death penalty, it will still not be able to become an EU member until Cyprus stops being a problem.

At the point reached today, we see that the opposite of this is also true: Ankara gives the message that a final agreement for a solution on Cyprus will not be reached unless a concrete sign is given to Turkey about the EU membership.

It is gradually becoming more clear that the solution to the problems of Turkey's EU membership and a solution on Cyprus are concurrent and can be done together, that is, "simultaneously" with the mathematical expression.

KV/SK

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