TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-03-13

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <[email protected]>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.48/96 13.3.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Belgian Professor to give lectures on in the occupied area on EU integration

KIBRIS (12.3.96) reports that Prof. Dr. Georges Delcoing, chairman of the Brussels University International Relations and Strategic Relations Institute, will be visiting the occupied area as the guest of the so-called Lefka European University.

Prof. Delcoing will be staying for a week in the occupied area during which he will give lectures on "EU Integration" and will also brief the students on the subject. (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[02] EU's approach to Greece-Turkey problems viewed by Mehmet Ali Birand

Writing in SABAH (29.2.96) under the title "Turkey and Greece Must Not Deceive Themselves", columnist Mehmet Ali Birand says:

"Many comments have been made on the first stage of the Turkish-Greek struggle within the EU framework. We believe Greece's effort has ended in a fiasco, with Athens failing to achieve its objectives. But the Greek Government has said that it has secured a guarantee from the EU against Turkey's threat.

Turkey and Greece must not deceive themselves. Neither is in a position to declare victory. Those who know how the EU functions will immediately realize that the organization will not support any side, will refuse to adopt an approach that might harm its relations with Turkey and Greece, and will move to find a way to persuade the two countries to reach an agreement. The EU officials will satisfy Turkey and Greece to an extent. Greece is part of the EU. But the EU officials will not support it in isolating Turkey from Europe.

Obviously the EU is frustrated by the disputes between the two countries. It has decided that the Aegean problem and the Cyprus issue must be settled. The situation will be clarified if developments are viewed from two angles:

Greece has failed to achieve the results it expected from initiatives it took at the beginning of the week. It failed to persuade the EU to condemn Turkey. More important is that it failed to secure the guarantee it wanted. The EU reacted by recommending that it solve its problems through dialogue. The only factor to satisfy Greece to an extent was the EU suggestion of an appeal to the International Court of Justice.

The EU has shown that it cannot adopt a clear-cut decision on the problems between Turkey and Greece. It has hinted that the situation should be removed and a new approach adopted.

The EU has not turned its back on Turkey. Nor has it ignored Greece's unease. A risk remains for the two countries. The situation today may change tomorrow. The EU might unexpectedly adopt a new approach toward Turkey. Meanwhile, Greece might be forced to reduce its demands.

Looking at the problems between Turkey and Greece from a long-term perspective will reveal that Europe has changed its approach. That developments should worry the two countries. The reasons for the change in Europe's approach can be summed up as follows: 1. As for Europe, Turkey is a large country that cannot be ignored. Considering strategic and economic developments, any approach that might force it to draw away from Europe should be rejected. Turkey will strengthen significantly if it can put its economy in order. That will encourage Europe to establish closer relations with it. 2. The EU is worried that it might be too occupied with the problems of several of its members (including countries like Turkey, which are linked to it by agreements). Considering that, it is preparing to propose several internal measures to the intergovernmental conference to convene soon. Obviously, some of the measures will be aimed at preventing the EU members, including Greece, from placing obstacles against the fulfillment of the organization's obligations. 3. The EU is also worried by the possibility of a war between Turkey and Greece. It fears that Turkey might destroy Greece if it improves its economy and strengthens its military forces. EU officials know they will be unable to help Greece if a war breaks out between the two countries because no one in Europe will agree to die for someone else.

Considering all that, the EU is gradually drawing up a new policy for itself. It is convinced that the Aegean problem and the Cyprus issue should be settled and, instead of guaranteeing Greece's border, the conditions that are required for Turkey's accession to the organization should be created.

The EU is becoming more aware that it cannot exclude Turkey from the organization indefinitely. Turkey's accession may be difficult. It may take a long time. But peace will be established in that part of Europe when it happens. That is the only alternative. The Kardak crisis has placed the Aegean problem on the EU's agenda. The problem will be solved, as in the case of the Cyprus problem. The pressure put on the two countries will intensify soon. So Turkey must be prepared. It must take the necessary measures."