Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-17

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 31/97 17/2/97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS HOLD CONTACTS IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

[02] TGNA'S ALOGLU: NATO EXPANSION LINKED TO TURKEY JOINING EU

[03] TGNA COMMITTEE MEMBER SPEAKS OF TWO "STATES"

[04] ENVER EMIN FAVORS REVIEW OF EXISTING PARAMETERS

[05] DENKTASH MAKES CONTRADICTING STATEMENTS ON VAROSHA

[06] DENKTASH TERMS WEU REPORT 'POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT'

[07] RUSSIAN ENVOY INTERVIEWED ON CYPRUS PROBLEM

[08] EROGLU, TALAT CRITICIZE HOUSE APPROVAL OF MISSILE PURCHASE

[09] PSEUDOSTATE INCLUDED IN WORLD ATLAS

[10] MORE ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS USING CYPRUS PASSPORTS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] AKAY CEMAL ON THE OPENING OF VAROSHA

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS HOLD CONTACTS IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

In his opening statement, Kenan Atakol, "chairman" of the so-called Legal and Political Affairs Committee, "warned" countries interested in the Cyprus problem that if Greek Cypriot armament is not stopped, "the Greek Cypriots will shed blood on the island again."

Sedat Aloglu, head of the TGNA Foreign Relations Committee delegation, reiterated his appeal for a dialogue towards peace, stressing that the two communities should sit at the negotiating table as soon as possible.

Aloglu noted that as soon as the delegation returns to Turkey it will carry the work it carried out in the "TRNC" to international platforms, and continued: "This visit has been most beneficial from the viewpoint of avoiding undesirable results in the Cyprus problem." Claiming that no concessions can be made from the equal rights of the "TRNC" and Turkey's guarantees, Aloglu said that an attack directed against the "TRNC" will be viewed as one directed against Turkey.

[02] TGNA'S ALOGLU: NATO EXPANSION LINKED TO TURKEY JOINING EU

In a statement to illegal Bayrak Radio and Television in occupied Kyrenia, Aloglu alleged that 1997 will be a busy year for foreign policy, but it would not be right to say that 1997 will be the year of a solution in Cyprus because of the stand adopted by the Greek-Greek Cypriot pair. Stressing that Turkey's close interest in and support for the pseudostate will continue in all fields, Aluglu added: "Cyprus is our national cause." He further alleged that a solution that does not comply with the conditions posited by the "TRNC" and Turkey cannot be possible in Cyprus.

In reply to a question on the Greek Cypriot missile purchase, Aloglu reiterated Turkey's determination not to allow the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus. In his assessment on the EU, Aloglu claimed that the EU is pursuing a path that renders the solution of the Cyprus problem more difficult and that Cyprus' membership in the EU prior to a solution is out of the question.

In reply to a question on the expansion process of NATO and the EU, Aloglu claimed that these two issues are interlinked and Turkey's political will dictates that if Turkey is not included in the EU expansion process, the TGNA will not endorse the NATO expansion process.

[03] TGNA COMMITTEE MEMBER SPEAKS OF TWO "STATES"

[04] ENVER EMIN FAVORS REVIEW OF EXISTING PARAMETERS

Emin said: "In light of these facts, our party is in favor of reviewing the existing parameters instead of waiting for the Greek Cypriots at the negotiation table for a long time.". Stating that his party assembly group will convene in the coming days in order to reach important decisions on the Cyprus issue, Emin said that the views to be crystallized at the party assembly group will first be conveyed to the political parties and democratic mass organizations and then Turkish officials will be informed.

[05] DENKTASH MAKES CONTRADICTING STATEMENTS ON VAROSHA

However, according to illegal Bayrak Radio (1630 hours, 14/2/97) Rauf Denktash has claimed that the reports disseminated by AFP on Varosha do not reflect the truth. Denktash met with Gustave Feissel, UN Secretary General's assistant special envoy in Cyprus who paid him a courtesy visit, and conferred with him for some time. In a statement he issued prior to the meeting, Denktash recalled that he visited Varosha with certain television teams and added that he had not observed any preparations in Varosha, as reflected in the press. Denktash said:

"There is no activity in Maras (Varosha). The main streets in Maras are very clean and well kept as a result of its upkeep which has been continuing for years." Denktash visited Varosha with a team from the BBC.

On the other hand, according to Anatolia agency (1509 hours, 14/2/97) Denktash has claimed that his remarks regarding starting a clean-up operation in Varosha were misinterpreted and added: "Maras will be opened if it has to be opened. We only commented on the conditions under which it will be opened."

Noting that the statement he issued during the visit to Maratha with the TGNA committee delegation was reflected to the press as "Denktash started the clean-up operation in Maras and will open it to settlement", Denktash added that he did not issue such a statement.

Denktash explained that in reply to a reporter's question asking "what about Maras?" he said: "What about Maras?" Denktash continued: "The reporter told me that the clean-up operation in Maras has started. I told him that this clean-up operation against mice and snakes is routine for this time of the year. I told him that Maras will not be abandoned to rubble and ruin. I told him that I have no other information. Such a report was disseminated despite my comments. I am just telling you the following for your information: Maras will be opened if it has to be opened. We only commented on the conditions under which it will be opened. Yes, Maras will be opened if the missiles are deployed. This issue is as simple as that. We only said what we had to. I, however, have no information regarding the cleaning up of Maras, which is usual for this time of the year. I do not know whether or not the annual clean-up job has begun. I am not offering any excuses, but it is not as though we have started a clean-up job in Maras in the capacity of a (word indistinct), a government, or a state.

It would be beneficial for you to be aware of this."

[06] DENKTASH TERMS WEU REPORT 'POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT'

[07] RUSSIAN ENVOY INTERVIEWED ON CYPRUS PROBLEM

"We exchanged views and tried to find solutions for all the sides during the visit we made representing Foreign Minister Yevgeniy Primakov. We long wanted to make such a comprehensive visit but it was not possible until now. The Cyprus issue is an international problem that has been waiting to be solved a long time. This has harmed political stability in the eastern Mediterranean. Our visit gave us the opportunity to assess the political situation on the basis of views from the parties that are directly involved with the problem. Meanwhile, we have explained that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, believes that it is its duty to help find a solution. We do not have a concrete plan. But we do not believe that a concrete plan is necessary at this stage. A view we reiterated during our visit was that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be found within the UN framework. Naturally, neither the UN nor Russia can solve the problem for the Cypriots. The final decision will be made by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples. The UN organization will facilitate the creation of favourable conditions for a solution."

Asked whether the decision Russia adopted recently to sell missiles to south Cyprus will ax or not the U.S. initiatives, he said:

"Our visit has confirmed that we are maintaining the right policy on Cyprus. Meanwhile, we have adopted a favourable approach toward U.S. and British policies. However, what is important is to see to it that our initiatives do not clash. Regarding the question of missiles, their transfer is not expected to take place in 1997. We have 16 months ahead of us. That is the timeframe required for the production of the missiles."

Asked if the transfer of the missiles will be postponed, Chizhov said: "No, it will not. The period of 16 months was included in the contract right at the beginning."

Outlining Russia's approach to the Greek Cypriot side's application to join the EU, he said: "I can say as an observer that Russia's approach to the EU's expansion is exactly the opposite of its approach to NATO's expansion. Russia is not a member of the EU. So it cannot oppose the accession of any country to the EU. However, whether or not the EU will agree is unknown. Meanwhile, the calendar for south Cyprus' accession may step up the solution of the Cyprus problem. We will adopt a favourable approach to the developments taking place within that framework."

To a comment that the Turkish Cypriot side will integrate with Turkey if the EU agrees to the Greek Cypriot side's accession, and asked how Russia will react, he replied:

"The integration of north Cyprus will not be in Turkey's interest. That could pave the way for south Cyprus' integration with Greece. I do not believe that Turkey will want such a thing. Russia supports the formula of a bicommunal federation for the solution of the problem. But can that be realized? The two communities have rejected the partition of the island and united in a federal system in the past. The partition of Cyprus remains an extreme and undesirable alternative. No one wants that, not even the Cypriots."

Asked to confirm INTERFAX which reported last week that Russia does not plan to have a base in Cyprus, he said: "Yes, I made the statement. And it is true. We do not plan to establish a base in Cyprus."

Chizhov added: "We regard the contract for the sale of the S-300 missiles as a trade agreement. We do not believe that the sale is connected with the solution of the Cyprus problem. If the sides reach an agreement to demilitarize the island, a factor Russia has long supported, then the sale of missiles can be regarded as part of that concept." Asked if he personally believes that the two sides in Cyprus can coexist in a federation, he said:

"I believe there is no hatred between these two peoples. But there is mistrust, suspicion, and fear. They tell stories about each other, because they have lived apart a long time. Nevertheless, they can coexist in a federation for various reasons. Many factors can pave the way for their reunion, such as their common history, economy, and potential."

[08] EROGLU, TALAT CRITICIZE HOUSE APPROVAL OF MISSILE PURCHASE

Calling on the world to see the realities in the wake of the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives decision, Eroglu added that the Turkish Cypriot side is waiting at the negotiating table.

He alleged that President Clerides' approach toward the process of negotiations crystallized in a way that rendered it totally unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriots. Eroglu noted that the Turkish Cypriots can never agree to President Clerides' proposal to deploy a multinational force on the island instead of Turkey's guarantees.

Claiming that deploying the Russian missiles in south Cyprus will pose a threat to the Greek Cypriot-Russian alliance as well as to the peace and stability in eastern Mediterranean, Eroglu said that he expects the Turkish Cypriot side to issue warnings regarding the Greek Cypriot side's "intransigent approach". Eroglu claimed: "The Turkish Cypriot side will serve the interests of the international community if it issues the necessary warnings in time. Otherwise, the sides that did not take any preventive steps will be the ones responsible for the Greek Cypriot madness".

Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in turn, protested the Cyprus House of Representatives for endorsing the Cyprus Government's armament efforts.

In a written statement he issued Talat said that the decision should not pose an obstacle in the way of the existing opportunities to secure peace in the country. Talat claimed that the present tense situation stems from the fact that intercommunal meetings were not held in a long time. Talat continued: "The RTP believes that it would be beneficial to continue with the interparty dialogue, which we have launched in the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides, despite the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives decision in a bid to defuse the tension and secure a solution by laying the grounds for talks."

Calling on the leaders of the two communities to view 1997 - the year designated by the world to include a Cyprus solution - as an opportunity, Talat added: "This opportunity should be utilized to resolve the issue rather than to gain the upper hand in politics." Talat also called on the leaders of the two communities to sit at the negotiating table as soon as possible and bring about a solution.

[09] PSEUDOSTATE INCLUDED IN WORLD ATLAS

[10] MORE ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS USING CYPRUS PASSPORTS

The so-called "TRNC" representative in Ankara Aydin Olgun has said that Turkish Foreign Ministry officials refrain from making an official statement on the issue.

On the other hand, says VATAN, well informed sources in Ankara expressed the view that officials in Ankara are aware of the fact that some Turkish Cypriot businessmen and politicians use Cyprus Republic's passports and have conveyed their concern to the occupied area. The paper urges to disclose the names of those who are using the Cyprus Republic's passports. (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] AKAY CEMAL ON THE OPENING OF VAROSHA

Akay Cemal writing in HALKIN SESI (16.2.97) says that at the beginning, occupied Varosha was a war-booty but now it has been turned into a war-debris because of the plundering. "I wish the city could talk to tell the story".

Repeating the known Turkish Cypriot allegations that most of the land belonged to the religious foundation Wakf, he complains: "We were unable to even transfer Varosha to the Wakf".

He admits that Varosha is a war debris and a heavy burden on the occupied area.

He then refers to Denktash's threats that if the Cyprus government deploys the S-300 missiles then Varosha will be opened to settlement and quotes the views of Turkish Cypriots regarding the issue.

He specifically quotes one called Olgun Ozer who is well-known among the Turkish Cypriot community. Ozer said: "We cannot open Varosha because for repair work we need twice the budget of Turkey. We, as a community, are unable to solve our electricity problem. How can we solve this issue? As for the Greek Cypriot armament efforts, it is a normal thing. The Greek Cypriots will buy S-300 missiles in order to defend themselves against the existing Turkish air weapons". Akay Cemal goes on and says: "What Olgun Ozer says is very logical. How will you solve the Varosha issue when you are anable to solve your electricity problem?"

Akay Cemal then refers to the water issue and says that if the roles were reversed, if "the Greek Cypriot Administration was the TRNC and Greece was Turkey, be sure that they would have brought water here. We haven't been able even to realize that we were unable to use the water trump card.

On top of this, we have been babbling over Varosha. We will open it ... We will not open it ... We will ... We will not ...

Does it really matter whether we open it or not?....", concludes Akay Cemal. (MY) EF/MP