Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-05-08

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/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 81/97 -- 8/5/97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SENDS LETTER TO ANNAN; ERTUG WRITES BOOK ON CYPRUS

[02] DENKTASH MEETS DUMA DELEGATION

[03] DENKTASH MEETS SWEDISH CYPRUS COORDINATOR

[04] ROUVAS - BURAK KUT CONCERT

[05] GENERAL CEVIK BIR TO INSPECT OCCUPATION TROOPS

[06] DENKTASH ACCUSES RUSSIA OF INTERFERENCE WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MISSION

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] GROSSMAN'S NEW APPOINTMENT, U.S. POLICY ON CYPRUS VIEWED BY ALI BIRAND

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SENDS LETTER TO ANNAN; ERTUG WRITES BOOK ON CYPRUS

Meanwhile, Ertug has distributed a book he wrote on the "real reasons" behind the unresolved 34-year Cyprus issue to 185 representatives of UN member countries. The book claims that the Cyprus Government pur- chases arms in a bid to destroy the "TRNC" and the Turkish Cypriot community. Explaining that everything has changed on the island since 1963, Ertug said in his book that the only thing that has not changed was the international community's recognition of the Cyprus Govern- mentas as the legitimate government of Cyprus. Ertug further said in his book that the Cyprus issue will remain on the agenda for another 34 years, unless, he claimed, the international community stops making the same mistakes and grants political equality to both sides.

[02] DENKTASH MEETS DUMA DELEGATION

In a statement at the meeting, Denktash claimed that the world has so far been making wrong decisions on Cyprus without taking the Turkish Cypriots into consideration.

In reply to a question by a delegation member, Denktash said that the Cyprus problem can be solved on the basis of a bizonal federation. He noted that Turkey's guarantees and an exchange of goods between the two sides are needed for a solution to be reached.

Sultanov, speaking on behalf of the Duma delegation, said that they found the opportunity to gather diverse information during their visit. He said that the delegation members have different views but that they all agree that the problems in the world should be solved without bloodshed and by taking into consideration the interests of all the parties concerned.

[03] DENKTASH MEETS SWEDISH CYPRUS COORDINATOR

Recalling in a statement he issued prior to the meeting that this was the first time Sweden was holding contacts in the occupied area, Denktash expressed his pleasure at the meeting. Explaining the bene- fits of such contacts, Denktash said that the work conducted by the representatives, who showed intense interest in the Cyprus issue, within the framework of the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission will be helpful to the Cyprus issue. Denktash later thanked Sweden for the interest it showed in the Cyprus issue.

The special Swedish coordinator said in turn that, being member in both the United Nations and the EU, his country is interested in and seeks to learn more about the Cyprus issue. Bortman said that tomor- row he will meet with President Clerides within the framework of his contacts.

[04] ROUVAS - BURAK KUT CONCERT

(MY)

[05] GENERAL CEVIK BIR TO INSPECT OCCUPATION TROOPS

KIBRIS reports that General Bir will have high level contacts in the occupied area.

(MY)

[06] DENKTASH ACCUSES RUSSIA OF INTERFERENCE WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MISSION

Referring to Russia's draft document submitted to the UN Security Council on 29 April regarding Cyprus, Denktash claimed that this was an unacceptable interference to the good office mission of the UN Secretary- General.

He said: "If every member starts putting forward its own draft docu- ment then the Cyprus problem will become more complex. We hope that Russia, which sells missiles and tanks to the Greek Cypriots and in every decision takes a pro-Greek Cypriot stance, will give up spoiling further the Greek Cypriots and provoking their intransigence.

We do expect this".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] GROSSMAN'S NEW APPOINTMENT, U.S. POLICY ON CYPRUS VIEWED BY ALI BIRAND

"Undoubtedly, Marc Grossman has been one of the most effective US ambassadors in Ankara, particularly in the recent past. His work has been very different from his predecessors. He never appeared in the forefront and he avoided publicity. He has avoided making `sugges- tions' through the press or the television stations, and he has played a key role in the effort Washington has made to formulate its policy towards Turkey. He has become an official whose views are `heeded' not only by the State Department but also by the White House, and the National Security Council. His effective approach has persuaded Washington to decide to `wait and see' the outcome of the government crisis in Ankara, and the establishment of a coalition by the Welfare Party for the first time. His views were heeded.

Marc Grossman successfully identified the problems that made Turkey sensitive during his term of office in Ankara. He drew attention by his delicate PR (not further specified) approach that had a bearing on the policy the United States adopted on the project for the construc- tion of an oil pipeline to Ceyhan, which coincided with the criticism that was leveled against Turkey in the report on human rights viol- ations. His approach reduced the reaction against Turkey.

Marc Grossman has been appointed to a very important post. He will serve as an assistant secretary of state. Considering the fact that the United States is a superpower, the assistant secretary of state's position is very important. Those who are appointed as assistant secretaries of state carry significant weight in US politics.

Ankara has failed to successfully explain its needs in the past because the assistant secretaries of state were either not fully acquainted with Turkey or they were not influential enough. In the past few years Richard Holbrooke was the only exception. Conse- quently, Marc Grossman will be an official like him in Washington. As an official who is aware of Turkey's importance in the region, and well-acquainted with our country, he will give priority to the issues Holbrooke has left unresolved.

Considering that, Ankara feels happy. It has been said that the appointment of an ambassador, who is acquainted with Turkey and who loves our country, to such a high-ranking position will be a signifi- cant advantage for us.

However, there is a factor that could surprise Ankara or even disap- point it (if delicate adjustments are not made in Turkey's policies). The Cyprus problem is among Marc Grossman's priorities.

The solution of the Cyprus problem is important for the United States. Had Holbrooke decided not to resign, that country would have used all its weight to have the problem resolved. Marc Grossman will try to achieve that now. In other words, Ankara regards Grossman as an advantage. However, he may prove to be a disadvantage if a different approach is not adopted. That is due to the fact that he is fully aware of the details. He is well-aware of how far Turkey can go and where it can make additional concessions. He is also well-aware of the steps Ankara should take. Meanwhile, he is well- aware of the weaknesses of Athens and Ankara on the Aegean Sea.

So, explaining how difficult it will be to hold talks with such a negotiator is probably unnecessary.

Marc Grossman is a US diplomat. He will comply with Washington's policies and give priority to the effort that will be made to carry out the policies necessary for the solution of the existing problems, not to affection.

We will find ourselves in a very difficult situation if we continue to believe that `nothing will be achieved' and if we fail to make deli- cate changes in our policy on the Aegean Sea and the Cyprus problem. However, we stand to gain if we adopt a new and flexible approach and if we make the necessary preparations. That is because Marc Grossman is well-aware of the situation. So, neither we nor the Greek offi- cials will be able to mislead him."

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

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