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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-02-28Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.39/00 -- 26-27-28.2.00[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Cem, Denktash vow to defend ``TRNC''Illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (11:28 hours, 26.2.00) broadcast live the news conference by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in the occupied part of Nicosia. In the news conference, Denktash inter alia said: ``Our major point goal is to build bridges of friendship between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot republic in the south, to try and achieve a result through peaceful means, and to render Cyprus a bridge of friendship between Turkey and Greece under a confederal roof. Many beneficial factors have emerged at this meeting which we held (with Turkish Foreign Minister Cem) with the participation of bureaucrats. Naturally, we shall benefit from them. We will continue our contacts and do all in our power in order to solve the Cyprus problem''. He further claimed: ``A Turkish Cypriot people exist in Cyprus. The preservation of the Turkish-Greek balance is very important and vital for Cyprus. An agreement to be concluded without preserving this balance will, naturally, not be a long-term one� Therefore, in a bid to build the bridges of friendship, we call on them to accept these realities and to renounce the embargoes which are like a rope around our neck but which do not suffocate us. We call on them to initiate ties of friendship and to renounce this inhuman approach which has been continuing since 1963 and which has closed the doors of friendship on us though not destroyed us. This is our sincere expectation because we sincerely want a conciliation''.On his part, Cem inter alia said: ``We primarily assessed the results of the proximity talks, the impressions were obtained from those meetings, and especially the recent meetings held in Geneva. We, on behalf of our government, express our gratitude and thanks to Mr. Denktash for his extremely serious, determined, and solution-oriented stand and policies adopted during these talks. We reviewed various future-oriented views and approaches. I would like to state that we have reviewed the policies the TRNC has been developing with our contribution for the last three years. We determined that solutions that might be described as positive were attained in the last two to three years from the viewpoint of explaining our just cause and increasing our effectiveness. We are not exaggerating the results. We have, however, arrived at the conclusion that, without doubt, progress has been made in explaining the just cause of the TRNC''. He further said: ``I would like to present the two views that emerged. First of all, I would like to say the following to all the countries that want to contribute to and take an interest in Cyprus, and to their people: If you want to be beneficial as well as just and equitable, in other words, if you sincerely want the creation of a more positive atmosphere in Cyprus, then treat the two sides in Cyprus equally and adopt a just approach. This was not the case in the past. Neither is it the case now, but we have seen certain signs that it might happen. We describe this as an inevitable precondition. If they want to be beneficial, then they can do that only by treating the two sides in Cyprus equally and in a just a manner. The second issue is my personal view. I got the following impression during the Geneva talks especially because of a statement issued by the Greek Cypriot side. I was under the impression that the Greek Cypriot administration is disturbed by this process of proximity talks and that it is even exerting special efforts to desert this indirect process. This was my impression. I hope that I am wrong in my impression. I, however, feel the need to issue this warning. In other words, I observed this inclination to run away from the process. I hope that this will not be the case. Turkey has full confidence in and extends its full support to the TRNC, its honourable president, its prime minister, and its government. As I have always said, we extend every kind of support to the TRNC administration in defending its cause. We will continue with this support. We are very happy to observe that the policies the TRNC has been pursing have begun to yield some positive results. The latest development has to do with the embargo issue. We have begun to voice our views on the issue at every opportunity and at every platform. Now, of course, we are able to better explain the issue. We are bringing this great injustice called embargo to the attention of all the countries that are interested in Cyprus and especially to the attention of those countries that claim that they want to contribute to the achievement of a better atmosphere is Cyprus. As I have said, if they are to be beneficial, this can be achieved only through the equal and just treatment of both sides. Insistence on an embargo is not tantamount to adopting an equal and just approach vis-a-vis the two sides. We are inclined to measure the goodwill and sincerely of everyone by their stand on the embargo which we believe it to be unjust and even inhuman. They will, on one hand, continue to impose an embargo not making the slightest effort to lift it and, on the other, they will pretend to contribute to positive developments on the island and to adopt a just and equal approach. This is impossible. We are now able to present this issue more effectively. We will continue to do so in the future. I hope that we will achieve results one day''. [02] Eroglu: No change in policy based on confederation proposalIllegal Bayrak radio 1 (16:30 hours, 26.2.00) reports that so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu, in a statement at illegal Tymbou airport after Turkish Foreign Minster Ismail Cem�s departure, assessed the meeting held with Cem. Noting that Cem�s visit aimed at reviewing future strategies, Eroglu said that a very positive meeting was held during Cem�s visit. He added that the strategy to be pursued in the aftermath of the New York and Geneva talks was discussed at the meeting. Eroglu said that a unity of views was reached on the stand to be adopted in the third round of the proximity talks. Stressing that the policy being pursued is very clear, Eroglu said: ``There is no change in the policy based on the principle of two states. The confederation proposal is on the agenda.''Pointing that ``these realities'' should be accepted in future talks, Eroglu said that at the meeting it was noted that if they are accepted then direct talks can begin and a formula for a conciliation can be found. [03] Turkish Cypriots reject notion of `Canton region�Anatolia Agency (8:21 hours, 26.2.00) reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so-called foreign affairs and defense minister, has declared that the Turkish Cypriots will oppose any view that would deny or threaten the existence of the ``TRNC''.Ertugruloglu underlined that those who are coming with the aim of offering views should not overlook this ``sensitivity'', adding that the Turkish Cypriots do not and will not welcome any attitude that does not incorporate the existence and perpetuation of the ``TRNC'', and they will not take part in such a structure. Ertugruloglu advised those who have a desire to establish a ``canton region'' inside so-called TRNC territories to renounce this inclination in the shortest possible time. He claimed: ``The TRNC territory is an integrated state, as required by the relevant articles of the Constitution. This is one of the constitutional articles that are not subject to change. There is no question of any kind of canton being established within the territories of the TRNC''. He remarked that the Turkish Cypriot side did not encounter such a proposal in New York or in Geneva, but there were signs that the Greek Cypriot side had such intentions. He declared that the Turkish Cypriots did not receive official or unofficial proposals to this effect. Ertugruloglu said that those who are planning to submit such a proposal should immediately renounce their intention. Furthermore, Ertugruloglu alleged that the''TRNC'' is not opposed to the contacts with the Greek Cypriot side, but it will not allow these contacts to be conducted in a way that will ignore the existence of the ``TRNC''. Ertugruloglu said that the Turkish Cypriots did not receive a proposal regarding confidence-building measures (CBM�s), but the Greek Cypriot press is trying to keep this subject on its daily agenda ``in line with its habit of writing scenarios''. He is not officially aware of a CBM�s package, Ertugruloglu noted, adding that if such a package is submitted to the Turkish Cypriots in the future, their position consists of ``the confirmation and acceptance of the existence of the TRNC state no matter what''. [04] Ertugruloglu denies SLA members to be settled in pseudostateIllegal Bayrak radio 1 (16:30 hours, 25.2.00) reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu, ``foreign affairs and defense minister'', has denied the reports that the militants of the South Lebanese Army (SLA), which collaborates with Israel in south Lebanon, will be settled in the pseudostate together with their families with the aim of ensuring their safety against the Hizballah following Israel�s withdrawal from Lebanon. Ertugruloglu said: ``Such allegations are comical at best.''[05] Turkish, Greek Cypriot parties sign joint declarationAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 26.2.00), the Patriotic Unity Movement (YBH) and the Greek Cypriot DISI (Democratic Rally) Party have signed a joint declaration. A delegation led by YBH Secretary General Izzet Izcan came to the free areas and met with DISI officials. A joint declaration was signed between the two parties at the end of the meeting. Under the declaration, signed after the meeting with the DISI delegation headed by the party leader, the two parties will continue to work for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem based on a bizonal and bicommunal federation, the UN resolutions, the 1977 and 1979 summit agreements, and respect for human rights.[06] Holger sees Cyprus `hope�A glimmer of hope, was how acting United Nations Cyprus representative James Holger described the latest round of ``proximity'' negotiations between the island�s two leaders.Mr. Holger gave his personal impressions and the official UN view of the Cyprus issue in an exclusive interview with Cyprus Today (26/2-3/3/2000. The experienced Chilean diplomat said he was ``cautiously optimistic the problem will be solved'', citing new factors in the equation, chiefly the European Union. ``I see that there is a glimmer of hope'', he said, comparing the current position to that of the time he last served in Cyprus, in the 1980s. Mr. Holger said the ``European factor'', involved ``the two motherlands'' of Turkey and Greece, and also Cyprus. ``� In that respect, it is my hope that a formula will be found to make it possible for the entry of a reunited Cyprus into the European Union''. Mr. Holger, ``holding the UN fort'' in Cyprus for eight months, will hand over the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan�s new special representative and UN Chief of Mission, Alvaro de Soto, In June. Professional Peruvian diplomat Mr. De Soto, known as a ``trouble-shooter'' for the UN, is due to arrive on the island on Tuesday for a familiarisation trip before settling here permanently. Mr. Holger affectionately described his successor as a ``cool cat'' and a successful negotiator practising ``quiet diplomacy'' who had brought about an end to the El Salvador civil war which claimed 80,000. ``He�s been sent mainly on troubleshooting missions exercising quiet diplomacy -very little publicity is given to his activities, and one day you would see him in Angola, the next day in Burma, then in China'', said Mr. Holger. ``� this is his first involvement with the Cyprus problem - in fact he has never been to the island'', he added. Mr. Annan has said a solution could be reached by the end of this year, but Mr. Holger commented: ``I would like to contradict my boss, the Secretary General� not that I am pessimistic, but I think that it will take a year or two''. Mr. Holger said the current proximity talks were necessary as a precursor to face-to-face negotiations, since there had been a two-year hiatus without any real dialogue. He admitted there had been ``no breakthrough'' in the talks so far in New York and Geneva, but said the UN had a ``fairly comprehensive picture'' of where the two sides stood, and what the main differences and points of agreement were. ``There are points in which agreement is visible, but I think we are at a very early phase in that process'', said Mr. Holger. He added: ``There is still a gap of suspicion and mistrust on both sides - on one side regarding the positions and intentions of the other and vice versa, and I think on the basis of what has happened on this island in the last 30-40 years that shouldn�t come as a surprise''. Nonetheless, he saw positive movement, albeit at a slow pace, towards a comprehensive agreement. Both communities were looking for a sense of security, rather than living under a ``cloud of a potential threat of repetition of the past''. Security - and the question of guarantees - was the top priority, and once that was dealt with, an accord could be made. [07] Election campaignKIBRIS (25.2.00) reports that in the framework of the election campaign Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash visited the occupied village of Galatia. In his speech, he pointed out that he is an independent candidate and he is above all the political parties.When he was asked why he did not attend the Democratic Party�s meeting in occupied Varoshia, he replied that he doesn�t belong to any political party.(DP) [08] Working forceAll newspapers of 25.2.00 publish the result of a research carried out by the so-called state planning organization of the pseudostate. According to the research, 70% of the working force are salary - paid employees, the majority of which is working in the so-called pubic sector, while 18% are self-employed and only 3% are employers.[09] Illegal Bulgarian settlers demand land for housesAccording to KIBRIS (26.2.00) the so-called prime minister of the pseudostate had a meeting yesterday with the representatives of the so- called ``Association of Bulgarian Refugees'' headed by its chairman Kulsat Dunki.During the meeting Eroglu listened to the problems and grievances of the illegal Bulgarian settlers in the occupied area and said that he will do his best to solve these problems conveyed to him. He said: ``The problems of these people, who chose this Iand as their homeland, will be solved''. Eroglu said that when he was the ``prime minister'' of the pseudo-government which took the decision to accept the Bulgarian illegal settlers in the occupied area, they solved the ``housing'' and ``citizenship'' problems of these illegal settlers. Eroglu further said that in order to get ``TRNC citizenship'', a letter should fulfill the five- years condition. During the meeting the illegal Bulgarian settlers submitted a letter to Eroglu in which they cited the problems that they want to be solved as follows: ``To appropriate land for building homes. To give citizenship to those who are yet to receive it. To provide every facility in order to bring together the divided families. To stop visa formalities for those who want to visit their families. To find a way, as in the case of Turkey, to get their social security rights to be transferred to the TRNC''.(MY) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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