Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-15

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[01] Denktash criticizes Annan/s latest proposal.

[02] FM Cem on Turkey/s Financial Aid to Turkish Cypriots, warns against Greek Cypriot Accession to EU.

[03] Ecevit expresses uneasiness over Cyprus inclusion in letters sent to EU Premiers.

[04] Cem to Annan: Wait for a while before the next round of Cyprus talks.

[05] Greek Foreign Minister on Cyprus, relations with Turkey.

[06] Cyprus reference in draft ICO decision.

[07] Turkish Acting Assembly Speaker, Education Minister to attend so- called anniversary celebrations

[08] Denktash addresses opening UDI ``celebrations''.

[09] Turkey/s Yilmaz explains stance on linkage between Cyprus, EU Accession.

[10] Cyprus: Turkish officials arrive for ``celebrations'', planes to stage acrobatics.

[11] Talat in London.

[12] ``Farmers Union'' travel to Spain.

[13] NGO/s march.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash Criticizes Annan's Latest Proposal Illegal BRTK Television Network (0900 hours, 14.11.00) aired live a news

Denktash referred to the speech he made at the OIC summit and said: ``My speech was effective. I received a lot of applause. Many delegates congratulated me. They told me: That is what we wanted to hear from you; you should have done this a long time ago.

In the plane on my way home, I saw a press report that says we were not recognized because of certain developments. We did not seek recognition at this meeting. As in previous meetings, we asked the OIC member countries to support us and to support the secretary general's 12 September statement. They accepted this at the Commission. I believe that the OIC polonium will also accept it. In fact, it may have been accepted by now. I gave them the message that we are launching a three-year struggle for recognition, because it is understood that the Greek Cypriots will not come to their senses and will continue to try to get the whole of Cyprus unless the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC] is recognized. We must all give this message. I reiterate: The Cyprus problem is the problem of the usurpation of our sovereignty. We will be effective if we stand against this sovereignty together, if we say the same things together. We must become part of the Islamic world more effectively. We will discuss this issue with our colleagues in order to achieve that.'' Denktash repeated his known allegations about the Cyprus problem and said:

``For the problem to be resolved seriously, both the Greek Cypriots and the world must realize that the Greek Cypriots are not and cannot be our government, that they do not have the right to claim that they are our government, and that they can achieve nothing by lying to the world that they represent the whole of Cyprus. Of course our friend and ally the United States and our guarantor Britain must remove from the map the greatest mistake they committed -- for their own interests -- in 1983. They passed the following resolution then: The Cyprus republic exists, the Greek Cypriots are the legitimate government of this republic, the TRNC is illegal and nobody should recognize it.

Surely the United States and Britain realize themselves that this resolution is useless, constitutes an obstacle in the talks, and prevents an agreement. They tell us behind closed doors that they see and understand this, but that they cannot change it. We believe that this can indeed change. We are determined. The TRNC exists and will continue to exist. The Cyprus problem will be resolved on the basis of two states. Nothing has been gained or will be gained by giving the Greek Cypriots leeway or by encouraging them. Everybody should realize that.

As you all know, our status must first be recognized so that we can start negotiations with the EU on an equal footing. We can join the EU simultaneously with Turkey, on condition that Turkey's rights are protected. The Greek Cypriots want to join the EU quickly in order to eliminate Turkey's rights over Cyprus and to reduce our status to that of the Western Thrace Turks by making us join the EU before our status is recognized. We must not fall into this trap. Many people have pinned their hopes on the EU. We must realize, however, that if we go after the Greek Cypriots and after their deception, if we join the EU without Turkey and without protecting our status and rights over Cyprus, we will be in a far worse position than that of the Western Thrace Turks.

Turkey is continuing to conduct its own relations and struggle with the EU. We say we must first reach an agreement in Cyprus. An agreement that is based on equal conditions and on the principle of two states. After that we can talk about membership in the EU.

I felt the need to say all this.

In Istanbul, reporters asked me why I was so angry at what the UN secretary general said verbally. My reply is this: Persons who analyze this properly will see that it has opened the doors to turning Cyprus into a unitary state in a few years. It has opened the doors wide to all the Greek Cypriot refugees who want to return to their old places. The Greek Cypriot side considers this to be a great gain. It is happy. It is happy for nothing, though, because we will not fall into this trap.

On the other hand, no reference has been made in this latest proposal to the guarantee and alliance agreements which were emphasized in all previous documents and about which everyone said we should not worry because they would always be valid. This latest proposal refers to a security regime. When we asked why, we were told behind closed doors that Clerides does not want the guarantee and alliance agreement to be mentioned or written down.

If we were willing to go along Clerides' desires, we would have done that and surrendered to him a long time ago.

This problem can be resolved only in the light of the realities, on condition that Turkey maintains its rights over Cyprus, and if the sovereignty and equality of the Turkish Cypriots are accepted. A great trick is involved in this issue as well. The aim of this trick is to dilute Turkey's rights and guarantorship.

On the other hand, new plots are being hatched to usurp the rights we gained back in the 1960 agreements -- the right to hold separate elections and the right to be a separate people, a separate democracy. Efforts are being made to introduce very complicated systems that involve the election of the president by a mixed vote.

Mr. Annan told Mr. Sezer, Mr. Cem, and us, that these are mere ideas and that they should not be taken seriously. We cannot accept that. When the UN secretary general says something, we take it seriously and we respond seriously. We have given our response.''

To a question whether the proximity talks will go on, he replied: ``We will assess this issue in detail with our government and our assembly. We want these seemingly unending talks to come to a productive end. The way to do that is to hold serious negotiations. A road map was drawn with the 12 September statement. We consider that statement to be an official statement since Mr. Annan calls the latest one an unofficial statement. So there is a road map. This road will lead to two units which are being called two units of equal status. The units are not being given names. These units will constitute a partnership under equal conditions. One of the units will not be able to rule or represent the other. We can defend our cause within this framework.

We cannot accept the reversal of this road map just because the Greek Cypriots reject it. Since the UN secretary general is saying that his latest proposal was not serious but simply a verbally expressed opinion, we should all go back to the serious and written road map. Then we will think about it.''

[02] FM Cem on Turkey's Financial Aid to Turkish Cypriots, Warns Against Greek Cypriot Accession to EU

Stressing that Turkey's aid to the ``TRNC'' totalled $50-$60 million until 1995, Cem said that the amount totalled $86.1 million in 1996, $132.6 million in 1997, $243.8 million in 1998, $158.5 million in 1999, and $195.5 million in 2000. Referring to the proximity talks on Cyprus, he claimed that the Greek Cypriot side continues to deny the ``realities'', including the political equality of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities. Cem said that each and every step the Cyprus Government takes to join the EU will accelerate the ``TRNC's'' integration with Turkey.

[03] Ecevit Expresses Uneasiness Over Cyprus Inclusion in Letters Sent To EU Premiers

Premier Ecevit expressed Turkey's uneasiness over the inclusion of the Cyprus issue in the prior targets of the Accession Partnership Document which was prepared by the EU Commission as a ``road map`` for Turkey.

Ecevit claimed in his letter that a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue can be found by negotiations between the two sides and by recognition of the fact that there are ``two separate states'' on the island. Ecevit alleged in the letter that there is no connection between Turkey/s candidacy to the EU and the Cyprus issue.

The letter Premier Ecevit sent to the leaders of the EU countries will be announced on Wednesday. (15.11.00)

[04] Cem to Annan: Wait for a while before the next round of Cyprus talks According to a report in Turkish Daily News (Internet version, 14.11.00),

During the 35-minute meeting, Cem stated that Turkey would be more cautious towards the continuation of the proximity talks, held under the auspices of the United Nations, unless the verbal remarks of Annan, which were made on November 8, were corrected. Cem also indicated that Turkey considers it necessary to review the recent developments in the international arena regarding the Cyprus problem.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said in comments to the paper that Annan/s oral remarks aimed to renew the agreement of guarantors on the island. ``A new security system is mentioned which clearly means to shelve the role of Turkey as guarantor'', Denktash told the paper. ``On the other hand, Annan talked about a regulation within the framework of the EU which will mean that the Greek Cypriots will be able to buy land in the North, which we cannot accept. Unless the Seceretary-General returns to his position on Sept. 12, we see a necessity to wait for the next round of the proximity talks'', he said. Denktash said that he would go to Ankara to review the situation in Cyprus with Turkish officials within two weeks.

[05] Greek Foreign Minister on Cyprus, Relations With Turkey Daily Sabah (Internet Version in, 10.11.00) publishes the text of an

Asked to comment on the Accession Partnership Document, Mr. Papandreou said:

``As I noted earlier the Accession Partnership Document is a text that sets the course of candidate nations and that has been drafted not by Greece but the joint efforts of 15 EU nations. That document should not be viewed as a set of conditions. This document must be viewed as a road map that specifies the routes which can help a candidate nation reach its destination more easily. I believe that Turkey has the political will to progress along the route specified by this document. The reforms that will be undertaken in Turkey on this course are also of close interest to us. Turkey is our neighbor, and the more prosperous it is the better off we are. I believe that Turkey will be able to overcome the hurdles that exist before it now and that may arise in the future. I believe this because, ultimately, despite all the difficulties, Turkey's membership in the EU will help Greek-Turkish relations, the EU, and stability and peace in the region.''

To a question about the Cyprus problem, Mr. Papandreou said: ``It is time to look at the Cyprus problem from another angle. In other words, the Cypriots must look forward: they must stop blaming each other, forget the mistakes of the past, and ensure that these mistakes are not repeated again. In other words, they must abandon the mentality of disagreeing and adopt an attitude of finding unifying factors. The two sides must also show understanding toward each other's difficulties and concerns. For example, the Greek Cypriot side cannot understand the presence of 40,000 Turkish soldiers in a tiny island. Is the threat so great that 40,000 soldiers have to be deployed on the island? Conversely, the Greek Cypriots need to dispel the Turkish Cypriot feelings about "trust and distrust," to demonstrate their good will, and to persuade the Turkish Cypriot side that they want to live together with them and raise their standard of living together. Soon Cyprus will become a member of the EU. When that happens the resolution of problems will become automatically easier. Cyprus's EU membership is the best assurance that past mistakes will not be repeated. Indeed this is the logic of the EU--that is, to allow different cultures, religions, languages, and nations to live in prosperity under one roof. Otherwise the sides may be pushed into isolation and may be condemned to live in isolation. For a moment think about Cyprus as a member of the EU. Who can be harmed by that? On the contrary would that not be in the interests of the Cypriot people as well as help the real improvement of Turkish-Greek relations?''

[06] Cyprus reference in draft ICO decision According to a report in RADIKAL (Internet Version, 12.11.00), Turkey was

[07] Turkish Acting Assembly Speaker, Education Minister to attend so- called anniversary celebrations

Addressing journalists at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara prior to his departure, Sokmenoglu said that he was not satisfied with inclusion of the Cyprus issue in the Accession Partnership Accord which was submitted to Turkey last week by the European Union (EU) Commission.

``The real interlocutor in settlement of lasting peace and stability on Cyprus is known. The Cyprus issue should be solved between TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side. Inclusion of Cyprus issue in the Accession Partnership Accord does have a secret purpose,`` he claimed.

[08] Denktas Addresses Opening of UDI ``Celebrations''

`We should make such a sound agreement that no more bloodshed should occur like the one that happened after the phony peace between Israel and Palestine. This sound agreement should be based on the state. We know and want this, and we continue the talks with determination to this end.``

Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots should not be busy with Turkey's guarantorship, the Turkish soldiers` existence in the island, and the existence of the ``state'' if they do not have the intention to attack on the Turkish Cypriots again.

[09] Turkey/s Yilmaz explains stance on linkage between Cyprus, EU Accession Illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (16:30 hours, 14.11.00) reports that Mesut Yilmaz,

Pointing out that the two aspects that disturb Turkey in the document consist of Cyprus and financial cooperation, Yilmaz expressed the belief that a cosmetic date was cited in order to surmount the Greek veto regarding Cyprus. Reiterating that there is no element that Turkey will categorically reject in the document, Yilmaz added: ``However, there are two aspects that disturb us in the document. One of these concerns Cyprus, and the other pertains to financial cooperation. As for Cyprus, an expression was used in the Helsinki summit decisions with regard to Turkey. We were not opposed to this expression. Actually, we had agreed upon it. It was stated in Helsinki that Turkey will support the political dialogue conducted on Cyprus. When this was stated in Helsinki, the prime minister had declared that we do not interpret this in any way to mean that Turkey's full membership is linked to the solution of the Cyprus problem, and that we do not accept any linkage between the solution of the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU accession. The prime minister's statement was not rejected and the Finnish foreign minister, the term president of the EU Council, confirmed this in writing to Turkey.''

Explaining Turkey's stand in the face of the reference to the Cyprus issue in the EU Accession Partnership Document, Yilmaz said that Turkey can either reject the entire document because of this change in the attitude regarding Cyprus or adopt the document as a whole after having stated that the Cyprus issue can in no way be accepted as a factor in Turkey's relations with the EU.

[10] Cyprus: Turkish Officials Arrive for ``Celebrations'', Planes To Stage Acrobatics

At 16:30 hours, on 14 November, illegal Bayrak Radio announces that General Ergin Celasin, Turkish Air Force commander, arrived in the ``TRNC'' as the representative of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). In an arrival statement, Celasin said that the TSK is closely following the military activities resulting from the joint defense doctrine of the Greek Cypriot-Greek pair.

At 06:00 hours on 15 November, illegal Bayrak Radio announces that Sukru Sina Gurel, Turkish state minister in charge of Cyprus affairs, arrived in the ``TRNC'' to attend the 17th ``anniversary celebrations''. Also in an airport statement, Gurel said that the ways to overcome together the economic and social problems of the Turkish Cypriots will once again be explored during his stay in the ``TRNC''. Pointing out that there are international attempts to reduce the status of the Turkish Cypriots to one of minority, Gurel declared that together with the ``TRNC'', Turkey will tackle these problems.

In the same newscast, the radio also reports that the Turkish Stars, the acrobatics team of the Turkish Air Force, will perform acrobatics over the occupied Kyrenia Port today (15.11.00) within the framework of the ``celebrations''.

[11] Talat in London YENIDUZEN (15.11.00) reports that the leader of the Republican Turkish

Talat will participate in the international conference ``Britain and Turkey in the new Europe'', which will be held between 23-24 November in London.

[12] ``Farmers Union'' travel to Spain According to KIBRIS (15.11.00) a delegation of the ``Turkish Cypriot

The IFAP meeting will be held between 16 and 17 of November.

[13] NGO/s march According to KIBRIS (15.11.00) the 41 NGO/s in the occupied area will

At the end of the march, they will give a memorandum to so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu.

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

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