Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-10

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 43/98 -- 10.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash addresses pseudo-Assembly on the Cyprus problem.

[02] "Draft resolutions" submitted by parties during the pseudo-assembly session.

[03] Pseudo-assembly' adopts "two-state resolution"

[04] CTP's Talat urges dialogue with EU to solve problem.

[05] Denktash: `We will unite with Turkey if Greek Cypriots join the EU'.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash addresses pseudo-Assembly on the Cyprus problem

"From now on, we will not meet with representatives from the EU, because the EU is not on our agenda. The EU cannot be on our agenda".

"I want you to announce that we cannot be detached from Turkey; that the rights and authorities which were granted to us through the 1960 agreements and which we protected with our lives cannot be taken away from us; that our flag cannot be pulled down; and that, therefore, we are ready for a dialogue between two states, two equal sides."

And he further claimed: "Now we are granting the Greek Cypriots a new opportunity. This is truly a great opportunity.

We gave them that opportunity when we established our federated state. They did not take it, they pushed it away. We gave them the opportunity when we established the TRNC too. We gave the opportunity both the Greek Cypriots and to the world. We gave the world the chance to tell the Greek Cypriots that they are not, cannot, and will not be the government of Cyprus or of the people of Cyprus. We gave the world the chance to tell them that the agreements do not allow that, the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey do not accept it; so take this into consideration and take a new stand.

The world did not say that and missed that chance. The Greek Cypriots were thus further encouraged. The result is the recent devious exercise to push us into the trap through the EU.

Even the UN Secretary General forgot that he said in his report that membership in the EU should come after an agreement. He is now saying that membership in the EU will help the solution of the Cyprus problem. We said that we do not accept that; that their argument is not true, that the EU issue will push the talks to a dead end and bring them to a halt. We were right. That path is not our path. A path must be found on which both peoples can advance.

We talked of a bizonal federation. There was no need for us to do that, but we did it out of goodwill. However, we saw how it was used against us, and finally it went bankrupt. It was not us who pushed it to bankruptcy. We said yes to a federal framework that would stress our equality and sovereignty, that would not make any concessions from bizonality, that would uphold the guarantees system, and that would involve an exchange of property. We insisted on that till the end. However, we saw that as of 1994, Clerides rejected all these principles claiming that there is no common ground between us. Finally, when the EU gave them the green light, the Greek Cypriots admitted they were in favour of a federal system as it exists in Europe, where everyone can go and settle wherever he wants, where there is no exchange of property, where there are no guarantees -- maybe only so-called guarantees -- and where the multinational force would swing their clubs among us. In this way, they destroyed the federal system we were originally talking of.

What we say now is: come and let us look at the facts.

There are two peoples, two states, two governments, two democracies, two languages, two religions. Let us properly channel the efforts we have been making for the past 34 years to bring the two together, and in light of the facts, let us first build bridges between the two states, let us cooperate. This starts with the immediate lifting of the embargoes. If the other side wants a partnership and friendship with us, it should not go on with this enmity. They reply by saying that this will go on as long as the Turkish soldiers are on the island. We say that the Turkish soldiers are not here for hostile purposes. They protect the borders of the Turkish Cypriots who are still faced with the danger of a genocide."

And he concluded: "We are at a historic crossroads. The decision you will reach today is as historic and as important as the historic decision reached when this assembly was founded."

[02] "Draft resolutions" submitted by parties during the pseudo-assembly session

TKP (Communal Liberation Party) leader Mustafa Akinci came to the rostrum to note that the remark that the other side was tested until today is wrong. I am concerned, he said, that the Greek Cypriot will be able to join the EU on their own because of such policies. Akinci recalled that only the opposition conferred with Sir David Hannay, describing the absence of the "government" from the meeting as regrettable.

DP (Democratic Party) Secretary General Onur Borman claimed that they could not meet with Sir David due to a lack of understanding on the venue and place of the meeting.

CTP (Republican Turkish Party) Secretary General Soyer also came to the rostrum and criticized Denktash for comparing the views of his party with those of President Clerides. He stressed that the 1977 and 1979 summit agreements are serious agreements that envisage a solution.

The joint "draft resolution" submitted by the UBP (National Unity Party) and DP groups says that from now on, the negotiations must be based on the principle of "two states", that it is out of the question for the "TRNC" to take part in the accession process started between the EU and the Cyprus Government. The "draft resolution" notes that the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to make peaceful efforts "for the continuation of the peace existing between the two peoples and states in Cyprus", and that together with motherland Turkey, the "TRNC" will act within the framework of the joint declarations they signed on 20 January 1997 and 20 July 1997.

The CTP "draft resolution" says that it is a historic duty to call on the Cyprus Government to realize that it cannot achieve any economic, political, or social progress by excluding the Turkish Cypriot community; and to advance the negotiation process in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem under a UN framework and on the basis of the Boutros-Ghali Set of Ideas.

The eight-article draft "resolution" notes that the two equal communities will form the equal wings of the federal republic, and that once the Cyprus problem is solved, Cyprus must join the EU as a federal state.

The five-article TKP "draft resolution" says that the Turkish Cypriots must become members of the EU, but only after a solution is reached. It says that after the solution, the "TRNC" will take its place as one of the two equal wings of a federal Cyprus republic, and carry out its functions as cited in the federal constitution. It also notes that the "TRNC's" economic and democratic progress will serve not only the Turkish Cypriot community, but the permanence of the solution too.

[03] Pseudo-assembly' adopts "two-state resolution"

A "resolution" was adopted early in the morning, stating that the existence of the "TRNC" should not be disregarded in the talks on the Cyprus problem to be held from now on.

The pseudo-assembly plenary session met yesterday to consider the latest phase in the Cyprus problem and the "resolution" that needed to be adopted.

The "resolution" adopted by a majority of votes stressed that from now on "the reality of the existence of two states in Cyprus should be taken as a basis in the subsequent stages of the negotiating process", and indicated that an end must be put to the "mistake" of considering the Cyprus Government as the government of the Turkish Cypriots too. The "resolution" notes that the Turkish Cypriots are exercising their right of self-administration, and claims that, in accordance with the 1960 agreements, it is impossible for Cyprus to become a partial or full member of an international union or organization in which Turkey and Greece are not simultaneously members. The "resolution" also claims that the EU Luxembourg summit's decision to further the membership talks with the Greek Cypriot side and the non-inclusion of Turkey in the EU expansion process has upset the Turkish-Greek balance.

Noting that a separate "administration" exists in the north, the "resolution" claims that the recognition or non-recognition of this "state" does not change this "reality", and the denial of this"reality" will not serve efforts for a peaceful solution in Cyprus.

The "resolution" states that together with motherland Turkey, the pseudostate will henceforth act within the framework of the 20 January 1997 Joint Declaration and the 20 July 1997 Joint Statement, and that every necessary measure will be taken to save the "TRNC" from embargoes and advance it economically.

[04] CTP's Talat urges dialogue with EU to solve problem

In a statement he issued, Talat commented on the panel discussion held in Brussels by the Greens group of the European Parliament as well as on his contacts in Brussels. Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot community in particular feels the effects of the absence of a solution in Cyprus and that peace is a vital need for everyone, particularly the Turkish Cypriots.

Talat remarked that the declaration issued by the Greens noted that in order to achieve lasting peace in Cyprus, the two communities on the island must be brought to an equal level; that the talks between the EU and the Greek Cypriot side will not reduce the tension on the island; and that it is important for the Turkish Cypriot side as well to participate in this process.

Stressing that this declaration demonstrates the positive concrete results of contemporary communications, Talat said that refusing to meet with the EU or with representatives of EU member countries is tantamount to leading the problem to an impasse and this, in turn, does not benefit the Turkish Cypriots.

[05] Denktash: `We will unite with Turkey if Greek Cypriots join the EU'

Addressing a conference organized by the nationalist Grand Unity Party (BBP) about the future of the pseudostate in the southern city of Adana, Denktash said that Turkey is so adamant over its "Cyprus cause" that if it loses that struggle then it will not have the courage to defend other causes. "That's why all of us should do our best regarding the Cyprus issue", he continued.

"Now we have a single clear response to those who want to talk with us: If you are for negotiations between two states, we are ready. If you want to accept Greek Cypriots to the EU, do it. But then we will unite with Turkey. This point is clear. There are two states, two people, two democracies, two languages, two religions and two states in Cyprus. Let us set up bridges between these. But, of course we cannot accept the `minority formula'" Denktash alleged.

BBP chairman Muhsin Yazicioglu claimed that the "borders" of the pseudostate had been drawn by the blood of "martyrs" and that it will survive forever within Anatolia.

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

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