TURKISH PRESS
AND OTHER MEDIA
No.36/05
22.02.05
A.NEWS ITEMS
1. HURRIYET: They thought she is an “envoy”
2. “Serdar has become stronger
3. Mehmet Ali Talat assessed the “elections” results
4. Rauf Denktas expressed his support to Talat as a negotiator
5. Rauf Denktas was interviewed by NTV channel
6. Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed Turkish Cypriot “election” results7. Atilla
Koc appointed as Minister of Culture and Tourism in Turkey
8. JDP deputy resigned
9. The Speaker of the Italian Senate, stated that the EU should have assisted in
the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting Cyprus in the EU
10. The UK is considering starting direct flights to occupied Cyprus after
holding the EU presidency
B.COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
1. “Turkey wins again”
A.NEWS ITEMS
1. HURRIYET: They thought she is an “envoy”
Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (22.02.05), reports under the above title and
says: “Nil Demirkazik did it again… The Greek Cypriots thought that Demirkazik,
who has gone to the Ledra Palace border gate and wanted to have a meeting with
Papadopoulos, was Prime Minister Erdogan’s envoy. She was taken by a car and
had a coffee with Papadopoulos in a Café for 20 minutes.
The Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, thinking that she is bringing a
message from the Prime Minister Erdogan, secretly brought Nil Demirkazik, a former
Justice and Development Party, (JDP) contester for Member of Parliament
candidacy, sat face to face and had coffee with her and took a picture with her arm in
arm.
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The Greek Cypriots had perceived Demirkazik´s initiative as a step taken within the
framework of a possible meeting between Erdogan and Papadopoulos.
Subtitle: How I met him
One of the JDP´s popular names, and former contester for member of Parliament
candidacy, Nil Demirkazik, went to the `TRNC´ to extend support to the Democrat
Party, and she has presented a plaque to Rauf Denktas, in the name of the
Association for help for the World and Our Country’s Children in Health Education, of
which she is the founder.
Demirkazik, considered her arrival to the `TRNC´ an opportunity and wanted to meet
the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos.
Demirkazik, spoke about the development that took place three days ago, which lead
the Greek Cypriot administration to panic as follows:
Subtitle: In five minutes
“Five months ago I have made an application to the Greek Cypriot Embassy in
Greece that I am a JDP candidate of parliament and that I want to meet
Papadopoulos.
They have sent me a fax message and told me that the Greek
Cypriot leader will not be in Cyprus. In the meantime, there was a telephone number
on the fax with which I could establish contact with the DIKO Party.
I got in touch with the Director of Visual News Reports of Ihlas News Agency (IHA)
Ismail Balli, and told him that I will be meeting with Papadopoulos and asked him to
send reporters.
However, he said that they had not enough cameramen in the
`TRNC´. I went to Ledra Palace border gate. The Greek Cypriot Police did not let
me to cross over. Then I called my contact in DIKO and told him/her that I am at the
Ledra Palace border gate and wanted to meet Mr Papadopoulos. Within five minutes
a car came and took me to the Greek Cypriot side.
Subtitle: We had coffee
We had a lunch with DIKO officials, then they took me next to a theatre, Mr
Papadopoulos came out of a car I told him that I have come to extend support to the
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Democrat Party of Serdar Denktas. In his turn Mr Papadopoulos told me: `We want
good relations with Turkey´.
Then I had a complained to him, about the Greek
Cypriot journalists that treated me in an unbecoming manner. He told me: `You
have met a rude Greek Cypriot´. Then we went to a Café and had coffee and talked
for 15-20 minutes. I had no camera so, I asked DIKO officials to take a picture, they
did it and gave the picture to me”.
2. “Serdar has become stronger”
Under the above title Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (22.02.05) reports
that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party, has become stronger after
the “parliamentary elections” last Sunday and that the number of the “MPs” elected
with the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) decreased from 25 to 24, while the number
of the “MPs” elected with National Unity Party (NUP) increased form 18 to 19.
“Thus the number of the supporters of the YES vote in the parliament is 25 and is
equal again with the number of the supporters of the NO vote. However, at the
results of the general elections the supporters of the YES vote decreased from 65 %
to 52 %”, writes AFRIKA and adds that RTP has no other alternative than
establishing a so-called government with the Democratic Party.
“Because it has no other alternative the conditions of the DP are expected to be kept
more strictly”, argues the paper noting that it is not yet known whether or not the
chairman of DP Serdar Denktas will demand the post of the “Prime Minister” of the
occupation regime.
AFRIKA reports that the percentage of the participation in the “elections” has been 6
% lower than the last “election” and that the 6 % of the votes were not valid. In this
case, those who boycotted the “elections” are the third winners.
Meanwhile, referring to the “election” result Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN
newspaper (22.02.05) reports that RTP, which lost an “MP” in the occupied Kyrenia
area, has objected to the results came out of ten ballot boxes in the above mentioned
area and asked the votes to be recounted. DP might also object today for the results
in the occupied area of Morfou, where it needed twelve votes to elect another “MP”.
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3. Mehmet Ali Talat assessed the “elections” results
Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.02.05) reports from the occupied Lefkosia that the
so-called Prime Minister and leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), Mr
Mehmet Ali Talat, whom his party increased its votes as the leading political party in
the “elections” that were held yesterday, has said that only one alternative exists for a
“coalition government”. That, he noted, is regrettable from the point of view of
democracy. Recalling the statements they made prior to the “elections” to effect that
the RTP would secure more than 40 percent of the votes, Talat asserted that they
achieved their objective.
Asserting that the party invited all the people in the “TRNC” to participate in the rally,
Talat noted: "We will outline the Turkish Cypriot people's determination to solve the
Cyprus problem and convey the message to the world that we are prepared to hold a
dialogue for that purpose."
Talat hinted that the RTP will seek to establish a “coalition government” with the
Democratic Party [DP] by saying: "It seems that many alternatives do not exist for
the establishment of the new government." He noted: "That has caused uneasiness.
I wish we had more than one alternative.
We would have felt more comfortable in
our assessments and bargaining talks."
Talat said that the final decision on the
matter will be made at the end of the assessments in the RTP, regardless of the fact
that the new structure of the “Republican Assembly” significantly reduced the
alternatives.
Referring to the electorate who voted for the other political parties,
Talat said that he believes many of them want a solution on the island.
Asked to explain the statement he made yesterday to the effect that "a serious and
radical change will be made in the `TRNC´ administration," Talat said: "Considering
the fact that the votes cast for the RTP nearly brought the party to power by itself in
the parliamentary system and the `presidential elections´ that will be held in April, a
new change has started to take place in the `TRNC´."
beginning," Talat noted:
Stressing that "a new era is
"The general political stance, that is, the separatist
approach opposed to the solution of the problem, is being replaced by an approach
that supports the solution of the problem and peace.
That means the reversal of a
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historic trend.
That is a change that will put significant pressure on the Greek
Cypriot side."
Asked to comment on Mr Rauf Denktas' statement to the Anatolia News Agency in
the morning that Talat is able to shoulder the responsibilities of the Turkish Cypriot
negotiator in addition to his duties as the “Prime Minister” and that he would prefer
someone not involved in politics to be elected as the next “president” Talat said:
wish the matter was like what Mr Denktas said it was.
such a person to be elected as `president´.
viewed in the world.
"I
I, too, would have preferred
However, that is not how the matter is
The leader of the community is elected by the people.
The
`president´ is elected by the people. For example, the United Nations addresses the
community's leader.
recognized.
Mr Denktas would have been right if the `TRNC´ was
I do not say that I must be the next `president´.
However, not
everyone would agree to the negotiations being conducted by a bureaucrat.
We
need a capable, strong, and trustworthy `president´ who will have a political
background. That is because he will be conducting the talks."
Asked to comment on President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulo's
statement that he will not inform UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the changes
the Greek Cypriot side wants to make in the Annan Plan, Talat said that Mr
Papadopoulos does not want a solution in Cyprus.
It will be recalled that Mr Papadopoulos recently replied to Mr Talat's statement that
"the Greek Cypriots are strangling the Turkish Cypriots" by saying:
"We are
strangling them with love. The Turkish Cypriots have become EU members without
paying any cost."
Asked to comment on his remarks, Talat said: "I do not know if I
should reply to him. What he said shows the way he thinks. What he said was very
audacious, disgusting, and shameful.
have significantly suffered.
suffered until 1974.
I criticize his remarks. The Turkish Cypriots
They suffered more than the Greek Cypriots.
They
They suffered because of the `embargo´ and `isolation´ after
1974. Meanwhile, I have not been able to understand how anyone can be strangled
with love.
That is probably a Papadopoulos-style love.
Papadopoulos is a chauvinist. Even his love is deadly."
Everyone is aware that
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4. Rauf Denktas expressed his support to Talat as a negotiator
Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.02.05) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr
Rauf Denktas wished on Monday good luck to Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the
Republican Turkish Party (RTP), who will have the highest number of representatives
in the “TRNC parliament” as a result of Sunday's “parliamentary elections”, and
hoped that Talat would continue to walk on a more robust road.
Stating that Talat had understood why he (Denktas) could not reach any compromise
with the Greek Cypriots (when Talat ruled the country for about 14 months), Denktas
said: ''As long as the Greek Cypriots are recognized as the legitimate government of
the whole Cyprus, they don't intend to reach any compromise (with the Turkish
Cypriots). When they sit at the table, this will only be a part of their tactics.''
Denktas went on saying, ''Turkey's role is very important. Turkey has strategic
interests (in Cyprus), and there is a Turkish-Greek balance of power. I think if we
(`TRNC´) become part of the EU, without Turkey, and without securing our state, this
will mean our end in a short while.''
Pointing out that hard days were ahead, Denktas said: ''I think Talat has proved that
he is a good negotiator. And, he has also learned about the Greek Cypriots. Our duty
is to help him with our experiences.''
Referring to the “presidential elections” to be held within two months, Denktas said
that it was Talat's and Talat's party's decision whether he will be a candidate.
Denktas noted that Talat might not run for the “presidency” but serve as a negotiator
in the talks with the Greek Cypriots, after getting the required authorization from the
“parliament”.
5. Rauf Denktas was interviewed by NTV channel
Istanbul NTV (21.02.05) broadcast an interview program with Turkish Cypriot leader
Rauf Denktas. The interview was conducted in Ahmet Yesiltepe's "Opposite Angle"
program, and NTV's correspondents in occupied Nicosia Selim Sayari and Hilmi
Hacaloglu joined Yesiltepe in asking the questions.
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Sayari asked Mr Denktas to assess the results of the “elections” held on 20 February.
He replied that he hoped the Republican Turkish Party, RTP, and its leader Talat
realized that they cannot trust the Greek Cypriots; and that they cannot trust the
world or its promises.
He also recalled that the parties which used to maintain that
the Turkish Cypriots can survive without Turkey have disappeared.
He added:
"I
believe that the National Unity Party [NUP] did not do better because it failed to
renew itself."
Denktas maintained that the people's message to the RTP was
"protect our independence, but if you want to reach an accord, do so." He stressed
that the RTP now works in harmony with Turkey and that this is as it should be.
On his plans after 17 April when he will end his term as “president” of the ”TRNC”,
Denktas stressed that he will not remain outside politics:
"The independence of
Cyprus runs through my veins", and added: “I do not have to be at the negotiating
table, but "the thing is to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from falling into a situation
similar to the 1963-1974 period.
In order to achieve that, our independence and
sovereignty must be protected. And for that, we must pursue a policy that will make
sure that Turkey supports this independence and sovereignty till the end.
I will
constantly recommend that."
Hacaloglu asked if the Cyprus negotiations will yield any results by 3 October.
Denktas emphasized that this is absolutely impossible:
“It is also wrong, to believe
that 3 October is a deadline. Turkey will do all that is necessary by 3 October and it
will continue along its course.
open-ended.
What disturbs me is that the ascension talks are
The EU may ask Turkey to give up Cyprus or something like that.
Surely, Turkey will not fall into this trap."
Denktas said he believes no steps will be
taken to start the Cyprus negotiations before May.
Asked to comment on Papadopoulos' recent remarks, Denktas said:
"If we do not
realize that the Greek Cypriots' sole policy is to own the whole of Cyprus, and if we
fail to see that they are using and will continue to use the EU for this purpose, then
we are deceiving ourselves."
Yesiltepe asked him if he really thinks the Turkish media exercises censorship when
it comes to him. Denktas replied that the most powerful media organs in Turkey do
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just that, because they do not believe that Cyprus should be saved or protected.
"They consider Cyprus to be an obstacle on the road to the EU, and they think that
were it not for Denktas, the Cyprus problem would have been solved," he said.
In reply to a question, the Turkish Cypriot leader denied that the people have
retracted their support from him.
In reply to another question, Denktas said that he is writing his autobiography, and
that he will write two-three articles a week to the daily HALKIN SESI.
Sayari asked how the Annan plan can be changed to incorporate the “TRNC's”
independence. Denktas replied: "For this to change, the United States and Britain
who have been playing a trick on Turkey for the past 40 years, must change their
own viewpoints. They must understand the true face of the Greek Cypriots, and it is
about time they did. They must realize that they cannot let 200,000 Turkish Cypriots
in the hands of 800,000 Greek Cypriots who have faith in their 120-year national
cause. They must give up the idea of strategically removing Turkey from Cyprus in
order to further their own strategic interests. Instead, they must think of this together
with Turkey, and decide not to upset the Turkish-Greek balance before Turkey joins
the EU.
They must say clearly to Papadopoulos:
only half of Cyprus.
You are person who represents
You cannot be and will not be the government of the Turkish
Cypriots. You do not have the legal or de facto right to do that. We made a mistake
for many years." Denktas then said: "Turkey must tell the EU: You gave me openended negotiations. Now you want Cyprus from me. No. I will now make Cyprus
an open-ended issue. I hope it will be solved by the time I join the EU, but I will say
the last word on Cyprus only when I join the EU."
On his plans after leaving the “presidency”, Denktas said he will support one or more
parties that have views similar to his.
He ruled out establishing a party himself.
Prompted by Yesiltepe, Denktas said he is happy with his son's party, adding: "The
policy he pursues suits mine, he works intelligently, and he pushed the brakes quite a
bit during the previous coalition."
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Denktas said trade relations between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot sector are not
important.
On the recent visit of US businessmen, Denktas said he feels offended because the
Turkish Cypriots are being treated like idiots: “This visit is utterly meaningless, he
said Denktas ruled out that steps are being taken to end the Turkish Cypriots'
isolation”.
He explained that the EU will extend aid to those parts in north Cyprus
that the Greek Cypriots will allow. “This is very humiliating”, Denktas added.
Sayari asked if the United States can persuade Papadopoulos.
Denktas replied:
"Papadopoulos threatened the United States that it would form an alliance with Syria
and Iran. What can the poor United States do? It can do anything it wants. It is the
United States that decided in 1964 that Cyprus could not be left to Makarios, to the
Greek Cypriots, that it was to be given to Greece, and Turkey was to be given a base
or a small island. It was the United States that established the main theme. It is the
United States which ever since then has been recognizing the blood-stained Greek
Cypriots -- who dug mass graves for the Turkish Cypriots -- as a legitimate
government.
It is the United States that makes the world recognize the Greek
Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus.
That is what the Greek lobby
does, but it looks like this policy serves US interests as well. Everybody knows how
we suffered from 1963 to 1974.
waiting for? For us to collapse.
Did the United States try to help?
What was it
Once we collapsed, Cyprus would have been
Greece's. The fact that we did not collapse was seen as a crime. Turkey's `peace
operation´ was seen as a crime. Turkey prevented a `genocide´, but in return the
United States imposed an arms embargo that went on for two to three years. That is
your United States.
It does not intend to leave Cyprus to the Muslims or to the
Turks. It wants to give it to the Greeks."
Hacaloglu asked why he decided not to run in the so-called presidential elections, to
which Denktas replied:
"Both my opposition, the Turkish media, and consequently
the entire world media, the United Nations, the United States, and the British have
written 'intransigent' on my forehead." Denktas said he is proud of his intransigence
because that is what saved his people from a colonial administration and gave them
a state.
Nevertheless, he added: "If I am elected again the world will think that
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Turkey played a trick by having an intransigent person like me elected next to a
flexible `prime minister´, so that things will not advance.
I do not want to do that to
my people, because I believe that my people want a solution.
The majority of my
people want a solution that will not be at the expense of our independence.
I
withdrew from the negotiations 10 months ago. Has an accord been reached? Has
it not emerged that it is because of the Greek Cypriots that there is no agreement?
That because they are the legitimate government, we cannot reach an accord? That
because they do not consider us their equals, we cannot reach an accord? I believe
it has.
Didn't the United States know that?
It did.
Didn't Britain know that?
Of
course, it did."
Asked to assess Mehmet Ali Talat's performance as “prime minister”, Denktas said
that after the referendum, Talat began to see the realities and stresses on every
occasion that the Greek Cypriots do not represent the Turkish Cypriots, that
bizonality must be maintained, and that we are a different people.
Nevertheless,
Denktas added: “Talat is not very outspoken on the issue of independence”.
Asked to assess Erdogan's performance as prime minister of Turkey, Denktas said:
"I learned from him the technique of being two steps ahead of the opponent. I do not
walk in front of a person who I don't know what is going to do.
It is dangerous.
Nevertheless, I believe that he thought he was going to get rid of the heavy burden of
the Cyprus problem by means of the very risky maneuver he carried out -- to accept
the Annan plan and to make us accept it. He thought that the roads would be wide
open after that. I see his current statements, however, where he complains that the
United Nations and the EU did not keep their promise."
6. Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed Turkish Cypriot “election” results
Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.02.05) reports from Ankara that the Turkish
Foreign Ministry, in an written statement yesterday, said: ''We welcome the fact that
the `elections´ in the `TRNC´ were held on February 20th, 2005, in a democratic and
peaceful atmosphere. The result of the elections reflects the free will of the Turkish
Cypriot people. We congratulate the Turkish Cypriot people and all the political
parties in this regard.''
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''The recent elections, which the international community has also monitored closely,
have once again attested to the democratic institutional structure and rule of law in
the ´TRNC´. Our expectation is that a new `government´ be formed and assume its
duties in the due time, in accordance with the constitutional process.''
The statement went on as saying, ''finding a lasting and just settlement to the Cyprus
issue is the common desire and goal of Turkey and the `TRNC´. In this respect, as in
the past, Turkey will remain in close consultation and cooperation with the `State´
and `Government´ officials, as well as the political parties of the `TRNC´. Turkey will
continue to support the Turkish Cypriot people in every field.''
Moreover, speaking to reporters after Council of Ministers meeting, Turkish Justice
Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek recalled that early “elections” took
place in “TRNC” on Sunday, and stated that, ''the elections took place in line with
democratic rules.''
Cicek added: ''Turkey will start entry talks with the EU on October 3rd, 2005. There
are several matters related to `TRNC´ that will be taken up in the talks, particularly
relating to Ankara Agreement. We can implement the policies decisively after
formation of the government. To this end, we expect a government to be formed
soon.''
7. Atilla Koc appointed as Minister of Culture and Tourism in Turkey
Istanbul NTV (21.02.05) broadcast that Deputy from Aydin, Mr Atilla Koc, has been
appointed as the new Minister of Culture and Tourism in Turkey.
Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the appointment when he departed from the
presidential palace.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Atilla Koc was born in Aydin in 1946. He graduated
from the Ankara University Political Sciences Faculty.
Atilla Koc served as the
director of a civil administration, as governor, and as undersecretary of the Prime
Minister's Office. He knows English and is married with three children.
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The position was vacated when Deputy Erkan Mumcu resigned from his post and his
party.
8. JDP deputy resigned
Istanbul NTV (21.02.05) broadcast that of the Justice and Development Party [AKP]
deputies have moved to resign.
resigned from his party.
AKP deputy from Malatya Suleyman Saribas has
In a written statement, Saribas said that a serious
difference of views have existed in the party for some time and noted that the
warnings he made when he addressed
the parliament and statements he made to
the press from time to time were not heeded. Saribas accused the AKP of not being
prepared to listen to anyone who is from outside its inner circle.
So, he said, I am
resigning because I am unable to tolerate that state of affairs.
In the light of Saribas' resignation, the AKP now holds 365 seats in the parliament,
the Republican People's Party 171 seats, the True Path Party 5 seats, the People's
Progress Party 1 seat, and the independents 7 seats. One seat remains vacant
9.The Speaker of the Italian Senate, stated that the EU should have assisted in
the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting Cyprus in the EU
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (22.01.05) reports that Mr Marcello Pera,
the Speaker of the Italian Senate, stated that the European Union (EU) should have
assisted in the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting the accession of the
Republic of Cyprus in the EU. Mr Pera made these statements in Turkey while he
was paying a visit invited by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Mr
Bulent Arinc.
Replying to journalists’ questions during a press conference, Mr Pera stated that he
appreciates Turkey’s efforts as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and the
fact that it encouraged the Turkish Cypriots to say ‘yes’ to the Annan Plan. The
Speaker of the Italian Senate also stated that with the accession of Cyprus to the EU
and the future accession of Turkey to the EU the Cyprus problem will become an
internal issue of the European Union. “The EU should have assisted in the solution of
the Cyprus problem before accepting the accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the
EU”, he stated.
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10. The UK is considering starting direct flights to occupied Cyprus after
holding the EU presidency
Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (22.02.05) writes about a report
published in the European Voice newspaper which is published in Brussels,
according to which, the UK is considering starting direct flights to occupied Cyprus in
July.
According to this report the UK, which is going to hold the EU presidency for the
second half of the year 2005, is planning to start direct flights to occupied Cyprus a
few weeks after its presidency starts. This idea is taken under “serious
consideration”, as the paper writes and notes that in a great extent is going to have a
symbolic meaning.
The UK is trying from one hand to conduct the direct flights without violating the
international law and from the other hand to find a formula for starting charted flights
to the island. The paper invokes diplomatic sources according to which it is not
compulsory to use national official airport institutions and to get in touch with them is
the case of the charter flights conducting. Therefore the Greek Cypriots will not be
able to interfere in this subject, writes the paper.
B.COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
1. “Turkey wins again”
Under the above title Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (21.02.05) publishes
the following commentary by Sener Levent:
“We have just had an election whose outcome changes nothing.
For the first time it was not important who would win. There was no fight on the field
between those wanting to preserve the system and those wanting to change it.
Everybody was in the race to preserve the status quo.
Had the Republican Turkish Party [RTP] that pulled off this success been the RTP of
the 1970s or 1980s then the victory celebrations in the street would have been
understandable. Just like the remaining left wing parties in the old leftist days when
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they wanted to change the system the RTP too has had to get by with just a few
deputies.
Besides, there was never any place for the left wing in this spectrum.
After playing to become the guardian of the order can the victory won actually be
called a victory? True victory is the victory won in the struggle waged against the
sovereign powers in this country. Who has been the sovereign power in this country
for the past 30 years? Are those who say Eroglu and who are happy at undermining
him not doing our painful past an injustice? Who is Dervis Eroglu? Who is the
sovereign power? Did not Eroglu do over here whatever Ankara said? What has
Eroglu done up to now that has not been at Ankara's instruction?
Especially when it comes to the Cyprus problem. Ankara said, "I would like a
settlement" but did Eroglu slam his fists on the table saying, "I do not?" The
administration in Ankara has always determined the order in northern Cyprus.
When Demirel was in office it was what he said.
When Ozal was in office it was
what he said. When Ecevit was in office it was what he said.
Now, whatever Erdogan says it was happens. But above all these offices there is the
military.
The core of Cyprus policy is identified at the Turkish National Security
Council.
Those who think that the recent changes taking place here have happened in spite of
the military are mistaken. Erdogan cannot make any move on Cyprus without the
military's approval. If doors have opened it is with military approval. If changes are
being made to the administration in northern Cyprus they have been made with
military approval. If Denktas has been eliminated then this too has happened with the
military's approval. If the mines on the Turkish side have still not been cleared. If
none of the mass graves in the north have yet been opened. If closed off Varosha
has not yet been returned to its original owners and opened up for settlement, what
did you think?
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Was it because Erdogan was opposed to this? I think not.
In my opinion it is not Erdogan who is resisting by saying not a single soldier will be
withdrawn from Cyprus until a settlement is reached. It is the military that is primarily
responsible for supervision here. If Turkey changes then we here change to the
same degree. Even if it were not Eroglu but the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP) that
was standing where the RTP is now they would not go against Ankara's instructions.
They too would do whatever Erdogan told them to.
If there were to be a military coup in Turkey now and the government replaced by a
junta what would the governing RTP do? Would they resist? It is a pity that even the
great success achieved by the party of ours that calls itself the "most left wing" fails to
show that we own the political willpower here. These elections were not for the
Turkish Cypriots in any case. As the overwhelming majority of the electorate is from
mainland Turkey just what political willpower are we talking about here? Just like
automobiles bought to replace outmoded piles of junk so Turkey has replaced its
representatives here.
Eroglu, whom the people got fed up with after 17 years in government, has gone.
He has been replaced by Talat. Eroglu did whatever Ankara told him to do. Talat will
be no different. Until the Turkish Cypriots get fed up with him just as they did with
Eroglu. Provided of course they can continue to exist on the island without becoming
an extinct species”.
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