Cyprus-Forum.com

[boomerang]

(Huseyin Halil) Dear viewers, good evening.

On 26th May the talks begin again to find a solution to the Cyprus Problem. In order to assess the process and assess the upcoming developments we have with us today the General Secretary of the United Cyprus Party, Mr Izzet Izcan.

Welcome Mr Izcan.

The new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community is Eroglu. Why did Talat lose, or, why did Eroglu win?

Your party supported Talat.

Let us begin by assessing this outcome.


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) Was it that Talat lost or was it that Eroglu won?


(Izzet Izcan) (Laughs) Talat basically lost, but those who lost are the Turkish Cypriot community.

Talat had been brought to power with our support, as also that of all the other democratic elements, with the purpose of achieving our aim as soon as possible, which was a solution of the Cyprus problem. However, in these four or five years, Talat had considerably dissapointed the Turkish Cypriot community in terms of pursuing a consistent policy. At times he made good statements, at other times he talked as if he was a spokesman for the AKP, Erdogan's party, in the north of Cyprus. To this is added the failure in the economic and also in domestic policies of his own party's CTP Government, the party from which Talat had originated.

The conservative forces, namely those who support maintaining the status-quo and who wish to see the creation of two separate states in Cyprus, such as Eroglu, Denktash, and other fanatic nationalist parties with the support of the Deep State in Turkey, the military and their representatives here had organised themselves and carried out a psychological war. At the end of this campaign they cultivated despair in the Turkish Cypriot community which saw its aspirations not coming to fruition, and the talks did not lead to the desired outcome.

There had been great expectations of the European Union and the world beyond, something which had been raised by Talat himself. But these expectations were not realised.

The forces which oppose a European solution and a reunification of Cyprus exploited these failures to conduct a very intensive campaign.

Another significant contributory factor was the disruption of Talat's relations with those forces which supported a solution. He clashed with the educational unions, the medical unions, those of civil servants who prior to the referendum had created the 'This Country is Ours' platform and those people who had said yes during the referendum.

Can you imagine a political leadership which conflicts with that section of society from which it derives its power?


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) Just to continue your thought a little, that he came into conflict with those people who had pioneered the movement to bring about better days, and had struggled for the reunification of the country .... and as if this is not enough, and if I am mistaken please do correct me ... and if he maintained a negative position towards you which may have even boomeranged on him, particularly when he gave to many of the [Turkish-mainland] settlers the right to vote. This had a boomerang effect, because as is known the largest proportion of settlers voted for Eroglu.


(Izzet Izcan) Correct.

We will also talk more about this matter later.

I have also raised this matter during meetings which I had at the European Parliament. We are faced with the following situation - the CTP 'Government' unfortunately approved the 'Immigration Law'. We did whatever we could to stop this 'law' being passed. They cooperated with the UBP and the Democracy Party and they passed this 'law'. As a result, there was a frightening increase in immigrants from Turkey. There was an increase of the order of 200,000 with the excuse that we would give them a 'legal status' and that they will then be registered. The applications for 'naturalisation' also increased.

I am not a racist - as leftwingers we love people and we don't discriminate based on identity and their origins.

As a result of this however there has been in Cyprus a dilution of our will.

During the referendum in 2004, 25% of the settlers voted no. At the next 'elections' the majority of them gave their support to Eroglu and in the last elections the CTP did not manage to get votes from this section, despite all it had done [for them].

One way or another they certainly did not vote for us.

In the 'presidential elections' the outcome was determined by the 'voters' in Famagusta, in the Karpas and in Tricomo. If we were to exclude the 12 areas where the main residents are settlers, then Talat would have won, with a majority of 53%.

Certain circles get angry when we talk about this, but the reality is that the point we have reached is that the Turkish Cypriots are a minority in the north. Until now we have been saying that the Turkish Cypriots will become a minority. Now we say that we are already a minority.

There is a lack of will - our view on the Cyprus problem, our aim for a solution, the love we feel for this country, the desire for a solution and reunification is not something which these people identify with, or at least a large section of them. Yes, a section of them may support us.

With how many 'votes' did Eroglu win in 'the elections'? With a difference of 400 'votes'! How many 'citizenships' were given to them in the last year? 1600! How many 'citizenships' are ready and waiting at this time? 6,500!

If this process continues in the same way we will not in future be able to talk about 'democratic elections' in the north, but nor about the will.

All these reasons, but also the friendly behaviour towards us ... look, despite these reasons and suppressing our feelings, having in mind the dislike for our party, we decided to act based on the logic of supporting Talat since we love this country, we want the continuation of the talks and we must keep this window open. But our support was not sufficient.

During this time, Talat had made another mistake. The way he approached the Greek Cypriot community did not help him at all. As Denktash had done, Talat constantly presented the Greek Cypriot community as 'the others'. The whole community actually, indiscriminately. Even in the criticism which he made through his repsentatives, in some of which cases he may have been right, he converted the entire matter into his propaganda about 'them and us'. This contributed to a flaring up of nationalism in the Turkish Cypriot community, of anger, and traditionally leftist voters and supporters of a solution were filled with doubts.

Our 'electorate' is 164 thousand. Of these Eroglu received 61 thousand. 103 thousand 'voters' either did not vote for Eroglu, or stayed at home. 38 thousand 'voters' did not go 'to vote'. A significantly greater part of these 'voters' belong to the democratic left and to the scholars.

When we assess all these things we see the magnitude of the despair in the Turkish Cypriot community.

Naturally, the progress which happened in the talks was not satisfactory. We could have had, and there should have been, more progress. This also caused an extra negative reaction, and so we reached this outcome.

[boomerang]

(Huseyin Halil) But Eroglu basically did not get the result he wanted.


(Izzet Izcan) Eroglu is saying that he got 50% plus of the votes. This however does not correspond to the truth.

He received 61,000 of the 164,000 of 'votes'. This corresponds to 35 to 40%. Despite everything, Talat was supported by 43% of the community. 25% of the 'electorate' stayed away from 'the elections' and that is how this result has come about. We must bear in mind all these things.

What is right at this time is for those of us who believe in a solution and peace, and who love this country, as much in the south as in the north, in [the mountains of] Troodos [in the south] and the same with those in [the mountains of] Pendadaktylos [in the north], in Limassol, in Kyrenia. We must be united and march together and to support the bicommunal talks.


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) - yes, indeed , we must see what will happen in the future....


(Huseyin Halil) Before we go to that matter, lets take a look at something else. You were recently in Brussles where you were involved in a singificant visit. Please tell us about this, and then we can look at what future action is needed.


(Izzet Izcan) I went to Brussels as the guest of the left group in the European Parliament. The item on the agenda was the Cyprus problem and future developments, and we were asked to talk about and discuss this during the meeting of the European Parliament. We were with the Secretary General of the AKEL Party, Mr Andros Kyprianou, who was to present the views of AKEL.

The President of the left group, Mr Bisky, made the introductions and we then discussed the Cyprus problem. The matter which I raised during the discussion was the population [settler] policy. This caused intense reactions in the north and the attacks against our party continue to this day.

I had said that the Turkish Cypriot community has been led to extinction and that in the longer term they will also destroy the Greek Cypriot community.

If this situation continues in the future, in ten years time when the population in the north could for example reach one million, how easy do you think it will be to reach a solution? How easy will it be to achieve a compromise between the two sides? That is what I tried to explain to them.

I analysed the 'outcome of the elections' for them. The MEPs were also asking me what you asked me. Why did this result come about? What should happen, what went wrong?

I explained all these things.

I personally asked the European Parliament to conduct a population census in the north, in the presence of international observers. I asked that in addition to the census they should help in the creation of an investigative committee which would examine the policy of naturalisation and put an end to this process.

I asked them the following:

Are we, as Turkish Cypriots, European citizens? They answered me with a yes.

According to the Protocol, the north constitutes European territory? They answered yes.

Are we therefore your citizens?

It is the whole of Cyprus which territorially belongs to the European Union.

There is a violation of human rights.

We have reached a time when the Turkish Cypriots are facing annihilation. The identity, the culture and its very existence.

Do you have no responsibility, no authority?

Will you continue to be spectators?

Will our annihilation affect negatively the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, and put in danger the whole of Cyprus?

We placed all these matters on the table.

They were very angry with this because we demolished certain stereotypes, we went outside the confines of the official policy. We will continue to do this.

In a television program I took part in a few days ago in the north I explained that we are doing what we are doing because we love Cyprus, we have respect for Turkish Cypriots and we want to unite all of Cyprus. But if the existing situation continues, and if the opponents of the solution continue their attacks, and I see with sorrow that in the south the government and AKEL, and Christofias, are being attacked by the conservatives as I call those who benefit from the continuation of the existing situation ... they demand the immediate withdrawal of the proposal for a rotating presidency, for a weighted vote. Note that those are the same things wanted by the nationalists on the Turkish Cypriot side. They also do not accept.

There is therefore an unholy alliance between the opponents of a solution on both sides.

We must oppose this and overturn this.


(Huseyin Halil) What did the Europeans answer you?


(Izzet Izcan) As far as I could determine, the Europeans are saying the following:
"You the Cypriots will solve the problem, if you take steps towards a solution we will support you".

That is what they say. I countered to them with the following:

"This situation does not concern only the two communities, it is an international problem".

Present at the meeting, along with the Europeans, were representatives of the Republic of Turkey and representatives from the north. I asked them not to victimise Cyprus during Turkey's accession process. To not allow Turkey to use the Turkish Cypriots and Cyprus in its accession negotiations.

We support Turkey's European prospects. But Turkey must fulfill its obligations, and Europe must decide whether it will accept it.

Let them not use us because we are a separate state.

We in Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots want to live in brotherhood and peacefully with our neighbours. But here there is an injustice and the European Union has its own duties and responsibilities in this.

We placed all these issues on the table. I believe that it was necessary for us to say all these things.

What do I ask of Cypriots, irrespective of their background ... is for us not to see each other as enemies. We are no one's enemies. We are simply victims of this tragedy. All of us. There are 180 thousand Greek Cypriot refugees. They have abandoned their homes and fled to the south. There are thousands of missing people. There are people who have lost their loved ones and who are still suffering.

We must all remember that neither the coup by the Greek junta, nor the Turkish invasion have solved the problem. They have not lessened the pain in Cyprus. On the contrary they have further complicated the situation and we have been relegated to being a small part of the whole problem.

All us Cypriots must understand this. We must help each other and to unite their energies to find a solution.

What form will this solution have?

The United Nations Security Council has presented the parameters of a solution, the agreements of July and May show this clearly: Bizonal Bicommunal Federation on the basis of political equality, but ensuring a single citizenship, single sovereignty and territorial integrity. The way we will arrive at this solution is through negotiation.

Can there be an ideal solution?

The answer is No. We can only achieve the feasible, and that which is feasible we must find jointly.

But, if the other side insists wanting to discuss on the basis of two states, two separate nations and two separate peoples, while on the other side in the name of patriotism certain members of the National Council continue to insist that there can not be a Turkish Cypriot president, that they do not accept weighted voting, that too many concessions have been made and that these should be withdrawn - I see that as Cyprus we will have big problems.


(Huseyin Halil) we would now like your views about the process of the talks. The talks begin again on 26th May. Do you think there will be changes to the positions of the two sides?


(Izzet Izcan) For the last 5 years, since the referendum, the AKP has followed a strategic and tactically realistic policy. This policy envisaged that Turkey would remain one step ahead.

However this is not a policy to find a speedy solution. There is no such thing as a speedy solution of the problem. We will remain one step ahead and we will expose the Greek Cyprioit side, they said. They did this successfully until Mr Christofias came to power. The balance has changed.

With the correct policy, the policy of one-step-ahead can be exposed. However, what we need is not being steps ahead, but a solution.

Can Mr Eroglu escape from the policy established by Ankara?

The answer is no.

We however know very well that Mr Eroglu fundamentally wants a confederal solution and two separate states which would be in accordance with the founding document of his Party.

What he will try to do is to gain time. He will continue the talks and try to gain time so that Turkey's accession negotiations can continue unhindered.

[boomerang]

(Christodoulos Christodoulou) To what extent can Turkey impose its views on Eroglu? To impose its positions?


(Izzet Izcan) It can impose its will.

Turkey is a big and powerful country and it has great influence in the north. It has 40 thousand troops, it controls the north economically and it has hundreds of thousands of Turkish citizens in the north. Turkey can impose its positions.

Eroglu dared try to oppose Turkey during the referendum and he paid a heavy price.

What Eroglu will do now is to appear conciliatory, to be at the negotiations table biding time and waiting for the Deep State and the opponents of the AKP to increase their power at the next elections in Turkey. That is why he has softened now and declares that he accepts the agreements which have already been achieved. He expresses disagreement only about the content of these agreements.
Consequently, it seems that this procedure will continue.

Except that we do not simply want the talks to continue, but for the discussion of the remaining chapters to be completed as soon as possible, and for the speeding up of the process so that a solution can be reached as soon as possible.

All Cypriots must understand this and we must all together contribute to achieving this, because time works works at the expense of Cyprus.


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) Exactly, and though We all know approximately, and you have outlined the positions which Eroglu is expected to follow in the negotiations, so, what hopes are there? Knowing his positions?


(Izzet Izcan) Mr Eroglu may be thinking of following such a policy, and Turkey may want him to follow such a policy, the question however is what do other parties in the game want? What do you want? What do those viewing us want? What does the Greek Cypriot side want? Do we really want a speedy solution to the Cyprus problem or are we just biding our time with the hope that we will achieve some 'ideal' solution?


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) The President of the Republic has shown he wants that which he said from the beginning, from the time two years ago when he was elected. He was very clear about what he wants, and that he really wants a solution. I don't know if you agree with me. Now, if there are certain other voices among the Greek Cypriots ... they are there, and you are quite right in what you say, but the official voice is that of the President of the Republic.


(Izzet Izcan) The President of the Republic has said that he wants a united Cyprus, that he wants a Federal solution.

In the three chapters, such as the chapter on governance and distribution of powers a large degree of convergence has been achieved.

However, I see what is happening now in the National Council. I hear what EDEK is saying, what EVROKO is saying and also DIKO which has not yet clarified the extent to which it is with the government as well as the contradictory statements by its Secretary General and of the President of DIKO ... also the double stand which DISY holds. We must talk about these things openly. At this moment the Greek Cypriot side does not present a united position.


(Huseyin Halil) In your meetings with party representatives have you confronted them, do you say these things to them openly?


(Izzet Izcan) We do say these things, and we express our discomfort. We are now used to these recordings. In the north we have seen many such. This introversion and backtracking is intended to influence public opinion and to achieve a benefit in some possible future electoral confrontation. All these things do not benefit Cyprus at all.

I would, with sorrow, at this time want to say the following ... if Mr Marios Garoyian has the right to be elected president of the repubic, if he is elected by the people, why should Izzet Izcan not also have this right? Why should you, or someone else not have this right? What do we gain if we convert this into a matter for debate?
Whom do we want in the presidency of the republic? Someone who believes in a united Cyprus, who loves our country, who will be the president of all Cypriots, who will not discriminate between people, who will serve Cyprus.

Who is it that is upset by 'weighted voting'?

I will be very happy if with weighted voting the Greek Cypriots get the right to determine by 20% our leader. Because I believe that the Greek Cypriots will contribute through their vote to the election of a democratic, progressive leader who loves our country. And we will do the same.

But who is it that react however? The Party of National Unity. Our nationalists and other such nationalists. No, they say, a Turkish Cypriot should not have a say in the election of the president.

We will get past these things. The world, Europe, have got past such things, and we will also.

We have to say openly - do we want peace or do we not want it?

We can not achieve peace by putting each-other down.

If we united our energies we can all win together. If we make this a tenet of our policy then our task will be much easier.

Otherwise Turkey will continue its accession process to the EU. However many years that may take. They themselves speak about 2023. Turkey is in no hurry. We must all understand this. That is how the problem will be perpetuated.

Do you believe that if the population [in the north] exceeds a million it will be easy for anyone to force them to leave?

Do you have the impression that if the exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties continues in the north, if there is investment on them, that the Europe of Capitalism will want any buildings demolished and the land given back to their owners?

Things will become even more difficult.

That is why it is significant for us to unite our energies to build a more beautiful country for all. We must help each other. To understand that we Cypriots are brothers, we are the true owners of this country. As far as the problem is concerned, it is not us. There may be some problems between us, but we must understand that it is an international problem.


(Huseyin Halil) We have come to the end of our time.


(Izzet Izcan) Thank you.

I continue to be optimistic. We must not lose our morale. It is the duty of us all together to unite our country as a free, independent, sovereign federation so we can secure a better tomorrow for our children. But if the confrontation between us continues, we will all be lost together.


(Christodoulos Christodoulou) Holding onto that message, we thank you very much for having been with us today.

(Izzet Izcan) I thank you.

[repulsewarrior]

thanks boomer for posting this interview, yes, it's true, Izcan speaks as a Cypriot, that gives me hope too.

[grokked]

With thanks to boomerang for posting the above item, I thought I would point out that the translation and the video clips from which this item was translated into English were originally posted at:

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.p ... zzet+izcan

In view of boomerang having reposted the above item, it seems relevant to also post the next interview with Izzet Izcan, also with CyBC's Biz Emeis prgram, broadcast on 16th September 2010, which has not been available on Cyprus Forum before

(provided below)

-----------------------


Translation into English from the Greek subtitles of Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation 'Biz Emeis' [ http://www.cybc.com.cy/tv/index.php?opt ... Itemid=236 ] bilingual program on 16/09/2010 featuring an interview with General Secretary of KTOS (Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union [ http://www.ktos.org/ ]) KTOS Sener Ercil. Mr Ercil is also a member of the Executive Committee of ETUCE (European Trade Union Committee for Education) [ http://www.ktos.org/en/index.php?option ... 2&Itemid=8 ] and is a founder member of "This Country is Ours" Movement in Cyprus.






It is expected that coming days will see the intensification of the struggle against the package of economic measures which is being imposed on the Turkish Cypriot community.

The KTOS Union continues, as always, to lead trade union activism in the Turkish Cypriot community. Tonight we welcome to the studio the General Secretary of KTOS Mr Sener Ercil who will update us on the current situation. Welcome.

(Q) The holidays are over ...

(A) We don't have holidays, as the union I mean. Our teachers and students have been on holiday but we continue with our duties.

(Q) What is the situation today within the trade union movement?

(A) As you know, the Turkish government has for a long time now been imposing its policies on our community. In order to be able to react to these policies various unions, from all the political platforms have joined together on a single platform. This consists of 35 unions. A basic purpose for our joint platform is to react to Turkey's economic measures. Because, with the pretext of the international economic crisis, Turkey is trying to impose on the Turkish Cypriot community some of its own perceptions. This is not something new. It is something which began in 1986, or even earlier. It is therefore the duty of every Turkish Cypriot who loves his country to oppose the measures because the fundamental basis of these measures is the assimilation of the Turkish Cypriots and the absorption of the north into Turkey.

(Q) Is the trade union movement itself sufficiently united? Do you have common decisions or are there different views amongst you?

(A) As I said earlier, the platform consists of 35 unions from different political viewpoints. Among these there are unions with very strong ideological and political affiliations. Many of these had in earlier times been members of the "This Country is Ours" movement. Some unions joined us more recently but they had been closely related with the subservient administration. What unites us is our reaction to the attack which is being made on workers' rights. Politically however we do not have common goals. Although we are fighting for a solution and for a united federal Cyprus some of the other unions are happy with the existing situation, and some of them support the creation of a separate state in the north. This is one basic point of difference between us.

(Q) Would you say that there has been a reaction against Turkey's policies because it has cut funding to Turkish Cypriots?

(A) That would not be a correct representation of what is happening. The existing political administration in the north has been created by Turkey. It is a system that has been created by the Turkish governments in which, although apparently there is a vote for the election of the leadership and of the officials of the administration, the place is effectively ruled by the beaureocrats of the Turkish embassy who have the determining say. There is the "Finance Minister" and the economic advisors. The "Minister" can not make any policies without the support of his advisors. The same applies to the "Education Minister". Without the approval of these advisors the "Minister" can not do anything. The political regime is founded on the perception that he who pays has the final say and the others must obey the instructions.

The contention that Turkey supports us, as they say, economically is mistaken and I can explain the factors to you. In earlier times Turkey spent close to 350 million dollars a year on construction projects and other expenses. As far as we know, recently this sum has grown to 700 million. These are official figures regarding the gift, loan or help from Turkey. According to official figures, our imports from Turkey are around 1.6 billion dollars a year. I do not include unofficial figures. If we estimate the cost of the presence in the north of illegal workers this rises to 4 billion dollars. Money which leaves Cyprus to Turkey. Because all our imports and economic relations are with Turkey the north is a profitable place for Turkey. It is a colony. It spends one and gains five.

(Q) Turkey frequently talks about the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and about an embargo that must be stopped. Would the lifting of isolation of the Turkish Cypriots be beneficial to Turkey?

(A) Turkey has until today never accepted the idea that the Turkish Cypriots can rely on their own resources and determine their own future. What Turkey wants is a subservient entity. That is why Turkey never allowed the creation in the north of a healthy economic environment. The economy in the north consists of a host of activities which are not commensurate with the self respect of the Turkish Cypriots. There is at this time an economic system which is based on the casinos, the gambling clubs, pornography and money laundering. Lately, newspapers write about a trade in drugs. In Turkey for example there was the interception of a load of 142 kilos of heroin and all indications point to the north. This means the mafia and those who benefit from illegal acts have settled in the north. You can not base an economy on such things. The economy of a place depends on production an not on the kind of things I have mentioned. Production in our country has stopped completely.

We do not consider it right to talk about isolation and embargos. Embargo is what applies to Cuba. In the north one can today arrange imports from any country one wants to. The Turkish Cypriots can go to the south for their shopping. They can travel to all the countries of the world either directly from Larnaca or through Turkey from Ercan. For that reason it is a mistake to talk of isolation. Isolation exists only for the separatist entity in the north. There is a decision about this by the United Nations. There is no isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. As long as the separatist entity exist it will be isolated. We must know this very clearly because this is the policy of the international community based on the decisions of the United Nations.

(Q) Turkey has recently increased its pressures on Turkish Cypriots, and has done so in a more blatant manner than has been the case in the past. Not only does this happen blatantly but it happens in an insulting manner, such as for example the recent statements by the Turkish Prime Minister on Turkish television.

(A) It is well known that with the support of the U.S.A. and because of its relations with the European Union, Turkey is becoming a large economy. Some of the factors which contribute to the strengthening of Turkey are the projects to transport natural gas through Turkey, the support of moderate Islam in the Middle East, and the making of Turkey into America's and NATO's policeman in the Middle East. For the European Union Turkey represents a huge market and a place for cheap production. Turkey is exploiting the fact that the political balances are based on economic power.

Since 1974 Turkey continues the process of placing settlers in the north. Despite this being a war crime the international community turns a blind eye to this. As a result the population in the north is estimated to be between 720 thousand and a million.

Turkey is trying through political imposition, to implement assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot communuty. With the political power which the AKP Government has acquired the Turkish government no longer needs the Turkish Cypriots and so it is now openly pursuing its colonialism in Cyprus provoking the international community. As regards the Turkish Cypriots, it oppresses them with the aim of forcing them to move to the south or to immigrate to other countries. The oppression of the Turkish Cypriots happens not only through economic means, but also culturally and through religious means. Turkish ministers who visit the country spend their evenings opening gambling establishments and their days signing agreements for the building of mosques and facilities related to them. Turkish Cypriots are therefore exposed to the pressures by Turkey to change their cultural identity and lose their natural characteristics.

(Q) Bearing in mind everything you have told us about the pressures by Turkey on the Turkish Cypriots but also bearing in mind the economic crisis of the last two to three years what are the current economic circumstances for the Turkish Cypriots?

(A) The system which has been imported is intended to create a favoured 'ruling elite'. To create a subservient administration which already exists in the north. They will be amply rewarded while the other sections of the society will be low pay, reduced to the same levels as in Turkey. The normal living conditions in the north, and the basic needs are the same as in the south. On the other hand the living standards in Turkey are much lower in comparison with Cyprus. By reducing the living standards of the Turkish Cypriots it is basically forcing them to live with lower incomes and forces them to migrate. With reference to the administrators, the ruling elite, will receive astronomically higher incomes. On the one hand they will be the favoured group of officials, those who are subservient to Ankara's wishes, and on the other hand there will be the lowly paid workers of the public and private sectors. These are the circumstances we face today. We do not believe there is an economic crisis in the north of the island - there is no such thing. Everything changes very fast in Cyprus.

With the solution of the Cyprus problem and with the economic integration, everything I have already mentioned will change. For us the solution of the Cyprus problem is the key to a solution of all the problems. Even the confidence building measures will bring economic relief. According to economic studies which have been made, after the return of Famagusta there will be a need for two billion euros for the reconstruction of the city. An injection of two billion will create tremendous economic development. The operation of the port of Famagusta under the EU's supervision will be the answer to all those who mislead the world by talking about 'isolation'. On the other hand however it will constitute a big movement for the development of trade.

We stress that the fact that the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island and the economic integration will bring a solution to all the problems which we face today. The economic system in the north is characterised by technical crises because it is not based on strong foundations. The economy is not based on production.

(Q) - The Turkish Cypriots are citizens as much of the Republic of Cyprus as also of the European Union. Why do the European Union and the United Nations not react to the (Turkish) policy of political assimilation of the Turkish Cypriots? Why do the unions not undertake any initiatives in that direction?

(A) - In relation to this we have undertaken initiatives with reference to the European Union, through the European Parliament. I have personally had meetings with officials of the European Parliament. As you know, I am a member of the Executive Committee of ETUCE, representing Cyprus, and I periodically travel to Brussels where we often have meetings with European Parliament officials whom we brief on behalf of the unions. I had, for example, meetings with MEPs who are members of the contact group with Turkish Cypriots, but they have not displayed the slightest interest. As I said at the beginning, the balance of power contains the logic of ignoring the Turkish Cypriots. The United Nations and the administrative bodies of the European Union and of its member countries ignore the Turkish Cypriots. Fundamentally they are not even interested in the Cyprus problem. What does interest them is relations between Turkey and the European Union. It is all a matter of appraising trade relations where money talks, something which is alien to democratic discourse. The interests of the large countries are often a reason for displacing, or ignoring even, the interests of small countries and communities. We do however continue our representations on this matter.

(Q) - In relation to the Republic of Cyprus?

(A) - I would have difficulties saying that the officials of the Republic of Cyprus make sufficient steps on this matter. We feel that government officials of the administration led by Mr Christofias do not promote a serious policy against those who impose on Cyprus the policy of assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot community. To give you one example, according to the Geneva Convention of 1949, the invasion and the subsequesnt colonisation of the occupied territories is considered to be a war crime. This can be the subject of a recourse to the International Court at the Hague only be countries involved. We have not seen the officials of the Republic of Cyprus, beyond just words, making any movement in this direction. I am referring always to the continuing colonisation in the north. We, as Turkish Cypriots, expect of the officials of the Republic of Cyprus to make a recourse to the international court at the Hague and to challenge Turkey at an international level. This would be a significant initiative. We as the Turkish Cypriot community can not have recourse to the International Court at the Hague because only countries have this right. The officials of the Republic of Cyprus have to undertake such an initiative which we have been anticipating for so long.

[Note: The fact that any matter brought to the International Court at the Hague will only be accepted if all countries involved in the case agree to it being considered, and that Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and will certainly not accept such a case being heard - should be mentioned as being relevant]


(Q) - We only have about four minutes left so I would like to touch on a different matter as my last question. What role can the unions play from now on regarding efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and secondly, what do you consider to be the biggest obstacle in our moving towards a solution?

(A) - Our grouping represents unions with varying political views. In the large ones we believe that a solution of the Cyprus problem would solve all the problems. For a solution of the Cyprus problem we must begin with confidence building measures. The perpetuation of the talks has harmed the communities, and particularly the Turkish Cypriots.

As part of the policy of assimilation of the Turkish Cypriots, in addition to the importation of settlers, we have seen in recent years the large capital owners of Turkey making serious investments in the north. We see them investing in large hotels and other projects. This is a danger to Turkish Cypriot investments. Capital in the north has started changing hands.

In our progress towards a solution we expect to see serious initiatives. Famagusta is one of these. We believe that there must be significant steps towards rapprochement between the two communities.

The biggest obstacle to achieving a solution is the policy which Turkey is pursuing. The Turkish Governments are trying to prevent a solution while generating the impression that they want it. At the talks now we have Mr Eroglu who had previously always stated that he is against a solution. Today he presents himself as being in support of a solution, repeating that "we said yes while the Greek Cypriots said no to a solution". I remember well that Eroglu had gone from village to village, and from house to house in his efforts to prevent a solution. It does not matter who is talking - what does matter is who is hiding behind him. Eroglu is an employee who is following Turkey's instructions, and he has been told to appear in favour of a solution, but he acts in a way so as to prevent a solution. The Cyprus problem is one issue in relations between Turkey with the European Union. We Turkish Cypriots are hostages to this situation.

Turkey is not interested in the Turkish Cypriots but in the territory in the north and they usee this as a pretext. The survival of our community does not concern them. Turkey must put an end to this policy. It must make specific steps in the direction of a solution.

Beyond that, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities must learn to cooperate. They must accept that they are all Cypriots and that they must live together on this island.


Thank you very much for being with us today.

[repulsewarrior]

Beyond that, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities must learn to cooperate. They must accept that they are all Cypriots and that they must live together on this island. "quote"

indeed, if ordinary Cypriots chose to shop at a grass root level amongst each other, less could be done which effectively promotes the fear which is used to exploit them.

Cypriots can prevail. "Greeks" and "Turks" cannot hold the agenda forever if we have some pride in the fact that Turks and Greeks are different as Persons, but as Individuals we are all equal in our commitment to each other because we are the dwellers of this island, Sovereign in representing ourselves as this island's Stewards; shopping and eating in stores that are Cypriot first is a good start.

...what does shopping have to do with all of this?

socialisation, that's what this "war" is all about.