Posted on 11/02/2001 6:46:31 PM PST by a_Turk
Cem: "Cyprus Question is Unfortunately not Developing Well"
Ankara, Nov 2 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Friday that the Cyprus question was not developing well for Turkey regarding the Greek Cypriot administration's European Union (EU) process, adding, "Turkey may be obliged to take a very definite decision."
Presenting the Foreign Ministry's budget at the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission, Cem gave information about Turkey's foreign policy and foreign affairs.
Noting that Cyprus question was important for Turkey's security and its position in the East Mediterranean, Cem said, "the Cyprus question is unfortunately not progressing well. Turkey's interests are ignored in the issue of giving EU membership to the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkey is obliged to take a decision on such a membership formation. Either it will say `so, that's it!` and nobody wants this, or it will be obliged to say `I do not recognize this decision`."
"In such a case, Turkey may be obliged to take a very definite decision. We should now that this definite decision will make Turkey pay a price, but we are obliged to take such a decision."
Noting that sources of terrorism could exist in any country, Ismail Cem said fight should be carried out in the geography where terrorism existed.
Stressing that the decision of the United Nations on fight against terrorism constituted a turning point about this issue, Cem said, "Turkey is a country which has fought against terrorism for years. We take part at forefront of the fight against terrorism, of course."
Stressing that constitutional amendments were important but those amendments had not been made for the EU, Cem said, "these amendments are the struggles that most of us have carried out for years. We made constitutional amendments for Turkey and Turkish nation."
"Constitutional amendments have enabled us to take a more demanding position toward the EU. We think that Turkey has reached the stage called screening," he said.
Stressing that Turkey had explained its thesis about the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) in every platform, Cem said, "Turkey is not a country which wants to fight and look for trouble. Turkey is a country which seeks for compromise but it won't give in."
Noting that he had proposed at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting that works should be carried out on harmonization of civilizations but not on clash of civilizations, Cem said that preparatory works of this process had been made.
Ismail Cem said that relations with the Turkic republics in Central Asia had improved and that the security cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan would bring a new dimension to relations with the countries in the region.
Stressing that Turkey had made important contributions to solution of problems in the Balkans, Cem said that some problems in the Turkish-Greek relations continued but recovery process was under way.
What I mean is... The Pakistanis help us, apparently halfheartedly, because of bribes and threats. The support of Russia is welcome, but there are side deals. The Turks are welcome to help, and have been good allies in the past, but they don't get along with the Greeks. Does the accentuation of Cyprus problems have anything to do with NATO and US pressure on Afghanistan, as a quid pro quo? Or is it simply simmering on its own (as it has in the past)? Just wondering--maybe someone with more knowledge can clue me in.
Isn't it true that Cyprus is actually two nations now ?Yes, and it has been for centuries. It went to the UK, and then an experiment to set it free led to the mass burial of countless Turks. It's divided North and South now. The world pretends that the North (where the Turkish cypriots live) does not exist, and continues to call the south "The Republic of Cyprus."
I hope the US will not betray Greeks as it betrayed Serbs.The Greeks betray themselves. Their whiney international policies can never be a match to well thought out strategy which takes the forest into account.
Where is Pericles?He is working feverishly to gather all of the Anti-Turkish propaganda he can find to demonize the Turks.
Greece hasn't been "real reliable" since Cyprus was allowed to be invaded by Turkey in the early 70's. US ships blocked Greek military from assisting Greek Cypriots due to ties/interests with Turkey at that time. Didn't sit real well with the Greeks.
This "might" have had something to do with the Greek/American cooling of diplomatic ties and the swing back to Communism.
Does the accentuation of Cyprus problems have anything to do with NATO and US pressure on Afghanistan,Nothing to do with that at all. It's about Greece being in the EU and agitating the EU member nations. It's a real drag. They even harbor organizations which commit terror acts in Turkey..
Can't disagree with you on this one, a_Turk.
Greece hasn't been "real reliable" since Cyprus was allowed to be invaded by Turkey in the early 70's. US ships blocked Greek military from assisting Greek Cypriots due to ties/interests with Turkey at that time. Didn't sit real well with the Greeks.Background: The sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus was guaranteed with a treaty signed by the UK, Greece and Turkey. In 1974, Greece engineered a coup on the island, aimed at uniting it with Greece. The UK chose to ignore the situation, and NATO member Turkey was obliged to move to protect the ethnic Turks on the island. The situation has been a stalemate ever since, as Greeks, Turks, and Cypriots are probably the most intransigent people you'll want to ever meet.
Really? I come from there originally and I was not aware of of that. Maybe you mean the ottomans that migrated in Cyprus after the accupation of 1670?
And you mean that the fact that Turkey took the Northern part with a military invasion to ensure the "safety" of the turkish-Cypriot terrorists and the communities that harbored them, forced all the greeks out of their homes in the north etc etc (a nice Turk -"peace keeper"- raped my great aunt, amongst other things) should grant the North an entity as a state?
Peace with Turks can come only when Turkey stops looking at Cyprus as a conquest.
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