Denktash Panic Over NGOs Call for Solution

It points out that the Cyprus problem should be solved before the end of the year and that the Turkish Cypriots and the people of Turkey would suffer the most if a solution was not reached by then.

Nicosia

Eighty-six non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the north have announced a 'joint vision' for a solution of the Cyprus problem before the end of the year, a move, which Turkish Cypriot papers say has thrown the regime of Rauf Denktash into turmoil.

Kibris said the 86 NGOs had called on President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to play a constructive role in UN-led talks to solve the Cyprus problem, which have been going on since January this year.

Two days ago, (August 12) Yeni Duzen said the 'joint vision' - called 'Solution and the EU' - had caused panic and that Denktash had reportedly given his advisors instructions to play down the impact of the NGO action.

Yesterday, (August 13) the paper said the jailing of two journalists this week for libel against the Turkish Cypriot 'state' and its leaders, was part of the measures to deflect attention away from the 'vision', adding Denktash had given instructions to prevent the publication of the paper at home and abroad.

But Republican Turkish Party Leader Mehmet Ali Talat reminded Denktash that it was his duty to grasp the common vision of the people rather then enter a fight with them.

The 'joint vision' was announced earlier this week at a news conference, at which the Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel,said the 86 NGOs were in agreement over the need for a speedy Cyprus settlement and the common denominator of EU membership.

Erel said the joint vision was the result of a two-month work period, adding that the declaration, which reflects the views of the majority, did not comprise a minority status for the Turkish Cypriots, nor did it call for the rejection of their rights.

He called on politicians to take the vision's message into consideration and noted that the NGOs' goal was to attain what had been achieved in the world, in Turkey and in the free areas of Cyprus.

"We do not want to consider the hellish scenario in the event that a solution is not reached", he said. The "joint vision" notes that a Cyprus settlement and EU membership are necessary in order to solve the problems of the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the lack of a settlement adversely affects the Turkish Cypriots and causes mass migration.

It points out that the Cyprus problem should be solved before the end of the year and that the Turkish Cypriots and the people of Turkey would suffer the most if a solution was not reached by then.

"We should not renounce our demand for self rule, nor should we surrender to the Greek Cypriots our political equality and our founding partnership rights granted to us by the 1960 Cyprus Republic agreements in a bid to overcome the current difficulties," the joint vision says, but adds the Turkish Cypriot side should show to the entire world through its actions and approach that it is the side that is interested in an agreement.(NM)

* "Denktash 'panic' over NGOs' call for solution" published in Cyprus Mail in 14 August 2002 dispatched by Balkan Human Rights. (http://www.greekhelsinki.gr)