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April 9, 1998

The March 31 formal opening of the European Union's enlargement talks confirmed the European press' disquieting realization that the EU's decision to consider Cyprus and disqualify Turkey from membership has sparked a rise in Greek-Turkish tensions that might pose serious problems for NATO in the eastern Mediterranean. These worries were not eased by the perceived lack of "substantial results" achieved by U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus April 4 or by the assurances offered by Russian President Yeltsin that Moscow would go ahead with its delivery of S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriots this autumn. Analysts were left hoping that Mr. Holbrooke's scheduled return in May might break the ice between the hostile Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides. Following are highlights in commentary:

CYPRUS/TURKEY--Greek, Turkish and Cypriot observers coincided in their largely negative reviews of the Holbrooke mission. All but one of the Greek Cypriot comments available were suspicious and hostile, with several flagging their alarm over the U.S. diplomat's reported remarks to the effect that the EU has invited "Cyprus and not the Republic of Cyprus." Mouthpiece of Akel leftist party Haravghi complained, "The Holbrooke visit has added to the pressures being exerted on our side to make concessions while it seems Turkey, the spoiled child of the Europeans and Americans, continues its intransigent stand without annoying anyone." Greek papers adopted a similar attitude, with best-selling, pro-government Ta Nea declaring, "The decision of the U.S. side to achieve a solution in Cyprus willy-nilly has created concern in Athens." Although Turkish dailies had voiced confidence in Mr. Holbrooke before his visit, intellectual Yeni Yuzyil reported after its end that his proposals are "not 'considered realistic' in Turkey." Turkish observers, however, split on the wisdom of Ankara's present course of "reprisal against the EU on Cyprus" and threats of forming a "federation" with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Mass-appeal Sabah called Ankara's attitude "wrong," asserting it promoted only Turkey's "isolation." It added, "Had Turkey been more helpful in convincing the Turkish Cypriot side to join the EU negotiations procedure, the whole situation now would have been different and better." Religious/fundamentalist Milli Gazete, on the other hand, defended Ankara's stance: "Turkey and the TRNC had no other option but to choose to go forward with the integration procedure," it insisted. Other European writers looked beyond the nationalistic impulses and objectives driving Greek-Turkish enmity, and emphasized instead the implications for European security were tensions to escalate. Right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin pointed to Russia as the most worrisome troublemaker, warning that Moscow wants to "cause a political explosion at the foundation of NATO's southeastern flank." Opinion-makers divided over whether Turkey "fulfills the criteria for EU membership" and whether the U.S. is correct in pressuring the Europeans to accept Ankara.

ENLARGEMENT WITHOUT REFORM--Although the other candidates to EU enlargement did not receive the editorial attention accorded Cyprus and Turkey, the accession talks served to remind columnists that the EU, having failed to carry out reforms, is not "fit for enlargement." Brussels's independent Catholic De Standaard stressed, "Making decisions with 15 members is not easy. With 21--and with 26 in the long term--it is impossible with the current structures."

This survey is based on 39 reports from 13 countries, March 31-April 9.

EDITOR: Mildred Sola Neely

GERMANY: "Turkey Does Not Fulfill Criteria For EU Membership"

In right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (4/7), Horst Bacia commented, "Turkey cannot fully accept the agreement on the enlargement of the EU during the Luxembourg summit. That it neither belongs to the group of six, which are now in negotiations regarding accession, nor in the group of five which will receive preferential treatment in the negotiations, is perceived by the political elite as an insult and an injustice.... Some EU member states privately told Turkey that they also feel it had been mistreated in Luxembourg. And the constant pressure from Washington on Brussels to allow Turkey to join the EU due to its geostrategic importance leads to some chest-swelling. That is why Ankara believes in winning over those EU members which Ankara believes resent the Eastern enlargement of the EU because Germany will be the main beneficiary. At the same time, Ankara is trying to pressure Bonn. This maneuver is just shadow boxing because Turkey simply does not fulfill the criteria for EU membership as laid down in Copenhagen in 1993.... The U.S. State Department again put forth the proposition that Turkey would have an easier time 'to make the right decisions in the future' if it had a secure place in the EU. Accommodating Turkey's wishes without any prior concessions? Would Ankara have acted differently on the Cyprus question if the decision in Luxembourg had been in Turkey's favor? That is not very likely. To the contrary, Turkey presumably did not want to yield on the Cyprus question and that is why it is reacting so strongly against the decision of the European Council."

"Disruptive Maneuver"

Lothar Ruehl noted in an editorial in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin (4/3), "The visit of Greece's defense minister in Moscow has revealed the dangers emanating from the crisis between Greece and Turkey about Cyprus. The guest tried to push Russia to confirm its view to deploy air defense missiles on the island in view of the Turkish threats...and Yeltsin satisfied the Greek minister's intention.... By doing so, Moscow not only escalated the permanent crisis on Cyprus, but it also made clear that it wants to take sides with the Greeks in the political conflict between the two NATO partners. Moscow also wants to make Greece dependent on Russian military supplies and break the foundation of NATO's military technical organization with Russian equipment....

"This Russian disruptive maneuver may not have any military consequences for the time being, but it opens a perspective that goes beyond NATO's horizon, something the Athens government has been looking for for years. Moscow has also tried for three and a half decades to take advantage of the Cyprus conflict and...cause a political explosion at the foundation of NATO's southeastern flank.... Apparently, the 'special partnership' with NATO...has not yet immobilized this Russian reflex. Moscow's policy towards the West remains ambivalent."

"What Value Accession Talks Accompanied By Threats?"

According to Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger in an editorial in right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (4/1), "Cyprus may meet the requirements for an early accession to the EU, but the political conditions have not been fulfilled: the settlement of the conflict between the Greek and Turkish part of Cyprus, detente between Ankara and Athens. This is currently not in the offing, but it seems that the accession talks will soon be confronted with the reality of barbed wires and the division of the island, thus turning the negotiations into an illusory meeting. It is a rather adventurous notion that a divided Republic of Cyprus, of which one third has been annexed by a third power, can be accepted in the EU....

"Turkish statements are irresponsible when they assert that the beginning of the negotiations with the Cypriot government are a provocation that could result in belligerent activities. With

such statements, the widening gap between Ankara and Western Europe will not be bridged. But the plan of the Athens government to install Russian air defense missiles is not conducive to this aim either. It is not difficult to guess against whom these missiles would be targeted. What value have accession talks that are accompanied by such threats?"

"EU: In High Spirits, But Reforms Still Due"

Right-of-center Muenchener Merkur (4/1) argued: "The EU in Brussels is in high spirits again: In a solemn meeting, the EU enlargement negotiations have now been opened. The club of 15 will accept six new members in the coming years and a little bit later another five which will make the EU an organization with 26 members. The prospects in the old EU member states are mysterious. Nobody who has enough sense will seriously claim that the administrative machinery of the 15 core countries runs smoothly. Profound reforms have long been overdue. The last chance for drastic cuts of bureaucratic excesses would be the time before the enlargement. But as soon as the new member countries also have a say, they will certainly want to take part in the self-service possibilities of the EU."

"No Evidence EU Fit For Enlargement"

Right-of-center Augsburger Allgemeine (4/1) stated: "What is the justification for the current EU partners to give the accession candidates grades regarding their maturity to join the EU? So far, the European Union has not presented any evidence of being fit for enlargement. None of its own smoldering problems have been resolved or been defused to such an extent that they could not create new difficulties in the future. National vanities and interests have obstructed the path to necessary compromises. Now it is coming back to haunt the EU that it gave up the principle of enlarging the Union only after an internal reform and a deepening of the existing European Union."

RUSSIA: "Unbiased U.S."

Aleksandr Shumilin said in reformist, business-oriented Kommersant Daily (4/8): "Bulldozer Holbrooke is to help Cyprus overcome divisions so as to prevent its drift to Russia. Russia's and the EU's approaches to Cyprus are clearly lopsided and favoring Nicosia. The United States, as presented by Holbrooke, looks 'unengaged' in relation to either side."

ITALY: "Turkey: Muslim Friend Dividing Europeans And Americans"

In the view of provocative, classical liberal Il Foglio (4/8): "According to Ankara, the European decision to open negotiations on Cyprus's entry into the EU in talks with representatives of the only internationally recognized government, the Greek-Cypriot one, 'represents the first step toward an escalation in the eastern Mediterranean region which might be very risky.'... The strong divergences, both internal and external, in European and American policy on the eastern Mediterranean area are bursting out again.... Above all emerges the different visions of the United States and Europe on Turkey's role. Washington openly rebukes the European Union and its ostracism of Ankara...and hopes that the Muslim (but secular) country is integrated so as to become a balancing factor in the Middle East area.... On the contrary, as far as Europe is concerned, the danger is not so much that the negotiation on Greek-Cyprus's entry into the EU does not take into account a substantial part of the Turkish community....but the main concern is political and strategic destabilization in the Mediterranean area. As to Turkey, it is difficult to determine whether the weak and divided Yilmaz government is more a hostage to the 200,000 Turkish Cypriots...or more to what the military dictates.... The lay political class and the military leaders in Ankara are caught up in defending a Kemalism which is irreparably old, an increasingly unbridgeable contradiction."

"European Crises: Handed To America"

In centrist, influential La Stampa (4/6), prominent foreign affairs commentator Aldo Rizzo pointed out that, given the confusion characterizing the EU approach to the Cyprus crisis, "We should not be surprised if the Turks in Cyprus and Ankara no longer want to hear about the European Union and, at the most, are willing to accept mediation by American envoy Holbrooke. The 'Kissinger of the Balkans' has not achieved much during his meetings last Saturday, but at least he managed to maintain the dialogue open until next month. If we add that the decisive negotiations on Northern Ireland are led by American mediator Mitchell and that, in Kosovo, moderate leader Rugova said he only trusts U.S. mediation, we will have a very clear picture of what EU foreign policy is, or, better, is not."

"Gestures To Heal Relations With Turkey: Not Really"

A dispatch from Brussels in left-leaning, influential La Repubblica said (4/1): "Fiery statements in Ankara and farmers' protests in the streets while foreign ministers from the 15 states begun yesterday negotiations for European Union enlargement to Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia.... Foreign ministers from the five countries were in Brussels last Monday and they met altogether (with the EU colleagues) 'because the enlargement process involves all candidate countries and does not leave out anyone,' said Italian Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Piero Fassino. And what about Turkey? Turkey was not there and Fassino hopes that the Union makes 'appropriate gestures and proposals to heal relations with Turkey.'... At the moment, it seems that the contrary is taking place: The Greek-Cypriots are negotiating their entrance into the European Union while the Turkish community strengthens its relations with Ankara.... In the meantime, statements from the Turkish capital make us feel that the worse might take place. An official communique defined the opening of the EU negotiations a 'gross violation of international law.'"

"Turkey Looking For A Confrontation With EU"

From Brussels, centrist, influential La Stampa concluded (4/1): "Turkey is looking for a confrontation with the European Union. Yesterday, not by chance, while the negotiation for the entrance of Cyprus into the EU officially opened, the Turkish government and the self-declared Turkish-Cypriot government (which controls about one third of the territory and which is recognized by Ankara) announced that they reached an agreement on an ` economic union' which might be just the first step toward a full annexation of the northern part of the island with Turkey.... In other words, the Cyprus case risks becoming a time bomb in the enlargement process."

CYPRUS: "Saving Turkey And Denktash"

In the view of nationalist, pro-Democratic Rally, expounding mainly conservative hardline views To Tharros's Romanos (4/6): "Even the most naive in this country have realized that: 'the objective of the last trip by the U.S. coordinator for Cyprus, Mr. Holbrooke, was just to prevent the responsibility for the sinking of the negotiations from being placed on the shoulders of the perpetrator Turkey and its puppet in Cyprus, the neo-sultan Denktash. Actually Mr. Holbrooke came here to alter our suspicions into certainty. We no longer doubt...we are sure that Washington once again supports Turkish intransigence.... Mr. Holbrooke can think that he has completed his job. He may think that his mission (mission of coordination and of murdering truth) has succeeded. But apparently he has not realized that his success was destroyed by another one of his 'successes.' He succeeded in adopting a place that none of his predecessors envies in the conscience of the Greeks of Cyprus. This is the feeling of great contempt and lack of respectability, and is a feeling that he created for himself through his role."

"Watch Out For Solution That Will Be Confederal And Racist"

According to an editorial in leading right-wing, nationalistic, against federal solution Simerini (4/6), "Martin Luther King's dream was similar to the one most of us have: the settlement of the Cyprus issue and the creation of a state system that will not be based on racial discrimination but on human values. Unfortunately, the confederal solution is not based on democratic principles.... Following the mission of Mr. Holbrooke to Cyprus and what he said about the accession of Cyprus instead of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU and that our accession course depends on that of Turkey, we have to be on the alert so that Holbrooke will not find the opportunity to impose a solution on us that will be confederal and racist."

"Holbrooke Visit Adds To Pressures On Our Side"

An editorial in mouthpiece of Akel leftist party Haravghi (4/6) asserted, "The Holbrooke visit has added to the pressures being exerted on our side to make concessions while it seems Turkey, the spoiled child of the Europeans and Americans, continues its intransigent stand without annoying anyone.... Moreover, we also concerned about Holbrooke's statement that the EU has invited Cyprus and not the Republic of Cyprus as if the two are different states."

"Most Positive Point From Holbrooke's Visit"

Alithia, right-wing, pro-Clerides, pro-federation, observed (4/6), "We will not try to explain arbitrary judgments and the inexplicable sides of the mystery of diplomacy, as well as the agreed silence among Holbrooke-Clerides-Denktash. But in order to clear up any wrong impressions and to avert negative reaction, we would like to point out the following positive points in Holbrooke's statement before his departure: The United States does not recognize the pseudostate. He stressed: 'We recognize the Republic of Cyprus and Glavkos Clerides as its president.' 'Our stand--the U.S. stand--on partition is clear: We oppose it.' 'The United States supports a bizonal bicommunal federation.' 'Both the UN and the United States will become intensely involved in an effort to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem.'... The most positive point from everything we have listed is the decisiveness of the American factor 'to become intensely involved' in a solution process with a philosophy contrary to what Turkish intransigence is seeking."

"No Substantial Results For Holbrooke"

Right-wing, pro-Clerides, pro-federation Alithia (4/5) pointed out, "Holbrooke leaves Cyprus without any substantial results. However, the effort for the resumption of the Clerides-Denktash talks will intensify during the next few weeks."

GREECE: "Concern In Athens"

Best-selling, pro-government Ta Nea's editor Notis Papadopoulos judged (4/6), "Shortly before leaving Cyprus, Holbrooke gave an ultimatum to both sides, cynically supporting the view that the United States will not be interested in Cyprus forever! The decision of the American side to achieve a solution in Cyprus willy-nilly has created concern in Athens, which expects that American pressures will escalate in view of the Albright visit to the region in early summer."

"Cyprus's EU Accession Could Be A National Catastrophe"

The lead editorial in best-selling, conservative opposition Eleftheros Typos (4/6) said, "Holbrooke's statements during his visit to Cyprus have warned us that the United States and specific EU countries have linked Cyprus-EU accession with pre-conditions that are completely detrimental for our country. First precondition is a substantive political equality between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.... Second precondition is Turkey's accession into the EU. Furthermore, Mr. Holbrooke was impudent to publicly urge the EU to facilitate Turkey's

accession. The time has come for the government and the political parties to view Cyprus's EU accession in its real dimensions. Their American and European supporters will not allow that to happen without establishing a staggered presidency and Turkey's EU accession. Under those terms, Cyprus's accession will not be a national success, but a national catastrophe."

"Holbrooke Leaves Empty-Handed, Clouds Issue"

Large circulation, socialist, pro-government Eleftherotypia (4/6) concluded, "He leaves empty-handed, clouds the issue. Having not been able to convince Denktash to concede, Holbrooke speaks of EU invitation to Cyprus and not the Republic of Cyprus."

"Turkish Danger Brings Greece, Russia Closer"

The April 1 talks between Russia's envoy Vladimir Chizhov and his Greek counterpart Ioannis Kranidhiotis sparked this assessment by Stefanos Kasimatis in center-left, pro-Pasok Kiriakatiki Elevtherotipia (4/5), "Apart from the fact that the Russians want to maintain their traditional presence in Southeastern Europe, there are other reasons that make them want closer cooperation with Greece: 1. They are disturbed by Turkey's appointment as 'local gendarme,' as the U.S. policy planners dream. 2. A secondary but clearly more direct disturbance is caused because based on the above role, Turkey is actively involved in the Caucasus and Chechnya, reinforcing its autonomistic tendencies. At the same time Turkey creates problems for Russia's entrance in the Mediterranean, obstructing the liberty of navigation through the (Dardanelles). 3. They aim to use the opportunities offered by the Greek purchase of armaments to fortify their defense industry. This is what is important from a Greek point of view. To make their products more attractive for our country, the Russians help Greece on the Cyprus issue, supporting the S-300 'card.' Of course neither the Greeks nor (even more) the Russians have any illusions that it is possible for this kind of missile to be deployed either in Cyprus or in Greece. And what is asked finally is a satisfactory pretext to prevent such a development."

"Agonizing Scenario Of S-300 Deployment"

Independent, center-right Kathimerini's Stavros Liyeros commented (4/5), "The Turks will attempt to cancel the deployment in Cyprus of the antiaircraft missile system S-300, which has been scheduled for next fall, by causing an artificial crisis.... The Turkish threats are part of a psychological war aiming to terrorize the Greek side into cancelling the S-300's arrival on the island. The important thing is that Washington has insistently sided against the missile system's deployment.... They are justifiably afraid that Russia will acquire an important position in the arms market, also in countries where until now only Western defense industries had access.... The S-300's deployment, however, is of vital importance for the Greek side. This is the only way to counterbalance the almost absolute Turkish air sovereignty.... If Athens 'sold' Cypriot Hellenism for the second time, it would irrevocably break any national and geopolitical bond with Cyprus. It would cause shame and a political crisis in Greece itself. It would increase the Turkish expansionist pressure on the Aegean and Thrace. It would finally displace Greece from the geopolitical vital area of the eastern Mediterranean, putting an end to a presence of 3,000 years. This agonizing scenario will come back again over the next months in view of the S-300's deployment. If Athens and Nicosia retreat because of Western pressure and Turkish threats, the unified defense doctrine will blow up into the air and with it the preventive strategy in Cyprus and the Aegean. Bluffing on these issues is just a disaster."

TURKEY: "Holbrooke's Proposals: 'Not Realistic'"

Intellectual Yeni Yuzyil (4/7) said in a piece by Ozlem Hersan on the signing of a defense agreement between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side: "The agreement, which will include provisions similar to the ones signed between the Greek Cypriot sector and Greece, will reportedly be signed during President Suleyman Demirel's expected visit to the island after the

holidays. With this agreement, Turkey will be responsible for the full defense of the Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and will be able to establish bases in the TRNC.... The proposals of U.S. presidential envoy to Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, who visited the island, are reportedly not 'considered realistic' in Turkey."

"Waiting For Holbrooke"

Ferai Tinc stated in mass-appeal Hurriyet (4/3): "As in the Greek tragedies, when things are really messed up, 'deux ex machina,' the savior, appears in the final act to change the entire destiny; now Richard Holbrooke goes to the Cyprus island to clear up the mess created by the EU. His main purpose is to bring the two sides back to inter-communal talks. There is a major difference of opinion between the European and the American positions on Cyprus. The former insists on the view that Turks are a minority, and the latter is more understanding of (the need) to recognize the Turkish community's equal status. Turkey should play it very carefully, because Cyprus has become an increasingly important factor, playing a role in Turkey's relations with the United States and Europe. Cyprus is also a factor vis-a-vis relations between Turkey and Russia. We have to act in a cold-blooded manner and had better be realistic. There is no need to confuse minds with talk of a 'federation with the TRNC.' And now everybody is waiting to see what Holbrooke will do in the final act."

"Don't Expect Miracles, But Holbrooke Will Help"

In the view of Sami Kohen in mass-appeal Milliyet (4/3): "Holbrooke's decision to go to the island is an important event by itself. It shows that Washington has decided to take the initiative at this critical stage. The United States apparently gave up on its wait-and-see policy, now that things are really messed up. Holbrooke, as a sharp diplomat, knows what he is doing. His mission is not only to listen to both sides, but also to offer some concrete ideas and proposals.... Nobody should expect miracles out of his sudden trip, but what is certain is that he will prevent things on Cyprus from deteriorating further."

"What Is Turkey Trying To Do On Cyprus?"

Mine G. Kirikkanat complained in intellectual Radikal (4/3): "I have to admit that I do not understand what Turkey is trying to do on the Cyprus issue. What is the goal and where are we hoping to go? When we occupied the northern part of the island, we were right. However, it is also a fact that there should be a new assessment of the situation today. The EU enlargement negotiations, for example: Why did the Turkish Cypriot side refuse to attend this process? Had northern Cyprus been represented, there would have been an open discussion forum to bring up all issues, including S-300 missiles. The Turkish side is making a mistake by resisting the EU, because this approach will eventually end with the integration of Turkey and northern Cyprus. Why do we always believe that we are right, and yet receive no support? For 30 years, this puppet-state has remained alive on a life-support machine. And despite the heavy bills that Turkey is paying, why on earth is it treated as an issue of vital national importance?"

"Turkey Is Wrong"

Mass-appeal Sabah's Cengiz Candar said (4/2): "Turkey's reprisal against the EU on Cyprus, although hailed as a strong foreign policy move, is wrong. This policy shows Turkey's isolation. Had Turkey followed more flexible and constructive policies after the Luxembourg summit, had Turkey been more helpful in convincing the Turkish Cypriot side to join the EU negotiations procedure, the whole situation now would have been different and better. Turkey, by its own hands, has managed to isolate itself from Europe by drawing a line down the Aegean and Cyprus. The current situation also narrows the U.S. role in playing in the Cyprus and Turkey-EU issues. Our politicians are not flexible, and ignore strategic interests. Therefore, when it comes to Turkey's current policy on relations with Europe and the Cyprus issue, there is a blunt thing to say: It is wrong."

"Is This Really The Best Way?"

Sami Kohen wrote in mass-appeal Milliyet (4/2): "With recent developments, the divergence is clear: The Greek Cypriot side preferred to go ahead with the EU membership procedure, and the Turkish Cypriot side made its choice to integrate with Turkey. However, these are the things that need to be examined extensively, looking at both pros and cons. There is another question to ask: Is this really the best way? First of all, it is a remote possibility to expect that the TRNC will be recognized as a separate state. Therefore, state-to-state talks, instead of inter-communal talks, are out of question. The UN will never accept that. As a sign of recognition of this fact, the Turkish Cypriot side is now pronouncing a new formula, which asks for recognition or the acknowledgement of the Turkish side's sovereign rights. At this stage, this seems impossible as well. Maybe American or UN diplomacy can come up with a formula on this. Let's say the two sides agreed to start negotiations, then what are they going to discuss? The Turkish side wants to discuss the ways of living together as two states. However, the international community, including the United States, insists on the federation formula. Another issue to think about carefully is integration with Turkey. Both Turkey and the TRNC should view this issue very carefully, with all its probable advantages and some apparent disadvantages."

"EU: Dividing Cyprus While Unifying Europe"

In the view of Sami Kohen in mass-appeal Milliyet (4/1): "The division of the island has now become a fact. It is really difficult to believe that the EU could make such a big miscalculation. Ankara had made its position very clear to the EU, and said that if the EU starts negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, Turkey will go ahead with the integration plans with the TRNC. It is either due to the Brussels bureaucracy's ignorance, or the EU's reluctance to take Turkey's messages seriously. Whatever the reason behind it, the current situation is this: The EU has managed to divide the island of Cyprus during its process of unifying Europe."

"EU To Blame For Cyprus Developments"

Ferhat Koc pointed out in religious/fundamentalist Milli Gazete (4/1): "The European Union started the enlargement process with negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side. In response to this, Turkey started the integration procedure with the TRNC. This marks a new period in Cyprus, and it is certainly the EU which is to blame for this development. With the current developments, Turkey and the TRNC had no other option but to choose to go forward with the integration procedure. In fact, this is the right thing to do. We better be prepared for new tactics and conspiracies which will try to sabotage this plan."

"Are We Going To Catch EU Train, Or Are We Going To Let It Go?"

In mass-appeal Milliyet, Sami Kohen judged (3/31): "The EU has officially started the expansion process, whereas Turkey has been left out. Turkey had better think of making a strategic decision: Are we going to try to catch this train, or are we going to let it go? There is another option, maybe: Wait and see. This option, however, is not realistic, because it places hopes on the EU realizing its mistake and reversing its decisions, which is a fantasy. Then, there are two other alternatives to work on. To let the train go is not a realistic approach, because the EU is not only an economic target for Turkey, but also a vision in the political and social sense. Therefore, there is no other way but to continue to work toward the EU goal. It means that Turkey should rapidly tidy its house, and then start new initiatives vis-a-vis the European Union."

"Turkey And TRNC Had No Choice"

Religious/conservative Turkiye front-paged this editorial by Nevzat Yalcintas (3/31): "Currently the EU has started integration procedures with the Greek Cypriot side, as Turkey has with the

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) . However, it is not Turkey that is responsible for this situation. It is the trilateral collaboration between Greece, EU and the Greek Cypriot side that made this happen. With this fait accompli, Turkey and the TRNC had no choice but to go ahead with the integration plan. And this is a well deserved and proper goal."

"Leave Problem At EU's Door"

Ergun Balci maintained in intellectual/opinion maker Cumhuriyet (3/31): "The Cyprus question has entered into a period of uncertainty because of the EU's miscalculations and Greece's blackmailing politics. Turkey had better act in a cold-blooded manner and take very careful steps. For instance, the Turkey-TRNC integration talks as a reprisal against the EU are a mistake. The EU-Cyprus negotiations will take years, and in the meantime, what is the use of showing Turkey as a country that is annexing part of the Cyprus island? It goes without saying that annexing the Turkish Cypriot side is the best thing that both Greece and Greek Cypriot side could possibly hope for. The EU is responsible for making the Cyprus issue deadlocked, and let us leave it there with the EU."

AUSTRIA: "Careless Work In Cyprus"

Conservative Die Presse's Andreas Schwarz held (4/9): "The EU decision not to let Turkey join the circle of candidates for EU membership, was right; the one to negotiate EU entry for Cyprus was wrong.... The EU wants more than just an economic community. It tries to pursue something like a common foreign policy. And in this respect, it should have been clear to them that the illusion that the Cyprus 'knot' would somehow be solved under the pressure of the membership negotiations, was a severe miscalculation. Without a plan, no crisis in the world can be solved, and even less a crisis like the one in Cyprus. But let also the American troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke, who blames the EU for the whole muddle, take good note of this: Washington's permanent recommendations to Brussels, to accept Turkey as an EU member, were anything but helpful. They were the tail wind for Ankara's display of muscle against Europe, and they were above all an unrealistic intervention, because Turkey is still far from having reached European standards, according to a series of criteria (human rights, stable democratic structures).

"Instead of using the threat of withdrawal once again ('we will not participate in this pointless dispute eternally'), the United States had better intensify its efforts to talk sense into its NATO partners, Turkey and Greece. Europe, however, should simply refrain from the attempt to make foreign policy, as long as it can't master it."

AZERBAIJAN: "Eastern Mediterranean On Threshold Of War?"

A "group of analysts" wrote in independent Ayna/Zerkalo (4/4): "It is hard to say today whether or not the European politicians had envisaged the dramatic growth of tension caused by their decision to allow Cyprus to join the European Union. The EU's refusal to accept Turkey into the EU membership could only be viewed by the Cyprus Turks as another proof of the presence of confessional priorities in the EU policies. So, the decision to accept Cyprus into EU did not add to the Turks' belief in their future in the 'European family.' One is surprised at the insistence, not to say stubbornness, of the EU leading states. It looks as if the unwillingness of those in Europe to take into consideration the demands of the 'non-Christian' Turkey, not to mention the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is based on serious reasons. But is this not paying too much for 'Eurocentrism'?"

BELGIUM: "Hurry Cannot But Have Negative Consequences For Europeans"

Sabine Verhest wrote in conservative Catholic La Libre Belgique (3/31), "Barring a cataclysm or a war, the Old Continent will be unified 20 years from now--and this peacefully, without a drop of blood being shed.... But will tomorrow's Europe be more than a large free trade zone? Will it

find--with the euro, for instance--the impetus that will lead it to a stronger political community? For several years, those questions remained without concrete answer. For the time being, 'indications' are not particularly encouraging. The Fifteen...have proven incapable of agreeing on the reform of institutions at the Amsterdam summit in June 1997. Yet, without any modification, (those institutions) devised by the Six cannot but lead to the paralysis of a union of 25 or 30 member states....

"Once the train of the extension of the EU is launched, the Fifteen will not be able to stop it any more, not even for internal reforms as indispensable as they might be.... It is, of course, out of the question to reconsider the political advisability of the extension of the EU to Central and Eastern Europe, but rather to say that hurry cannot but have negative consequences for the Europeans.... The Union--but also the would-be members--would lose in integrating too rapidly insufficiently prepared countries."

"Making Decisions With More Members Will Be Impossible"

In light of the official start (3/30) in Brussels of the talks on accession to the European Union, economic affairs writer Bernard Bulcke stressed in independent Catholic De Standaard (3/30), "Today, the 10 would-be members from the former East Bloc will meet with the Fifteen in a solemn opening session. Cyprus will be there, too.... It is not very clear what Minister Ioannis Kassoulides will say. The only thing one could hear recently about the divided island is harsh, irreconcilable language.... However, enlargement is not only threatened by the Cyprus issue. The financing of the EU and the agricultural policy, in particular, are hot issues. There is also the entire institutional issue which has to be solved.

"In Agenda-2000, the EU Commission proposed a few weeks ago to keep the EU and the agricultural policy in a tight financial harness. Some countries do not like that. They fear that the aid programs from which they are benefitting now will be abolished to fund the cost of accession of the new member states. The modification of the institutional rules of the Union was suggested by Belgium in Amsterdam. Gradually, others appear to begin to understand that something must happen. Making decisions with 15 members is not easy. With 21--and with 26 in the long term--it is impossible with the current structures.... Today, we will receive the ceremonial sign that the Union is accepting the challenge."

HUNGARY: "Russians Don't Mind Stirring Up Storm In NATO"

Editor Janos T. Barabas remarked in influential Magyar Hirlap (4/3), "Athens sees its real enemy not in the Russians, but in the Turks--and Istanbul (sic) has done its best to promote this view. The Russians, on the other hand, do not mind being able to stir up a storm in the Atlantic Alliance, increase their influence in the region, and develop even more modern weapons with the money they get for their missiles."

POLAND: "Europe Needs Poland"

Centrist Rzeczpospolita's editor-in-chief Piotr Aleksandrowicz held (3/31), "Talks on membership in the EU will be time-consuming and demanding, with Poland the weaker partner--it is we who strive for membership. It does not mean, however, that Polish negotiators should just diligently note what they hear in Brussels. A fast developing Polish economy with a population and market of 40 million people gives vast opportunities for dynamic growth that is hard to achieve in the 'cramped' and highly competitive economies of Western Europe. Consequently, Europe needs Poland too--which gives a chance for Polish negotiators in their endeavors to secure understanding and respect for Polish interests."

SPAIN: "Admitting A Divided Cyprus"

Liberal El Pais counseled (4/1): "Formal negotiations were opened in Brussels yesterday with

the six countries considered most ready for admission to the EU (Cyprus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Estonia). In the case of Cyprus, the prospect of its admission has aggravated tensions between Greece and Turkey, and on the island itself, which has been divided since Turkish troops partly occupied it in 1974.... The EU's negotiations with Cyprus will be far from easy, given the island's division and the refusal by Turkish Cypriots to participate in the delegation that represents the island in the process.... The most sensible and convenient solution would see the island converted into a federation of both communities. The admission of a Cyprus divided would be difficult to conceive of, inasmuch as the EU would thereby be taking on an even greater problem."

ARGENTINA: "Enlarging Community Europe"

An editorial in leading Clarin read (4/6), "The EU, engine of the most ambitious process of community integration between states and nations which has ever taken place, feels it is solid enough to move forward in its expansion towards the East.... Their respective states will search for protection under the community structure to solve enormous domestic challenges, ranging from the integration of national minorities to the reconversion of obsolete production structures responsible for subsequent unemployment.

"This is the geopolitical map of the new Europe which has swept away ideological curtains and walls, and has seen the policy of confrontation between blocs fall. In this sense, there is no longer West and East Europe. Now there is the idea of a propelling center, with several concentric circles. Nevertheless, this does not mean that such center will be able to contain the diversity and difference in realities of this enlarged European mosaic."