ANKARA Ñ Turkey's Islamic party has alarmed the Foreign Ministry by
advocating a new resolution to end the dispute over Cyprus.
Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a
European formula for the resolution of the Cyprus dispute. Erdogan told
Greek and later Turkish television that he supports the Belgium model
approved by United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, a plan that in
essence calls for a federation of two ethnic communities on the island.
"There are two peoples and there must be some type of compromise,"
Erdogan told Turkish television. "Let the two peoples confer amongst
themselves. If that happens, then I believe there will not be any problem
between Turkey and Greece."
Foreign Ministry officials were stunned by Erdogan's endorsement of the
so-called Belgium model. A ministry spokesman denied that Erdogan's remarks
reflected Turkey's position and outgoing Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel
accused Erdogan of being ignorant on the Cyprus issue and said he had no
authority to represent Turkey.
Erdogan said he will visit Greece on Nov. 18. In 1999, Erdogan was
convicted of inciting religious strife and was barred from holding political
office until the middle of 2003. Erdogan's party, known as the AKP, is
trying to change the constitution to allow him to hold office.
For years, Turkey has called for the maintenance of the status quo on
the island Ñ two separate states, one Greek and the other Turkish, with
open borders. The Republic of Cyprus and its ally, Greece, have pressed for
the reunification of the island.
AKP vice president Abdullah Gul, regarded as a favorite for prime
minister, said Erdogan was speaking for the party in outlining his solution
for Cyprus. He said the solution involved a single state with two sovereign
entities.
"We are talking about a single state where there will be two separate
sovereignties," Gul said. "It is a formula that is included in the proposals
of [Northern Cyprus President Rauf] Denktash. The details of this proposal
can be assessed but the Cyprus issue must be resolved."
Turkey has warned the European Union not to accept the Republic of
Cyprus as a member next month without a resolution of the dispute with the
breakaway
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkey, with 40,000 troops on the
island, has suggested that it could annex Northern Cyprus.
On Thursday, Greek officials reported that two Turkish F-16 multi-role
fighter-jets harassed two civilian aircraft moving between Athens and
Nicosia. In another incident, 18 Turkish F-16s were said to have violated
Greek air space in the disputed Aegean Sea.
Officials said the statements by Erdogan and other AKP members of
parliament have thrown Western diplomats into confusion. They said the AKP
endorsement of the Belgium model could erode Turkey's interests in Cyprus.
