Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 99-11-19

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Friday, November 19, 1999

Talks speculation dominates the papers

NEWS, speculation and opinion about December's proximity talks in New York and President Clinton's visit to Turkey continued to dominate all the front pages. There was both optimism and pessimism about the prospects of the talks.

Alithia reported that the Americans had given assurances to President Clerides that the proximity talks would cover all the basic aspects of the Cyprus issue and would be followed by direct talks. If the need arose, President Clinton would intervene in support of the UN Secretary-General during the talks. Clerides had also received assurances that the Turkish side would be blamed if Denktash carried out his threat to quit the talks if a confederal solution was not discussed.

In its front-page editorial, the paper said that the American assurances were not supported by the climate in Istanbul and what was being said by Turkish officials. Both the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had announced they would not budge a millimetre from their positions, on Cyprus. Such statements were bad will gestures and support for partition, the paper said.

Simerini said that Clinton had given (Clerides) guarantees with regard to the successful outcome of the talks, but did not seem to take this too seriously in its front-page editorial. It said that the comments made by Turkish officials were expected. The only unexpected and consoling development was that Turkish quake victims had applauded when Clinton referred to Greece's help.

The paper laughed at suggestions that the Turks were cornered, when in fact the Greek side was with its back against the wall. After all, Clerides claimed he had no other choice but to accept the UN invitation to talks; he also had no other choice but to cancel the deployment of the S300 missiles. The Greek government would have no other choice but to support Turkey's EU drive. We should examine how we ended up with no choices, it concluded.

Phileleftheros claimed that the Americans were looking for ways to get the proximity talks started and to keep them going for a reasonable period of time. This had become increasingly difficult after the intransigent statements by Turkey's president and prime minister. Meanwhile Rauf Denktash has reportedly informed mediators that the talks procedure should last for eight days.

In this climate, that Clinton had been repeating, during his Turkish visit, the need for more co-operation between Greece and Turkey. He has been urging the two sides to take mutual steps, but Ankara seemed unwilling to heed his advice.

Haravghi reported that the UN had planned talks that would go on for at least five months and would be held in three stages, so long as Denktash did not undermine the procedure.

However, in its front-page editorial, it said that the comments by Denktash and top Turkish state officials did not raise hopes of a positive outcome from the talks. If anything they highlighted the need for the powerful of the earth - either the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, or G8 - to use a different language in their dealings with Turkey.

Politis said that Clinton had asked for a specific goodwill gesture with regard to Greco-Turkish disputes and the Cyprus issue from Ankara so that the European road could be opened for Turkey. This would strengthen the president's position and enable him to help the Turkish government in its drive for EU membership.

The Turkish government had remained quiet on the issue, avoiding comment, although sections of the Turkish press viewed Clinton's comments as a form of blackmail.

Machi quoted a report in Turkish paper Milliyet, which reportedly quoted excerpts from Clinton's conversation with Prime Minister Ecevit. This is how Clinton is pressurising Turkey it said and quoted the conversation, which went like this: If there is no big cost for you, would you, perhaps be able to make a goodwill gesture? If you do this, it will help my efforts to defend you in Athens, at the EU and at Congress.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999

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