TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS (95-11-10)

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@Glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.211/95 10.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Illegal Bayrak admits capture of Greek Cypriot soldier on 3 November

Illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 9.11.95) has claimed that 19-year-old Greek Cypriot guardsman George Karotsakis approached the Turkish Cypriot military positions in the dark of the night and was captured by soldiers on guard. So-called police deputy director Pervin Gurler alleged that in the incident, which occurred on 3 November, the uniformed Greek Cypriot soldier approached the Turkish Cypriot positions on foot in the region of the former macaroni factory. Gurler claimed that the unarmed Greek Cypriot soldier crossed into "TRNC territories" for reasons that are not clear and violated the so-called borders. The soldier will be referred to "court" after the investigation started against him is completed, he added.

[02] ICO Secretary General meets with Denktash

According to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 9.11.95) Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) Secretary General Hamid al-Ghabid, in a statement at occupied Tymbou Airport yesterday, claimed that the Greek Cypriot arms build-up is undermining peace in Cyprus. He said that peace in Cyprus must be based on an agreement that is reached through negotiations within the framework of the goodwill mission of the United Nations and is acceptable to both sides. Al-Ghabid said that during his contacts in the "TRNC" he will see what stage the Cyprus problem is at the moment and will assess the situation with the Turkish Cypriot "officials".

The ICO Secretary General then met with Denktash. Also present at the meeting were "Prime Minister" Hakki Atun, "Acting Assembly Speaker" Olgun Pasalar, Turkish envoy Aydan Karahan, and Kenan Atakol, National Unity Party deputy and former "foreign minister". During the meeting, Emine Egmez, wife of narcotics smuggler Erkan Egmez who is being held by the Greek Cypriot police, gave a letter to the ICO Secretary General "requesting his help to secure her husband's release."

During the meeting, Denktash briefed al-Ghabid on the Greek Cypriot demonstrations.

[03] Atun urged to resign

According to illegal Bayrak radio (6:00 hours, 9.11.95), in a statement "Prime Minister" Atun called on the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) to make changes in the "Council of Ministers" list in order to help solve the "government" problem. On the other hand, RTP Secretary General Alpay Afsaroglu said that the RTP is bound by democratic rules, and that the "prime minister" must submit his resignation to the "president" in order to enable the establishment of a new "government".

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to establish a Democratic Party-National Unity "coalition". National Unity Party leader Dervis Eroglu will discuss the issue of a "coalition" based on the rotational "presidency". Atun said that there has not been an official proposal regarding this issue. Eroglu said that such a partnership is possible, but that early elections are also an alternative.

[04] Turkish Cypriots address COE Political Committee

According to illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 8.11.95), Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot party leaders met at the Political Committee of the Council of Europe (COE) in Strasbourg last Wednesday. Some of the Greek Cypriot political party leaders did not attend the meeting because the Turkish Cypriot side was officially invited to address the Political Committee.

The Turkish Cypriot party leaders who attended the meeting were "Assembly Speaker" Ayhan Halit Acarkan on behalf of the Democratic Party (DP), National Unity Party (NUP) leader Dervis Eroglu, Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader Ozker Ozgur, and Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Mustafa Akinci. They criticized the fact that Cyprus is represented at the COE by the Greek Cypriots alone and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side must be given the right to address the COE.

Addressing the Political Committee, Acarkan alleged that if the Greek Cypriot side is accepted as a full member of the EU unilaterally, this will put off the solution of the Cyprus problem. Such an approach is unacceptable, he claimed.

Eroglu claimed that the presence of the Turkish Army on the island ensures peace in Cyprus. In fact, it protects Cyprus' independence, he claimed.

Ozgur said that the Greek Cypriot side's membership in the EU before the problem is solved would be wrong and that Turkey's full membership in the EU is essential.

Akinci said that people from the various sectors of the two communities must come together, adding that such meetings are vital.