Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (95-12-6)

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 229/95 6/12/95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] News Items

[01] On Beattie's news conference in Larnaca

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (16:30 hours, 4/12/95), the so-called foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry of the pseudostate has stated that the intercommunal negotiating process can be launched and continued on a solid foundation "only" if the criteria of political equality, bicommunality, and bizonality between the two sides are respected."

A written statement issued by the so-called Ministry said that "it is unfortunate that the news conference Richard Beattie, U.S. President Bill Clinton's special envoy, will hold today on his contacts in Cyprus will be conducted in south Cyprus." The statement claims that third parties that wish to assist in the negotiating process must meticulously observe the criteria of political equality, bicommunality, and bizonality. The statement recalls that until now, U.S. officials, including Beattie himself, have been careful to comply with these criteria and, in an exemplary fashion, have held news conference at the Ledra Palace in the bufffer zone, which is easily accessible to reporters from both sides.

The fact that Beattie chose to hold his news conference in Larnaca rather than at the Ledra Palace, contrary to past patterns violates the principles of bicommunality and bizonality, the statement claims. It further alleges that "it is the right of the Turkish Republic of Norther Cyprus to expect the circles that, to date, have openly declared that they acknowledge the principles that are of vital importance to the TRNC such as equality and bizonality, to put their views into practise."

[02] Denktash comments on meeting with Beattie

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1630 hours, 5/12/95) Rauf Denktash yesterday received Richard Beattie, U.S. President Clinton's special envoy in Cyprus. The meeting was held at 15:30 and lasted about 90 minutes. It was attended by James Williams, U.S. State department Cyprus coordiantor, Richard Boucher, U.S. ambassador to Nicosia, Atay Ahmet Rasit, so-called minister of foreign affairs and defense", Ozer Koray, "Under-Secretary of foreign affairs and defense, Necati Munir Ertegun and Ergun Olgun, advisers to Denktash and Mustafa Evran."

In a statement after the meeting, Denktash said that Beattie did not bring a new plan, program, or anything new. He went on to say that they held a sound and beneficial exchange of views within the framework of new and old ideas. He added that they will hold another meeting today.

Denktash said that with the term of new ideas, he meant that they discussed the issues concerning what formula to implement. Asked if President Clerides made a proposal, Denktash said: "No, there is no new proposal."

Denktash added that Clinton did not send a message.

Asked if President Clerides agreed to meet with him face to face in January, Denktash said that that point has not been reached yet. He said that a solution is being sought between the positions of the two sides. He alleged: "You know the Greek Cypriot position. They will not discuss anything unless we say now that we agree to joint the EU once we are a federation. They say that they are ready to discuss anything once we say that."

He reiterated that for the Turkish Cypriot side to joint the EU, its status must be determined. He said: "An agreement must be signed for our status to be determined. For an agreement to be signed, we must sit at the negotiating table with no preconditions."

[03] Denktash interviewed on recent developments

According to TRT Television Network (22:00 hours, 4/12/95), Denktash during at telephone interview by Altan Asar, asked to comment on the fact that Turkish Cypriot reporters were not allowed to attend the news conference Mr Beattie gave upon his arrival at Larnaca airport, claimed: "I do not think that the Turkish Cypriot reporters were not allowed to attend. Most of them did not wish to go, because, as a rule, these news conferences are held at the Ledra Palace, which is a neutral location. The Turkish Cypriot reporters adopted a justified stand on this issue.".

Asked if he is optimistic that a lasting peace will be secured on the island, Denktash said: "We are willing and we have been willing for a long time. We tried to achieve this, but it is impossible to be optimistic as long as the entire world continues to recognize the Greek Cypriot side as the legitimate government of Cyprus and especially now that the world has opened the EU door to this government. The Greek Cypriots must be stopped. They have chosen the wrong path."

Asked what will his stand be if, in his opinion, the proposals presented to him in the form of a peace package are not sensible, realistic, or conducive to securing peace on the island, he answered: "In that case, our stand will be clear. We are defending the honor of the Turkish people and are seeking an agreement pertaining to the future and destiny of the Turkish Cypriots. We are pursuing a sacred cause. Naturally, we cannot consent to an agreement that is unreasonable, will again transform this island into a bloodbath within a few months or years, or will offer Cyprus to Greece as a gift. I hope we will not be presented with such an agreement."

[04] On Greek Measures in Western Thrace

According to a TRT Television Network (18:00 hours, 4/12/95) on a news conference in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Nurettin Nurkan, in answer to a question on the measures adopted for the development of Western Thrace, said that Turkey will be only pleased with all the genuine and sincere efforts to be exerted by Greece to improve the Turkish minority's standard of living. Nurkan stated that the Turkish minority in Western Thrace wishes only to live freely, peacefully, and prosperously in Greece.