TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 95-12-21

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 240/95 21/12/95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman on possible Holbrooke visit

Responding to a question on reports that Richard Holbrooke will tackle the Cyprus issue in the new year, Amb. Akbel said: "Both sides in Cyprus, as well as international circles, have clear and established principles regarding the parameters of the solution. Turkey will welcome assistance to the sides from concerned friendly countries." With regard to the possibility of Holbrooke's visiting the region in late January, Amb. Akbel said no official request was submitted and no date has been fixed yet. Akbel noted that Turkey considers it natural for Holbrooke to hold contacts with Athens and Ankara in addition to his contacts with the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, who are directly involved in the issue.

In reply to another question about whether Turkey is being pressured, Amb. Akbel said: "We should not view the efforts exerted by friendly countries and circles within the framework of assistance as applying pressure. What is being done is only assisting the relevant sides in direct negotiations."

[02] Atun: integration with Turkey will not result in annexation

In his dinner toast, Atun noted that Cyprus has reached an important political juncture, and that the "government" has prepared an ambitious program to enable the "TRNC" to solve its own problems, and expressed his conviction that Turkey will support the "TRNC" in this regard.

[03] Turkish State Minister holds news conference-departs

In a news conference at occupied Tymbou airport, he stressed that no one can prevent Turkey's sensitivity with regard to Cyprus, adding: "The Turkish nation is in control of the problems". Pointing out that economic defficulties will be overcome together and that the Turkish Cypriots will be happier, Islamoglu asked the people to rest assured. The two most important problems of the pseudostqate are water and electricity, Islamoglu remarked. He noted that the "Manavgat project" must be discussed to overcome the water problem and that the pseudostate's power must be connected to the Turkish electricity grid in order to settle this issue.

Commenting on the EU matter, Islamoglu explained that difficulties stemming from Turkey's membership in the Customs Union will be surrounded by means of a free trade agreement to be concluded with the pseudostate within a very short time. The Turkish state minister claimed that the Cyprus Government cannot become a member of the EU before a just and lasting solution is reached in Cyprus.

[04] Denktash returns from Ankara

Denktash gave a lecture at the War Academies in Ankara. (M.Y.)

[05] Mainlander seriously injures four Turkish Cypriots

YENIDUZEN reports that all four victims are hospitalized and the condition of one of the grand children, aged 12, is considered serious due to a skull fructure.

YENIDUZEN further reports that the mainlander was apprehended and Denktash's police first tried to cover up the identity of the burglar in order not to cause the anger of the Turkish Cypriots against mainlanders.

Relatives of the victims speaking to YENIDUZEN said that they "are not obliged to have to put up with 60 million Turks. Those who oppose stopping entry into Cyprus only with Identity Cards should be ashamed of themselves."

[05] Israeli firm to built huge hotel complex in the occupied area

The paper says that the huge complex will increase the total bed capacity of the occupied area by one third.

It will also be a major support to the occupied area's economy.

It reports that the Israeli leased the plot on which the complex will be constructed four years ago. However, construction work did not start immediately because a Turkish occupation troops brigade was deployed on the land which was being used as the brigade's barracks.

This problem has been solved and new land has been found for the brigade's barracks.

The Israeli firm is waiting the 24 December election results in Turkey to start construction work, reports HURRIYET. (M.Y.)