TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 95-12-27

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 242/95 22-27.12.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] APOSTOLIDES SENTENCED TO 9 MONTHS

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1130 hours, 22/12/95) Ioannis Apostolides has been "sentenced" to a prison term of nine months.

The panel of military "judges" also sentenced Apostolides to a fine of 1,188,457,040 Turkish Lira for allegedly having destroyed military equipment belonging to the so-called Turkish Cypriot Security Forces Command.

The "court" first sentenced Apostolides to two years for entering a military zone without a permit, and to five years for damaging military equipment. The panel of "judges" reduced his sentence because Apostolides did not have a criminal record, he was young, because he admitted his "crime" and because he repented. As a result, the "court" sentenced him to four months for the first "crime", and to nine months for the second "crime". Because the sentences will be served simultaneously Apostolides will remain in prison for nine months. He will also have to pay the fine.

[02] DENKTASH CLAIMS "SENSITIVITY" TO APOSTOLIDES' CASE ARTIFICIAL

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1130 hours, 24/12/95) Rauf Denktash has claimed that the atmosphere being created in the wake of the "court" decision to sentence Ioannis Apostolides to a prison term of nine months is artificial and is being created for propaganda and political purposes. Pointing out that Apostolides has the right to appeal to the "Supreme Court" within 10 days if he believes his sentence to be severe, Denktash added: "The state can appoint a lawyer for Apostolides if he does not have money."

In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency), Denktash pointed to initiatives undertaken by the Cyprus Govern- ment and foreign diplomats regarding this issue and claimed: "The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a legal state. For this reason, the executive body cannot issue a pardon with regard to a sentence handed out by the judiciary body." Stating that only the "Assembly" has the authority to grant a pardon, he added that Apostolides or his family can appeal to the relevant "Assembly" committee.

Alleging that those who conduct wrong politics and who prompted this event should not exacerbate Apostolides' situation through political pressure and demonstrations, Denktash added: "Impetuous behavior or the staging of demonstrations at Ledra Palace will only tie the hands of those who want to help Aposto- lides."

[03] FINAL ELECTION RESULTS IN TURKEY

Party Number of Votes Percentage Seats Welfare Party 5,985,322 21.32 158 Motherland Party 5,517,816 19.66 132 True Path Party 5,388,980 19.20 135 Democratic Left Party 4,113,493 14.65 75 Republican People's Party 3,006,444 10.71 50 Nationalist Action Party 2,296,520 8.18 People's Democracy Party 1,170,699 4.17 New Democracy Movement 134,260 0.48 Nation Party 126,681 0.45 Rebirth Party 96,158 0.34 Labor Party 62,064 0.22 New Party 37,783 0.13 Independents 134,829 0.48

[04] DENKTASH DENIES TURKEY MEMBERSHIP IN CU WILL AFFECT TIES

After attending a ceremony at Ayios Vassilios, Denktash was asked to comment on the remarks made by the EU Ambassador in Cyprus, to the effect that as of 1 January, Turkey will have to implement the decisions of the EU Court of Justice, and thus abide by the decision to impose an embargo on the "TRNC". Denk- tash claimed that such a thing cannot be, adding: "Our economic, commercial, and political relations with Turkey will not be affected by its membership in the CU. Turkey's political will is eternal. Nobody is going to ask (Anouill) for his opinion about that."

Denktash said that the only reason why the Turkish Cypriots accepted the partnership republic in 1960 was the guarantee agreement that also involved Turkey's right to intervene. He said that nobody can play around with the guarantee agreement, adding: "Nobody can undo this basic principle. If anybody tries to undo it, Cyprus will be divided in two and that will be the end of that. If certain circles want to resolve the Cyprus problem, they should realize that there are certain basic prin- ciples which are here to stay."

He concluded: "The 1977 and 1979 agreements were based on the foundations of the 1960 agreement, and introduced the principle of bizonality. Anyone who tries to change that will divide Cyprus into two. Everybody should realize that."

[05] DENKTASH CALLS "NOT TO MAKE CONCESSIONS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE"

Denktash allocated an important part of his address to the guarantee and alliance agreements and alleged that the main Greek Cypriot goal since the 1960's is to eliminate the guarantee agreement. Stressing that it is inconceivable that changes be made or discussions be held on the guarantee agreement, Denktash added: "Eliminating bizonality under the name of the three free- doms is one of the reasons offered by the Greek Cypriot Adminis- tration when explaining its wish to become a EU member." Denktash also reiterated that the EU issue should be raised after a Cyprus solution is reached and claimed: "The Turkish Cypriot side will lose its right of say, legislation, and justice should the EU membership be attained before a federation is established and a solution reached."

Voicing his view that the Turkish Cypriot side should fix a date regarding the negotiation process, Denktash added: "We should be able to say that we have alternative steps to take if the issue is not solved by that date. We should not waste more time at the negotiation table."

Commenting on the issue of sovereignty, Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot side accepts Swiss-type sovereignty, and added: "The sovereignty concept of the Turkish Cypriot side involves transferring a certain part of the federated states' authority to the federal government. The approach adopted by the Greek Cypriot side, however, is to transfer some of the sovereign rights of the federal government, which it finds suitable, to federated states." Pointing out that the issue of sovereignty is one of the most important stepping stones in the path toward a solution, Denktash said: "We have to insist on the issue of sov- ereignty."

Recalling that Richard Holbrooke, U.S. assistant Secretary of State, will arrive in the island at the end of January, Denktash added that the reasons for Holbrooke's visit is to explore the possibilities regarding a Cyprus solution.