[01] Denktash reiterates call for 'direct talks'.

[02] Dick Spring meets with Denktash.

[03] Denktash reacts to taking issue discussion at COE.

[04] Prison sentence of Greek Cypriot reduced to 45 days.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat new leader of the RTP.

[06] "TRNC's" tourism potential promoted.

[07] Denktash's press conference to foreign journalists.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash reiterates call for 'direct talks'

In a statement he issued prior to the meeting, Denktash said that he has told Feissel that the initiatives of the American, Russian, and Italian diplomats were undertaken in support of the goodwill mission of the UN Secretary General in a bid to find solutions. Stating that the Turkish Cypriots want the Greek Cypriot side to come to the table to resume negotiations, Denktash added: "The sovereignty and equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots and issues such as guarantees and bizonality are not open for bargaining".

Feissel, in turn, said that both sides are ready to hold negotiations should common ground be found. Explaining that the two sides have different approaches to the issue of sovereignty, Feissel pointed out the importance of securing trust on the island.

[02] Dick Spring meets with Denktash

Denktash said that he considers Spring's visit to be a sign of continued good relations and that Ireland has displayed its impartiality with this visit.

Addressing President Clerides, Denktash said that he may discuss membership in the EU when the time comes, but that first the Cyprus problem must be resolved. He said that the status of the Tukrish Cypriots must be determined by the concerned sides. "Then", he alleged, "we will have the right to speak in connection with the agreements for joining the EU, and we will also have the right to have reservations about those agreements."

Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 12.1.96), Rauf Denktash has said that the Irish Foreign Minister is a good listener and an impartial diplomat. As Turkish Cypriot side, Denktash said, we insistently asked him if the EU is going to appoint a coordinator in Cyprus.

Denktash pointed out that this is the most talked-about issue these days, adding: "We are concerned that the EU will appoint a coordinator in Cyprus."

Denktash said that he explained to Spring that he does not want a coordinator to be appointed by the EU, one of whose members is Greece, and that he is concerned about that. Denktash went on to say that there is no need to convene an international meeting composed by coordinators. He alleged: "If they are going to appoint this or that coordinator, then we will also bring other coordinators. That would really be ridiculous."

Denktash stated that they will not accept a policy that would eliminate bizonality, adding: "A population exchange was made because the Greek Cypriots did not want the two peoples to live together. Consequently, through an exchange of property, we will move toward a system that will not cause conflicts in the future."

He also stated that "in Cyprus there will either be a partnership, or the continuation of the present situation. There are no other alternatives."

[03] Denktash reacts to taking issue discussion at COE

In reply to a question by an illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency) correspondent, Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot side is insistent on seeking an equal opportunity for both sides before a decision is made on Cyprus. Expressing the belief that Europe will not make the same mistake by hearing only the Greek Cypriot side, Denktash alleged: "It is our most basic right as equal partners in Cyprus to also be heard before decisions about us are made. This is a basic judicial principle. We are not afraid of justice. We are concerned about one-sided considerations which distort justice. Our main wish is that Europe does not make this kind of mistake."

He further alleged: "The EU activating a Greek Cypriot application without the consent of the other side is not in line with any principle of fairness, particularly when rearranging an agreement on the basis of the political equalities of two separate communities are under consideration."

[04] Prison sentence of Greek Cypriot reduced to 45 days

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat new leader of the RTP

The paper reports taht during the Congress elections were held for the party's leadership. Ozker Ozgur and Mehmet Ali Talat were the two candidates for the post.

Of the 650 delegates, 549 cast their vote. Mehmet Ali Talat received 338 votes, Ozker Ozgur received 206 and five votes were not valid.

The paper reports that Ozgur was the leader of the Party since 1976 and with Talat's election a new era is beginning within the RTP. (MY)

[06] "TRNC's" tourism potential promoted

The companies taking part in the promotion work are "Cyprus Paradise" and "President Holidays". (MY)

[07] Denktash's press conference to foreign journalists

Denktash alleged: "The reason is becuase our basis is moral and legitimate, and that is the base that was mutually established in 1960. It is the same basis. Today nothing has changed. We have stolen or taken away nothing from the Greek Cypriots.

Denktash further said that a possible federal state to be established will be sovereign for the outside world. But domestically there will be two sovereign states which will exercise their authority and power. "This system will be like the cantons in Switzerland that have their separate sovereignty", Denktash said.

Underlining that it should be the Turkish Cypriots, within a bizonal settlement, who will provide for their security and internal security in their own regions, he added: "The Guarantee and Alliance agreements as well should be continued because these two elements are basic issues for the existence of the two communities and in this kind of settlement the political equality of the two communities is important as well."

Speaking during a press conference for foreign journalists the other day, Denktash also stressed that "they are determined to defend and maintain the existence" of the pseudostate.

Referring to the EU membership issue, Denktash claimed that this issue was seriously raised for the first time during his meetings with President Clerides in 1994. He said that the EU membership issue was a very serious issue for the Turkish Cypriots. "Unless a political settlement is reached in Cyprus, it is impossible to secure the Turkish Cypriots taking part in the accession talks, because our status is yet to be decided upon. We do not intend to be dragged into a union where we have no say", alleged Denktash. On this issue, he supported the UN Secretary General's position.

He also reiterated his call for face-to-face meetings with President Clerides.

He alleged that until now the Greek Cypriots have been refusing to make any concessions for a settlement.

As for US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke's forthcoming visit, Denktash said that he does not think that Holbrooke is coming in order to exert pressure, nor to impose his method.

When asked what will be done if a settlement is not reached this year, Denktash said that if a settlement is not reached and Cyprus, as he put it, becomes an EU member, then the Turkish Cypriots have nothing else to do but to enter into economic integration with Turkey. "However", he claimed, "this does not mean we will get tangled with Turkey. I do not think that the Greek Cypriots want things to reach that stage. I do not think anybody wants to reach that stage. Let us concentrate not on EU membership but on the negotiation table. I hope someone will come up and tell this to the Greek Cypriots." (MY)