TURKISH CYPRUS PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-01-31

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 21/96 31.1.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ATUN URGES BRITAIN TO TREAT TURKISH CYPRIOTS EQUALLY

According to illegal Bayrak radio (30.1.96), Hakki Atun, Democratic Party leader, claimed that with its current stand, the EU is encouraging the Greek Cypriot side to shun the negotiating table. This is not a reasonable or realistic approach for the solution of the Cyprus problem, he alleged.

Atun met with Ms. Brigitte Bling from the British Foreign Office, Southern Europe Cyprus Desk. The meeting was also attended by Colin Jennings, British Deputy High Commissioner.

In a statement after the meeting, Atun said that the British Foreign Office official came to the island to get information about the Cyprus question and to be updated on the latest situ- ation. He said that the official mostly wanted to hear the Tur- kish Cypriot side's views on membership in the EU. He said he told the official that Denktash started a series of meetings with party leaders on this matter, and that the EU issue as well as ways of reaching a lasting solution in Cyprus are being seriously discussed.

Atun added: "We observe that the Greek Cypriots, instead of getting ready or displaying any intentions on this issue, are moving back from their present position." Atun stressed that mem- bership in the EU can be placed on the agenda only after a solu- tion is reached. He pointed out that all the parties agree and insist on this point. He said he hopes this will be an important message for the Foreign Office official. He expressed the hope that the concerned sides will tell the truth to the Greek Cypriots and encourage them to come to the negotiating table. He said: "We hope that, as the third guarantor state, Britain accepts this realistic approach, and takes positive steps to treat the Turkish Cypriot people equally."

Replying to a question, the British official said that she is visiting Cyprus for the first time and her aim is to see the situation on the spot.

[02] ANOUIL LOSES PATIENCE WITH TURKS

According to KIBRIS (31.1.96) there was a panel discussion last night in the occupied area organized jointly by the European Research Centre and the so-called Near East University, on "Effects of Customs Union on Cyprus".

People who took part in the panel were, Gilles Anouil, EU ambassador to Cyprus, the UN Secretary-General's deputy Special Representative, Gustave Feissel, British Deputy High Commissioner to Cyprus, Colin Jennings, the President of the so-called Lefka European University, Haluk Kabaalioglu, as well as Sule Akar and Mehmet Cevar of the so-called East Mediterranean University and Near East University.

Speaking first in the panel, Feissel said that, the view that in recent years the problem has entered into an impasse is not wrong. Then Anouil took the floor and said that Turkey was the oldest associate member. He added that the Customs Union is not just a trade agreement but that it also means Turkey, like the EU, will apply preferential trade relations.

Referring to article 64 of the Turkey-EU agreement, Anouil said that this article does not and cannot force Turkey, which is not an EU member, to implement the EU Court of Justice decision.

In his turn Colin Jennings said that they have supported the Customs Union agreement between the EU and Turkey, considering it a secular and democratic country.

Jennings claimed that the Customs Union agreement will con- tribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He said that Turkey had a very important role to play and once the new government is formed Ankara will be more effective.

Prof. Kabaalioglu then took the floor and openly criticized Anouil for some statements he had made in the past. Kabaalioglu claimed that while Turkey had fulfilled its obligations under the agreement, the same was not done by the EU.

He also said that in the past Ambassador Anouil made state- ments to the effect that Turkey had to recognize southern Cyprus, in accordance with the EU agreement. Until now, he said, Mr. Anouil has not denied this publicly. Gilles Anouil interrupted saying that statements attributed to him have already been denied. He said that he could not put up with such accusations and left the panel discussion. (MY)

[03] DENKTASH: "WE ARE EVALUATING THE ISSUE OF THE E.U. REPRESENTATIVE"

According to KIBRIS (31.1.96) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash commenting on press reports that an Italian diplomat has been appointed as EU Representative for Cyprus, said that nothing official has been conveyed to him. "We are evaluating the issue", he said.

Denktash made this statement after meeting with Mr. Feissel.