[01] Denktash meets Greenstock.

[02] Denktash receives EU Envoy, calls for resumption of talks.

[03] Increase in merchant marine earnings in the occupied area.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash meets Greenstock

According to KIBRIS (23.2.96) Denktash had a meeting last night with the Political Director at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Jeremy Greenstock. Prior to the meeting, Denktash told the journalists that it was a routine meeting. At that moment British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, intervened and jokingly reacted: "Oh, no Mr. Denktash, how could you brand our visit a routine one."

In his turn Mr. Greenstock said that a detailed statement will be made today.

Mr. Greenstock yesterday afternoon had a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot political party leaders at the British High Commission. (MY)

[02] Denktash receives EU Envoy, calls for resumption of talks

According to the illegal Bayrak radio (22.2.96), Rauf Denktash has said that if the Europeans want the Cyprus problem to be solved, they should send the Greek Cypriot side to the negotiating table and make sure that the intercommunal talks are resumed from where they were left off.

In a statement after his meeting with Federico Di Roberto, the representative of the Italian EU Presidency on the Cyprus issue, Denktash alleged that Europe should clearly see that any European intervention outside this framework will only make the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo more intransigent. He drew attention to the statement made by the Turkish Cypriot side: "That an agreement can be reached in a short while if the equality of the two sides, the guarantee agreements, and the principle of bizonality are accepted." Denktash claimed that, however, the Greek Cypriots are seeking European intervention in a bid to eliminate all these principles, adding that he brought these facts to Di Roberto's attention. He said: "We conveyed our sensitivity on the issue." Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side has always explained its cause to visiting diplomats, he alleged that though the Greek Cypriots seem as though they want to share the island with the Turkish Cypriots, they actually want to impose their authority on the Turkish Cypriots.

Di Roberto said that there are still problems concerning the Cyprus issue but that the efforts being exerted for their solution are positive. He said: "I observe a determination and goodwill to exert efforts toward a solution. Even this is enough for me to approach the problem courageously." He stated that he did not bring solutions to the problem but that he arrived on the island to conduct work in order to be able to propose solutions.

Moreover KIBRIS (23.2.96) reports that after the meeting Di. Roberto told the journalists that he had come to Cyprus to conduct investigation in order to prepare a report. He denied press reports that he had said he had brought proposals.

When asked whether he will submit his proposals to the sides within one year, Di Roberto jokingly said that journalists wanted to make him a prophet.

In his turn Denktash said that the EU has no right to submit proposals regarding the Cyprus problem. "No one has the authority to prepare proposals on the Cyprus problem. Even the UN Secretary-General does not prepare proposals. He puts together things which are acceptable to the sides and presents them", stressed Denktash and added that proposals coming from outside will have no use. (MY)

[03] Increase in merchant marine earnings in the occupied area

According to KIBRIS (23.2.96) despite the economic stagnation facing the occupied area, there was an increase in the Merchant Marine earnings.

It reports that the tonnage of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Merchant Marine reached 19.050 DWT and the number of ships reached to 13.

In 1994 the income was 6 million USD and last year it reached 8 million USD. (MY)