TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-03-18

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 51/96 18/3/96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[B] HOLBROOKE: SETTLEMENT PLAN DRAWN FOR CYPRUS WILL BE DEFINITELY PUT INTO PRACTICE

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH TO RETURN 18 MARCH, READY TO RESUME DUTIES

According to information received from "presidential adviser" Hilmi Ozen, Denktash will arrive in the "TRNC" aboard President Demirel's special plane, GAP, at 1500. He will be accompanied by Prof. Dervis Oral, Dr. Sait Kenan, and the Denktash family. On Monday, Denktash will speak to the press before leaving the hos- pital.

Meanwhile, Denktash's doctors have said that his health is good but that he should not receive visitors. They said he can resume his duties but should not receive visitors for at least two months.

[02] COSAR RETURNS FROM ANKARA, TALKS ON ECONOMY

Upon his return from Ankara, Cosar held a meeting at the so-called ministry with foreign financial representatives. The meeting was reportedly scheduled previously. In a statement after this meeting, Cosar assessed his contacts in Ankara. He said that the main aim of his visit was to hold preliminary talks on the joint economic protocol to be signed between the "TRNC" and the Turkish Republic this year. He pointed out that a tech- nical delegation will arrive from Turkey in the next few days to work with "government" officials on the protocol. After that, he said, a delegation headed by "Prime Minister" Hakki Atun will go to Ankara to sign the protocol.

Cosar said that he held beneficial talks with the Turkish Government officials and that he saw that Turkey views the prob- lems of the "TRNC" with sympathy and understanding. Cosar rei- terated that it is essential to take certain stability measures in order to overcome the economic problems of the "TRNC".

[03] DEMIREL ON EU AND CYPRUS

Turkey will stand with determination against any faits accomplis the Greek side many advance that undermine Turkey's national interests and security. Likewise, attempts by this country to obstruct the smooth functioning of the customs union, while trying to take advantage from the latest Kardak crisis, will prove to be futile.

The fact that the customs union was completed on schedule, is a very important milestone in our relations with the European Union. The perspective gained as a result of this important relationship should not be put under strain due to alien factors which have nothing to do with the core elements of the Union's relationship with Turkey. On the contrary, Turkey and Europe, which have common objectives, should work together in every field and move forward in a similar directions.

Again, it is important that the fruitful conditions that have emerged with the conclusion of the customs union are explained better to the international business community, and primarily to that of the United States and Far Eastern countries, because increasing foreign investments is important for us. It is equally important that in the days ahead, regulations in the economic and social fields which fall short of EU standards are adjusted and upgraded accordingly."

On Cyprus, Demirel said:

"On the other hand, we are taking measures to counter any negative effect that the customs union may have on our relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus is a national issue for Turkey. Here, our objective is to establish a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution that will be based on the equal sovereignty of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, where the effective guarantee of Turkey is secured. We will continue to stand against efforts which propose so-called solutions outside of these essential parameters. Moreover, Turkey cannot accept the unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU.

It is a fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, isolated and kept under a continuous embargo by the rest of the world, is faced with economic difficulties. If a program geared to stability and structural change can be put in place by this republic, Turkey will support it. Addressing infrastructural shortcomings in the TRNC is another matter of priority."

[04] ARMED MEN RAID ST. BARNABAS MONASTERY

According to KIBRIS (16.3.96), around 10 to 12 masked and armed men last night raided the St. Barnabas monastery in the occupied Famagusta region and after disarming the three armed guards broke into the Icon museum and also opened St. Barnabas Tomb.

The armed guards were locked up in a room by the gang for approximately four hours.

The paper adds that the armed men also entered the hall where invaluable Ikons are being kept but it is not established yet whether the gang have stolen ikons from the museum or not.

KIBRIS also reports that one of the guards managed to take the license number of one of the cars the gang used.

KIBRIS says that despite the fact that hours have passed since the burglary there is still no "official" statement made.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak Radio (1630 hours, 16/3/96) it is believed that no ancient objects were stolen from St. Barnabas Monastery. There are some clues about the identity of the gunmen, but no information is being revealed in order not to interfere with the investigation. Whether or not objects were stolen from St. Barnabas cemetery, where the gunmen dug, will be determined on 18 March, following a technical investigation and an inventory count.

Ahmet Derya, "minister of national education and culture", visited St. Barnabas and in a statement to the press, he said that at 1900 on Thursday, some 12 gunmen disarmed the guards and forced them into a room. He pointed out that the guards saw a white Taurus vehicle and remember its license number. Derya said he cannot reveal the license number if the investigation is to end in success. He said that the guards who checked the area after the gunmen left discovered the digging in the cemetery only in the morning and reported it to the authorities in the morning (as heard). He said that it was a mistake to report it so late.

Derya said that he has received the preliminary report he requested but that a detailed technical report will be drawn up after the inventory count, noting that a final report will reach him on Monday. He added that the monastery has not been closed to visitors because sufficient security measures have been taken there.

Furthermore, YENIDUZEN (1.3.96) reports under the banner headline "Shroud of secrecy behind the St. Barnabas armed raid" and says that the raid took place while the occupation regime's so-called police were engaged in operations all over the occupied area.

YENIDUZEN says that one of the vehicles used by the robbers is said to belong to the so-called civil defence organization.

The paper further says that it is claimed that the raiders did not touch the icons but dug a hole in the tomb of St. Barna- bas.

It reports that there are claims that the hole was dug in order to recover jewellery buried there during the Turkish inva- sion of 1974. (MY)

[05] TURKISH CYPRIOTS PROTEST ENTRY OF MAINLAND TURKS WITHOUT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

According to YENIDUZEN (17.3.96) around 100 Turkish Cypriots carrying banners, held a protest march in occupied Kyrenia against the occupation regime's permission to allow mainland Turks to enter into the occupied area without any travel docu- ments. The protesters demanded an end to be put to this process, and the introduction of passport formalities in entering the occupied area.

The marchers were protesting the recent armed robberies and killings by mainland Turks who consider the occupied area a crime heaven. (MY)

[06] FEISSEL ON THE STATEMENT BY UN-SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPOKESMAN ON MISSING PERSONS ISSUE

According to KIBRIS (16.3.96) the UN Secretary General's deputy Special Representative in Cyprus Gustave Feissel, asked to comment on the 5 March statement of the UN Secretary-General's spokesman in New York on the missing persons issue in Cyprus, said that "the term intercommunal conflict refers to the period between 1963 and 1974."

The UN Secretary-General's spokesman in his 5 March statement in New York on the missing persons issue had said that "The Greek and Turkish Cypriot missing persons are the end result of the intercommunal conflict and the 1974 events". (MY)

[07] TURKISH DEPUTY: TURKEY SHOULD NOT GIVE UP ITS RIGHT OF HAVING A SAY OVER THE WHOLE OF CYPRUS

According to KIBRIS (16.3.96) Izmir deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) of Turkey Prof. Sukru Gurel, during a lecture he delivered at the International Affairs Club of the so-called East Mediterranean University in the occupied area, stressed that Turkey would not agree to a solution in Cyprus just for the sake of a solution. Speaking at the conference "A Look into the Cyprus Problem From Turkey's Angle" Prof. Gurel stressed Cyprus' importance to Turkey from the strategic point of view.

Claiming that it would be a vital mistake if Turkey allowed an opposing force grab its south, Prof. Sukru Gurel claimed that Turkey should not give up its right of having a say over the whole of Cyprus.

Referring to the US and the UK attempts to solve the Cyprus problem Prof. Gurel said: "Britain says `let it be a settlement on the island but my interests on the island should not be harmed'. In its turn the USA is interested because the problem is not solved yet, but it says: `It does not concern me how it is settled'. The USA diplomats who are involved in the solution of the problem are acting in such a way that a solution should be found as soon as possible. For the USA the form of the settle- ment is not important, the settlement itself is important".

Referring to the EU - Turkey relations and the Cyprus problem Prof. Gurel said: "If the EU excludes Turkey from the political integration and forces Ankara to wait, then it cannot incorporate the Turkish Cypriots in its body."

He also said that Turkey, beside the military and economic cooperation with the EU, should insist on the political integra- tion. He urged Turkey to follow a policy that would make Ankara a leader in the region. (MY)

[B] HOLBROOKE: SETTLEMENT PLAN DRAWN FOR CYPRUS WILL BE DEFINITELY PUT INTO PRACTICE

According to YENIDUZEN (18.3.96) former US State Department official Richard Holbrooke has declared that the settlement plan drawn for Cyprus will be definitely put into practice. Holbrooke stressed that Turkey gave its blessings to the USA involvement in the Cyprus problem.

YENIDUZEN, quoting Turkish mainland paper MILLIYET, produces the part of the Holbrooke interview concerning Cyprus.

Question: You have left the office without submitting the USA plan on Cyprus. Will there be still any concrete initiative this year?

Holbrooke: I am very sorry that I have left the office without realizing the Cyprus initiative. It was necessary to wait the formation of the government in Turkey. Prior to meeting you, I had confirmation from the President's (Bill Clinton) Cyprus envoy Richard Beattie that we will definitely put the plan into prac- tice.

Question: You have the ability to make people reconcile, and for this reason they have branded you "The diplomacy magician". As the case is, what are the secrets of this plan that will be able to solve this problem that goes on for the last 30 years?

Holbrooke: Do I look like a magician? You are right. The suc- cess of this plan is not a guarantee, however, we want a definite solution. Ciller as well wanted it, so because of this we agreed with her on the plan.

Question: Did Ciller approve of the plan?

Holbrooke: The Turkish Government has given full support for the US involvement in Cyprus. However, not a single official has taken a step back regarding Turkey's national Cyprus policy.

Question: Where will you find the power to exert the necessary pressure on the sides that will convince them to change the sta- tus quo in Cyprus?

Holbrooke: The solution is only possible if it suits the inter- ests of both sides. We can move forward on issues that the sides agree upon. However, the main problem is to do away with the issue of lack of trust. The removal of the Berlin Wall in the middle of the island is in the interest of all but we are not guaranteeing success.

Question: Do you still consider the solution of the Cyprus prob- lem a priority in the settlement of the Greco-Turkish differ- ences?

Holbrooke: This is a very important question. Unless the Cyprus problem is solved the strategic instability in the East Mediter- ranean will never end and will harm NATO. The Sea Convention, the Aegean Islands and other problems are always related to Cyprus. (MY)