[01] Denktash urges closer ties with Turkey.

[02] Serdar Denktash says Talat remarks about him unfortunate.

[03] Mayors arrived from Turkey in the occupied area.

[04] MILLIYET on Turkish Cypriot underwater Spear Hunting team.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash urges closer ties with Turkey

Hakki Atun and DP leader Serdar Denktash paid a courtesy call on Denktash at this morning, following the second DP Congress held over the weekend. In a statement to illegal Bayrak radio and television.

Denktash said: "We are going through difficult times. We are going through difficult times financially".

"The necessary steps were not taken to encourage investors. Certain circles are still hesitant about completely eliminating the customs duties between us and Turkey. We must take these steps very quickly."

Denktash said that it is essential for every Turkish Cypriot living in Turkey or desiring to live there in the future, to be treated as a Turkish citizen. He said that this issue must be discussed with Turkish governments and followed energetically.

Denktash then referred to the Cyprus problem and said that the Turkish Cypriot cause is being waged and is going through a very difficult period. Therefore, he said, our internal unity and solidarity must be reinforced, parties must try to unite around the minimum common denominators, and everything must be done to bring the ties with Turkey to much higher levels. He said: "These are fateful months, because the minute the EU starts membership talks with the Greek Cypriots, we must erect a very strong and insurmountable granite wall between us and the Greek Cypriots. We must show to the world that we cannot be dragged this way or that. This will make it necessary for us to face a lot of difficulties."

Denktash alleged that the people are capable of risking these difficulties, adding: "The issue here is one of freedom, it concerns Turkey's rights and powers over Cyprus, and it involves whether or not Turkey can protect the Turkish Cypriots and their future."

[02] Serdar Denktash says Talat remarks about him unfortunate

In a written statement he issued today, Serdar Denktash said that Talat personalized the issue when he said that as a young politician, Serdar Denktash might not have sufficient experience in politics. Serdar Denktash said: "I am leaving it up to the CTP grass roots and to the public in general to assess the judgement of a person who underestimates the dynamism and activity of young brains in politics and who defines that as insufficiency."

Serdar Denktash said that his remarks at the DP Congress in connection with the things the government must do were misinterpreted. What we want is to determine what needs to be done for the country to overcome its current difficulties, he said.

[03] Mayors arrived from Turkey in the occupied area

During the seminar which will end on 10 May, problems facing the municipalities will be discussed. (MY)

[04] MILLIYET on Turkish Cypriot underwater Spear Hunting team

MILLIYET reports that World Under Water Sports Federation (CMAS) commissioner March Martini who was in Foca to follow up the competition was instrumental in helping the Turkish Cypriot team to take part in the competition.

Martini told MILLIYET that he will support the illegal regime to the very end and that he will personally follow up the illegal regime's application for a CMAS membership.

MILLIYET claims that with this event the sports "embargo" imposed on the occupied area since 1983 has thus been "broken". (MY) LL/SK