TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-05-22

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 89/96 22/5/96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH OPPOSED TO MULTINATIONAL FORCE PROPOSAL

Denktash returned from Turkey where he underwent a medical checkup. Speaking to reporters in connection with the Cyprus problem at occupied Tymbou Airport, Denktash said that both Pres- ident Demirel and Turkish Foreign Ministry officials agree with him that it is the Greek Cypriot side that does not want the Cyprus problem to be resolved. Denktash said that during his talks with Demirel, with Foreign Ministry officials, and with Ayfer Yilmaz, Turkish state minister respondible for Cyprus affairs, he indicated that there are certain things the Turkish Cypriots will not give up or accept in their cause for freedom. Among the things the Turkish Cypriots will not accept, Denktash said, is Cyprus' membership in the EU without Turkey.

Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriots deliberately posited the proposal for the deployment of a multinational force in Cyprus and that certain states support the proposal. He alleged: "By recognizing the Greek Cypriot side as the legitimate govern- ment - despite the principle of the supremacy of law and despite the agreements - these states have been condoning the injustices made to us for the past 33 years. These same states are now talking of a multinational force in order to persuade the Greek Cypriots to sit at the negotiating table."

And added: "After the multinational force is deployed on the island, Turkish and Greek troops will be able to join it, under foreign command. However, when the multinational force is with- drawn, in line with the 1960 agreements, the Turkish troops will not be able to remain on the island. This is completely contrary to the proposals of the UN secretary general."

He also stated that those countries who said until now that the guarantees agreement should remain valid are now claiming that the Turkish troops cannot remain on the island. He said: "The Turkish nation cannot accept such a change."

[02] RASIT ON ISRAEL-HIZBALLAH CEASE-FIRE MONITORING STATION

Rasit alleged that the solution of the Cyprus problem is becoming difficult because the Greek Cypriots and the interna- tional community are ignoring the fact that "two separate peoples set up two separate states by their own democratic will on the island". He claimed that the separation is being reinforced because certain circles have the mistaken notion that they can determine the fate of Cyprus together with the Greek Cypriots, while ignoring the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] "COALITION PARTNERS" DISCUSS PROBLEMS

There will be another meeting today.(MY)

[04] ILLEGAL TAK AT THE ASSEMBLY OF UNION OF TURKISH SPEAKING NEWS AGENCIES

KIBRIS reports that the so-called Turkish Cypriot Agency's (TAK) Director Emir Ersoy is attending the Assembly. (MY)