TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-05-23

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.90/96 22/5/96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ciller says Yilmaz must resign immediately

Addressing a DYP Assembly group meeting, Ciller said that the coalition has turned into a platform whose aim is to destroy the DYP. She said that in the next few days, she will act in a way that will relieve the public in connection with the slush fund issue. She added that she will do whatever is necessary.

[02] Denktash to meet Boutros Ghali in New York

According to YENIDUZEN (23.5.96) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will leave for New York next month to have a meeting with the UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali.

YENIDUZEN says that the Ghali-Denktash meeting will take place on 11 June.

Quoting unnamed reliable sources, YENIDUZEN reports that Ghali has extended an initiation to Denktash to visit New York and Denktash has accepted it and started preparations regarding the visit.

The last time Denktash visited New York was in May 1993.

YENIDUZEN further reports that Denktash discussed his New York visit with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Turkish Foreign Ministry under Secretary Onur Oymen during his recent visit to Ankara. (MY)

[03] Gonensay on Cyprus

"We told the Americans to tell Greek-Cypriots, Greeks, Europeans and all others not to think that EU membership is an excuse not to realize a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation first," he said. "Such a solution should be acceptable to the Turkish-Cypriots as well. That is our minimal condition," he stated. "If they understand that, then it might become an incentive for them to come to the negotiation table."

[04] Denktash: Political instability in Turkey strengthens Greek Cypriots

Denktash, responding to the questions of reporters while waiting for the results of his medical tests at the Cebeci Nuclear Medicine Center, claimed that as a result of political instability in Turkey, Greek Cypriots may make wrong calculations and increase the tension on the island with adventurist policies.

The Turkish Cypriot leader alleged Greek Cypriots may desire to stage a fait accompli when and if they find a "weaker Turkey," and may attack Turkish Cypriots if political instability in Turkey climaxes.

The Turkish Cypriot leader conceded that domestic political developments in Turkey had had an impact on the Cyprus problem as well.

"This is very dangerous", Denktash said. He said that the Greek Cypriot side was heading toward becoming a full member of the European Union, and that if the Greek Cypriots entered the European Union, the "TRNC" would integrate with Turkey.

[05] Denktash insists on maintenance of the present guarantee system

After the meeting Denktash said that "they have discussed the issue of lowering the Turkish flag in Pyla" and that he has told Feissel that "no one should touch the guarantee system". (MY)

[06] Akinci: No need to wait for Turkey's EU membership

Akinci further added: "We believe that there is no need to wait for Turkey's EU membership once a lasting and viable settlement is signed in Cyprus".

Akinci reiterated that "they are catagorically against Cyprus' EU membership if a settlement is not reached in Cyprus, and without determining the status of the Turkish Cypriots." (MY)