Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (Cyprus PIO Review).

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.100/96 7.6.96

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz submits resignation.

[02] Boutros-Ghali meets Denktash in Istanbul, expresses optimism.

[03] Denktash: EU could divide the island.

[04] Turkish exports/imports to the occupied area.

[05] Irish Parliamentarians view EU membership process in the occupied area.

[06] Turkish State Minister discusses economic situation in the pseudostate.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz submits resignation

[02] Boutros-Ghali meets Denktash in Istanbul, expresses optimism

Boutros-Ghali said that he is optimistic about resolving the Cyprus problem. Noting that he had held an extremely beneficial meeting with Denktash, Boutros-Ghali added that he will be meeting President Clerides in Geneva five days from now. Recalling that a new Cyprus representative has been appointed, Boutros-Ghali said that he is hopeful about initiating a new dialogue process that will bring the two sides together.

Denktash stated that a solution to the Cyprus problem can be found only through goodwill and a dialogue. He added: "I hope that Clerides will sit at the negotiating table because that is the only path to a solution on the island."

Boutros-Ghali later met with Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay.

[03] Denktash: EU could divide the island

Speaking during the press conference, Denktash referred to the Cyprus problem and said that it has entered its 33rd year and is yet to be settled. He added that the reason for this is a wrong diagnosis and as a result of this wrong diagnosis, the Greek Cypriot side is being recognized as the legitimate government of Cyprus.

Noting that the US President had said that Cyprus had two owners and that the UN Security Council had stressed that Cyprus was made up of two communities, Denktash said that one of the two founding partners on the island is the Greek Cypriot side and that both communities have equal rights.

Alleging that the rights given to the Turkish Cypriots under the 1960 agreements have been put aside for 33 years and that the Greek Cypriot side has been recognized as the legitimate government of Cyprus, Denktash claimed that "this mistake is being maintained".

Claiming that the Greek Cypriots are being encouraged on this wrong course Denktash admitted that the application made by the Greek Cypriot to the EU for the whole island has been accepted. "With the contribution of Greece the EU gates are open for the Cypriot Greeks."

Alleging that since that day, President Clerides did not look into the parameters and principles put on the table, Denktash claimed that President Clerides thinks that by entering the EU the Cyprus problem will be settled. As Turkey and the "TRNC" we are repeatedly explaining these realities the EU, the Greek Cypriots and especially to Greece, he said, adding: "If this mistake prevails and the Greek side is accepted into the EU as Cyprus, then the Cyprus problem will be solved radically and the island will be divided into two along with its future. The Turkish Cypriots will not enter into an EU where Greece is a member, so as a result they will enter into full integration with Turkey. If one wants to avoid this one has to tell the Greek Cypriots that they are not the legitimate government of the island, and that they should be invited. Today I have discussed these with the UN Secretary General Ghali."

He said that he had told Ghali that as "TRNC" they have approved what was agreed on the negotiation table earlier. Denktash agreed went on and said: "We have asked Ghali to ask Clerides on our behalf, during their meeting on 11 June, whether he accepts the agreement whose framework had been previously drawn and if he does then we propose that he comes to the negotiation table. It is the Greek Cypriot side that is avoiding the talks and the reason for their evasion is that they do not want to establish a new partnership with us".

Alleging that Greece was arming Cyprus through the Greek Cypriots Denktash then claimed: "Its aim is not to lose Cyprus all of a sudden, when it resorts to an action in the Aegean. For this reason they are getting ready. They consider Cyprus a Greek island. Greece by providing every support and by giving soldiers is supporting and encouraging them to follow this wrong path. The course is wrong, and it will be harmful both for Cyprus and for the region."

Denktash said that he had asked Ghali to put an end to this. He also expressed to Ghali his concern regarding the appointment of coordinators by various countries in order to solve the Cyprus problem. He conveyed his concern that these coordinators will lead the problem into further impasse. (MY)

[04] Turkish exports/imports to the occupied area

According to ORTAM (7.6.96) Turkey's total exports to the occupied area in 1995 amounted to 189.7 million US dollars against 20.6 million US dollars of imports.

These figures were provided by the so-called Turkish trade delegation in the occupied area. (MY)

[05] Irish Parliamentarians view EU membership process in the occupied area

According to KIBRIS (7.6.96) four Irish Parliamentarians, who are currently in the occupied area, are conducting investigation mainly on Cyprus's EU membership process.

The Irish Parliamentarians said that their objective in visiting the occupied area is to learn the latest developments in the Cyprus problem as well as the Turkish Cypriots' point of view as far as the EU membership process is concerned.

Turkey's ambassador to Ireland Taner Baytok is accompanying the delegation. (MY)

[06] Turkish State Minister discusses economic situation in the pseudostate

According to KIBRIS (7.6.96) the Turkish State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs has arrived in the occupied area at the head of a delegation made up of state bureaucrats and businessmen.

Ayfer Yilmaz speaking to reporters following her arrival at the occupied Tymbou airport said that "there exist no miraculous prescriptions in the economy". She promised to do everything possible to bail the occupied area out of the economic difficulties is faced with.

She and the accompanying delegation will be staying for four days in the occupied area. (MY)