Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (Cyprus PIO Review) 96-06-10.

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.101/96 8-9-10.6.96

NEWS ITEMS

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash makes offer for negotiations

At a news conference at the International Press Center in Istanbul, Denktash discussed the Cyprus problem and the meeting he held with UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali. Denktash said that he told the UN Secretary General that the Turkish Cypriots are ready for a dialogue in condition that the two sides have equal status.

"We told the UN Secretary General that we are at the negotiating table, that we agreed to discuss the ideas placed on the negotiating table as a framework, that it was the Greek Cypriots who quit the table, and that the reason was that they did not want to establish a new partnership state with us. We asked him to ask Clerides, on our behalf, during his meeting scheduled for 11 June, whether or not he accepts the set of ideas. We asked him to ask Clerides to come to the negotiating table if he accepts the set of ideas," he said.

Assessing the issue of the EU and Cyprus, Denktash claimed that if the Greek Cypriots are admitted to the EU as the only legitimate government, this will bring partition along with it. He alleged that such a decision will divide the island in two and decisively resolve the problem. In that situation, he said, the "TRNC" will go for full integration with Turkey.

Furthermore, at a news conference he organized after returning from Istanbul last Saturday, Denktash assessed his meeting with UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, his other contacts in Turkey, and State Minister Ayfer Yilmaz' current visit to the occupied area.

Denktash reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side is always ready to hold negotiations within the framework of Boutros-Ghali's set of ideas. He reiterated that they are ready to work for a bizonal and bicommunal federal solution based on political equality and sovereignty. He stressed that while working toward such a solution, the Turkish Cypriots will never give up the principles cited and confirmed by the 1960 agreements. He stressed that taking even one step back from the guarantee and alliance agreements cannot be negotiated.

Denktash pointed out that the principles of Boutros-Ghali's set of ideas are no different from these principles.

Denktash expressed the hope that during his meeting with President Clerides, UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali will determine the demands of the Greek Cypriots. He said: "If Boutros-Ghali can determine what the Greek Cypriots want for an agreement, he should tell us."

On his impressions of his meeting with the UN Secretary General, Denktash pointed out that Boutros-Ghali had him understand that if a solution is not reached soon, then the United States, Russia, Britain, and the EU might try to impose a solution of their own. Denktash said that this would complicate matters even more, adding: "That is why the two sides must come together and reach a solution. That is in the interests of both sides."

Despite this, Denktash said, he is not very optimistic about the messages issued by the Greek Cypriots. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot spokesman is making it clear that the Greek Cypriots do not want a federal solution envisaged by the set of ideas.

Denktash said that the UN Secretary General indicated that it would be useful if the leaders of the two sides came together, and that this would increase mutual trust.

Denktash also said that the Turkish Cypriot side will not join the EU unless Turkey is already a member. He stated that an upset of the balance established between the two "motherlands" by the 1960 agreements will not be allowed.

[02] Atun on need to solve Cyprus problem before EU membership

Atun hosted a luncheon in occupied Nicosia the other day in honour of the Irish Parliamentary delegation visiting the "TRNC". Speaking at the luncheon, Atun stressed that currently more importance is being attached to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the island's membership in the EU. He added that the "TRNC" is not against EU membership but that the Cyprus problem should be solved in a just manner before this membership.

[03] Inflation figures in Turkey

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said that consumer prices in May soared by 4.5 percent, sending the year-on-year rate to 82.9 percent, up from 80.8 percent in April, 79.3 percent in March, 77.5 percent in February and 78.1 percent in January. Monthly inflation in May was, however, the lowest since November's 4.7 percent.

DIE said that wholesale prices went up by 4.1 percent in May, down on 8.1 percent the previous month. It was the lowest monthly rate since November's 3.5 percent.

It said that year-on-year wholesale inflation was 73.7 percent in May, the highest annual rate since last October. Wholesale prices had risen on an annual basis by 69.9 percent in April, 65.3 percent in March, 63 percent in February and 64.9 percent in January.

The national statistics agency also said that the annual average consumer and wholesale inflation rates in May were 80.8 percent and 70.3 percent respectively.

Retail prices, according to the DIE price index, based on the 1994 prices, went up by 33.3 percent in the January-May period. Wholesale price inflation in the same period was 39.9 percent. Turkey's original target for the year 1996 is 65 percent.

[04] Irish Parliamentary delegation leaves the occupied area

The head of the Irish delegation, Sean Power, prior to the delegation's departure told illegal TAK that now they understand the Cyprus problem better and that Cyprus as he claimed, should be EU member after a settlement.

Recalling that as of first June Ireland will be taking over the EU presidency from Italy and that during the Irish presidency Cyprus will be on the EU's agenda, power added that the realities they have learned in Cyprus will be conveyed to their Prime Minister and that they will do all they can to help in the solution efforts. (MY)

[05] Pseudostate exports potatoes to Norway

KIBRIS says that the APB bought from the farmers (this season) 6845 tons of potatoes, 5245 of which was sold to Norway. The advisor to the so-called Agriculture Ministry, Acaner Arch said that for the next season they want to introduce structural and organizational reforms to help increase production and get better products.

He said that this year they imported 820 potato tubers for planting. (MY)

[06] Ships participating in Turkish military exercises to call at Kyrenia and Famagusta ports

The exercise, which aims at carrying out trials of various battle strategies and developing coordination and collaboration between the Navy and Air Force, will be followed by observers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Macedonia, Pakistan Singapore and Jordan.

The ships participating in Sea Wolf 2-96 will call at Aksaz, Antalya, Finike, Alanya, Mersin, Iskenderun, Canakkale and Izmir ports as well as the occupied ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta.