Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media 96-08-05

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 140/96 3-4-5/8/96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NATO Force to Cyprus

She says that if NATO overtakes the security issue on the island, British as well as Turks and Greeks who will participate in the NATO force will not object to this arrangement. (M.Y.)

[02] Occupation Forces Commander warns the motorcyclists

[03] The so-called Turkish Action Group brands Pauline Green and Ian Twinn as EOKAists

The Turkish Section Group branded Twinn and Green as the supporters of "EOKAist Greek Cypriot regime". (M.Y.)

[04] Birand forsees Cyprus problem to be solved soon

He lists the main subjects of the bargain as: Political Equality, Sovereignty; Guarantees; Exchange of Property and the EU membership.

Birand claims that contrary to earlier settlement attempts, this time, it is decided that "this or that way the Cyprus problem will be solved and even the time-table to it is fixed." He adds that the Cyprus problem will be settled either in a positive or a negative manner at the end of 1998 or during 1999.

Birand believes that the Cyprus problem will be settled with a Dayton type negotiations behind closed doors.

Birand then gives the Denktash's known position as regards a settlement and then the position of President Clerides and says that they are diametrically opposite positions.

In his article, Birand justifies and supports Denktash's intransigent position and concludes by saying that if the sides cannot reconcile their positions and in the meantime if the "Greek Cypriots" join the EU unilaterally then the Turkish Cypriot side will proceed to integration with Turkey" or if you want call it "annexation with Turkey".

What will happen at the end is the unification of the Turkish Cypriot Community with Turkey.

As far as the Greek Cypriots are concerned their historic responsibility starts. If they do not look for a settlement with the Turkish side then they will partition the island with their own hands. In that case they should not accuse Turkey, adds Mehmet Ali Birand.

"However, the picture today is rather bleak. The EU winds prevailing in the Greek Cypriot side do not leave much hope for this kind of long term considerations.

Their only aim is to accuse as soon as possible the Turkish side for intransigence and thus to complete the EU file and take the step to full membership.

Maybe this will be for the benefit of both sides. In this way the Cyprus problem will be settled by itself", concludes Birand. (M.Y.)

[05] Turkey's Supreme Military Council announces new appointments and promotions

According to KIBRIS (5.8.96) the decisions of Turkey's Supreme Military Council have been announced. The paper says that the term in office of Lt. General Hasan Kundahci, commander of the Turkish Occupation Forces in Cyprus was extended by one year and Brigadier General Ismail Kacman the so-called commander of the Security Forces was promoted to the rank of Major General. (M.Y.)

[06] Fascist idealist Hearth Association speaks about "surprise package"

The statement releazed by the fascist Association claims that the association held an evaluation meeting and it was decided that a surprize Action package has to be prepared for the motorbike raiders.

The Association has decided to establish for this purpose a five member ad hoc committtee for the package. (M.Y.)

[07] A new step towards integration with Turkey

YENI DEMOKRAT brands this as "A new step in the integration". (M.Y.)

[08] Annual inflation rate in Turkey reaches 81.2 percent

According to a statement issued by Turkey's State Statistics Institute, consumer prices rose by 2.1 percent, while wholesale prices registered an increase of 2.4 percent in July. The statement further noted that consumer prices rose by 81.2 percent in the past year, while wholesale prices increased by 76.3 percent.

[09] Denktash considers military cooperation with Turkey a must

He has also stressed that they will not enter into any organization without Turkey.

He said that as the Cyprus government did with Greece they have the status to sign a military agreement with Turkey.

He reiterated that Turkish Cypriots road to liberation passes through integration with Turkey and that "this will not be contrary to the agreement to be signed with the Greek Cypriots" he alleged. (M.Y.)

[10] Ecevit's statement to "Vatan"

He went on to say that "for 22 years the two communities in Cyprus live in conditions of democracy and peace and for this reason we shouldn't talk about the Cyprus problem. For Turkey and for the Turkish Cypriots, this problem is considered as solved. Those who are not satisfied by this solution let them search for a solution.

Ecevit also critized Turkey for not reacting satisfactorily to the demands by Greece for Turkish Cypriots not to be represented in international conferences. (A. Th.)