Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media 96-08-16

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.146/96 15-16.8.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Demirel comments on Cyprus incidents

On the Greek Cypriot "provocations", Demirel said: "It is impossible to understand why they resort to such acts. It was a foolish thing to do," and added: "In such cases it is extremely difficult to foresee what provocations will lead to."

[02] Ciller, Denktash meet. Hold joint news conference

Ms. Ciller said "the world should know that we will not allow anyone to raise his hand against the flag. We will break the hands that are raised against the flag... I regret the deaths of two Greek Cypriot youths... However, I repeat, we will not allow border violations."

She added: "Making peace needs as much courage as making war... On this occasion, I call on the UN Secretary General: The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sectors have not seen each other for the past two years. Bring them together as soon as possible."

Ms Ciller also said "the Turkish Cypriot people should not be afraid, because Turkey will not abandon them in this just cause."

Mr. Denktash said that "the Turkish Cypriots have been through difficult days but have always found motherland Turkey on their side."

Mr. Denktash added that the measures taken "to protect the borders of the TRNC are lasting and permanent, and that therefore no new measures were taken." Denktash thanked the "Turkish Peace Force for its presence on the island."

[03] Turkish Foreign Ministry official briefs UN envoys

After the meeting, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said: "We hope that these regrettable incidents, which were basically caused by Greek provocations will end as soon as possible... We hope that the two sides-Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot-will start joint negotiations as soon as possible on a lasting solution in Cyprus.

During the meeting Inal Batu said that Turkey wants to achieve a peaceful solution in Cyprus through bilateral negotiations between the two sides and that Turkey supports the UN Secretary General's efforts.

He also said that "Turkey deeply regrets the incidents that took place in Cyprus last Sunday and Wednesday," and added "that the Greek Cypriot Administration did not take the necessary measures to prevent the inherent outcome of the incidents."

[04] Erbakan notes Greeks responsible for Cyprus incidents

[05] Turkish Cypriots hand Greek Cypriot, Greek, over to UN

[06] Ciller, large Turkish delegation arrive in Cyprus

The delegation accompanying Ciller is composed of Acting Assembly Speaker Kamer Genc, State Ministers Ayfer Yilmaz, Nazif Kurt, Bekir Aksoy, and Gurcan Dagdas, Forestry Minister Halit Dagli, 17 deputies, Foreign Ministry under secretary Onur Oymen, Energy Ministry under secretary Ugur Dogan, and the Security Director General. A very large delegation of journalists is accompanying the Turkish delegation.

[07] Kundakci, Denktash, Talat, Rasit react to incidents

In a statement he issued, Lt. Gen. Kundakci said that those who dare to attack the territories of the "TRNC" will be repaid for their actions and duly punished.

Mr. Rauf Denktash called on President Clerides to put a halt to the incidents. Noting that the Greek Cypriots are undertaking mistaken actions in a bid to secure their aims, Denktash said that the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot people is justified and appropriate.

"Prime Minister Hakki Atun" said that it is time for the whole world to see the realities in Cyprus and the provocative actions staged by the Greek Cypriots. Atun added that the Greek Cypriot side and other circles should realize that all actions against the "TRNC" will most certainly be repaid. He added that there are two communities and two zones on the island and that everybody is "sovereign" on his own side and that the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to safeguard "its flag and sovereignty."

Mehmet Ali Talat, Republican Turkish Party leader, "State Minister, and deputy Prime Minister, called on the Greek Cypriot Administration and its leaders to put a stop to the border actions."

"Foreign and Defense Minister Atay Ahmet Rasit condemned the contemptuous attack on the borders and the flag and called on the responsible sides to fulfill their duties and take the measures necessary so that such violations will not recur."

[08] Turkish Cypriot leaders react to incidents

Meanwhile, "Prime Minister Hakki Atun" has said that the Greek Cypriots have not learned a lesson from the incidents. He said that "the world must see the realities and the Greek Cypriot provocative activities in Cyprus." He noted that the Greek Cypriot side and the other circles must realize that the "TRNC" will definitely react to every action against it.

Meanwhile, Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the "incidents at the border cannot pave the way for peace in Cyprus." Akinci accused "the Greek Cypriot Administration and the Greek Cypriot security officials of not hesitating to encourage the young Greek Cypriots to risk their lives."

National Birth Party leader Enver Emin said that the Turkish Cypriot people and "Security Forces" cannot be held responsible for the regrettable incidents and noted that the Greek Cypriot leaders have to be blamed. Emin asserted that the Greek Cypriot Church has fanned chauvinist feelings among the young Greek Cypriots by provoking them in various ways.

[09] UN criticized over Cyprus incidents

In reaction, Inal Batu, Foreign Ministry Deputy Under Secretary, criticized the approach of the UNSC. In a statement to TRT, Batu said that the UNSC made the error of placing the side that is responsible for the lack of solution in Cyprus in the same bag as the oppressed side which is in favour of a solution. It is impossible to comprehend or approve of this attitude on the part of the UNSC, Batu stated, and charged that UNFICYP bears the responsibility for not being able to prevent the incidents.

[10] Eroglu, Denktash agree on `coalition'