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Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media 96-09-10
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA
NEWS ITEMS
[01] Denktash: "I have to meet Clerides"
[02] Ciller to attend soldier's funeral in Cyprus
[03] Ecevit urges "autonomous relations" with Turkish Cypriots No. 163/96 10/9/1996 NEWS ITEMS
[01] DENKTASH: "I HAVE TO MEET CLERIDES"
KIBRIS (10/9/1996) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash said that in order to reduce the tension on the island
he should meet President Glafcos Clerides. "There is no other
way to reduce the tension in Cyprus", Denktash declared.
Denktash once more called on the President to have a face to face
meeting.
KIBRIS reports that Denktash had a meeting yesterday with the
journalists who went to Akheritou to investigate the incident.
Speaking first in English and then in Turkish, Denktash explained
his views and then answered questions put to him.
Denktash reiterated that he did not believe that the attack had
been committed by two civilians. Denktash said: "This attack is
a premeditated and well prepared attack".
Cyprus needs a good message
When asked what could be done to alleviate the tension, Denktash
gave the following answer:
"Prior to the demonstrations I had invited esteemed Clerides for
a meeting. I told him that if he did not come here I would be
ready to go to meet him in his palace. I mentioned that we could
meet at the residence of esteemed Feissel. It is not important
whether we discuss the Cyprus problem or not. Our meeting could
give our peoples the message that we could meet and create good
things for the island. Cyprus is in need of such messages. It
is no use of diplomats bringing 5-10 people from different walks
of life here. This has no meaning. But if we meet, then a
meeting at a lower level can have a meaning. How will we find
the common basis if we do not talk to each other?
Diplomats, shuttle diplomacy did not produce anything. We have to
meet. I called him prior to the demonstrations. After the first
death I called him again. When I met Feissel I accepted to meet
Clerides at Feissel's residence and produce a joint document.
All these could have alleviated the tension on the island. I say
the same thing again. This is the way. There is no other way to
reduce the tension in Cyprus".
"We have to abandon present policies for Cyprus to win"
When asked what he would discuss with Clerides, Denktash said:
"We have to stop telling our peoples 'In Cyprus Hellenism will
win' - or Turkey and we, will not allow Hellenism to win in
Cyprus! That creates tension on Cyprus. We have to distance
ourselves from such statements.
We have to tell the people: 'Cyprus has to win' and in order for
Cyprus to win we have to abandon this policy. This policy started
roughly in 1963 and it is still continuing on the wrong path. We
cannot do anything else.
We are heading for a disaster if they do not accept to meet and
to reduce the tension, during the coming days, weeks or months.
"We do not want war"
When asked whether these killings would continue, Denktash said
the following: "We have told our people and the troops that such
action would be tantamount to considering war with the other side
an option. We do not want war, not because we are not ready for a
war. We are ready to face a possible Greek attack. However, we
do not intend to attack anybody because the Cyprus problem will
be solved on the negotiation table and not with war. And under
present conditions a war will be dear to both the Turks and the
Greeks. I think they do not know either what the consequences of
such a war will be".
(MY)
[02] CILLER TO ATTEND SOLDIER'S FUNERAL IN CYPRUS
According to Ankara radio (9/9/1996) Tansu Ciller, Foreign
Minister and deputy Prime Minister, said that if it became
evident that intentional shots were fired from the Greek Cypriot
side in the incident that occurred in which a soldier was killed,
then the Greek Cypriot sector would not be able to justify or
explain the matter. In a statement in Ankara, Ciller said that
she would go to the occupied area to attend the funeral of the
soldier. Noting that it was impossible to let go of this
incident, Ciller added that Turkey would insist that the
perpetrators of this killing be found.
[03] ECEVIT URGES "AUTONOMOUS RELATIONS" WITH TURKISH CYPRIOTS
According to Ankara Radio (9/9/1996) Democratic Left Party leader
Bulent Ecevit , the man who ordered as Prime Minister, Turkish
troops to invade and occupy parts of Cyprus in 1974, stated that
autonomous relations should be established between Turkey and the
occupied area. Ecevit added that this did not mean an annexation
but rather that Turkey would assume the handling of the occupied
area's foreign relations and security.
In a news conference he held in response to the killing of one
soldier and wounding of another in Cyprus, Ecevit said that he
contacted Rauf Denktash who briefed him on the developments and
that he extended his condolences.
Explaining that the recent events showed that a federal solution
on the island should be eliminated from the agenda, Ecevit said
that it was time for autonomous relations between Turkey and the
occupied area to be established.
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