Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-09-18

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Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 169/96 18.9.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

No. 169/96 18.9.96

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH MEETS FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS

KIBRIS (17.9.96) reports that Denktash yesterday had a meet- ing with the French Ambassador to Cyprus, Henry Jacolin.

There was no statement after the meeting, but KIBRIS reports that the main issue that was discussed was the joint initiative by the three EU members, France, Britain and Germany, regarding the Cyprus problem. (MY)

[02] HAN SUNG-CHU RULES OUT `MIRACLE SOLUTIONS' FOR CYPRUS

Han Sung-Chu arrived in Ankara to discuss the Cyprus issue after holding contacts in the free areas, in the pseudostate and in Athens. He said they were looking for ways to decrease ten- sion in the island so as to prevent it from halting future solu- tions.

Han Sung-Chu said he received signals from both communities in the island that tension should not continue in the region and urged measures to be taken on the issue adding that Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders made constructive statements.

Han Sung-Chu said he conveyed the situation to the Greek Government and called for their cooperation in the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

He said the United Nations, the United States and British representatives were in close cooperation on the Cyprus issue. "We are in close contact with the UN Security Council members," he added.

[03] FOREIGN JOURNALISTS BRIEFED IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

KIBRIS (17.9.96) reports that a briefing was made to the 16 foreign journalists who have been invited to the occupied area by the so-called "State Minister responsible for Tourism" and by the deputy chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalists Union, Ozcan Ozcanhan.

Ozcanhan answered questions put to him by the visiting jour- nalists on the Cyprus problem and on the occupied area's tourism. (MY)

[04] TURKISH CYPRIOTS PROTEST WITH UN ON GREEK CYPRIOT SOLDIERS' WARNING FIRE

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1530 hours, 16/9/96) the pseudostate has lodged a protest with the United Nations in con- nection with the warning shots fired by Greek Cypriot National Guards west of Pyla. Taner Etkin, "foreign affairs and defense minister", conveyed the protest to the UN Peace-keeping forces political adviser, who was summoned to the "Ministry".

In addition, Etkin also lodged a protest in connection with the Greek Cypriot Antenna Television's broadcasts from Pyla, claiming they are "illegal".

[05] DENKTASH MEETS "FRIENDS OF CYPRUS" PARLIAMENTARIANS

KIBRIS (18.9.96) reports that a delegation from the Friends of Cyprus at the British Parliament, headed by their chairman Lord Nicholas Bethel, had separate meetings yesterday in the occupied area with Rauf Denktash, Kenan Atakol and the Communal Liberation Party leader (CLP) Mustafa Akinci.

After the meeting Denktash claimed that the British parlia- mentarians do not know the realities in Cyprus. He said that members of the Friends of Cyprus Group have always sided with the Greek Cypriot side and that there was Greek Cypriot capital involved in their financing.

"When we tell them that they are pro-Greek Cypriot, they do not accept this and tell us that they want to help the whole of Cyprus. However, they are unaware of most of the facts. Since they get all the information from the Greek side, naturally they are listening more to the other side.

So, I am satisfied from the meeting they have had with us. If they come more often, they will learn the realities further and they will completely give up supporting the Greek Cypriot thesis", claimed Denktash.

Pointing out that the British parliamentarians favour a fed- eral Cyprus, that they have accepted the equality of the two communities and that it was not right for Cyprus to enter into the EU prior to an agreement, Denktash declared: "Naturally, these are the things we are thinking as well".

Saying that the British parliamentarians want the resumption of the talks, Denktash added that he had informed the parliamen- tarians regarding the efforts made by the Turkish side towards this end.

Bethel: I will talk to Clerides (Sub-title)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lord Bethel said that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had conveyed them the desire to meet President Clerides and discuss with him what kind of a solution they will find to the Cyprus problem.

He added that prior to such a meeting, careful preparation should be made, and that the basis for such a meeting, which will bring together the leaders of the both communities, should be a federal system.

When asked why President Clerides refuses to come to the negotiation table, Lord Bethel said that he will ask this ques- tion to President Clerides when he meets him today.

KIBRIS further reports that the visiting British parliamen- tarians also met with Kenan Atakol, the National Unity Party "deputy" and former so-called Foreign Minister of the pseudos- tate.

After the meeting, Atakol said that there is a big difference between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots regarding the understand- ing of the federation. He said that while the Turkish Cypriots favour a loose federation, the Greek Cypriots are after a unitary state and not a federation.

Atakol claimed a settlement based on a loose federation will not create problems in the future.

"A settlement in Cyprus which will not create problems in the future should be a system based on bizonality, bicommunality and political equality and envisaging both sides' sovereignty rights", declared Atakol.

Atakol also expressed opposition to Cyprus' EU membership and the EU present policies.

In his turn Lord Bethel said that upon their return to London they will prepare a report regarding their contacts in Cyprus and submit it to their members. (MY)

[06] CILLER: "A SECOND IRISH QUESTION COULD BE CREATED IN CYPRUS"

KIBRIS (18.9.96) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has claimed that Greece seems unwilling to discuss the Cyprus problem. "A second Irish question could be created in Cyprus", warned Ciller.

Ciller made this statement after meeting German Minister of Economic Development and Cooperation, Carl-Dieter Spranger, to the German journalists accompanying the German Minister.

To a relevant question, Ciller said that Greece is unwilling to discuss the settlement of the Cyprus problem since it consid- ers that Cyprus will become an EU member anyway. However, she wearned, "if this situation continues, a second Irish question would be created in Cyprus".

Ciller went on and said: "Prior or after the general elec- tions in Greece, they should come and discuss with us the Cyprus problem". (MY)

[07] DENKTASH MEETS POLISH ROTARY MEMBERS

KIBRIS (18/9/96) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday met with the Warsaw Rotary Club members (Poland) who are in the occupied area as guests of the so-called Kyrenia Rotary Club. (MY)

EF/MP