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Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-09-26From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleTURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.174/96 26.9.96CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Denktash writes reply to President CleridesAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 25.9.96) Rauf Denktash has stated that he sent a reply to President Glafcos Clerides' letter on the issue of demilitarization. He said: "I wrote a bitter but nice letter". Explaining that he sent the letter, which explains all the stage of the Cyprus issue, to President Clerides two days ago and that he expects it to reach its destination on Wednesday, Denktash added that the letter will be released to the press in the coming days.Recounting that he had invited President Clerides to sit at the negotiations table in a bid to hold talks, Denktash added that he expressed the following "views" in his letter: "Peace can be secured on the island if the Greek Cypriots relinquish their fantasy of transforming Cyprus into a Greek island, consider the Turkish Cypriots partners, and do not view the continuation of the guarantee system as a danger." Denktash said: "Let the Greek Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot youth ask themselves: What do the Turkish Cypriots want, what is the Turkish Cypriots' crime that they have to put up with such a situation, and why are they considered enemies? I called on the Greek Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot youth to ask themselves these questions and search for answers in a bid to secure rapprochement between the two communities." Denktash further called on the Greek Cypriots to realize the fact that Turkey will not abandon Cyprus to Greece. He said he "expressed the hope" that the Greek Cypriots will now realize that they cannot transform Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot island "through lies and ploys." Denktash further added that he replied in detail to issues such as demilitarization and other topics expressed in President Clerides letter. Denktash continued: "It was a rather long letter. I hope that he will read through it in the realization that it was written in goodwill. They say that friends tell the bitter truth. I wrote this letter in friendship and said some bitter things. My aim, however, is to secure peace. I call Clerides to the path of peace. The Greek Cypriots will not make even one Turk believe that their militarization results from fear and that it is being undertaken because of Turkish plans to occupy the south." [02] Erbakan, Ciller congratulate Simitis, call for cooperationAccording to Anatolia Agency (15:10 hours, 25.9.96) Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan said on Wednesday that Turkish and Greek people shared basic interests and that they should live together in peace and cooperation.Addressing a message he sent to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis Erbakan said he was willing to cooperate with Simitis in a bid to improve friendly ties with a process of constructive dialogue based on reciprocal respect and understanding. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's congratulatory message to Simitis said she believed bilateral goodwill intentions would contribute to fruitful dialogue and cooperation. Ciller also sent a message of congratulation to Theodoros Pangalos who remained as foreign minister in the new government and said "I want to express my hope that reciprocal friendship and beneficial relations between the two countries would improve to contribute to peace and stability of the region." [03] Turkish Ministry circles see "positive signs" in Greek appointmentsAccording to Anatolia Agency (16:50 hours, 25.9. 96) Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis' removal of Yerasimos Arsenis from the post of defense minister and his appointment of Georgios Papandreou as deputy foreign minister in the new Greek Government were described as "positive signs" in Ankara.Foreign Ministry circles stated that the dismissal of Arsenis in particular is a very important indicator, alleging that the former Greek defense minister always pursued an "extremely anti-Turkish" line both with regard to Turkish-Greek relations and the Cyprus problem. The same circles stressed that the continued term in office of Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos "would not be as grave a development as Arsenis' keeping his position as defense minister." Foreign Ministry circles termed the appointment of Papandreou as Pangalos' deputy a positive development and stressed that "Papandreou is an extremely moderate person who acts with a sense of responsibility." [04] Ciller said planning to end coalition in JuneAccording to YENI GUNAYDIN (23.9.96) DYP (True Path Party) leader Tansu Ciller, who has received intelligence to the effect that Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan will hold early elections before his turn comes to step down from the rotational premiership in accordance with the coalition protocol, might withdraw from the government in June.There are signs that Ciller is keeping her views on the withdrawal from the government very secret and that she is giving special importance to the timing. Ciller, who is planning to free herself of the probes against her and of the risk of being taken to the Supreme Court with the help of the RP, has decided to make her move in June. [05] Etkin leaves for Turkey, United StatesAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 25.9.96) Taner Etkin, "foreign affairs and defense minister", went to Turkey yesterday. Etkin did not make any statement before leaving occupied Tymbou Airport. He will participate in a program to be aired on TRT 1. On 1 October, Etkin will leave for the United States and will attend the annual coordination meeting of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) foreign ministers held within the framework of the 51st session of the UN General Assembly. Etkin will leave the United States on 12 October and will return to the occupied area via Istanbul.[06] Armed robbery in Bellapais villageYENIDUZEN (26.9.96) reports under banner headlines that two unidentified masked men wearing military uniforms and carrying automatic weapons broke into a house in the occupied Bellapais village. They woke up the couple living there, threatened them, then tied them up and stole every valuable they found in the house.The shocked couple told Denktash's "police" that the masked men were carrying automatic weapons, a dagger and were wearing military uniforms and boots. The culprits got away with jewellery and money worth 2.5 billion TL (Tr. Note CYP 1=185,000 TL). (MY) EF/SK Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |