Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-11-07

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TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.200/96 7.11.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on joint military exercises with Turkey.

[02] Denktash urges Clinton to end "injustice" on island.

[03] Eroglu does not see a settlement in 1997.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on joint military exercises with Turkey

The ceremony was for the landing in the occupied territory of Turkish F-16 flying falcons, partaking in Determination-96 and Toros-2/96, joint military exercises of the Turkish and Turkish occupation forces.

Denktash told the ceremony that the manoeuvers, which will continue on and around the occupied part of Cyprus until November 9, were a demonstration of Turkey's determination to stand by the Turkish Cypriot people against "the plots by the Greek and Greek Cypriot duo."

Turkish F-16s were to take part also in last year's Turkish-Turkish Cypriot war games but intense American persuasive force aimed at defusing tension built-up between Greece and Turkey over the Aegean, convinced Ankara not to dispatch the flying falcons to the eastern Mediterranean island.

Around 30,000 troops as well as tanks, ships and planes are taking part in the exercises on the occupied part of Cyprus and the waters of the eastern Mediterranean. During yesterday's part of the war games, tanks and heavy artillery used live ammunition in firing on targets close to the free part of Cyprus.

Turkish warships, participating in the war games, are scheduled to dock at occupied Kyrenia port today.

[02] Denktash urges Clinton to end "injustice" on island

Assessing Clinton's re-election for illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency), Denktash said: "This is what the American people wanted. This is democracy. Bob Dole, who lost the elections, showed his maturity. This is what it means to be a statesman."

Asked to comment on Clinton's election campaign promises to the Greek Cypriots that he would tackle the Cyprus problem, Denktash replied: "President Clinton will surely not adopt a pro-Greek Cypriot attitude. We expect him to work for justice and to promote the supremacy of law, as he promised his people."

Denktash said that Clinton is the statesman who can tell the Greek Cypriots: "You are not the government of the Turkish Cypriots. You are one of the two owners of Cyprus. You may not deprive the Turkish Cypriots of Turkey's effective and active guarantees.

Denktash also said the Cyprus issue is an opportunity for the United States, which claims to be the champion of a world based on the supremacy of law.

Denktash stated that the Turkish Cypriots will not give up their rights and status, or Turkey's effective and active guarantees confirmed by the 1960 agreements. He said that they will continue to explain that Cyprus does not have the right to join the EU without Turkey. He concluded by expressing the hope that Clinton will hear his call.

[03] Eroglu does not see a settlement in 1997

Commenting on the reelection of the US President Bill Clinton, Eroglu said that during the election campaign President Clinton had conveyed messages to the Greek Lobby. "The Cyprus problem concerns the two peoples in Cyprus and it can be settled through meetings between the interlocutors of the two peoples", said Eroglu and added that negotiation models similar to that of the Bosnia-Herzegovina or Palestine-Israel are not valid for Cyprus. He said that the ground for an agreement exists in Cyprus and with a mutual goodwill the problem could be settled. He rejected any pressure to solve the Cyprus problem.

When asked whether a new US initiative is expected and whether 1997 could be a settlement year, Eroglu said: "The message conveyed to us is that in the first two months of 1997, the two sides will be brought together, that negotiations will resume, and that necessary encouragement and support will be extended for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, the intention of the outside world regarding the settlement is a different thing and whether the Greek Cypriot side favours a settlement is another thing... What is important, is whether the Greek Cypriot side is sincere in its settlement intentions. I wish 1997 be a settlement year, but I cannot see that. I do not want to dream. We are for reconciliation, and we have political will but this cannot be one sided. I am unable to see a settlement as long as the present Greek Cypriot policy prevails. CHR.L/SK