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

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

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TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.202/96 9-10-11.11.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash notes need for support from Turkic republics.

[02] TGNA rejects EP resolutions on freedom of religion, Cyprus.

[03] ANAP deputy resigns, bringing number down to 128.

[04] Ireland's Spring arrives, meets with Ciller on EU issues.

[05] Luxembourg diplomats on a familiarization visit.

[06] Turkish Cypriots arrested.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash notes need for support from Turkic republics

The Uzbek unionists, who are visiting the occupied area through the mediation of Metal-Is (Turkish Metal and Allied Workers Federation) in Turkey, met with Denktash and Serdar Denktash, Democratic Party leader, state minister, and deputy prime minister, today. At the meeting, Denktash expressed the Cyprus realities to the visiting unionists headed by Jamalov, head of the Uzbekistan Confederation of Labour Unions. He asked the Uzbek unionists to explain to their people what they saw in Cyprus so that the Uzbek people can extend the necessary support to the Turkish Cypriots. Denktash said: "When you go back, say the following: `For the last 33 years, the Greek Cypriot side has been trying to transform the island into a Greek Cypriot republic and to exterminate the Turkish Cypriots'". Complaining that the Muslim world and the newly established Turkic republics have not extended the necessary support to the Turkish Cypriots, Denktash stressed that the Turkish Cypriots have been surviving for years through Turkey's support. He added: "No one wants to believe that the Greek Cypriot aim is to eliminate us. They deprive us of their votes at international conferences."

Denktash noted that certain Turkic republics behave in this manner because of Russian pressure. He recalled that Russia sells arms to the Greek Cypriots. Denktash alleged that the Turkish Cypriots want ties of friendship and an agreement, adding that the Greek Cypriots, however, are not inclined to sign an agreement as they believe that the Turkish Cypriots are isolated. Asking the Uzbek unionists for their support, Denktash stressed that all Turkish hearts beat as one.

Jamalov said that his country has been testing real independence for the past five years, adding that Uzbekistan has begun to speedily establish ties of friendship with the other Turkish states. He noted that the delegation is currently visiting the TRNC through the mediation of Mustafa Ozbek, leader of Metal-Is.

[02] TGNA rejects EP resolutions on freedom of religion, Cyprus

"In a parliament comprised of the representatives of 15 EU member countries, the majority of the names who drafted the resolutions on Turkey originates from a single country. The TGNA regards this fact as the clearest indication of the unfair, ruthless, one-sided, and prejudiced nature of the resolutions. The TGNA announces that the fact that this international parliament adopted a resolution against a country which is not represented at that parliament and used offensive phrases contravenes democratic and parliamentary procedure. The TGNA also expresses its belief that sincerity regarding the issues mentioned in the EP resolutions and a realistic and lasting policy can be crystallized by means of a decision to start negotiations for full membership with Turkey," read the declaration.

The declaration also recalled that the joint parliamentary committee is the platform for the discussion of issues concerning Turkey. In reference to the interest displayed in the freedom of religion, the TGNA declaration noted that it would be much more meaningful for EP members to visit the Turkish minority in Greece's Western Thrace region.

The TGNA declaration also suggested that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash be invited to address the EP in a bid to explain the facts regarding Cyprus to the European parliamentarians.

[03] ANAP deputy resigns, bringing number down to 128

[04] Ireland's Spring arrives, meets with Ciller on EU issues

In a statement after the meeting, Ciller said that the issue of Turkey's full membership in the EU was discussed in particular. Noting that Turkey is a member of the Customs Union (CU), Ciller stressed that Turkey is more advanced than the Eastern European countries from the viewpoint of economic integration. Pointing out that despite this development, all the provisions of the CU process are not being fulfilled in the desired manner, Ciller added that the financial protocol has not begun to be implemented.

"As you know, the Greek veto has blocked all the issues between Turkey and the EU. We have had a lot to say vis-a-vis the EU in order to unblock this process and to solve all the Turkish-EU problems within the framework of the Turkish-EU financial protocol. We are faced with a great injustice. We view the statements made by the European Parliament regarding Turkey as a great injustice. We want our friends to take the measures necessary to develop our relations with the EU within the framework of the CU agreement that has been signed."

Ciller stressed that Turkey should not lag behind the Eastern bloc countries on the issue of Turkey's full membership in the EU, adding that she expressed her views and convictions on the issue to Spring. Ciller noted that the rights of Turkey, which joined the CU and has taken a step beyond other countries, should be discussed again. Pointing out that the Association Council will meet again in the coming days, Ciller said that Turkey will continue to express its views on the issue. She concluded by expressing the hope that many of Turkey's problems will be solved during the Irish term presidency.

Spring stated that the first wish was for Turkey to join the CU, adding that this wish has been realized. Pointing out that the next step is for Turkey to make use of the financial protocol and the funds, Spring said that the Association Council meeting to be held in the coming days is important.

[05] Luxembourg diplomats on a familiarization visit

KIBRIS says that to this effect Luxembourg has started familiarization visits.

Within this framework, Luxembourg Foreign Ministry under secretary, ambassador Jean Feyder, together with ambassador Uves Spautz and Patrick Ingelberg, met with Denktash yesterday.

Three officials who crossed into the occupied area also met with Taner Etkin, Aytug Plumer, Necati Munir Ertekun, Ergun Olgun and Mustafa Evran.

During the meeting, the present phase of the Cyprus problem was discussed and what kind of a settlement the Turkish side wanted. (MY)

[06] Turkish Cypriots arrested

Fifteen men and women were arrested in a series of swoops in Britain. First news of highly sensitive operations, involving special teams from the National Crime Intelligence Service and the South-East Regional Crimes Squad, broke on Tuesday after the discover of an incoming lorry at the port of Dover, reportedly carrying 150 kilos of heroin and 70,000 Ecstasy tablets.

Seven Turkish Cypriots were arrested, but names were withheld while undercover inquiries continued.

The lorry had been loaded in Istanbul and was said to have been cleared in customs checks on Turkey's north-western border town of Edirne.

Later, the Interpol-linked operation also led to meticulous searches of all passengers leaving a "Cyprus Turkish Airlines" plane in London.

More inquiries continued throughout Britain and led to a further eight Turkish Cypriots being arrested, including a 50-year-old woman carrying heroin and a husband and wife from the occupied area.

The 40-year-old daughter of a London nightclub owner was last night still thought to be under arrest.

Follow-up inquiries later revealed a 3.5 kilo haul of heroin in the Enfield, Middlesex area.

The lorry's Ecstasy cargo is estimated to have a street value of 350,000 but the 153.5 kilos of heroin, based on British customs estimates of 120,000 per kilo, has a staggering market price of 18.42 million.