Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-10

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.223/96 10.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEM

[01] Highlights from an interview by Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy Under-Secretary Inal Batu.

[A] NEWS ITEM

[01] Highlights from an interview by Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy Under-Secretary Inal Batu

Stating, inter alia, that the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Government and the National Security Council are intensely interested in the Cyprus problem and are making the necessary preparations, he claimed that the joint defence doctrine is "a step that hinders understanding" and that the Greeks are after "a military escalation" and they create a "dangerous situation". "I do not want to pronounce the word war", he said.

Asked if Turkey considers changing her policy from federation to confederation, Batu said: "Our policy on Cyprus is very stable. We support the equal sovereignty of the two communities, equal political rights, the continuation of Turkey's effective guarantees, bizonality, both communities' simultaneous entry to the EU. We insist on these. The three freedoms of movement, settlement and right to own property will be implemented gradually, depending on time-tables."

Batu considers as "unjust" the stance of the European Union to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus and expresses the hope that "the USA will not succumb to Greek and Greek Cypriot blackmail to accept the same position." He denied Turkey accepted the condition for the initiation of accession talks with Cyprus when it signed the Customs Union agreement with the EU and stated that Turkey's policy in case Cyprus enters the EU was charted with the signing of the Demirel-Denktash agreement of 28 October 1995. He specified that in case of Greek Cypriot entry to the EU, the "TRNC" and Turkey will integrate. EF/SK