Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-13

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.226/96 13.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on Greek Cypriot missile purchase.

[02] Turkish columnist likens Ciller to "Turkish diva" and "Lucretia Borgia".

[03] Turkish occupation army officers involved in antiques smuggling.

[04] Serdar Denktash proposes bi-state solution

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on Greek Cypriot missile purchase

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots are trying to ensure their security through the multi-national force and by joining the EU, Denktash addressed himself to the Greek Cypriots: "You cannot eliminate the guarantees that ensure the island's security just because you want be secure. Renounce this kind of reasoning." Claiming that the Greek Cypriot principle is to transform Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot Republic, Denktash said that the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is to prevent this and defend its partnership rights granted through the 1960 agreements. He added that both sides will advocate these principles, will not concede, and, if necessary, will fight for them.

Reiterating his claim that the Cyprus Government is getting ready to fight, Denktash said: "I am calling on Clerides. Do you not love Greece? As much as we love Turkey." Alleging that the Turkish Cypriots are "putting up with everything" to avoid involving Turkey in a war and are refraining from provocations, Denktash said that it would be easy to ignite clashes between Turkey and Greece and to begin a war in Cyprus. He continued: "It will be very difficult for us to endure the consequences of this war and everyone will suffer in Cyprus". Reiterating that the Turkish Cypriots have "territorial, sovereignty and equality rights", Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriots have expelled the Turkish Cypriots from their own territory. He said that the Greek Cypriots should accept "the inalienability of the Turkish Cypriot right to equal sovereignty."

[02] Turkish columnist likens Ciller to "Turkish diva" and "Lucretia Borgia"

She will be travelling to the Irish capital essentially as a me ssenger for Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan in order to explain why he turned down Irish prime minister John Bruton's invitation to the EU's post summit dinner.

Knowing Ciller as we do, she will undoubtedly try to en gage in an `extracurricular' effort to present herself as anything but Erbakan's messenger.

In Dublin she will moan and groan about how the EU has not fulfilled its obligations towards Turkey, and try to smooth her way in this by talking about a vague `human rights package' submitted to parliament, and about whose true merit the Turkish public (supposedly the beneficiary) knows hardly anything.

But the feedback from Europe is that patience is wearing thin there, and no one is prepared to be captivated by the charming smiles of the `Turkish diva' anymore.

If anything, Ciller can expect some hard hitting questi ons about Turkey's sincerity in fulfilling the promises that she herself made to Europe when she was riding high as prime minister.

She can also expect to be grilled about certain recent remarks of hers which, if anything, put her in the league of history's Lucretia Borgia's."

[03] Turkish occupation army officers involved in antiques smuggling

YENIDUZEN says that the so-called military prosecutor h as started an inquiry regarding the case.

The paper adds that the icons were stolen from the Ayia Thekla church in occupied Marathovouno.

YENIDUZEN reports that Greek inscriptions on the icons were used as a clue to find out which church they had been stolen from. It further adds that so-called Interior Ministry officials went to Ayia Thekla church two years ago to make an inventory but they were told to go back because the church was situated "within the military prohibited area."

YENIDUZEN speaks about the existence of a big antiques smuggling gang "where army officers as well as civilians are involved." Meanwhile, Denktash's police found in a shop run by Barbara Elizabeth Busbridgage, 238 old coins.

Mrs Busbridgage claimed that the coins were given to her by her divorced husband Ibrahim Dundar.

Busbridgage and Dundar were taken in custody for further inquiry. (MY)

[04] Serdar Denktash proposes bi-state solution

Replying to Denktash's proposal, the Republican Turkish Party secretary general Ferdi Sabit Soyer strongly criticized Serdar Denktash for his bi-state proposal. The Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci as well criticized Serdar Denktash saying that this was wrong. (MY) EF/SK