Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-19

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.230/96 19.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash discusses Rifkind proposals.

[02] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomes Rifkind's meeting with Denktash.

[03] Grieved mother claims her soldier son was executed.

[04] Denktash's wife underwent alco-test.

[05] Explosion at Catholic church in Istanbul, nobody hurt.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash discusses Rifkind proposals

Denktash claimed that like other countries, Britain wants to water down and change the guarantees. He said that Rifkind talks of partition but not of enosis, adding: "Either there is a lapse of memory here, or a major trick."

Denktash flew to Turkey to lecture in Balikesir and to receive a human rights award in Izmir. In a statement at the occupied Tymbou airport before his departure, Denktash said that the fact that Rifkind considered both sides to be equal and visited them both was useful in that it showed that he accepts the bilateral partnership status which emerged with the 1960 agreements as well as the equality of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktash added, however, that it is worth mentioning that Rifkind divulged his 10-item view -- which he did not discuss either with the Turkish Cypriots or the Greek Cypriots -- only just before he left the island.

Denktash said that since they were not proposals, he cannot reject them, adding: "However, there is a situation here that needs to be criticized. What we understand is that, like other countries, Britain is aware of the fact that the status that emerged with the 1960 agreements, the partnership, the rights, and guarantees prevent Cyprus from joining the EU as one body, and wants to dilute this status. They want to change the basis and the foundation."

He alleged that Britain made a move in order to make things easier for the Greek Cypriots but they rejected it. He stressed that the basis created by the 1960 agreements cannot be changed. He defined the basis as domestic equality and equality between Turkey and Greece with regard to Cyprus.

Denktash warned that if any one of the articles of the basis are changed, then the rights and status of the Turkish Cypriots will not mean anything no matter how much they are protected.

Denktash pointed out that Rifkind disclosed his views after meeting with President Clerides claiming: "Rifkind was influenced by Clerides and tried to help him, but it is understood that he did not succeed completely, since the Greek Cypriots rejected his views."

Denktash said that as Rifkind pointed out, the Cyprus problem will be resolved by the two sides, if they meet face to face. He called on President Clerides not to place mediators between them, but to meet him face to face.

[02] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomes Rifkind's meeting with Denktash

Replying to reporters' questions on the issue during his weekly news conference, Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Sermet Atacanli said: "We hope that the same sensitivity will be displayed by the other state representatives visiting the island." Recalling that before leaving the island, Rifkind had explained certain points, which he thought would be favourable for advancing the Cyprus negotiation process, Atacanli added: "The sides had previously reached agreement between them on some of these points." Atacanli further said that both sides should discuss and reach decisions on issues such as one international personality, meaning of equal sovereignty, and land adjustments within the framework of a comprehensive negotiation process.

Commenting on Cyprus' EU membership, he said:

"On various occasions, Turkey has noted that it cannot accept a change to the 1960 guarantee and alliance agreements and that Cyprus can become a member of EU only after a Cyprus solution is secured and at the same time as Turkey."

[03] Grieved mother claims her soldier son was executed

The mother of the dead soldier, Ummu Yildiz, has demanded an inquiry regarding the circumstances of her son's death.

She claims that her son was beaten to death and then shot at.

To support her argument she said that the one bullet that killed her son had entered her son's head from the left side and came out from the right. She stressed that this was not possible because her son's left hand was fractured.

She stressed that her son was beaten to death and that in order to cover up the crime he was then shot at with a rifle thus making it look like a suicide.

ORTAM says that the victim, Aci Yildiz, is the younger brother of Adnan Yildiz who was found dead in a burned out car in the garbage disposal site near Famagusta in 1995. (MY)

[04] Denktash's wife underwent alco-test

She went through the alco-test following a car accident in which she was involved. (MY)

[05] Explosion at Catholic church in Istanbul, nobody hurt

The report stated that the bomb was placed at the confession booth. There was a powerful explosion at around 18:00 at a time when there were about 50 persons praying. Nobody was injured. The confession booth was slightly damaged. EF/SK