Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-01-08

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 AÍD OTHER MEDIA

No.4/97 8/1/1997

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erbakan vows to never allow "Enosis" through EU or otherwise

[02] Turkish Cypriot meeting on recent developments ends

[03] Sports "protocol" between Turkey and the pseudostate

[04] So-called Security Forces commander visits veterans and fighters associations

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Paper says Turkey to attack missiles in Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erbakan vows to never allow "Enosis" through EU or otherwise

Addressing a Welfare Party parliamentary group meeting, Erbakan recalled that with the economic cooperation "protocol" signed last Saturday, Turkey will extend $250 million to the occupied area in 1997. He pointed out that with this money the pseudostate will take great strides in its development. First of all, he said, the social security institutions will become self-sufficient.

Erbakan recalled that the necessary financial support was not extended to the "TRNC" in previous years, and it had to take loans from private banks on the island at an annual interest rate 30 to 40 percent. He stressed that this "protocol" frees the pseudostate from the need to take high-interest loans.

The Prime Minister explained that in order to make economic progress in Cyprus, "new deep wells will be drilled, new small canals dug, citrus production increased, livestock-breeding and agriculture-based industry developed, tourism promoted, and the occupied area turned into a university island. In this way," he said, "the national income in northern Cyprus will increase by $180 million annually, and per capita income will rise from $4.000 to $5.000".

"Cyprus is a show window for Turkey. It is our national cause. We are very happy that we had this opportunity to serve it. As we said during the signing ceremony, it is absolutely impossible for Cyprus or the TRNC to be used as tools for enosis through no matter what trick. Whether the trick is through membership in the EU or something else, Turkey will never allow it", he claimed.

Erbakan pointed out that "any pressures or injustices imposed on Cyprus will lead to the integration of Turkey and northern Cyprus".

[02] Turkish Cypriot meeting on recent developments ends

In a statement he issued after the meeting, Dervis Eroglu, National Unity Party leader and "prime minister", said that the meeting was held to review the Cyprus policies and listen to the views of the political parties. Explaining that views were exchanged on the Greek Cypriot armament efforts, the EU issue, and the resumption of the talks, Eroglu added that a concrete view did not take shape at the meeting. Eroglu said that all the political parties oppose the Greek Cypriot arms buildup and favor negotiations.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat recalled that important developments had taken place since the last time such a meeting was held with Denktash. Describing the British foreign secretary's visit to Cyprus, the armament efforts of the Greek Cypriots, and the rumors of war on the island as the important developments that have taken place recently, Talat added that he presented his party's views on the Cyprus issue at the meeting. Talat pointed out the benefits of tackling the legal aspects of the issue during the meeting.

Serdar Denktas, Democratic Party leader, "state minister, and deputy prime minister", said that the uneasiness prompted by the Greek Cypriot armament efforts was taken up at the meeting. Stating that steps should be taken against this development, Serdar Denktas underlined that great duties befall Turkey along these lines. Noting that there have been statements issued to the effect that 1997 will be a year of peace, Serdar Denktas noted that the existing parameters should be reviewed and added that they will submit a written statement to the effect that the Cyprus issue should be urgently taken up at a high-level meeting with Turkey. Serdar Denktas said that the Cyprus issue should be reviewed if the Greek Cypriots pursue their efforts at armament and insist on EU membership.

Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci, in turn, said that it is becoming obvious that the Cyprus issue will gain momentum in 1997. Akinci stressed the importance of launching a process, one favorable for the Turkish Cypriot side, within this framework. Explaining that not finding a solution to the issue since 1963 does not mean that a solution will not be found in the future, Akinci said that the negotiation process can be launched in 1997. Akinci continued: "The important factor is to secure a development in line with the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and to be prepared for such a possibility after the negotiating process is launched". Further adding that both sides should behave rationally in a bid to secure a solution, Akinci urged the Greek Cypriots to reassess their recent decision on arms purchases and to put a stop to their armament efforts.

Talat called on the Cyprus Government to give up its arms buildup efforts and to review its stand regarding the S-300 missiles. In a written statement he issued, Talat claimed that the hopes pinned on 1997 as a year of peace are being sacrificed to armament efforts.

[03] Sports "protocol" between Turkey and the pseudostate

After the "signing ceremony" Bahattin Seher said that he will ask for some of the sports Federations newly-elected chairmen to try to help the occupied area to take part in some international sports events.

It has been also announced that Seher will be visiting the occupied area as the guest of Gunay Caymaz. (MY)

[04] So-called Security Forces commander visits veterans and fighters associations

Brigadier-General Gunal praised the "sacrifices made by the martyrs, their families as well as the veterans". He went on and said: "At this moment we are having intensive activities on our borders. There are same irregularities in our police force. We are trying to put things in order."

In his turn the chairman of the Association of Martyrs Families and War Veterans, Ertan Ersan, said that "it is the first time that a Commander of the Security Forces is visiting them."

"We are an Association attached to Ataturk's principles and revolutions. We are the representatives of martyrs who shed blood. If need be we are ready to shed blood again", he said. MY

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Paper says Turkey to attack missiles in Cyprus

"While TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) Foreign Minister Taner Etkin called on Russia to act in accordance with its responsibilities, the possibility of Turkey attacking the Russian missiles that will be deployed on the Greek Cypriot side has been placed on the agenda.

According to reliable sources, the missiles the Greek Cypriot Administration will buy from Russian will pose a threat not only to Turkey's southern provinces but also to maritime shipping and the civilian aircraft that fly in the Turkish and TRNC FIR (Flight Information Region).

Considering the threat the S-300 missiles will pose to its provinces, Turkey will not hesitate to launch a military operation against them if they are deployed in south Cyprus.

The military experts have said that the S-300 missiles can be used for defensive and offensive purposes and noted that the Russian experts that will man the missiles on the Greek Cypriot side will further disrupt the military balance against Turkey in the island. They asserted that such a state of affairs may require a military operation against the missiles.

The Greek Cypriot Administration has agreed to give bases to Greece in south Cyprus. Furthermore, it has decided to place those bases and the missiles it will buy under Greece's control. This will help Greece threaten Turkey's southern coast. In view of all this, the Greek Cypriot side will become a target for Turkey. Considering the rockets in Iran, Iraq and Syria, Turkey will be completely surrounded by a network of missiles when the Greek Cypriot Administration acquires the S-300 missiles from Russia.

To be regarded as a Russian Base

The S-300 missiles will be deployed in six areas in Limassol and Paphos. The said areas will be regarded as Russian bases. The missiles, which are capable of finding their targets, will be placed under the responsibility of Russian experts. Any attack on their bases will be regarded as an attack on Russia.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot Administration will allow the Russian military personnel and experts who will use the missiles to have diplomatic status. The question of Russia's 'sovereignty' over the bases will be considered later. Officers and military experts, who will be transferred from Greece, to south Cyprus will work together with the Russian personnel at the bases. However, the missiles will be under the control of the Greek General Staff, not the Greek Cypriot National Guard." EF/S.L./SK.