Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-01-31

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.21/97 31.1.97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says Han Sung-chu brought no new messages.

[02] Great Unity Party deputy claims covert coup staged in Turkey.

[03] Council of Europe resolution on Cyprus criticized by Turks.

[04] No results from inquiry on St. Barnabas monastery raid.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says Han Sung-chu brought no new messages

In a statement he issued after the meeting, Denktash said that the aim of the United Nations was to bring the two sides together, adding: "However, it is evident that it is too early for this".

Denktash noted that Sung-chu would conduct a shuttle mission between the two leaders during his visit in Cyprus.

Denktash claimed: "Two administrations and two states comprised of sovereign people and based on geography is a reality and also the de facto situation". Alleging that the Greek Cypriots should also accept these facts, Denktash said that the message conveyed by the Turkish Cypriot side was that the world should conduct a reassessment of the Cyprus issue after taking into consideration these realities.

He also claimed: "Turkey cannot and will not renounce its rights with regard to Cyprus. These are their vital rights. Consequently, the 1960 agreements should be safeguarded. The Ankara declaration is a sign along these lines. For this reason, the only thing left to do is to urge those who avoid the path of reason and logic to take up the way of reason and logic."

Sung-chu, in turn, noted that his discussion with Denktash constituted the first of the meetings he will hold with both leaders and added that there was an opportunity to achieve a solution to the Cyprus issue. Explaining that both sides should display extreme care in seizing this opportunity, Sung-chu expressed hope that this opportunity will not be missed, and added that he hoped that progress toward a solution will be made in the first half of 1997.

Denktash will meet with Sung-chu once again.

[02] Great Unity Party deputy claims covert coup staged in Turkey

Arguing that with the publication of this decision in the Official gazette on 9 January a civilian coup d'etat has been carried out formally, Kiris touched upon the sweeping description of the term "crisis" in Article 4 of the directive, and said: "It starts with the state's and nation's indivisible unity, continues with constitutional state order and destructive activities, and then goes to encompass natural disasters, major fires, contagious diseases, and reactionarism. This is such a broad definition of crisis that it is impossible for this country to ever deliver itself from the scope of this definition. According to this definition, it is possible to regard Turkey as being in a constant state of crisis."

Noting that due to its broad definition in time additional paragraphs and provisions could be inserted into it, Kiris reminded that in times of crisis the NSC and military authorities are able to take over the most important jurisdictions of the elected civilian administration.

Referring to Article 3 of that same directive, Kiris said that the article has created complete confusion regarding jurisdictions. Kiris added: "If this crisis period is to continue then it means that someone will be taking over and using the jurisdictions of the prime minister and his appointed ministers. Article 3 already says that during the crisis period the executive duties will be discharged by the NSC General Secretariat and some high-ranking bureaucrats while the (formal) responsibility will still lie with the political power. If so, with whom will we deal? With the 9 January decision, the government has been formally bypassed".

Claiming that the wage increase for civil servants was wrongly shown to be the only reason for the BBP's withdrawal of support from the government, Kiris said: "The above is one of the basic reasons behind the withdrawal of the support. We will pursue this matter."

[03] Council of Europe resolution on Cyprus criticized by Turks

Heated debates took place mostly on the distribution of the seats. Cyprus, which has the right to three seats at the COE Parliamentary Assembly, has been represented by only one Greek Cypriot parliamentarian since 1981. Acknowledging the problem on the island, the COE kept two of the seats vacant until today. However, with a resolution it adopted today, the COE agreed to have a second Greek Cypriot parliamentarian represent Cyprus. Sixteen amendments were proposed to the report, of which only six were adopted. Among the rejected proposals was one drawn up by Turkish parliamentarians on the missile crisis. The Turkish parliamentarians voted against the resolution, but it was approved with a majority of votes. The resolution calls for the resumption of the intercommunal talks and the disarmament of Cyprus. It also says that a five-party conference must be held with the participation of Turkey, Greece, and Britain -- the three guarantor states -- as well as the two Cypriot communities.

The Turkish delegation held a news conference after the Assembly adopted the resolution, claiming that the COE will not help reach a solution by means of such resolutions. The news conference was held by Ismail Cem, head of the Turkish delegation, and Hakki Atun, head of the Turkish Cypriot so-called parliamentary delegation. Numerous other Turkish parliamentarians also attended. Cem and Atun alleged that the resolution reverts the Cyprus problem to the time even before 1960. They said that such resolutions will reinforce the "TRNC's" integration with Turkey.

[04] No results from inquiry on St. Barnabas monastery raid

The paper says that the report compiled by the so-called committee was unable to shed light on the raid and it is inconclusive.

It says that the committee called in a member of the so-called Security Forces Command to testify and the officer just ignored the call and did not appear before the committee.

Another point, says the paper, where the report was unable to shed light on, is regarding "the source of the serious tip offs" involved and which are the essence of the whole issue. (MY) EF/SK