Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-18

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 32/97 18/2/97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] AKBEL CLAIMS CYPRUS CAN JOIN EU ONLY AFTER TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP

[02] DENKTASH, EROGLU ADDRESS TURKISH METAL UNIONS MEETING

[03] MAINLAND PSEUDO-MINISTER ADMITS HE CANNOT TOLERATE TURKISH CYPRIOT WORKERS

[04] PAULINE GREEN ON CYPRUS

[05] ONUR OYMEN: MULTINATIONAL FORCE NOT VIEWED POSITIVELY BY TURKEY

[06] "INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN COLLEGE" REPRESENTS PSEUDOSTATE AT FESTIVAL

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] COLUMNIST ON THE "TWO STATES" THESIS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] AKBEL CLAIMS CYPRUS CAN JOIN EU ONLY AFTER TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP

Akbel told a weekly conference for foreign journalists that Turkey always favored a solution to Cyprus question and defended that full membership of the island to EU should take place as a whole.

[02] DENKTASH, EROGLU ADDRESS TURKISH METAL UNIONS MEETING

In an opening address, Denktash said: "These meetings increase Cyprus' exposure and thus the number of people who understand the situation. This is very important from the viewpoint of placing the Cyprus problem on the agenda." He claimed that "the Greek Cypriot-Greek pair is constantly waiting for a domestic dissolution in Turkey." Denktash alleged that if this "pair" seizes such an opportunity then it can do whatever it wants in the Aegean and Cyprus.

He claimed that the Greek Cypriot and Greek policies are based on blackmail and that the same policies of blackmail are being implemented to attain a positive conclusion to the application made to the EU.

Replying to questions about Turkey being transformed into another Iran, Denktash said he does not believe in the existence of a trend that can squash the Ataturkist masses in Turkey. He noted that he is being told by foreign diplomats that Turkey is becoming like Iran and that it will not be able to protect the Turkish Cypriot people. He said: "I told these diplomats that I know Turkey, I know its Assembly, its soldiers, its (word indistrinct), and its leaders. I can confidently tell you that Turkey does not face such a threat."

Referring to the issue of opening occupied Varosha to settlement, Denktash said Varosha will be opened to settlement in the event developments continue along the same path, claiming at the same time that Greece, within the framework of its blackmail policy, is using this as an excuse to threaten to extend its continental shelf to 12 miles.

Eroglu also addressing the meeting, expressed the wish that the installations the Turkish Metal Union has built in Cyprus will constitute an example to other investors in Turkey. Pointing out that the "TRNC", in addition to the support of the Turkish government, is also seeking the support of Turkish investors, Eroglu added that this is most important to overcome the economic bottlenecks in the "TRNC". Eroglu stated that, with the exception of a few isolated cases, Turkish Cypriot expectations in this field have not been fulfilled, adding that foreign investors are constantly investing in south Cyprus. Claiming that investing in the occupied area is not economically profitable but that it should be viewed as a national duty to support a national cause, Eroglu said: "If the investors are supported by the governments with this understanding in mind, then the TRNC economy can become self sufficient."

Alleging that the tendency in the world is to move away from federations and towards new states and national movements, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots have easily adapted to this transformation and have established their own "state". Eroglu said that world states have not recognized the "TRNC" and claimed that they are preparing various scenarios for its annihilation, further claiming that efforts are being made to impose on the Turkish Cypriots proposals for a solution within the framework of these scenarios.

[03] MAINLAND PSEUDO-MINISTER ADMITS HE CANNOT TOLERATE TURKISH CYPRIOT WORKERS

He even said he cannot tolerate Turkish Cypriot cleaners. The paper says that Akin's actions were criticized at the pseudo-Assembly and he was accused of racism. (MY)

[04] PAULINE GREEN ON CYPRUS

Mrs. Green further stressed that Turkey also pledged that on condition that the Turkey - EU Customs Union is realized, it will not oppose Cyprus's EU membership.

She said that this agreement was reached between the representatives of Turkey and the 15 member states of the EU prior to the Customs Union Agreement with Turkey.

Speaking to Turkish journalists at the Maldon Memorial Hall in Edmonton, Mrs. Green told the journalists that Cyprus's EU membership is possible prior to the settlement of the political problem.

Green, referring to British Foreign Secretary Malcom Rifkind's recent remarks regarding the possibility of war between Greece and Turkey, said that Rifkind's statement was wrong. "We have to talk about peace in Cyprus and not about war "declared the British Labour MP.

As for the occupied areas' integration with Turkey, Mrs. Green said that this was not possible because this would not serve Turkey's aim.

Mrs. Green, when reminded about the provisions of the London - Zurich Treaties regarding Cyprus's membership to international organisations, said that these treaties are of the past. She urged to look forward. Opposing the arms built-up in Cyprus, Mrs. Green vehemently supported the Cyprus Government's demilitarization proposal.

[05] ONUR OYMEN: MULTINATIONAL FORCE NOT VIEWED POSITIVELY BY TURKEY

Oymen met with Sir John Coles and special envoy to Cyprus Sir David Hannay.

Oymen, referring to Turkish - UK relations, spoke of "very warm and sound cooperation".

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ambassador Oymen said that "No one intends to impose a settlement in Cyprus from outside. We have once more confirmed this during our talks today. Everybody has realized that it is not possible to impose a settlement in Cyprus from outside."

Asked whether the issue of a multinational UN force or NATO force was raised during his talks with the British officials, Ambassador Oymen said this was not on the agenda. "Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have already declared that they do not consider this view in a positive manner. We will reject any proposal that aims at watering down the 1960 Guarantee Agreement" declared Oymen.

Oymen once more claimed that Cyprus's EU membership is not possible prior to the settlement of the problem. (MY)

[06] "INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN COLLEGE" REPRESENTS PSEUDOSTATE AT FESTIVAL

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] COLUMNIST ON THE "TWO STATES" THESIS

Lale Sariibrahimoglu says that as a first stage, the Turkish side will give a positive answer to the call for dialogue between the sides by the UN.

The dialogue under the auspices of the UN envisages a federation or a confederation in Cyprus.

Quoting diplomatic sources, CUMHURIYET's correspondent claims that the greatest support to the "TRNC's two separate states in Cyprus thesis" comes from the Greek Cypriot side which refuses to come to the negotiation table.

Some sources says that Denktash as well has started working on the thesis that two separate states could be established in Cyprus which will cooperate in the health and environment fields and as the enimosity between the two communities peters out then it would be possible to think of establishing a confederal state.

Lale Sariibrahimoglu says that recent statements by the US and British officials are aimed at forcing the sides in Cyprus to sit down around the negotiation table.(MY)