Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-21

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ÔURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 35/97 21/2/97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKISH STATE MINISTER ADVOCATES "TWO STATES IN CYPRUS" TO THE AMERICANS

[02] FRANCE ACCEPTS SO-CALLED TRNC "PASSPORTS" AS IDENTITY CARDS

[03] "CLOSED VAROSHA CHAPTER" FOR THE IDEALIST HEARTHS IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

[04] GREEK CYPRIOT COUPLE TO BE SENT BACK TO THE FREE AREAS

[05] TURKISH DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF CONFERS WITH UN'S ANNAN ON CYPRUS

[06] US AMBASSADOR HOSTS DENKTASH OVER LUNCHEON

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKISH STATE MINISTER ADVOCATES "TWO STATES IN CYPRUS" TO THE AMERICANS

One of the important figures in Erbakan's Welfare Party, Abdullah Gul, during his contacts referred to the Cyprus problem and declared that a bicommunal, bizonal, federal solution was not a realistic objective adding that he favours two separate states living side by side in Cyprus.

Congar says that this was a surprize message by Gul to the Americans.

Gul added that it was not possible to force the two communities to live together. He defended the idea that "Turkish and Greek Cypriot states should survive separately and their independence be recognized".

Gul went on and said "maybe after some years it will be possible to establish joint projects between the two communities."

Yasemin Congar quotes a Turkish diplomat in Washington on Gul's stance as saying: "It is not binding on us. This is not the Turkish ïfficial view. We will reiterate to US officials our views regarding a federal settlement".

Congar concluded by saying that US officials were not impressed by what Gul said to them during his meetings.

[02] FRANCE ACCEPTS SO-CALLED TRNC "PASSPORTS" AS IDENTITY CARDS

French Ambassador to Cyprus Henry Jacolin, who was the guest of the "Turkish Cypriot Journalists Union", has declared that his country accepts the so-called TRNC passport as an identity card.

Ambassador Jacolin said that on this basis the embassy has started issuing visas last November.

Stressing that this did not mean recognition of the so- called TRNC's passport by France, Jacolin claimed that their aim is to facilitate Turkish Cypriots traveling to France without using the Turkish Republic's passports. He said that they were issuing a separate document and they don't need the Turkish passport. "We see you not as Turks of Turkey but as Turkish Cypriots" declared Jacolin. (MY)

[03] "CLOSED VAROSHA CHAPTER" FOR THE IDEALIST HEARTHS IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

The chairman of the terrorist organization, Mehmet Arslan, in a written statement said that the chapter will operate in the building that houses the Famagusta Idealists Hearths chapter and as soon as Varosha is opened to settlement it will be transferred there.

Ali Kilic Karabulut has been appointed Chairman of the executive committee of the closed Varosha Idealists Hearths Chapter. The committee has seven members.

The first meeting of the executive committe will take place on 22 February, at the Dherynia check-point. (MY)

[04] GREEK CYPRIOT COUPLE TO BE SENT BACK TO THE FREE AREAS

KIBRIS says that the Greek Cypriot couple, Iacovos Iacovou and Xenia Iacovou, both 24, claimed that they were continuously bothered by police and for this reason they crossed into the occupied area and asked for political asylum.

The couple, during their interrogation, revealed that in the past they had asked for political asylum at the Turkish embassy in Damascus. (MY)

[05] TURKISH DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF CONFERS WITH UN'S ANNAN ON CYPRUS

Bir congratulated Annan on his election as UN Secretary General. Explaining that he met Annan when he was the commander of the UN peace force in Somalia, Bir recalled that at the time Annan was the deputy secretary general in charge of peace operations. Bir stressed that great responsibility falls on the secretary general in rendering the structure of the United Nations more effective. Bir expressed the belief that Annan will be successful in his new task.

The UN Secretary General, in turn, thanked Bir for his services in Somalia.

Later, Bir and Annan held a tete-a-tete meeting for approximately half an hour. Bir conveyed to the Secretary General Turkey's views, particularly with regard to the events of the recent weeks in Cyprus. Bir also briefed Annan on the S-300 missiles issue.

[06] US AMBASSADOR HOSTS DENKTASH OVER LUNCHEON

During the luncheon the latest developments in the Cyprus problem were discussed. (MY)