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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-24From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleTURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.36/97 24.2.97CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] DENKTASH THREATENS: "DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE TURKEY'S DETERMINATION"According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1630 hours, 21/2/97) Rauf Denktash has asked the United States, Britain, and other UN Security Council member countries to urge the Greek Cypriots to renounce their decision to purchase the S-300 missiles from Russia and offer Greece military bases on the island. In a statement during his meeting with an Istanbul Chamber of Industry delegation, Denktash threatened that, "otherwise, Turkey will remove this threat directed against its southern shores and against the Turkish Cypriot people."Denktash stated that Turkey's determination in this regard should not be underestimated. Expressing the hope that the Greek Cypriots will renounce their desire for missiles and bases he also asked that the Greek Cypriot side "carefully assess" the declaration signed between the occupied part of Cyprus and Turkey and adopt its stand accordingly. He claimed that Greece is planning to increase its territorial shelf in the Aegean to 12 miles and is arming southern Cyprus to ensure that it will not be a total loser in a possible clash. Denktash stated that Turkey "will definitely not relinquish its rights in Cyprus or the Turkish Cypriots' equality and sovereignty rights." In reply to Turkish reporters' questions, Denktash said that the deployment of the missiles and of Greek planes on the island by the Cyprus Government will constitute a casus belli. Denktash asked the Greek Cypriots to renounce their armament efforts. Otherwise, he threatened again, the necessary measures will be adopted. [02] ILLEGAL BRT SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH LONDON TURKISH RADIOAccording to illegal Bayrak Radio (1130 hours, 21/2/97) a cooperation agreement was signed between illegal Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT) Corporation and the London Turkish Radio. The agreement, which was signed by so-called BRT Director Ismet Kotak and Erol Bakiti, director of the London Turkish Radio, went into effect last Friday. It is aimed at further developing the relations between the two corporations in the field of radio broadcasting. Under the agreement, an executive committee will be established for the joint and separate production of news, education, culture, arts, and music programs.[03] MINISTERS GUL AND TAYAN, TURKISH GENERALS DISCUSS TIES WITH GREECE AND CYPRUS ISSUE IN U.S. VISITAccording to TRT (0530 hours, 21/2/97) in a statement to TRT in connection with the annual meeting of the Turkish-American Council, State Minister Abdullah Gul pointed out that such organizations will help increase Turkey's effectiveness in the United States. He said that during his contacts in Washington, he met with representatives of the Foreign Relations Council, and with Senator Strom Thurmond, with whom he discussed various issues between Turkey and the United States. Gul was also interviewed by the Washington Times, and met with Turkish students studying in the United States.National Defense Minister Turhan Tayan delivered a speech at the Turkish-American Council. He pointed out that the relations between Turkey and the United States are based on a strong foundation of common values and ideals. He said that Turkey assesses its relations with the United States within the framework of a cooperation between equal partners in line with common interests and aims. Tayan said: "Unfortunately, our relations lag behind the level and appearance they deserve. The existence of certain factors that undermine our cooperation and that lie counter to the principles of bilateral friendship and goodwill, what we call obstacles, are a cause of concern for us. The majority of these obstacles are created by anti-Turkish lobbies. Examples are the difficulties we encountered regarding the delivery of the frigates and the Cobra helicopters. Such negative developments cause us concern." Tayan also met with U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen and discussed with him bilateral relations, the latest developments in Cyprus, and international terrorism. General Cevik Bir, deputy chief of the General Staff, addressed a seminar organized within the framework of the Turkish-American Council meetings. He pointed to the confusion in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Middle East - regions that surround Turkey - and alleged that Turkey must cope with these situations, and that therefore the Turkish Armed Forces must be supported. He claimed that Turkey wants this for the sake of world peace. In addition, according to illegal Bayrak Radio (0600 hours, 21/2/97) in a statement in Washington, Gen. Bir claimed that he does not expect anything positive to come out of Turkish - Greek relations, because Greece pursues hostile policies toward Turkey. Gen. Bir "warned" Greece against starting a "new adventure" in connection with Cyprus, alleging: "We are extending our hand in peace, but this may not last forever. However, we will continue to try to have good relations with that country." Gen. Ihsan Kilic, secretary general of the Turkish National Security Council, claimed during a seminar he attended in the United States that the missiles the Greek Cypriots will receive from Russia are aimed at Turkey. He said that Turkey will take every measure against these missiles, adding: "Our problems with Greece have started to cause us a meadache in Cyprus. Turkey favors a dialogue. It expects the United States to remain impartial in Turkish-Greek relations." [04] DENKTASH CLAIMS U.S., UK MUST PAY RUSSIA TO CANCEL MISSILE DEALAnkara TRT Television Network (1930 hours, 20/2/97) broadcasted a live telephone interview with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. To a comment that the Greek Cypriots and Greece seem determined to get the S-300 missiles, Denktash alleged: "We are as determined as they are. Out determination was cited in the joint declaration we signed with the honorable Turkish president and in the statement issued by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. It said that if the Greek Cypriots do it, we are very determined to respond. My only hope is that the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo will quickly change its very wrong course, that it will stop. Their course is not the right course. We call on the Americans and especially on Britain to do something, anything, to prevent this. If they cannot stop this peacefully, Turkey announced that it will do whatever is necesary- and it will. I am making this clear to everyone. I hope that the United States, Britain, and certain European governments will do whatever is necessary to persuade the Greek Cypriots and Greece to give up this madness."Asked if, at this stage and despite everything, it is possible for the pseudostate and the Cyprus Government to meet on minimal common grounds, Denktash claimed: "It is not a matter of that. We are saying that the necessary measures will be taken. The countries I mentioned must warn the Greek Cypriots and Greece about the wrong course they are on. Those countries must take the necessary measures, because if it falls on Turkey and on the Turkish Cypriots to do something, we have very few alternatives. Everybody can see that. Primarily Russia, as a UN Security Council member, must rectify its mistake. If it needs money, then the United States, Britain, or whoever, must find that money and give it to Russia, and cancel the deal." Asked whether there is a development concerning Varosha, he said: "There is no need for a development in Maras (Varosha). I said that Maras will be opened to settlement if the missiles arrive. That is still valid today." [05] KENAN AKIN SUPPORTS OPENING OF VAROSHAAccording to illegal Bayrak Radio (1630 hours, 23/2/97) Kenan Akin, so-called agriculture and forestry minister, established as being one of Solomos Solomou killers, has said that he supports the opening of Varosha and not the initiatives undertaken by the nationalist organization The Idealists Hearths in connection with the opening of Varosha. EF/MP |
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