Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-04-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 76/97 -- 30.4.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Robin Cook still firm on Cyprus.

[02] Eroglu cancels two days meetings due to kidney trouble.

[03] New well to supply water for occupied Famagusta and Nicosia.

[04] "KIBRIS FM" starts broadcasting.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Robin Cook still firm on Cyprus

Still, there was much tough talk on Turkey and Cook reiterated his comments that Labour would support Cyprus' accession to the EU wholeheartedly, labeling Turkey an occupier many times. Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) visiting delegation, which was informed of the meeting between Cook and Turkish community leaders only at the last moment, remained mute after hearing Cook's criticism of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots.

Cook had delivered harsh words on Turkey a couple of weeks earlier and had stated then that Labour would not back Turkey's EU bid. Speaking to a large crowd of Turkish Cypriots this time around, Cook spoke in a softer voice, saying Turkey's Islamic identity and cultural background should not be considered in dealing with its application.

He had not highlighted such a view previously in his meeting with the Greek Cypriot community leaders in London.

However, as a more bitter pill, he reiterated critical remarks about Turkey and pointed out that three major problems- economy, democracy and human rights - made the country a less suitable candidate for Union membership.

At a meeting organized by the office of Labour Party member of the European Parliament Pauline Green in cooperation with the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) of the pseudostate, Cook bashed the Conservative's approach to Cyprus and said Labour would fully support Cyprus' accession to the EU.

"We believe that there should be no prerequisites attached to Cyprus' application. In other words, it should not be conditional. Of course, it would be very helpful and positive if we could end the partition on the island. But accession must not be made conditional on a settlement and there must be no right of veto for any third party," he pointed out. When asked who this "third party" was, Cook stated he was referring to Turkey and added that Turkey should have no say in Cyprus' EU membership.

When he was reminded that guarantor agreements barred Cyprus from becoming a member of any international organization of which Turkey and Greece were not members, Cook said these agreements had already been violated.

Cook went on to point out that the Conservatives' manifesto had not specifically mentioned Cyprus' among countries having Tory support for Union membership, describing this as "unfortunate".

Cook repeated points he had listed earlier on Labour's "would-be objectives" for Cyprus. "The first must be to restore Cyprus as a united state with a single sovereignty and single citizenship", he said.

He pointed out that there could be no agreement based on a separate sovereignty for any part of the island, saying, "We give our full support to a solution based on United Nations resolutions which call for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation comprising two politically equal communities."

He then went on to outline their second objective as demilitarization and the withdrawal of all illegally present troops, referring, of course, to Turkey's troops in the island.

"If we are to have a single state of Cyprus, then the mark of a single state must be a single security system", he underlined and commented that there could be no meaningful settlement recognizing Cyprus as a united country if there were separate armed forces on the island.

Cook refrained from touching on the issue of Russian missile purchases but again congratulated the government of the Republic of Cyprus for putting forward proposals to demilitarize the entire island. He also hinted that security guarantees were vital for both communities in order to reach a permanent solution. "I do not doubt that this issue will prove to be one of the most difficult to resolve", Cook stressed, proposing that Britain, as a guarantor power, should play an active role in helping to reach an agreement. "Should the parties request the presence of an international military force, I would want Britain to offer its support", he added.

Cook counted the third objective as "guarantees of human rights for all Cypriots throughout the island". "People from both communities have suffered great injustices over the years of conflict and division. If a solution is to be found, the Constitution of a new Cyprus must be democratic and must guarantee fundamental rights", he said, adding that freedom of movement, settlement and expression should be given priority. Again reiterating a point stressed previously, he accused the Turkish Cypriots of violating the human rights in regard to treatment of the enclaved people. "They should not have to wait for a settlement before their rights are respected. Labour will expect the Turkish Cypriots authorities to restore their freedom as a sign of good faith", Cook said.

He said that any settlement must recognize the right of all refugees from both communities to return to their homes and property. Cook said that a great deal of this job lay with Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots in informing the Greek Cypriots about their lost relatives and friends.

When asked whether they would wish the embargoes on the "TRNC" lifted for humanitarian reasons, he said these sanctions were based within the framework of international law mechanisms and were a reaction to Turkey's occupation of part of the island.

Meanwhile, CLP's general secretary, Mustafa Akinci, stated that Turkey deserved to be in the EU. "Turkey knows that it has problems but they will be solved. Thus, it is in no one's benefit to exclude Turkey from the EU", he pointed out. Akinci, speaking on the Cyprus problem, said people all over the world should look at the problem from an objective point of view.

"There are very encouraging improvements among the people of the two sides. We hope that such good wishes will be experienced on the political level", Akinci added. Referring to Cook's remarks on Cyprus's accession to the EU, Akinci said it would be wiser for everyone to leave this until after the solution is put in place.

"However, I am not saying that Turkey's membership should be put in front of us as a condition for us to become a member of the EU after a solution is found in the island", Akinci clarified.

He later said that he supported Labour's ideas and added that the party should also make an effort to understand the Turkish Cypriot point of view.

European Parliament member Green said she was pleased to see a more friendly climate between Turkey and Greece and that such an attitude needed to be encouraged.

Turkey's group from the CHP, who were said to be in London to observe the election campaigns arrived at Cook's meeting at the last moment. They said nothing about Cook's slams against Turkey and the "TRNC" Ercan Karakas, one of the CHP visitors, told the paper after the meeting that they did not approve of Cook's views. The CHP delegation were unable to speak to Cook himself and had to settle for a photo opportunity with Britain's shadow foreign minister.

[02] Eroglu cancels two days meetings due to kidney trouble

A report by illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency said that Eroglu passed a kidney stone and that his condition is satisfactory.

[03] New well to supply water for occupied Famagusta and Nicosia

Within this framework, a fourth well in the occupied village of Filia has been connected to the main potable water supply line.

It says that the new well will provide 3.5 thousand tons of additional potable water to occupied Nicosia and Famagusta.

(MY)

[04] "KIBRIS FM" starts broadcasting

It will broadcast from the 103.4 and 100-Z FM frequencies.

KIBRIS-FM belongs to Asil Nadir, the Turkish Cypriot businessman who jumped British court's bail and is now a fugitive in the occupied area.

(MY)

EF/SK

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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