Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-05-12

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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. 83/97 -- 10-11-12.5.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's Bir visits the pseudostate.

[02] Turkey says German court allegation on Ciller baseless.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's Bir visits the pseudostate

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can secure this peace, Gen. Bir said that the main goal is for the two leaders to get together in a bid to achieve a lasting solution.

Gen. Bir arrived in the occupied area in order to conduct assessments. During his news conference at occupied Tymbou airport, Gen. Bir focused primarily on the Cyprus issue.

Noting that Turkey will continue to extend every support possible to the "TRNC", Gen. Bir added: "We support the UN Secretary General's efforts. The Cyprus realities should constitute the starting point for securing peace on the island.

The international community should approach this issue in accordance with the Cyprus realities without wasting any more time." Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side's stand with regard to the Cyprus issue was set out in a joint declaration signed between Turkey and the "TRNC", Gen. Bir said that it is out of question for Turkey to make concessions on its effective and de facto guarantee.

He claimed that the Turkish occupation forces (TAF) were stationed on the island in a bid to maintain peace and that they do not undertake any activities that pose a threat to peace.

Noting that everybody should be aware of the dangers posed by the military and armament efforts on the island, Gen. Bir stressed:

"The TAF will protect the Turkish Cypriot side from those who attempt to trample its rights, which stem from international agreements. The TAF has the ability and means to do so."

Noting that increasing trust on the island depends on the contribution of the Greek Cypriot side as well, Gen. Bir claimed:

"Those who seek peace should display strength and determination.

Turkey is displaying such strength and determination. Greece, however, is also expected to assume a constructive role in this vein."

Gen. Bir explained that the goal of his visit is to inspect the Turkish occupation forces command units and take advantage of this opportunity to meet with "state and government officials".

In a statement he issued, "prime minister" Dervis Eroglu expressed the hope that the Greeks and Greek Cypriots will consider the messages conveyed by Gen. Bir. Noting that Turkey and the "TRNC" are integrated and united, Eroglu added: "This integration and union has reached the point where it cannot be undermined".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said that Gen. Bir's visit confirms the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are standing on their feet through Turkey's guarantee. Gen. Bir was met by Denktash in front of the "President's Office", where he went directly from the airport. "Assembly Speaker" Hakki Atun, Eroglu, Serdar Denktash, Etkin, Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci were preset at the meeting.

Denktash claimed: "We consider this visit confirmation of Turkey's guarantee in the face of the initiatives launched by the Greek Cypriots in a bid to eliminate the guarantee system".

Moreover, KIBRIS (11.5.97) reports that speaking at a dinner given in his honour at the Dome Hotel in occupied Kyrenia General Bir underlined the military aspect of the Cyprus problem and said: "The political settlement must precede the security settlement".

Noting that it was not possible to accept anything less than the Treaty of Guarantees General Bir said: "We, as soldiers, take part in meetings that deal with the future of Cyprus. The issues are brought to us from the military point of view and an attempt is being made to give priority to the security aspect of the settlement. There is security in Cyprus. There are the Turkish Armed Forces. The Turkish Armed Forces have safeguarded and will safeguard this security. It is impossible that any international mechanism will be created in place of the Turkish Armed Forces to secure this peace. We all know this from experience. So, the settlement of the Cyprus problem, as it is put by our President, lies in the political settlement.

The settlement of the security issue comes after the political settlement. The security issue can never be raised without first getting the guarantees. We convey this view to the interested people in every occasion and we see that we are successful in this effort. As a matter of fact today, all the sides, all the international institutions have accepted the fact that the security aspect cannot gain priority."

General Bir further stressed that they will in no way seed their battle superiority to the other side and for this reason they have to increase their battle strength against the Cyprus government's effort to increase its defence capabilities.

"Why do we do this? We do this in order to maintain peace in the region and in the world. This should be understood by everybody", alleged General Bir.

Referring to the decision by the Cyprus government to deploy S-300 anti- aircraft missile systems to boost its air defence system against the threat of a much superior Turkish airforce, General Bir alleged that the deployment of the S-300 in Cyprus does not only concern Cyprus and Turkey but the whole world and accordingly the whole world should not see this as a "South-North Cyprus" issue nor an issue between Greece and Turkey but as a world issue. "It should see who is attempting to change the stability and tilt the balance and should warn them", he claimed.

According to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 11.5.97) General Cevik Bir, concluded his visit to the occupied area and left the island.

In a statement at occupied Tymbou airport before his departure, Bir said that his visit had been extremely positive.

Noting that he inspected many units in the pseudostate, Bir said that he was very happy to observe that all the troops, from the lowest ranking soldier to the highest ranking commander, were filled with a sense and love of duty. He noted that he noticed the revival in the "TRNC" economy and expressed the belief that the support of the Turkish government in this field will continue. Bir said that he has observed a detente in the political atmosphere, adding that, however, this does not mean that the Turkish Cypriot side will be making concessions from its fundamental rights and guarantees.

(MY)

[02] Turkey says German court allegation on Ciller baseless

German Judge Rolf Schwalbe had announced the court's decision several months ago. At that time, the judge's words drew reaction from Turkey but Ankara had said it would wait for an official explanation.

This week the Frankfurt court gave an official explanation in which it reiterated its claims of links between Turkey's government and narcotics smugglers.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement said it was regretful that Judge Schwalbe had put such weight behind claims that were based on the testimony of a drug trafficker. "Turkey requested information and documents about this but until now no proof has been presented. Turkey is evaluating whether or not to take legal action. All this aside, it is hoped that this sort of development will not reflect on Turco-German relations in a negative way", the statement indicated.

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

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