Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-05-22

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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. 91/97 -- 22.5.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash interviewed on direct talks.

[02] Prendergast's contacts in Ankara.

[03] East Mediterranean Regatta yachts reach occupied Kyrenia port.

[04] Bicommunal concert said to be peace milestone.

[05] Turkish Spokesman: No demarche launched for Nadir's extradition.

[06] Child dies of chicken pox in the occupied area.

[07] Salamis Bay hotel to be privatized.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash interviewed on direct talks

To a question if given the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot concede on issues such as the guarantees, the presence of Turkish troops on the island, and Cyprus' EU membership, then what are his views with regard to a solution and the talks, Denktash, inter alia, claimed: "As a tactical move they say they are ready to negotiate but they request certain conditions to come to the negotiating table. What do they want? Assurances that the Turkish troops will withdraw from the island. They also want the Turkish regiment, that is on the island in line with the 1960 agreements, to withdraw from the island. There will no be guarantees. Turkey will not have the right to intervene. The principle of bizonality will be diluted. There will be no exchange of goods and property."

And added: "These are points on which we are insistent as well. Let him (President Clerides) come and tell me which one of these points he can compromise on. Then let us decide whether or not there will be an agreement".

Turkey has been subject to constant accusations on the grounds that it is deploying soldiers in Cyprus, Denktash said.

They (the Greek Cypriots), in turn, established themselves in the world as the government of Cyprus. "This situation cannot continue. Therefore, I do want to go to the meeting. Let us go there and talk", he said.

In reply to a question on the issue of EU membership Denktash, inter alia, alleged: "As it happens, the EU is now indicating that Cyprus' membership will be discussed after a solution is reached to the Cyprus problem. We will not be deceived by these sweet sounds. It is our right. We are partners, we are sovereign, and we are equal. Moreover, bizonality exists, and we must conduct an exchange of property in order to reinforce this principle. The Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, are lodging complaints against Turkey with European human rights courts on the grounds that Turkey is preventing them from going back to their homes, and they are extracting decisions against Turkey".

He added claiming: "The Greek Cypriots have committed the impertinence of applying to the EU as a unitary state. They want to make this a priority issue. They seem to have stepped back a little as a result of our resistance. Therefore, we are looking outside. We will have to live with these people. This is not a matter of 2,500 people who attended the concert,(the joint Rouvas-Kut concert), or 20,000 people. What does the Greek Cypriot community want under its leader? It wants Cyprus, it insistently rejects Turkey's guarantee, it wants to dilute the principle of bizonality, it is avoiding a property exchange, and it is dragging Turkey through European courts".

Stating his views on the joint concert he said: "If you ask whether the concert damaged us, the answer is no. In my opinion, it was beneficial. The real Greek Cypriot views and attitude are not represented by the 2,500 people who attended the concert. Everyone is forgetting that this concert took place thanks to the protection provided by 2,500 policemen, UN troops, Turkish troops, Turkish Cypriot police, and Greek Cypriot police. What is the meaning of such a life, of such a unity? I would have liked it if people attended the concert of their own free will, moderate security measures were adopted, and (words indistinct)."

And added: "In other words, we are concerned that this event, which was a show-case staged by the United Nations in the midst of intensive security measures, is being portrayed as a great event or a peace event by the entire Turkish media. We are concerned because this is not the real fact. The reality is what occurs outside this. Let them look at the other occurrences."

[02] Prendergast's contacts in Ankara

Prendergast said they hoped direct talks would begin by the end of June or the beginning of July. He told reporters before the meeting that he planned to discuss UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's assessment of the situation. Oymen said that Prendergast came to inform Ankara about the results of his visits to Cyprus, and reminded the reporters the Prendergast was no stranger to the Turkish point of view on the Cyprus conflict, having served in the past as British ambassador to Ankara. Oymen said that Turkey thought that it was a pity that talks had not begun much earlier, adding that the Turkish side welcomed the UN effort to enhance the dialogue between the two communities.

Prendergast also met Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Cevik Bir on Tuesday and had a working lunch with Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Inal Batu.

After the meeting Batu told the paper that they had reminded Prendergast of Turkey's status as a guarantor and the rights of the guarantor states. Batu also said it would have been better if the UN had come up with a basis for the direct talks, but noted that there was lots of time before the talks start in July.

Prendergast's Ankara visit is one of a series of visits by the undersecretary-general to Athens and Ankara. It was "natural", he said, to "visit the two guarantor countries that play key roles in the issue".

[03] East Mediterranean Regatta yachts reach occupied Kyrenia port

The so-called director of the Kyrenia Marina said that they are expecting 110 yachts to arrive at the occupied port.

KIBRIS reports that yachts from France, Germany, USA, Russia, Bulgaria, Holland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Israel, Britain, Ukraine and Australia take part in the regatta.

The yachts will arrive at the Mersin port, south Turkey, on 26 May, then they will sail to Lattakia, Syria, Jounieh, Lebanon, Port Said, Egypt, Ismailiy, Egypt, and Haifa, Israel. (MY)

[04] Bicommunal concert said to be peace milestone

Explaining that it would be wrong to attribute the violent and disturbing actions staged by those against peace to all the sectors of the public, Talat added: "Everybody has to learn a lesson from the initiative to stage a concert. The longed for peace will be secured earlier should everybody learn the necessary lesson from this event." Talat also criticized illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio and Television) in connection with its broadcast of the concert.

Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci said that everybody should make a contribution to peace. In a written statement he issued in connection with the Kut-Rouvas concert, Akinci said that great importance should be attached to the events, which took place before, during, and after the concert.

Explaining that for an effective peace to be established in Cyprus both sides should respect each other's legitimate rights and interests, Akinci added that a new kind of relationship should be established through negotiations in order to be able to live in security and equality. Akinci continued: "Along these lines, the atmosphere should be softened through confidence-building measures". He also strongly condemning the attack perpetrated by an idealist group against Kut's bus prior to the concert.

[05] Turkish Spokesman: No demarche launched for Nadri's extradition

Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel told a news briefing that there is no diplomatic initiative launched with the Foreign Ministry for the extradition of Nadir, stating that the issue is within the context of mutual judiciary assistance field between Turkey and Britain. Stressing that Asil Nadir's Turkish citizenship must be taken into consideration, Akbel said: "The issue must be reviewed in the light of both Turkish and international laws. In accordance with the international law, the citizens should not be handed over", he said.

Akbel said he could not comment on which context the Nadir issue can be taken within bilateral and multilateral judiciary assistance mechanisms, and agreements between Britain and Turkey, pointing out that British officials see the issue within the judicial platform.

Stressing that it would not be true to look for similarities between Asil Nadir issue and the handing over of Huseyin Baybasin, who was involved in drug trafficking, Akbel said detailed information on this subject can be given by the Justice and Interior Ministries.

[06] Child dies of chicken pox in the occupied area

The paper says that the kindergarten that small Kirli was attending has been closed down.

YENIDUZEN says that following the death of the small girl, people in Nicosia were panicked and parents who were sending their children to the kindergarten demanded that the necessary measures should be taken.

The occupation regime announced that they have asked for vaccines to be sent from Britain and that children who were attending the kindergarten will be vaccinated. (MY)

[07] Salamis Bay hotel to be privatized According to KIBRIS (20.5.97) Denktash's regime is trying

KIBRIS further reports that 14 factories and six shops belonging to the Industrial Holding will be sold and privatized.

The paper reports that tender conditions will be decided soon. (MY) MY/EF/SK

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

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