Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-06-30

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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. 116/97 -- 30/6/97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] EROGLU ALLEGES THAT GREEK CYPRIOTS LACK POLITICAL WILL FOR CONCILIATION''

[02] TALAT, AKICNCI -- NEW YORK ' IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY '

[03] PROJECT TO SUPPLY WATER TO THE OCCUPIED AREA

[04] DENKTASH COMMENTS ON 'SURPRISE DOCUMENT' TALAT REMARKS

[05] DENKTASH SAYS RESPECT FOR TURKISH RIGHTS TO LEAD TO SOLUTION

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] EROGLU ALLEGES THAT GREEK CYPRIOTS LACK POLITICAL WILL FOR CONCILIATION''

Recalling that the direct meetings between Rauf Denktash and President Clerides were a result of the indirect meetings held on the Cyprus issue, Eroglu said: ''As always, the Turkish Cypriot people will display goodwill at these meetings in a bid to have their rights and interests protected and to secure a lasting agreement''. However, Eroglu said, '' there are certain essential conditions that must be met in order for the Turkish Cypriot people to reach an agreement with the other people on the island, and stressed: '' These basic conditions are political equality, the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, and the continuation of Turkey's active and de facto guarantee. We are at the table in order to lay the grounds for a bicommunal and bizonal formula. The bottom line is that we can never make any concessions on this issue.''

Eroglu continued: '' On the eve of the New York meetings, Greek Cypriot Administration leader Clerides is making comments to the effect that he is going to New York in order to secure the withdrawal of the Turkish soldiers from Cyprus and enable the refugees to return home. The Greek Cypriot Administration does not have the political will to secure conciliation with the Turkish Cypriots.''

[02] TALAT, AKICNCI -- NEW YORK ' IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY '

CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat and TKP leader Mustafa Akinci replied to questions by illegal TAK on the issue of the direct talks. Talat said that the interests of the two communities and of guarantor Turkey and Greece call for a solution in Cyprus. He said that the two leaders must participate in the talks in the awareness of their responsibilities.

Talat pointed out that the two leaders give the impression that they are going to participate in the talks reluctantly. He said that he is hopeful nonetheless. He noted that the CTP will support any steps that will be taken to ensure a rapprochement between the two sides and to close the big gap between them, no matter where the steps originate. He said: Denktash must try to solve the problem. He must know that if he manages to solve the problem he will receive the support of a great majority of the Turkish Cypriot people.''

Acinci stressed that the direct talks constitute a positive beginning after many years. He said that he expects a bizonal and bicommunal federal solution whose parameters are known to all. He expressed the hope that such a solution will emerge from the New York talks. Akinci pointed out that it would be too optimistic to expect a solution in three days of meetings. He added that the elections in free areas of Cyprus and the instability in Turkey may prolong the process. He stressed that Dentash's dialogue with the parties during the negotiation process carries great importance, adding:

''It would not be a bad idea for the party leaders to go to New York as well.''

[03] PROJECT TO SUPPLY WATER TO THE OCCUPIED AREA

[04] DENKTASH COMMENTS ON 'SURPRISE DOCUMENT' TALAT REMARKS

Reiterating at the meeting that the Turkish Cypriots cannot accept an agreement that does not include bizonality because such an agreement will lay the grounds for a renewal of the 1963 incidents, Denktash added that it will make it more difficult for the Turkish Cypriots to live in security. He continued: We seek an agreement that will not water down Turkish Cypriot rights and that will not turn Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot island.

Denktash explained that the face-to-face meetings that will take place in Amenia, near New York, on 9 July will start with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's opening address and will then continue with the official contacts at 1500. Commenting on rumours about a document in connection with the meetings, Dentash added: ''We cannot accept such a document. Nobody has the right to put forward surprise documents. Anybody who intends to submit a document should first discuss this with us. Stating that he had been faced with similar surprises in the past as well, Denktash recalled: '' There were incidents in the past where documents and maps were laid on the table, even though a decision was reached to conduct the talks without them and where unacceptable decisions were adopted at the UN Security Council.''

Recounting that the goal of the direct talks is to understand President Clerides' intentions and to explain those of the Turkish Cypriot side in return, Denktash added: I will try to understand whether negotiations are possible. Noting that the UN Secretary general can participate in the meetings within the framework of this goodwill mission, Denktash explained:

Let it not be misunderstood. There are talks that the meetings will be full of coordinators. My business is with Clerides, not with coordinators.'' Denktash further said that he expects New York to issue a statement regarding the said document.

Talat, in turn, said that intensive traffic will be under way on the Cyprus issue. Explaining that the Greek Cypriot National Council adopted certain secret decisions and that the Cyprus issue has assumed top priority in domestic politics, Talat added: ''We visited Denktash in order to be briefed on the issue and convey to him our views.''

Recounting that the policies pursued by the Greek Cypriot opposition on the Cyprus issue are more progressive than those of President Clerides, Dentash said. ''Our opposition, in turn, tries to score points by giving the impression that they are peaceful leaders and by telling all foreigners who come to the island that Cyprus can join the EU without Turkey, that the Greek Cypriots are in favour of conciliation, and that they can settle the issue with the Greek Cypriots without Denktash and Turkey.'' Explaining that he surmounted the difficulties posed by this approach by putting into effect the democratic system, Denktash stressed: ''The time has come to hold joint discussions on the Cyprus issue and not let ourselves be taken in by the Greek Cypriot ploy.'' Recounting that the people are in favour of peace. Denktash added: ''Peace, however is not submitting to the Greek Cypriots and relinquishing or curbing the rights and authorities granted by the 1960 agreement.'' He concluded by saying that the principle of bizonality and the guarantee system should not be watered down.

[05] DENKTASH SAYS RESPECT FOR TURKISH RIGHTS TO LEAD TO SOLUTION

Denktash delivered the opening speech at the Konya Chamber of Commerce meeting at the occupied Kyrenia Dome Hotel. He first summarized the history of the Cyprus problem and then affirmed the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side for the solution of the problem.

Denktash stressed that if an agreement is going to be concluded with the Greek Cypriots, his conditions must be accepted first. He said: ''Our existence and our sovereignty must be accepted so that we can establish a partnership with the Greek Cypriots''.

He pointed out that from Ataturk to Demirel, all the Turkish presidents have affirmed that if Cyprus is controlled by the enemy, Turkey will lose its supply route from the sea and, therefore, the Cyprus issue is a vital and strategic one for Turkey.

Denktash charged that for the past 34 years, the Greek Cypriots have been trying to upset the internal and external balances in Cyprus, and he accused Britain of supporting these efforts.

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

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