Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-07-29

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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. 137/97 -- 29.7.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriots to decide 30 July whether to go to Montreux.

[02] Etkin criticizes Nicholas Burns.

[03] Gurel: Turkish Cypriots must be viewed together with Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriots to decide 30 July whether to go to Montreux

In a statement following his weekly routine meeting with Eroglu, Denktash said that the Cyprus cause is defended jointly with Turkey and that this cause cannot be won without Turkey.

In a statement following his weekly routine meeting with Eroglu, Denktash said that the Cyprus cause is defended jointly with Turkey and that this cause cannot be won without Turkey.

Denktash alleged that what the Greek Cypriots want is to eliminate or water down Turkey's rights, and they want to do it by joining the EU before Turkey joins it.

Denktash claimed: "If the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU quickly, it is to fulfill Clerides' promises to his people". Denktash explained that the EU officials told the Greek Cypriots that once they join the EU, the restrictions brought on buying property will be maintained temporarily. Only this, Denktash alleged is enough to show that it is imperative for the ..end Turkish Cypriots not to join the EU until our sovereignty is accepted and until our ownership of property is considered valid and sovereign, so that the negotiations cannot be turned into negotiations aimed at eliminating us.

He alleged that the EU is a big trap aimed at breaking the Turkish Cypriots away from Turkey, and at leaving them without their homes and lands. Denktash said: "A partnership based on two regions and two peoples, a partnership involving sovereignty and equality, and one that does not water down Turkey's guarantee must be established first. Only then, as soon as Turkey joins the EU, we discuss Cyprus' membership."

In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu said that "They discussed whether to go to the direct talks in August and they had agreed that they would reach a decision on the matter after Denktash briefs them and after the so- called ministers assess the situation on 30 July.

Commenting on a statement by President Clerides yesterday to the effect that for the Greek Cypriots to sign any document, the Turkish soldiers must withdraw, the refugees must return to their homes, and the path to the EU must be opened. Eroglu charged that in light of these remarks, it is impossible to say that an agreement will be reached.

Eroglu affirmed that if the Turkish Cypriots are to join the EU, first a solution must be reached and then Turkey must become a member.

[02] Etkin criticizes Nicholas Burns

Etkin charged that State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns, who has been appointed US ambassador to Athens, committed another "big mistake" regarding the essence of the Cyprus problem. In a written statement, Etkin charged that Burns added another one to his chain of "mistakes" by saying that the United States expects the three governments the Cypriot, Turkish, and Greek Governments to cooperate with the United Nations and with Ambassador Holbrooke in order to achieve progress in the Cyprus problem. Etkin said that he does not know if this chain of "mistakes" has anything to do with Burns' appointment to Athens, adding that he does not believe that this "mistake" reflects the United States' official approach. If it does, Etkin said, then the United States cannot make a constructive contribution to the solution of the problem.

Etkin said: "We expect the State Department spokesman who will replace Burns to realize that the principle of the equality of the two sides cannot be renounced, and to seriously protect the sensitive balance in Cyprus, one that is based on equality."

[03] Gurel: Turkish Cypriots must be viewed together with Turkey

Delegations from Turkey and the occupied area convened under the leadership of State Minister Sukru Gurel and the so-called Prime Minister of the pseudostate Dervis Eroglu in Nicosia.

Addressing a statement before the meeting, Gurel said that he has been holding contacts in the occupied area for the last few days and they will conclude these contacts by this meeting, adding that: "We would like to show to everybody the cooperation and solidarity that have been deepened and expanded to every field between the TRNC and Turkey. I am sure that the Turkish Cypriots will overcome their daily difficulties by the support of Turkey and the TRNC economy will be productive and it will operate rationally soon."

Eroglu, in his part, said that negotiations are under way to overcome the existing problems of the occupied area's economy and they will continue cooperation to this end.

He noted that Turkey's concern for the occupied area gives important messages to the world when the Cyprus negotiations are under way.

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

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