Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-08-05

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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. 142/97 5/8/1997

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot side to participate in Montreux talks

[02] Eroglu Announces Resolution on attending Montreux talks

[03] Denktash explains decision on Montreux talks

[04] New force commanders named; 76 expelled from army

[05] Historic Church has been sacrilege-turned into a sheep pen

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot side to participate in Montreux talks

In a news conference held after the meeting, Dervis Eroglu indicated that the decision made today by the so-called ``Council of Ministers'' was conveyed to the participants in the Montreux meetings, and that the strategy Rauf Denktash will follow in Switzerland was discussed.

Indicating that during the talks in Switzerland the indispensable elements of issues defended for many years will be put on the table, Eroglu said that he does not accept the UN presenting a new document, that the Turkish Cypriot side will prepare the document that will incorporate its own view, and that this new document will be within the context of the decisions made today by the so-called ``Council of Ministers'', the declarations signed with Turkey, and the issues that have been defended up to this time.

In his turn Serdar Denktash said that they will go to Montreux within the context of the decisions made by the so-called ``Council of Ministers''. Serdar Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot side has been rather contented with the EU report, and that a few alternatives made by the Greek Cypriot side regarding any solution has also been dismissed by the EU. Also noting his views regarding the attitude to be followed at Montreux, Denktash said that they should reassess the raising of the indispensable elements at Montreux and the results that will come up at the end of the meetings. Serdar Denktash said that they are in favour of a solution that will contribute to the existence of the pseudo state, and that the EU issue should be removed from the agenda because this issue is pushing the Greek Cypriot side away from a solution.

[02] Eroglu Announces Resolution on attending Montreux talks

Eroglu added: ``The Council of Ministers stressed once again that the Turkish Cypriot side will not take responsibility for the consequences if the EU, by considering the Greek Cypriot community the sole respondent, starts membership talks with that community''.

Asked if a certain development took place that caused the so-called ``Council of Ministers'' to decide in favour of attending the talks in Switzerland, Eroglu said that the so-called ``Council of Ministers'' did not decide last week not to go to Switzerland. He explained that the so-called ``Council of Ministers'' resolution indicates that if the Greek Cypriot-EU talks are advanced, the Turkish Cypriots may reach different decisions. He said that the Turkish Cypriots will closely follow to see if the ascendancy talks will start in March.

Replying to another question, Eroglu said that Turkish Community leader Denktash will go to Switzerland with a document containing the views of the Turkish Cypriot side in juxtaposition to the Cordovez document. He noted that work on this document is under way.

[03] Denktash explains decision on Montreux talks

Denktash: I believe that the real intentions of the Greek Cypriots will now be revealed. According to what Clerides told me during our latest meeting in Nicosia, the Greek Cypriot side wants to spend the first few days of the talks explaining its standpoint regarding the Cyprus issue.

In other words, he told me that the Greek Cypriots will explain what they think on every subject in a comprehensive way. This is what I have been expecting for some time. I personally know what the Greek Cypriots want, what they want to do, what they expect, and what rights they will grant up, but there are those who are not aware of these facts. For example, they say different things to diplomats and to their own people. When we meet face-to-face, Clerides' intentions will gradually be revealed.

It appears that Clerides is in no way inclined to accept the exchange of property, which has been stipulated until now and which is also included in the Set of Ideas. He is saying that he will definitely not accept this. This is tantamount to rejecting the principle of bizonality. Clerides is capable of explicitly telling me that the Greek Cypriot side will not put a stop to anything -- be it with regard to the missiles, granting bases to Greece, the military agreements with Greece, or importing mercenaries from Greece -- and by announcing that there is a Cyprus Government, it will continue to pursue its path, and nothing will stop because of the intercommunal talks.

Therefore, we want the Greek Cypriots to make their stand completely clear. Let us see their position. We, in turn, will bring our own document and outline our own thoughts. IN this way, I believe those who think that the matter will be resolved if the Turkish Cypriots accede to certain things will see the realities. Our goal is to achieve peace in goodwill but, as a person who knows what the Greek Cypriots think, I see that this is not possible. This exercise is valid in allowing others to realize this fact as well.

I think that the decision adopted by the Council of Ministers is correct. As we will really discontinue the talks if the EU begins membership talks with the Greek Cypriots, and as we are determined in this regard, we have adopted a path that upholds and underlines this determination. Let us go and see what will transpire.

``Tuguslu: Mr Denktash, as far as I can understand, you will go to Montreux in accordance with the Council of Ministers decision. You said that this will act as platform both in terms of explaining the Turkish Cypriot position and in terms of exposing the real Greek Cypriot attitude. What is your opinion as the president? Are you genuinely in favour of attending the talks?

Denktash: I had expressed my own view earlier. The EU announced, with emphasis, that it will begin talks with the Greek Cypriots. It did not mention Turkish Cypriots' rights in any way. In the wake of this announcement, I was in favour of sparing our efforts. Although this is still my personal view, I respect the ideas of my colleagues. I suppose it will be right to attend the talks, explain our entire situation, receive a reading of the Greek Cypriot position, conduct a sounder assessment, and tell the world: `This is what the Greek Cypriots want, and this is what we want'. If these two positions are to be bridged, this can only be achieved by recognizing the Turkish Cypriot side and accepting our sovereignty. You cannot join stones and soil. Stones blend with stones, and soil blends with soil. As far as human beings are concerned, they can unite and reach an agreement if there is equality. You cannot treat one side like the government and the other like a mere community.

Tuguslu: Mr Denktash, everyone knows your keen interest in photography. I asked you a similar question a few years ago. 1997 was declared as the year of solution in Cyprus. As a photographer, what do you expect or hope to see when you proceed to take a photograph of Cyprus?

Denktash: I see that very dangerous clouds are gathering over Cyprus. If the EU implements its decision regarding the Greek Cypriots without heeding our views, without looking at the realities in Cyprus, and if the Greek Cypriots provide the bases to Greece and continue their determination with regard to the missiles, I see dark clouds gathering over Cyprus, unfortunately.

Tuguslu: Thank you, Mr Denktash.

[04] New force commanders named; 76 expelled from army

The routine meeting of the Supreme Military Council, which began on 1 August, was concluded today. The decisions adopted at the meeting were ratified by President Suleyman Demirel.

According to the decisions, which will go into effect on 30 August, the following command posts have been changed:

The commanders of the Ground, Air, and Naval Forces, and the Gendarmerie general commander retired. The following new commanders will take over the tasks: Ground Forces Commander General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Air Force Commander General Ilhan Kilic, Navy Commander Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, and Gendarmerie General Commander General Fikret Ozdem Boztepe. General Dogu Aktulga was appointed Aegean Army commander and Admiral Ilhami Erdil was named Fleet commander. General Attila Ates was appointed 1st Army commander, General Nahit Senogul 3rd Army commander and General Necdet Timur chief of the Ground Forces Staff.

The Supreme Military Council extended the terms of 48 generals and admirals, including General Cevik Bir, for another year. A total of 76 personnel were expelled from the TAF for disciplinary reasons and their moral state.

[05] Historic Church has been sacrilaged-turned into a sheep pen

The report says that the wall paintings inside the church have been destroyed as though some one ``taking revenge. And the doors are closed by brick in order to keep the sheep inside the church.

It says that this church should be under protection as a historic place. (MY)

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

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