Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-08-13

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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. 148/97 -- 13.8.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Batu: US should launch initiatives to change EU stand.

[02] Denktash comments on `difficulties': Batu assesses talks.

[03] MAP favours integration.

[04] `Government' crisis linked to illegal money deposit.

[05] Piri Reis in free areas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Batu: US should launch initiatives to change EU stand

Noting that the two sides have once again explained their points of view at the meetings, Batu said that the EU should not impede the negotiation process by publishing reports and statements. Batu stressed that "the EU stands as a shadow over the Cyprus question. This issue should be dealt within its normal course, thus issues like security, bizonal and bicommunal federation, and constitution should be attributed importance. The attitude of the EU damages these parameters".

Batu claimed that if Cyprus joins the EU "unilaterally", then it will overthrow the balance which was established by the 1960 constitution in Cyprus. Batu pointed out that the United States should also launch initiatives in order to urge the EU to chage its attitude, adding that the United States can deal with the issue by pursuing a more balanced policy.

Inal Batu said: "Probably, the United States will make suggestions concerning this issue. We wish the negotiations to continue without any external intervention as it is planned, and we hope to have a productive negotiations process".

Noting that the United States thinks that the Cyprus negotiations should not be overshadowed by the EU, Inal Batu added that the reaction of the United States was "calm and moderate" regarding the Partnership Council agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC.

Inal Batu, who met Britain's special representative to Cyprus Sir David Hannay on Monday night, said to him that "the Cyprus negotiations can not continue as if nothing has happened", taking into consideration the advisory decision of the EU commission to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.

Batu, who participates in Glion negotiations as an observer, often meets representatives of observer states and institutions and informs them about the Turkish attitude.

Moreover, KIBRIS (13.8.97) reports that Sir Hannay told Batu that "the negotiations process should continue as if the EU report does not exist".

Inal Batu has stated that Sir David Hannay was reflecting the EU views.

(MY)

[02] Denktash comments on `difficulties': Batu assesses talks

However, they say that these mistakes cannot be rectified. We, in turn, cannot change the decisions and the measures we have adopted with Turkey as a result of this mistake".

Explaining that all issues, including the issue of the territories, were taken up at the talks, Denktash reiterated that he will oppose the issuing of a joint declaration at the end of the talks. Denktash further said that the Cyprus talks gave him the opportunity to express his views.

Meanwhile, certain sources close to the talks said that Diego Cordovez, UN Secretary General's special adviser, submitted a new document to the leaders. According to these sources, the Turkish Cypriot side opposed this document because it did not make any reference to the Eu decision to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.

Ambassador Inal Batu, in turn, assessed the talks to the TRT: "The Turkish Cypriot side will continue to explain and express its views on this issue and the other parameters with regard to the Cyprus issue to the United Nations and to the Greek Cypriots. This is a worthwhile exercise. We support every sort of talks. We are satisfied that the Montreux talks took place.

We hope that the agenda of the meeting is implemented without any changes, that both communities hold a favourable exchange of views until the weekend, and that the EU receives certain beneficial messages from these talks. Moreover, we hope everybody realizes the fact that the Greek-Turkish balance is as important as the internal balance in Cyprus."

[03] MAP favours integration

In a letter sent to the Turkish envoy in the occupied area Ertugrul Apakan yesterday, MAP said attachment to Turkey in terms of foreign affairs and security is urgent for the people's security.

Alleging that the so-called Association Council Agreement "has been received with happiness and joy, the letter said: "The economic and financial integration will save the Turkish Cypriots from high prices and inflation."

The letter also stressed that the granting of the Turkish Republic citizenship to the Turkish Cypriots is a requirement of the integration.

[04] `Government' crisis linked to illegal money deposit

The fact that Onurhan Turgud acted without the knowledge of either the DP or UBP has provoked a strong reaction.

Acting upon the YENIDUZEN report on the issue, the "Ombudsman" and the "Public Accounts Office" of the pseudostate "have begun investigating the accounts of the Development Bank.

According to information obtained by YENIDUZEN from reliable sources, this issue was discussed off the agenda during yesterday's meeting of the "Council of Ministers". While Onurhan from time to time replied to the strong criticism from the DP "ministers" by raising his voice, Dervis Eroglu especially and the other UMP "Ministers" refrained from getting involved in the issue, upon which the so-called "Council of Ministers" dispersed without discussing the subjects of the agenda.

[05] Piri Reis in free areas According to KIBRIS (13.8.97) the Cyprus Government gave

Institute's Deputy Director Assistant Prof. Dr. Huseyin Avni Benli has said that with the Research ship they will conduct scientific work in the East Mediterranean and they will try to find out about the marine life and fish stocks in this part of the Mediterranean.

He said: We have secured the necessary permission as regards our work along the territorial waters of the Greek Cypriot side, they promised us to allow us to dock their parts, and if need be to extend help with their scientists to our scientific work. During our first visit we did not face any difficulty. We think that we experience the thaw in the Greco-Turkish relations infact there is no problem between scientists and the people".

Dr. Benli then said that they will sail to the occupied area and from there to Israel to continue their work. The results of the research will be published in 1998.

(MY)

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

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