Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-09-05

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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. 164/97 -- 5.9.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH ACCUSES RUSSIA OF WARMONGERING

[02] ECEVIT, SEZGIN WARN AGAINST S-300 MISSILES IN CYPRUS

[03] ISRAEL, US AND AZERBAIJAN REPORTEDLY PROVIDE INTELLIGENCE TO TURKEY CONCERNING S-300 MISSILE TRANSFER TO CYPRUS

[04] TURKEY BUYS FIVE WARSHIPS FROM FRANCE

[05] ISMET SEZGIN: IF EU GOES AHEAD WITH CYPRUS TALKS, TURKEY'S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE WOULD BE BORN

[06] TURKEY'S ECEVIT TO EXPAND INTEGRATION IF EU STEPS CONTINUE

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH ACCUSES RUSSIA OF WARMONGERING

He claimed: "Russia is engaging in warmongering in the Mediterranean by sending missiles to south Cyprus." In a statement in Antalya yesterday, Denktash alleged that Russia's sending missiles to the Greek Cypriots is an unbecoming move on the part of a UN Security Council member and a neighbour of Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey will not remain a spectator to this situation, Denktash also warned the Greek Cypriots.

"No matter how many weapons they purchase, if they are doing it for the Turkish Cypriots, they are buying too much, and they are wasting their money. If they are buying them for Turkey, they are actually throwing their money away, because nothing will be enough and nothing can stop Turkey", he said.

According to illegal Bayrak Radio (1030 hrs, 4/9/97), Rauf Denktash has also claimed that Russia wants a big confrontation in Cyprus in order to move to the Mediterranean easily. In his statement in Antalya where, according to illegal Bayrak, he is scheduled to inaugurate his own exhibition, Denktash said that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved without Turkey.

He also repeated that if the EU admits the Greek Cypriots into the union by itself, it will be confirming the division of the island, because the Turkish Cypriots will not join the EU in this way.

Denktash claimed that Russia wants a confrontation on the island because it wants easy access to the Mediterranean, and it is therefore provoking and encouraging the Greek Cypriots. He said the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots are making the wrong calculations with regard to the EU and the missiles, adding that Turkey will adopt the necessary measures on these matters.

[02] ECEVIT, SEZGIN WARN AGAINST S-300 MISSILES IN CYPRUS

"We are categorically opposed to the deployment of these missiles in south Cyprus, regardless of whether they are purchased from Russia or from another country. There are various measures that can be adopted against this. There are also very effective political measures. I do not want to go into the details at present, but the necessary measures will be adopted in accordance with the agreements reached between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Republic in this regard", he said. Atun, in turn, stressed that there is no question of the Turkish Cypriots making concessions from their independence.

Ismet Sezgin, deputy prime minister and national defense minister, also outlined Turkey's viewpoint on Cyprus. He said: "Cyprus will not revert to the 1960's or the early 1970's."

Answering reporters' questions on the S-300 missiles during a news conference in Ankara yesterday, Sezgin claimed that it is wrong for the Greek Cypriots to arm themselves at a time when the peace negotiations are continuing in Cyprus.

"We are expressing the belief that the decision to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island will adversely affect the peace process. We are noting the dangers involved in such deployment," he said.

Sezgin also responded to Greece's announcement that it will consider Turkey's striking of the S-300 missiles as casus belli.

"The S-300 missiles are too much for Cyprus; but, they are little for Turkey. We are in favour of resolving our problems with our Greek friends through peaceful means. We are in favour of a dialogue," he claimed.

[03] ISRAEL, US AND AZERBAIJAN REPORTEDLY PROVIDE INTELLIGENCE TO TURKEY CONCERNING S-300 MISSILE TRANSFER TO CYPRUS

Azerbaijan, a country which has recently intensified its relations with both Israel and Turkey, is also among the trio providing information to Ankara for the possible transfer of the missiles, both military and diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.

The recent raid on an Egyptian ship last week to search for missile ramps and parts was carried out as a result of intelligence received from those countries, the sources said.

Military and diplomatic sources in Ankara said that under earlier agreements in defense and military fields, which also foresaw the exchange of intelligence if necessary, Turkey receives information from those countries in order to protect its interests.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also mentioned that although the ship had left Turkish waters, the pursuit of intelligence continued. Telling the paper that nobody with the U.S. State Department discuses intelligence affairs, U.S. diplomatic sources hesitated to either confirm or deny such reports of intelligence-sharing between Turkey, Israel and the United States on the issue. Israeli sources also declined to comment. Although Mehmet Nevruzoglu, the Azerbaijani ambassador to Ankara, declined to comment on allegations that Azerbaijan is assisting in giving information to Turkey regarding the missiles, he said that if they did have such information, they would give it to Turkey, adding that they have large- scale cooperation with Turkey in many fields. Referring to their intelligence agencies, they have also well-trained personnel, the ambassador said. Azerbaijan is one of the countries which is being carefully focused on by both Israel and the United States.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu, when visiting Baku last weekend, was reported as sending messages of a strong desire to cooperate with Baku in defense and security fields. Also, Israel is reportedly concerned about the so-called Iranian interference in the domestic affairs of Azerbaijan. It was announced on Wednesday that Turkey would closely monitor all naval transportation in the Bosphorus, and would take the necessary steps regarding issues dealing with Turkey's national security. Sermet Atacanli, deputy spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, stated that Turkey will take every kind of measure to control the straits "in the interests of national security". He also reiterated that Turkey is continuing its diplomatic efforts to halt the transfer of the missiles.

[04] TURKEY BUYS FIVE WARSHIPS FROM FRANCE

After long-stalled meetings with France, officials in Ankara said this week, the navy has decided to buy five vessels which will be provided under the French surplus arms program.

The vessels, which were favoured by the former Naval Forces Commander Adm. Guven Erkaya during his term, are expected to arrive in Turkey in coming months. The development in defense relations between Ankara and Paris has recently started to attract attention in defense circles. While the United States and Turkey had been at odds when Washington was reluctant to transfer the arms sales to Ankara, Turkey has been looking for other alternatives to meet its defense needs. During this period, France as an alternative to the United States, improved its defense relations with Turkey. Despite the recent thaw between the United States and Turkey following the U.S. Congress approving delivery of Turkey's frigates, Sea Hawks and other military equipment, France is maintaining its contacts with Turkey, supporting the country in many defense fields.

Turkey signed a $430 million deal this year with Eurocopter for the joint production of 30 Cougars while the Turkish army is to buy middle-range surface to air IHAWK missiles from the French Land Forces in a direct procurement through the French firm Thomson-CSF. Under the deal, 8 IHAWK batteries will be delivered to Turkey from France's surplus arms stocks. Besides that, the Turkish state-run Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKEK) firm and the French GIAT company had earlier agreed to produce 20 mm and 25 mm ammunition to be used by the Turkish Army's hundreds of armored combat vehicles in a deal worth $26 million.

[05] ISMET SEZGIN: IF EU GOES AHEAD WITH CYPRUS TALKS, TURKEY'S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE WOULD BE BORN

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Sezgin, inter alia, claimed:

"The S-300 missiles which are being bought by the Greek Cypriots are a threat to us. I told Robertson that if the EU goes ahead with the agreement talks with Cyprus, then Turkey's right to self-defense would be born. I also told them that I did not believe the EU would go ahead with the agreement talks before any solution had been reached on the island."

[06] TURKEY'S ECEVIT TO EXPAND INTEGRATION IF EU STEPS CONTINUE

Ecevit, in his statement, declared that in response to each step taken and to be taken in the future by the Greek Cypriots toward the EU, Turkey is determined to take the necessary retaliatory steps in the political and security areas. Ecevit threatened that if the process launched with the EU in this direction is not stopped, the partial integration between Turkey and the "TRNC" will be further expanded. "An integration to be effected in such an event will be done in a way that will not eliminate the existence of the TRNC," Ecevit underlined.

He reiterated that the existence of the "TRNC" is very important in terms of Turkey's security as well.

Commenting on the water problem of the "TRNC", Ecevit said that the drinking water issue will be solved in a few months. He declared that the opportunities provided to the farmers in Turkey will also be provided to those in the "TRNC". Referring to the search of the ships crossing the Turkish straits, Ecevit said: "We warned the entire world with regard to the missiles."

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

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