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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-09-11Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 168/97 -- 11.9.97[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Akinci calls for eventual demilitarization of CyprusAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 10.9.97) Communal Liberation Party (TKP) leader Mustafa Akinci, in a statement he issued, described the steps that should be taken on the island as a mutual reduction of military forces in the short run and demilitarization in the long run. Pointing out that a military balance should not be sought while at its height, Akinci said that a further arms buildup might lead to new explosions in Cyprus, adding that those who want peace on the island should exert their efforts on the path to demilitarization.[02] Serdar Denktash: If S-300 missiles come to Cyprus, Varosha will openAccording to Turkish Daily News (11.9.97, Internet version) Serdar Denktash, the "deputy prime minister" of the pseudostate, reiterated the determination of the Turkish side to take countermeasures against the S-300 missiles. He stated that the Turkish Cypriots will open the eastern port town of Varosha for settlement if the Greek Cypriots deploy Russian-made, mid-range, S-300 surface-to-surface missiles on the southern part of the island.Speaking to the Anatolia news agency during his visit to the Aegean town of Izmir, Serdar Denktash, a young generation Turkish Cypriot politician and also the son of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, said: "If the missiles arrive, Varosha will be opened for settlement." Varosha, a former holiday resort which was mainly built with Greek Cypriot investments, has remained a ghost town since the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974. Denktash said that Varosha with a bed capacity of 14,000 would aid the "TRNC" economy. He added that Varosha will help the Turkish Cypriots strengthen their deteriorating economy saying that if the Greek Cypriots want to see Varosha closed, "they should prove their good intentions like the TRNC." He said that he does not believe that the missiles will be transferred to the island adding that if the Greek Cypriot side is conscious and sensitive to the implications for Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots will not bring the missiles to Cyprus. Denktash voiced his determination against efforts to bring Cyprus under the European Union body claiming that such attempts will not bring any solution to the Cyprus dispute. He renewed the Turkish threat that the integration of Cyprus with the European Union will lead to the integration of the "TRNC" with Turkey. Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 10.9.97), Serdar Denktash has also said that if tension is created, it will be the Greek Cypriots who will be harmed by it. He further "advised" the Greek Cypriots to seek a solution that recognizes the rights and "sovereignty" of the Turkish Cypriots. Denktash added that the Turkish Cypriot side believes that a solution between the two "states" on the island will be an indication that the existing peace will prevail for eternity. He continued: "Let them come and let us organize a joint concert. Let us sing in unison. Everyone who comes to the concert, however, should also be aware that he has to go back." [03] Serdar Denktash: We want the number of Turkish troops to be increasedAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 10.9.97) Serdar Denktash "State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister", who is in Izmir, met with Governor Erol Cakir and Mayor Burhan Ozfatura. He also answered reporters' questions. In reply to a question, Denktash claimed: "If they do not abandon their stand of opening the path of EU membership to the Greek Cypriot sector by viewing it as the sole representative of the island, they will be blocking the Cyprus problem, not solving it. The integration of Turkey and the TRNC will proceed in parallel with the integration of EU and south Cyprus."Claiming that attempts to deploy the S-300 missiles are aimed at blackmail, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriots might resort to blackmail by saying: We have renounced deploying the missiles. You should now withdraw the Turkish troops. Obviously, the Turkish Armed Forces will withdraw from the island the moment an agreement is reached. We, however, want the Turkish troops to remain on the island. We even want the number of troops to be increased.", Denktash said. [04] Missile issue to be discussed in Turkish - Russian meetingsAccording to TRT Television network (10:00 hours, 10.9.97) the issue of the S-300 missiles that Cyprus purchased from Russia will be discussed in all its details during the Turkish-Russian periodic consultation meetings, which will start in Moscow today.In reply to a question on the issue during his weekly news conference, Ambassador Omer Akbel, Foreign Ministry spokesman, stressed that the missiles issue will be raised during the Moscow meetings, where Turkey will be represented by Ambassador Ali Tuygan, deputy under secretary. The views of Ankara will be conveyed once again at these meetings, Ambassador Akbel added. [05] Ankara reacts to Premier Simitis' warningAccording to daily MILLIYET (9.9.97) Ankara has reacted to Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis' disclosure that an intervention by Turkey in Cyprus because of the S-300 missiles will be regarded as a "casus belli".Inal Batu, deputy under secretary of the Foreign Ministry, has described Simitis' remarks as "irresponsible". Stressing that "that would be irresponsible behaviour", Batu accused Greece of creating the "missiles crisis" by encouraging the Greek Cypriot side to buy arms. He noted that Turkey will not allow the Greek Cypriots to use the missiles as a bargaining chip. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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