Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-09-25

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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. 178/97 -- 25.9.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sezgin `chides' Russian General on missile sales to Cyprus.

[02] Cem discusses ties with Greece, Cyprus issue with Albright.

[03] Force reduction, eventual demilitarization urged

[04] Turkey's State Minister on water issue.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sezgin `Chides' Russian General on missile sales to Cyprus

Sezgin received Lieutenant General Valentin Bodanchikov, the deputy chairman of international military cooperation of the Russian Federation, in Ankara today. At the meeting, Sezgin once again raised the Russian decision to sell missiles to Cyprus. He stressed that trust should be the basis of bilateral cooperation.

"I believe that Turkey's friendship is more valuable than the dollars to be obtained from the sale of the S-300 missiles to a neighbouring country at the risk of endangering world peace," claim Sezgin.

[02] Cem discusses ties with Greece, Cyprus issue with Albright

Cem's meeting with Albright lasted for about 45 minutes. In a short statement after the meeting, Cem said that they exchanged views on Turkish- Greek relations and the Cyprus issue.

Expressing Turkey's concern over Cyprus' efforts to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island, Cem said: "We conveyed our views on these issues to the secretary of state. She listened to us carefully and said that we are right to be concerned". Noting that Albright expressed her concerns over Turkish-Greek relations, Cem added that the issue of the tripartite summit among Turkey, Greece and the United States was not discussed in depth during the meeting.

[03] Force reduction, eventual demilitarization urged

According to the statement, the CLP believes that Cyprus' decision to buy S- 300 missiles does not promote peace. The party calls on the Greek Cypriots to give up their missile adventure and on Russia to give up on the missile sales, because that would not serve peace. The CLP says deconcentration measures must be taken immediately, a mutual reduction of military forces must be carried out within the framework of a short-term agreement, and the island must be demilitarized in the long-term as cited in the Denktash-Kyprianou summit. The party also stresses that the two sides must take confidence-building measures in other fields.

The CLP recalls that it has always been its policy that a federal solution should be reached on the basis of the Ghali Set of Ideas and that membership in the EU should come after a solution.

It notes that the green light given to Cyprus that it can join the EU even without a solution in Cyprus does not contribute toward a solution.

The CLP believes that a conciliation must be reached regarding a solution, that an application for membership in the EU must be submitted jointly, and that accession talks must be attended with a joint delegation and under equal status. It stresses that if the federal Cyprus republic becomes an EU member, then measures must be taken to protect the balance between Turkey and Greece regarding Cyprus until such time as Turkey joins the EU.

The CLP stresses that in a sounder dialogue with the political parties and by consulting with the political parties in Turkey too when necessary, and Denktash must make peace initiatives that will receive international support.

[04] Turkey's State Minister on water issue

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Gurel, has claimed, that the S-300 missiles are weapons that could be modified and if modified they could pose a great danger to Turkey.

He has said that the S-300 issue can not be a subject for negotiations.

When asked to comment on press reports that NATO force could be deployed in Cyprus in place of the UN peace force Gurel said: "The TRNC is on state that enjoys Turkey's effective security guarantees. This effective guarantees of Turkey, is based on the international agreements as well as Turkey's own security needs, so Turkey will not allow, this or that way to the watering down of this security guarantee.

(MY)

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

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