Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-10-16

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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. 192/97 -- 16/10/97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] SWEDISH FM: WE DO NOT AGREE WITH DENKTASH ON CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIP ISSUE

[02] TURKISH COMMANDERS TO MEET THURSDAY ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS

[03] ECEVIT: WE WILL NOT ANNEX BUT DEEPEN THE PROCESS OF PARTIAL INTEGRATION

[04] PAPER SAYS TURKEY'S MILITARY FORCES 'PLACED ON ALERT'

[05] ÅROGLU CLAIMS OPENING OF PAPHOS BASE IS A MISTAKE

[06] DENKTASH: "TRNC HAS ANATOLIA AND THE ARMY CORPS BEHIND IT"

[07] ECEVIT: TURKISH MILITARY PRESENCE NEEDED UNTIL SOLUTION

[08] TURKEY: TO SEND AIRCRAFT OVER CYPRUS WAS A SHOW OF DETERMINATION

[09] ECEVIT: DOOR TO A RESOLUTION ON A FEDERATION WOULD BE CLOSED IF EU STARTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH CYPRUS

[10] TURKEY NOT TO ABIDE BY "MORATORIUM"

[11] DENKTASH DIAGNOSED AS HAVING "IRREGULAR HEART BEATS"

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] HOLBROOKE'S VISIT TO ANKARA VIEWED

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] SWEDISH FM: WE DO NOT AGREE WITH DENKTASH ON CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIP ISSUE

After the meeting Denktash held a press conference during which he claimed:

"We want to find a solution to the Cyprus problem within the frame work of the Ghali Set of Ideas. However, the mixing up of the EU into the issue and starting accession talks with the Greek Cypriot sector in the name of Cyprus, resulted in the Greek Cypriots turning their back to the Ghali Set of Ideas. What we want from the EU is to understand that from the Cyprus point of view they are not helpful."

In her turn the Swedish Foreign Minister said: "The enlargement of the EU in its historical development is normal. Cyprus as well should have a role in this enlargement". KIBRIS goes on and says that with this statement the Swedish Foreign Minister placed the Cyprus problem and the EU membership in a different pen. She went on and added: "Despite the fact that we do not have the same views as regards EU membership, it is important to know Turkish views. As far as I understood from my meeting with Denktash, the Turkish view is that it is good to be an EU member, but the method followed in the membership process is wrong. We are trying to solve this problem". KIBRIS further reports that both sides stressed their difference of views even at the end of the joint press conference when Swedish Foreign Minister said that she will convey to her EU collegues the different views in the occupied area regarding the EU. She said: "We are used to dealing with different communities in a nation. Here we try to help fascilitate the issue rather than to get involved into the issue."

Reacting to Wallen's reference to a "Cyprus nation" and "different communities", Denktash said: "Neither Cyprus is a nation nor we are a community and this is the issue that the EU is overseeing."

The Swedish Foreign Minister turned round and said: "But Greece is an EU member". Denktash interfered and said: "Greece is a member that blackmails the EU". Mrs Wallen said they want federation in Cyprus and then said: "But in the past you too had accepted this (EU membership)".

Denktash replied: "If the EU removes the obstacle, I still accept it". And Mrs Wallen immediately retorted back: "So it is that simple. So, this is the whole issue."

(MY)

[02] TURKISH COMMANDERS TO MEET THURSDAY ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS

[03] ECEVIT: WE WILL NOT ANNEX BUT DEEPEN THE PROCESS OF PARTIAL INTEGRATION

[04] PAPER SAYS TURKEY'S MILITARY FORCES 'PLACED ON ALERT'

The Air Force Command has transferred many of its F-16 planes in Balikesir and Bandirma to Dalaman and Antalya. Some of the F-5, F-16, and F-4 planes in Konya and Eskisehir have reportedly been transferred to runways in Akhisar, Cardak, Sivrihisar, and Yenisehir. Each of the four runways can provide shelter for a few planes in a critical situation. The word "redeployment" is the military term used to describe the movements. Such tasks may sometimes be assigned to only a single pilot and his technician at certain times.

The pilots are waiting for orders near their aircraft around the clock. Critical personnel on leave, including pilots, have been called to report to their units.

The Ground Forces Command and the Naval Forces have reportedly also been placed on alert. Military units were transferred from Mersin to the occupied area the night before last night, the paper adds. It has been reported that the armored units in Thrace have been reinforced and that several naval ships will be instructed to carry out patrol duties off the north part of Cyprus.

[05] ÅROGLU CLAIMS OPENING OF PAPHOS BASE IS A MISTAKE

"The presence of our Lefkoniko air base is known to all. If we take into consideration that Turkish Naval Forces ships can arrive at Kyrenia and Famagusta ports at any given time then it becomes apparent that these Greek Cypriot moves are neither beneficial nor do they frighten the Turkish side." Eroglu described as exaggeration Turkish press reports depicting the recent situation in Cyprus as very tense and as though the island was on the brink of war. He continued: "Words about war and efforts to blow the winds of war disturb people. New living conditions in new countries might be sought. I do not believe that the Greek Cypriots will engage in a war with us. In view of the fact that a 65 million strong Turkey is next to us, it becomes apparent that the Greek Cypriots will not indulge is this madness."

[06] DENKTASH: "TRNC HAS ANATOLIA AND THE ARMY CORPS BEHIND IT"

In his speech, Denktash said that sick or well, he is in charge of his duties, adding: "I cannot allow this beautiful land to become Greek territory." Denktash added that he spent a lifetime saying that a federation should be established. He noted that he emphasizes certain principles in the policy he pursues, and that the main one is Turkey's guarantor rights.

Denktash said that the second principle on which he insists is bizonality. He said: "The Turkish Cypriots did not come to the north to have a picnic." He added: "We must stress that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) exists and will continue to exist. Otherwise, what was done up to now will be reduced to nothing. You may not like me, but you must listen to me. You cannot lie to the people."

He stated that the "TRNC" and Turkey must be attached with closer ties. He noted that Cyprus is going through a critical period but those who think there is panic on the Turkish Cypriot side are very wrong. "The TRNC people have Anatolia and the army corps behind them", he said, claiming: "Our people feel secure and relaxed. The Greeks tried to take Cyprus by armed force, but they hit the Toros mountains. We do not want a war. The TRNC's existence is essential and will continue to be so."

[07] ECEVIT: TURKISH MILITARY PRESENCE NEEDED UNTIL SOLUTION

Asked by a journalist when the Turkish military force will withdraw from Cyprus, Ecevit inter alia, alleged: "Our military presence is necessary as long as there is no international solution".

Ecevit was asked: "What will you do if the Greek Cypriot sector is admitted into the EU?". Ecevit responded: "We would not annex. We would deepen our relations in the economic, political, and security fields."

[08] TURKEY: TO SEND AIRCRAFT OVER CYPRUS WAS A SHOW OF DETERMINATION

An official from the Turkish Air Force claimed that this is not a hostile act but ``a show of determination to protect the interests of Turkish Cyprus and Turkey in Cyprus against Greeks who violated the moratorium on military flights over Cyprus.'' Fully-armed Turkish warplanes are still flying over Cyprus in a response to the Greek decision to fly over the island, the paper adds.

Turkey, meanwhile, is planning to hold two military exercises in the region. The first one, Toros-97/2 is planned between Nov.1 and 8. while the second one will be held just after Toros-97/2 in the same area.

Meanwhile, Greece said on Tuesday it would protest to Turkey over airspace violations, including the buzzing of an aircraft taking the Greek defence minister to Cyprus.

Greece will also call in the ambassadors of its European Union allies in Athens, and the acting U.S. ambassador, to brief them on scores of airspace violations by Turkish jets since Sunday.

Greece on Monday accused two Turkish F-16s of harassing the Hercules C-130 taking Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to Cyprus.

Turkish warplanes from two bases, Dalaman and Antalya, have carried out around 50 sorties in the Cyprus-Rhodes-Crete triangle in the last two days to show support for the ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).''

[09] ECEVIT: DOOR TO A RESOLUTION ON A FEDERATION WOULD BE CLOSED IF EU STARTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH CYPRUS

Following the meeting, Ecevit had to leave from the back door, as was considerately requested by Swedish officials, in order to avoid a small group of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) demonstrators.

Ecevit said, on Monday on his way to Stockholm, that the door to a resolution on a federation for Cyprus would be closed if the EU starts negotiations with Cyprus. He added that their unity talks would serve no purpose if negotiations with Cyprus begin. He claimed in recent years the Greek Cypriots had distanced themselves form the idea of a federation because they are backed by the EU.

Ecevit is expected to visit Denmark and Norway in November following his visit to Sweden and Finland. He said he gives importance to the enhancing of relations with the Nordic countries under his administration.

[10] TURKEY NOT TO ABIDE BY "MORATORIUM"

Speaking at a press conference today Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel said: "Until now Turkey has acted according to this understanding. However, during the last Nikiforos-97 military exercises the Greek side has violated this understanding. Naturally this Greek violation has done away with this, freeing Turkey from any obligation to abide by the old understanding". Akbel also said that Turkey will hold two Air and Naval exercises between 3-5 November and 1-8 November codenamed Toros-2 and Determination 97. Akbel said these exercises will be held in the Crete, Rhodos and Cyprus triangle.

(MY)

[11] DENKTASH DIAGNOSED AS HAVING "IRREGULAR HEART BEATS"

YENI DUZEN reports that Denktash's cardiologist Prof. Dr. Dervish Oral has been flown in from Ankara.

After examining Denktash, Prof. Oral suggested to Denktash to rest and to undergo as soon as possible an angiogram.

Due to Denktash's poor health the pseudo-Assembly has postponed its today's session where the Cyprus problem was going to be discussed.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] HOLBROOKE'S VISIT TO ANKARA VIEWED

Holbrooke said: `I have not brought a plan. Nor do I want to make a suggestion for a new model. What was important was to initiate a process.'

Yes, that is what he said but he also had a message to convey: `Turkey's reacting excessively to the commencement of talks between the EU and Cyprus for the island's accession to the organization or Ankara taking steps toward the TRNC's [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] integration will unnecessarily escalate the tension. That the EU would hold talks on Cyprus' accession has long been common knowledge. That is not a new development'.

Ankara has adopted a firm approach. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that he views the talks on Cyprus's accession as ` the end of the issue'. He is convinced that there will be nothing left to be discussed.

But Washington and London believe that Turkey's approach is `aimed at dividing the island.' Their impression is that we plan to use the talks between the EU and Cyprus as an opportunity to avoid the negotiations on solving the island's problem.

But that is only the external aspect of the situation...

I believe the developments that have taken place thus far can be described as `political maneuvers before the actual bargaining process begins.' Obviously, the sides are preparing for 1998.

They are trying to increase the value of their cards."

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

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