Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-11-27

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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. 221/97 -- 27.11.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash in Istanbul; comments on talks.

[02] Batu on Cyprus `issue'.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash in Istanbul; comments on talks

In his statement at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Denktash said that "the EU stand to consider the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus runs counter to the 1960 agreements, as well as to legitimacy, humanity, and democracy."

Stressing the importance of his visit to Germany over the weekend, Denktash added: Germany is an important country, in particular with regard to having an impact on the EU issue. The EU has been deceived by the Greek Cypriots he said.

Explaining that the intercommunal talks in Cyprus were suspended in the wake of the "mistaken" stand pursued by the EU, Denktash said: "On the one hand, the doors of the EU will be opened wide to the Greek Cypriots, who are considered the legitimate government of Cyprus, while on the other, the Turkish Cypriots will be treated like a minority. This situation is intolerable. For this reason, the intercommunal talks were suspended."

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to take part in the negotiations should they resume on the basis of two "states", Denktash added: "The issue under discussion should be the conditions under which two peoples can coexist in Cyprus as neighbours. If the Greek Cypriot Administration had common sense, the first country it would establish friendly relations with would be Turkey. Securing friendly relations with Turkey is tantamount to securing tranquility in Cyprus. Turning Cyprus into a cradle for Turkish - Greek friendship is a matter of interest, not reason. The Greek Cypriot Administration should have realized by now that it will not achieve anything by having Cyprus turn into a cause of dispute between Greece and Turkey."

[02] Batu on Cyprus `issue'

"Cordovez is the Cyprus representative of the UN Secretary General and he has a job to do. He was probably told to settle this Cyprus issue. The only way he can settle this issue is through the intercommunal talks. Mr. Cordovez expects us to leave aside the issue of the Greek Cypriot membership in the EU and resume the intercommunal talks after the Greek Cypriot elections as if nothing happened. This is the reason behind his visit to Ankara. Cordovez came to Ankara in order to persuade us on this issue, but he failed to do so. We listened patiently and told him politely that Turkey is not opposed to the UN goodwill mission and the intercommunal talks. We also told him that we have great respect and absolutely no objections to Cordovez and Kofi Annan.

Furthermore, Turkey has not given up the concept of a federation in Cyprus. In other words, a federal solution to the Cyprus issue is still on our agenda. However, the EU cast a shadow and left its mark on the intercommunal talks once it got involved in this issue. It is as though the intercommunal talks assumed second place to the EU membership process.

We tried to explain that the Greek Cypriots will most probably start full membership talks with the EU in April. The parameters of the Cyprus issue will become invalid once these talks start. On the one hand we have a Greek Cypriot Administration which took a step toward the EU, and on the other, a Turkish Cypriot community which has absolutely no status and has been excluded from Europe. This Turkish Cypriot community was invited to participate in the EU membership talks only if it joined the Greek Cypriot delegation. I do not know how the two sides will sit at the negotiating table and talk about bizonality and the continuation of Turkey's effective guarantee while EU membership talks are under way with the Greek Cypriot Administration. All these issues will become moot under the circumstances. Moreover, the Greek-Turkish balance with regard to Cyprus will be completely disrupted. The rights of Turkey stemming from international agreements will be completely disregarded. We claim that the intercommunal talks cannot continue under these conditions as if nothing happened. We tried to explain this to Mr. Cordovez.

These two communities can meet if they recognize each other's equal sovereignty and on the basis of two equal sovereign administrations. The intercommunal talks, however, cannot be held under the present conditions."

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

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