Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-12-11

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 231/97 -- 11.12.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Chernomyrdin on sale of S-300 missiles to Cyprus.

[02] Demirel urges EU to include Turkey in expansion process.

[03] Denktash criticizes Syria, Lebanon.

[04] Cem meets with Poos on EU membership issue.

[05] Turkish Military Council said considering new expulsions.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Chernomyrdin on sale of S-300 missiles to Cyprus

They can be used only for defensive purposes. The sale of the missiles should be viewed as a trade agreement. Many countries, mainly from Western Europe, offered to sell similar systems to Cyprus. However, the Cypriots preferred to buy our missiles because they are cheaper and technically superior. The reaction against the sale of the missiles seems like an artificial clamor. The transfer of the defense systems will not radically change the military imbalance on the island, which is in favour of the Turkish side. The balance is in favour of the Turkish side by three to one in terms of military personnel and two to one in terms of arms. Russia has always supported the demilitarization of Cyprus. It maintains that approach. The delivery of the S-300 missiles will be unnecessary if the island is demilitarized."

[02] Demirel urges EU to include Turkey in expansion process

Demirel sent letters to German President Roman Herzog, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, French President Jacques Chirac, and Italian President Luigi Scalfaro on the eve of the EU expansion summit to convene in Luxembourg on 12 December. In his letters dated 7 December, Demirel once again raised Turkey's views and expectations regarding the EU expansion process.

The Presidential Press Center announcement was as follows: "In his letters, the honourable president recalled that Turkey is the oldest EU associate member and that the final goal of the association agreement, signed between Turkey and the EU 34 years ago envisages Turkey's full membership". Demirel went on to state that the EU Luxembourg summit will not only answer Turkey's expectations on the issue but will, at the same time, determine the map of a future Europe. Therefore, Demirel added, "excluding Turkey, a country that has exerted great efforts for full EU membership, from the expansion process will be a grave injustice."

[03] Denktash criticizes Syria, Lebanon

Denktash claimed the following: "It is their right to present reservations. I do not know whether they are presenting reservations because of their enmity toward Turkey or because of their relations with others. In this way, however, they are punishing the Turkish Cypriots as well. This is a shame and is not humanitarian. They have become so intimate with the Greek Cypriots and Greece, however, that they cannot free themselves from their clutches."

[04] Cem meets with Poos on EU membership issue

Cem said the following with regard to his meeting with Poos: "There is no change in Turkey's stand. I explained once again the issues I have been explaining for the past five months. We must wait and see. It will not be a victory for Turkey if the outcome meets its expectations. It will also not be a failure if the outcome is the complete opposite of what we expect. This issue is their business; let them make their decision."

Stressing that Turkey is not engaged in a dialogue in the traditional sense with the EU, Cem said that he explained Turkey's stand very clearly and added: "I believe that the number of 15 European countries that were strangers to Turkish issues and insisted on not understanding Turkey five months ago has decreased considerably today."

[05] Turkish Military Council said considering new expulsions

Chief of the General Staff General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, and 14 generals will attend the Council meeting to be held under Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

The main item on the meeting's agenda will be the issue of the personnel whose ties with the TAF are to be severed. In addition to the personnel accused of involvement in reactionary activities, the meeting will also decide on the dismissal of personnel for unethical conduct and alleged involvement in separatist activity.

The number of personnel expelled by SMC from the Army for involvement in shari'a activities rose during the REFAHYOL (Welfare Party-True Path Party) government. Some 29 personnel, 13 of them shari'a activists, were expelled from the Army during the August 1996 SMC meeting; and 69 personnel, 59 of them shari'a activists, during the December 1996 SMC meeting. A "record" number of expulsions were made during the extraordinary SMC meeting on 26 May 1997 under Erbakan's chairmanship. Erbakan signed the decision expelling a total of 171 personnel, 150 of them shari'a activists, from the Army. And, the ties of 76 personnel with the Army were severed during the SMC meeting in August 1997.

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