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

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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. 232/97 -- 12.12.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's plan on Cyprus is to include Cyprus in NATO first, EU later.

[02] Akinci addresses Athens conference on Cyprus issue.

[03] Unofficial result of census shows Turkish population 62.6 million.

[04] Denktash addresses OIC summit.

[05] UK opens office for issuing visas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's plan on Cyprus is to include Cyprus in NATO first, EU later

Turkey has been intensifying its initiatives on the Cyprus problem prior to the 12 December Luxembourg summit where the issue of the expansion of the EU will be finalized. Turkey, which had put forward the condition that the existence of "two states" should be recognized for Cyprus to enter the EU as a whole, has formulated a new plan upon receiving signals that no such result would emerge from the summit and the EU would eventually sit at the table with the Greek Cypriots.

Turkey now wants a bizonal Cyprus to be made a NATO member and a loose federation established on the island. Looking favourably to a customs union agreement between Cyprus and the EU, Turkey is also making it known that once all the problems are settled Cyprus might enter the EU as a whole.

The report continues that this formula was placed on the agenda during EU term president and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker's visit to Turkey. Claiming that the "Greek Cypriot sector" does not represent the island, Turkey asked the EU to postpone its decision on the inclusion of the island in the expansion process. Turkey proposed that in return a bicommunal and bizonal Cyprus might be taken into NATO. Arguing that the EU is making a solution more difficult and that the UN has remained ineffectual, Turkey alleged that NATO was the needed "catalyst."

Turkey's plan on Cyprus is made up of the following phases:

1. "Political equality", "the continuation of the guarantee and alliance agreements", and "bizonality and bicommunality" would constitute the basic principles.

2. The three guarantor states (Turkey-Greece-Britain) will ask Cyprus to launch the membership talks with NATO within the framework of these basic principles.

3. A loose federation will be set up in Cyprus and effort will be made to secure a political solution on the island. The solution will be found within the NATO structure.

4. The EU will sing a customs union agreement with the federal Cyprus, similar to the one with Turkey.

5. Economic and social rapprochement will be effectuated between the two zones in Cyprus.

6. Once all the problems are settled and the "TRNC's sovereign equality" is formally recognized, Britain, Turkey, and Greece will apply for EU membership on behalf of Cyprus and give the green light for the EU membership of Cyprus as a whole.

The diplomatic sources said that for now Cyprus' EU membership, even as a whole, is unacceptable for Turkey, the report concludes.

[02] Akinci addresses Athens conference on Cyprus issue

Addressing a conference organized in Athens by the Greek Progressive Left Coalition Party, Akinci noted that the two sides in Cyprus, as well as Turkey and Greece, must be aware of the fact that the solution in Cyprus will not be a perfect one, but one that is attainable. In his speech, Akinci described the attainable solution as a bicommunal and bizonal federation along the lines of the Boutros-Ghali Set of Ideas.

As for the demilitarization issue, Akinci stressed, the sides must first implement deconfrontation and then military reduction within the framework proposed by the United Nations.

Commenting on the EU issue, the TKP leader claimed that a new framework must be delineated on the basis of the Set of Ideas in the wake of the Greek Cypriot elections and a new application should then be submitted jointly.

[03] Unofficial result of census shows Turkish population 62.6 million

Batalli said in a press briefing that 40,735,969 people live in urban areas and 21,870,188 people live in rural areas.

Pointing out that the annual rate of population growth was 1.473 percent between 1990-97, Batalli said that the average was 2.82 percent in urban areas and 0.74 percent in rural areas.

[04] Denktash addresses OIC summit

Denktash "explained" the reasons for the current situation on the island. Recalling a statement made by the Italian foreign minister to the effect that "for the last 34 years there has been no central administration in Cyprus that can represent the entire island," Denktash told participants: "I want you to say what the Italian foreign minister has said."

[05] UK opens office for issuing visas

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

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