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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-12-31Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 242/97 -- 31.12.97[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Denktash notes conditions for speedy peaceAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 30.12.97), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to speedily make peace on condition that the Greek Cypriots accept bizonality, Turkey's guarantees, and Turkish-Greek equality. Denktash met Lieutenant General Ali Yalcin, commander of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces, Brigadir General Hasan Peker Gunal, commander of the so-called security forces and other military commanders on the occasion of the new year.Alleging that the Greek Cypriot rejection of the above-mentioned principles was the reason why peace could not be secured in Cyprus until today, Denktash noted: "For this, the Greek Cypriots should embrace the principles of equal sovereignty and bizonality". Noting that there is only one road that leads to wisdom, Denktash said that the road to wisdom is to have the seeds of friendship between Greece and Turkey sown in Cyprus and not to create a conflict between the two motherlands on account of Cyprus. Claiming that late President Makarios lost his mind in 1960 and took up arms in 1963, Denktash alleged: "I am saddened by the fact that those leaders who supported Makarios are now following in his foolish path. The Turkish Cypriots invite the Greek Cypriots to adopt the path to reason and peace on the eve of 1998." Lt. Gen. Yalcin, in turn, expressing the hope that 1998 will be the harbinger of better days and peace for the two communities and Cyprus, added: "I wish you health and happiness in 1998. I have faith that you will settle the Cyprus issue in the best way." [02] Etkin faults Annan for "biased" phrases in Cyprus reportAccording to Anatolia agency (15:46 hours, 30.12.97) Taner Etkin, "foreign affairs and defense minister" of the pseudostate, has claimed that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan violated the principle of neutrality and leveled numerous unjust accusations against the Turkish Cypriots in his latest report on Cyprus. Etkin sent a letter to Annan in connection with his 5 December Cyprus report.In his eight-page letter dated 18 December, Etkin claimed that expressions such as the "government of the Cyprus Republic", the "National Guard", the "Cyprus Government", the "Cypriot Airspace", and the "region under the control of the government" do not reflect the legal and political facts in Cyprus. "It was a mistake for the report not to have referred to the existence of the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces and its function in Cyprus,", he claimed. Stating that the Turkish Cypriots definitely disagree with claims that a EU membership can pave the way toward a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue, Etkin said that the statements along these lines in the report are significantly against the 1992 Set of Ideas. Etkin said that the Turkish Cypriot side is opposed, "on legal and moral grounds", to the EU membership before a Turkish-Greek balance is secured. Criticizing the fact that in his report Annan gave detailed information on the military modernization activities in the occupied area of Cyprus while not referring to the armament efforts of the Greek Cypriot side and the growing Greek Cypriot military power, Etkin also criticized Annan for describing the S-300 missiles, which the Cyprus Government purchased from Russia, as an air defense system. [03] So-called foreign ministry says US ambassador "interfering in domestic affairs"According to KIBRIS (31.12.97) the so-called ministry of defence and foreign affairs of the pseudostate, commenting on the US Ambassador to Cyprus Keneth Brill's recent statement that they want to see the intercommunal contacts between the two communities increased rather than reduced, stated that "he has no right to intervene in our domestic affairs".The written statement of the so-called ministry says that the decision to suspend intercommunal contacts is a "domestic affair" and that "Foreign Ambassadors accredited to the Greek Cypriot administration have no right to intervene in this". The statement goes on and claims that "the solution of the Cyprus problem was delayed for 34 years because of the unfair stance taken. Those who try to teach us democracy have a major share of responsibility in this. TRNC's multi-democratic structure is a source of pride to us, and our demand for no interference in our domestic affairs is our most natural right". (MY) [04] Livestock from the occupied area to be exported to TurkeyAccording to KIBRIS (30.12.97) Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Village Affairs, in a circular addressed to the Icel Governor, stated that permission has been given to import 3,100 livestock from the occupied area to Turkey.Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture, in its circular, gave permission to import 200 beef, 400 cows, a thousand goats and 1500 lamb, on the basis of off-shore trade. (MY) 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 |