Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-01-19

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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. 9/98 -- 17-18-19.1.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash claims British stand on Cyprus `Disgrace'.

[02] Minister Gurel: "No solution unless reality of two states is accepted".

[03] Turkish firm plans arms enterprise in the occupied area.

[04] "Social Services Protocol" signed with Turkey.

[05] Eroglu claims Greek propaganda aims at isolating Turkish Cypriot community.

[06] Serdar Denktash urges Talat to drop "erroneous assessments".

[07] 1,132 Turkish Cypriots families have asked to stay in UK in the last three years.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash claims British stand on Cyprus `Disgrace'

Denktash claimed that in its official moves regarding Turkish Cypriot representation in EU membership talks, the Cyprus Government is applying the following tactics: "If the Turkish Administration in the north fails to participate in the talks, civilian organizations and unions will attend them and the talks will continue with the participation of the Turkish Cypriot community".

Denktash alleged: "We suffered in the knowledge that this intention is behind the contacts launched by foreign diplomats with the so-called aim of bringing the two peoples closer together."

Commenting on the visa issue, Denktash called on Britain to renounce the idea of imposing a visa requirement on Turkish Cypriots and "to stop supporting the Greek Cypriots". Recalling that Britain has the responsibility of fulfilling its commitments with regard to the 1960 agreements, Denktash claimed that "Britain must therefore divest itself of the disgrace of recognizing the Greek Cypriot side as the legitimate Cyprus Government representing the partnership republic, which was guaranteed by Britain, and must declare that the one-sided Greek Cypriot application for EU membership is illegal."

Denktash also commented on Robin Cook's statement that there is no legal impediment to Cyprus's accession to the EU.

"These remarks show that Britain has once again forgotten its 1960 commitments, "Denktash claimed. Referring to Cook's statement on the Cyprus economy and the EU, Denktash claimed that the statement demonstrates that Cook is not aware of the policy and actions aimed at transforming Cyprus from a partnership republic into a Greek Cypriot republic, as he put it. He expressed the hope that the British Government will not underestimate the reaction of the Turkish Cypriots in Britain against this "injustice".

[02] Minister Gurel: "No solution unless reality of two states is accepted"

Gurel addressed a meeting organized by the Galatasaray Alumni Association on Turkish-Greek relations and the most recent developments in Cyprus. In his speech, Gurel accepted that there are shortcomings with regard to Turkey's membership in the EU, but claimed the EU treated Turkey differently than it did the other 11 candidate countries. Alleging that "the EU approaches Turkey with prejudice and discrimination and exaggerates its shortfalls if they exist" Gurel stated that there cannot be any question of comprehensive dialogue under these circumstances.

[03] Turkish firm plans arms enterprise in the occupied area

During the reception, Ali Riz Carmikli presented Denktash with a rifle produced by the firm he chairs.

Denktash said that investments should be made in all fields in the pseudostate.

Hoping for the fruitful conclusions of the investments to be launched in the pseudostate by the firm, which is an establishment of the Turkish military, Denktash said: "Thanks to investment, our youth, who are emigrating because of unemployment, will find a field of employment here and in that way we can stop the population decline".

Ali Riza Carmikli said in turn that they went to the pseudostate in their capacity as the administrative board of the Armikli Holding and Turkish Homeland Defense Industry, Energy, Construction, and Trade Company.

Carmikli added: "Since a period of tranquility has set in, we should now join forces and think how to make the TRNC a happier place. That is why we have come here."

Noting that they have been working out methods to assess the requirements of the so-called Security Forces, Ali Riza Carmikli said: "We will jointly integrate the industry, arms, and territory."

Carmikli said: "Within the context of this assessment, we proposed a partnership whereby we would operate the enterprise and market its products while the Security Forces keep its ownership."

Noting that the national industry in Turkey has achieved a turning point, Ali Riza Carmikli said that the "TRNC" is a loop in that chain and that they have been looking for ways to establish here some services for Turkey.

Pointing out that the firm was established to contribute to Turkey's arms modernization by engaging in research, Carmikli said: "We want to extent that to the TRNC as well."

[04] "Social Services Protocol" signed with Turkey

In a statement at the ceremony, Hatipoglu said "with this protocol, integration in the full sense has begun in the field of social services."

[05] Eroglu claims Greek propaganda aims at isolating Turkish Cypriot community

In a written statement he issued Eroglu criticized EU preparations to commence membership negotiations with Cyprus Eroglu claimed that the EU, through this stand, is violating the fundamental rights of the Turkish Cypriots and trying to disrupt the Turkish-Greek balance. He alleged that all these negative developments are aimed at isolating the Turkish Cypriot community and crushing it with embargoes and added: "In the face of these developments, it is the most natural right of Turkey and the TRNC to take the necessary measures for our future and our security."

Eroglu stated that the Greek Cypriots' efforts to escalate the military and political tension, as he put it, and become an EU member are indications that they do not want a conciliation between the two communities on the island. He concluded by claiming that this Greek Cypriot stand proves the rightness of the "political and geographic principles" drawn in 1974.

[06] Serdar Denktash urges Talat to drop "erroneous assessments"

Assessing the statement Talat made to a Greek Cypriot radio broadcasting in London, Denktash described Talat's reaction to the commencement of membership negotiations between the EU and Cyprus in the absence of the Turkish Cypriots as a positive development; however, Denktash described Talat's statement that the commencement of this process will create the threat of partition as "misleading nonsense". He noted that if the process in question begins, for every step taken between the EU and the Cyprus Government reciprocal steps will be taken with Turkey. He continued: "On one hand, by referring to the threat of partition, Talat acts as though the TRNC will be eliminated and annexation will be on the agenda. On the other, he refers to the need for the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the EU membership negotiations under equal conditions, thereby failing to point out the real threats to be created by entering a process from which Turkey is absent."

Denktash called on Talat to "abandon his erroneous assessments that distort the realities and to generate common-sense policies." He claimed that a solution can be reached in Cyprus only through the principle of "two states".

[07] 1,132 Turkish Cypriot families have asked to stay in UK in the last three years

The British High Commission was inundated with would-be travellers after a Home Office ruling, that Turkish Cypriots travelling on "non-national" documents must apply for a visa from UK authorities before they travel.

The regulation could add up to 45 million TL to the cost of a family of four visiting Britain.

Previously no formal entry clearance had been required before arrival at immigration in the UK.

But the Home Office said the concession had been withdrawn because of the growing number of asylum applications.

In the last three years, 1,132 Turkish families have asked to stay in the UK, making the "TRNC" the world's highest producer, per capita, of asylum- seekers, the report says.

None of the applications have been granted, but the cost to British taxpayers has been spiralling, with each family receiving benefits, housing and legal aid while their cases are investigated.

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

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