Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-02-06

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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. 22/98 -- 6.2.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash explains visa measures; Talat raps Denktash attitude.

[02] Denktash comments after meeting US Ambassador.

[03] Greek citizen released, handed over to UN Forces.

[04] Ecevit claims free areas have chemical and biological weapons.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash explains visa measures; Talat raps Denktash attitude

In a speech at the inauguration ceremony of a holiday village, in the occupied area, Denktash said: "We will give our response to the Greek Cypriots and to the British in our southern border gates."

He noted that the British and the Americans have made suggestions about making the crossings between the two communities freer, adding: "British or American, nobody has the right to do what he likes to the Turkish Cypriots, and everybody must know that the Turkish Cypriots have their own separate state."

Denktash alleged that the "incident" is not as major as it is being made out to be in the press.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has criticized Rauf Denktash for his attitude toward Turkish Cypriots who have acquired a Cyprus Republic passport. Talat pointed out that after imposing a visa requirement on the British, Denktash is threatening the Turkish Cypriots who have or want to have a Cyprus Republic passport. He pointed out that right or wrong, it is a fact that numerous Turkish Cypriots have had Cyprus Republic passports for years.

This should not be linked to Britain's decision to impose a visa, he said, charging that the conditions in which the Turkish Cypriots live are deteriorating because of the attitude of Denktash and the "government". He maintained that the Turkish Cypriots' distrust in their rulers is growing because of the wrong policies being pursued. He said: "Instead of attacking, threatening, or insulting those Turkish Cypriots who rightly or wrongly have Cyprus Republic passports, Mr. Denktash must think:

Where did I go wrong?"

The CTP leader concluded by saying that Denktash should know that so long as the existing policies continue and the solution of the Cyprus problem is delayed, Turkish Cypriots will continue to emigrate or to acquire Cyprus Republic passports.

[02] Denktash comments after meeting US Ambassador

Rauf Denktash met US Ambassador in Nicosia Kenneth C.

Brill last Wednesday. The contacts between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot civilian organizations were taken up during the meeting, which was, also attended by Necati Munir Ertekun, Denktash's "adviser and coordinator on political affairs" and Mustafa Evran, "director of political affairs".

In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency) and illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio Television Corporation) after the 45-minute meeting, Denktash said that he discussed the latest developments with US Ambassador Brill, adding that the Americans are insisting on the speedy resumption of the intercommunal talks between the civilian organizations.

Explaining why measures are necessary in this regard, Rauf Denktash claimed: "The reasons for that are obvious.

Kasoulides has gone to the European countries and told them: `Do not take the administration and leadership in the north into consideration. Their views are of no consequence, after all we still have the NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) and the trade unions. Let us do our job through them. Let us, as the legitimate government of Cyprus, commence the talks. Those from these NGOs and trade unions who want to come and sit with us can do so.' This reveals the purpose for which they use the NGOs and trade unions. We cannot allow that".

Claiming that two separate "citizenships" exist in Cyprus, Denktash alleged: "We have two citizenship in Cyprus. We never have been and never will be their citizens."

He called on the Greek Cypriots "to give up the politically motivated and crafty attempt to bypass the TRNC state and government by using the civilian organizations".

Denktash also said that he gave a detailed explanation to US Ambassador Brill on the reasons for putting the talks on the "interstate" level, adding: "We want them (the Americans) to show understanding of this issue. We will, anyway, continue to explain our policy whether or not they show such an understanding".

[03] Greek citizen released, handed over to UN Forces

One of his lawyers, Gursel Kadri, issued a statement to the press at the Ledra Palace where he said that the "appeal" submitted by his colleagues, lawyers Ali Dana and Osman Ertegun, and himself,, was accepted by the "military judges". Kadri said that the 1 February "ruling" calls for Liles' release on the grounds that there was no deliberate intention in the "crime" committed. Kadri concluded by saying that Liles' home is very close to the so-called border, and that he entered the occupied area because he was disoriented.

Liles was checked by a UN doctor before he crossed into the free areas. In a statement to the press, Liles said that he crossed into the occupied area by mistake.

[04] Ecevit claims free areas have chemical and biological weapons

Ecevit has claimed that Turkey is the only country in the region that does not have such weapons.

He called for the removal of these weapons and the establishment of a power balance in conventional weapon systems.

(MY)

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

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