Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-02-09

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash claims Greek Cypriot elections not to change policy.

[02] Etkin denies Ozgur Politika report on missing persons.

[03] Cindoruk on S-300 missiles.

[04] Census in "TRNC".

[05] Serdar Denktash, Talat, Akinci comment on Cyprus issue.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry appointments.

[07] Denktash urges Turks to cede Greek Cypriot passports; criticizes UK.

[08] Eroglu on Turkish Cypriot participation in accession negotiations.

[09] Demirel: "There exist two states in Cyprus".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash claims Greek Cypriot elections not to change policy

In a statement to illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio and Television, Denktash claimed that the equal sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots and mutual recognition are essential if partnership is to be achieved. Denktash reiterated that the intercommunal talks ended in the wake of the EU decision and that talks can now be held only on the basis of "two states".

Furthermore, according to Turkish NOKTA (1-7.2.98), asked to comment on the Greek Cypriot elections, Denktash claimed: "We are following the developments very carefully. The winner of the elections in the neighbouring state concerns us too, even if the policy is not going to change. The Greek Cypriot policy regarding the Cyprus problem will not change because it is a very old national policy determined together with Greece. The Greek Cypriots have taken an oath to be loyal to this policy. It will not change. However, it is possible to talk with certain leaders. Even if you do not get any results, you may reduce the tension by talking."

To a comment that there are signs that both the EU and the United States are getting ready to exert pressure for a solution after 8 February, Denktash inter alia claimed:

"The following is our position now: If the Greek Cypriots want to negotiate with us they must recognize our status as a state. I believe that this position and Turkey's unconditional support of our position have given out a message. I think that everyone is saying now: We made a mistake by not listening to the Turkish Cypriots and by not treating them equally; the Turkish Cypriots are not a people to be colonized by the Greek Cypriots; they are in love with their freedom; they have their own identity; they have their own state."

[02] Etkin denies Ozgur Politika report on missing persons

Replying to reporters questions on the issue Etkin denied Ongan's allegations published in Ozgur Politika. Ongan had said that during the invasion, close to 100 Greek Cypriots were killed by the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish Cypriot soldiers and buried in mass graves.

Etkin outrageously claimed that this also clearly shows that the Cyprus Government cooperates with the PKK.

[03] Cindoruk on S-300 missiles

"Therefore, I ask: Don't the S-300 missiles that will be deployed in south Cyprus threaten Turkey? It is possible to hit Turkey's tourist areas with the S-300 missiles. Our friends must show the same sensibility regarding the S-300 missiles being deployed in Cyprus as they show toward the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq".

[04] Census in "TRNC"

The so-called High Election Council said that an "identity card" is necessary to be registered in the electorate lists, although a "passport" is also acceptable.

[05] Serdar Denktash, Talat, Akinci comment on Cyprus issue

Denktash expressed the view that it is impossible to accept the visa requirement on Britain. Describing as beneficial the work of the groups for the solution of disagreements, to which he also belonged, Denktash proposed that the United States resolve its problems with Iraq via these groups.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in turn, said that Cyprus reached the existing situation because no side on the island is in favour of full independence. He claimed that Greek Cypriots have to renounced enosis, and the Turkish Cypriots have not given up the division of the island. Talat alleged that the EU activated the Cyprus process, but the result may be dangerous.

Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci said that the Cyprus question, which has more than two players, concerns mostly the young generations. Akinci said that his party favours the solution of the Cyprus problem, but if the Greek Cypriots do not go along with this, the other alternative consists of the "TRNC". Pointing out that he is uneasy about the military escalation, Akinci asked that the Turkish Cypriot side publicly raise proposals for deconfrontations, mutual arms reduction, and demilitarization.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry appointments

Saitki Ugur Ziyal, Osman Faruk Logoglu, and Uluc Ozulker have been appointed as Foreign Ministry deputy undersecretaries.

Tansug Bleda has been appointed as a member of the Foreign Policy Consultative Council with a decree that has gone into effect after publication in the Official Gazette.

Rasih Erkan Gezer has been appointed as head of the Consulate Affairs General Directorate, Mehmet Tansu Okadan as head of Multilateral Political Affairs General Directorate, Orhan Erdivanli, Sevinc Dalyanoglu, and Aykut Berk as members of the Inspection Council, Ilhan Yigitbasoglu as head of the Protocol General Directorate, Ali Arsin as head of Strategic Research Center, Candar Azer as head of the Political Planning General Directorate, and Mehmet Yigit Alpogan as head of Cyprus-Greece and Navigation-Aviation General Directorate.

Halit Guvener, Versan Senturker, Ali Unal Marasli, Kutlu Ozguvenc, Aydemir Erman, Ufuk Tevfik Okyavuz, Selcuk Tarlan, Atez Balkan, and Ender Arat have been appointed as undersecretaries at the Ministry.

[07] Denktash urges Turks to Cede Greek Cypriot passports; criticizes UK

Denktash claimed that some people took the Cyprus Republic passport to make life easier for themselves, not realizing that they were really saying: `I am not a citizen of the `TRNC' but a Greek Cypriot citizen'.

He recounted that so far, seven people came to him and gave him their Cyprus Republic passports. He noted that "these people fulfilled their duties toward their state." He claimed:

"It is our duty to say that we have a state, that we are loyal to it, that we are not the citizens or the minority of the Greek Cypriots, that we do not want the Greek Cypriots to give us passports or anything else. Now is the time to say that."

Denktash said that it is a known fact that Alpay Durduran, leader of the New Cyprus Party, and his wife, have had passports of the Cyprus republic for years. Denktash said that wherever he goes with this passport, Durduran speaks against the "TRNC". "I wonder if Durduran has the right to legally be a party leader in the TRNC", Denktash added. Denktash said that it is his duty to ask the "government" to take the necessary measures and to protect the "state".

Denktash then charged that by imposing a visa requirement on Turkish Cypriots as of 16 January 1998, Britain indirectly forced Turkish Cypriots to acquire Cyprus republic passports.

[08] Eroglu on Turkish Cypriot participation in accession negotiations

"Unfortunately, in light of this erroneous decision, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides said that the officials of the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which he calls the Turkish Cypriot community, are going to take part in the accession talks as administrators and not as government representatives. He also said that civilian organizations and political parties must also take part. I think that this is an extremely wrong attitude. The TRNC is a separate state. The people of the TRNC have at least as much right as the Greek Cypriots to live in Cyprus. I do not even want to think that there exists a party in the TRNC that will agree to such a cooperation. The TRNC is happy and proud to live under its independent government and under Turkey's guarantee". And he concluded claiming: "I believe that the world must know and accept the fact that the TRNC is a reality, that its people want to live in good neighbourly relations with the south, and that they are ready to reach an agreement on this basis."

[09] Demirel: "There exist two states in Cyprus"

That is, today in Cyprus there exist two states and not two communities. Two sovereign and politically equal states have been created. The whole political struggle to be waged will be within this framework".

As for the Cyprus government's effort to strengthen its defences Demirel considers this "meaningless". "They are bringing in weapons. All these are acts that make Turkey uneasy. Whatever weapons south Cyprus buys will be against the TRNC. And TRNC means Turkey. Therefore, if they are doing all this against Turkey they are wasting their money. That is, whatever weapons they buy they are not enough. So, I hope after the elections common sense will prevail in Greece and in south Cyprus and steps will be taken toward a peaceful settlement of the problem and not through the force of arms" concluded Demirel.

(MY)

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

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