Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-02-26

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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. 36/98 -- 26.2.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu deny `Ministers' hold `Republic Passports'.

[02] Denktash affirms refusal to meet UK's Cook.

[03] Turkey criticizes Greek response to Aegean peace proposals.

[04] Talat criticizes Denktash for refusing.

[05] Eroglu in Ankara.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu deny `Ministers' hold `Republic Passports'

Denktash said that he called the politicians mentioned in the press report personally and that they assured him that they do not have Cyprus Republic passports. Denktash said that the persons mentioned were not contacted when the press report was written. Furthermore, he said, once again it was I who was blamed after the report was published.

He pointed out that the "government" is preparing a bill on the issue of passports.

In his turn Dervis Eroglu said that the press reports to the effect that certain National Unity Party (UBP) "deputies" and "ministers" carry Greek Cypriot passports are unfounded and are aimed at diverting attention and changing the agenda. Eroglu was asked to comment on the issue at the occupied Tymbou Airport before he left for Ankara today. He pointed out that the newspaper published this story without investigating it, adding:

"The story was published at a time when the government is getting ready to take measures against those who hold Greek Cypriot passports. It is aimed at throwing suspicion on the UBP and Democratic Party ministers and deputies" Eroglu added that the UBP will exercise its legal right as well.

[02] Denktash affirms refusal to meet UK's Cook

Denktash alleged that by eliminating all the accepted parameters, the EU tried to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority, in the class of the Armenians and the Maronites.

"Looking at Cyprus through Greece's eyes has not and will not help the solution of the problem", he said.

Denktash affirmed that he will not meet with Foreign Secretary Robin Cook of Britain, the EU's term chairman, who had said that he would meet with Denktash in March. Denktash said:

"He will see Clerides at the EU meeting on 12 March. In other words, the accession talks in Cyprus have climbed to the top. We will definitely not meet with them. Britain does not have the right to do that to us. Britain is a guarantor. It should realize that and tell the Greek Cypriots that they cannot apply to the EU on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots."

Denktash stated that those who are hurt by the visa requirement must apply to the British and Greek Cypriot authorities, not the occupied area. He said that those people must tell the British and Greek Cypriot authorities: "You must recognize the TRNC citizenship so that these difficulties can be eliminated, equality can be established, and the way to a solution can be opened. I see that certain British citizens here have been applying to their government and Members of Parliament. I congratulate them and thank them for it, because that is the way to do it."

[03] Turkey criticizes Greek response to Aegean peace proposals

Turkey has announced that as a foreign policy choice Greece has opted to render the tension in the Aegean permanent and to leave the bilateral problems unresolved. Ambassador Necati Utkan, Foreign Ministry spokesman, speaking at his weekly news conference, claimed that Greece, through the reply it issued yesterday, rejected Turkey's realistic and goodwill proposals. He also drew attention to the fact that Turkey's constructive approach gained the support of the world public opinion and the pertinent capitals.

"The Greek Government has not been able to keep up with Turkey's goodwill. It has remained indifferent to it and has once again opted to alone shoulder the responsibility of intransigence and lack of resolve. The Greek Government has opted for the continuation of the Aegean tension in line with its domestic concerns and foreign policy calculations. This choice is Greece's own business. It is a choice it will have to account for. this choice of seeking tension in the Aegean has become concrete with Greece again running away from a solution. Through this government policy of opting for tension, Greece has in advance and alone shouldered the historical responsibility of an unwanted accident that might occur in the Aegean and the dangerous situation it might lead to. The mask has fallen and the truth has been exposed. The deception the unjust Greek stand has been creating in international platforms is losing its effectiveness through Turkey's initiatives. The Greek Government is aware of this and this is the reason why it has become more ill tempered", claimed Ambassador Utkan.

[04] Talat criticizes Denktash for refusing to meet Hannay, Cook

In a statement he issued today Talat pointed out that EU circles are realizing that the Turkish Cypriots must inevitably take part in the accession process. He added that Sir David Hannay's visit to Cyprus is part of this realization. Talat recalled that British Prime Minister Tony Blair is the first Westerner to affirm that the Turkish Cypriots must take part in the EU accession process on the basis of political equality. The CTP leader added that during his visit to Cyprus, Robin Cook will try to find a formula to achieve that.

Talat stressed that Denktash must not push aside the opportunities facing the Turkish Cypriots under the pretext of the British visa requirement. Talat reiterated that the CTP wants the resumption of the intercommunal talks as soon as possible for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He called on Denktash to protect the Turkish Cypriots' right to participate in the EU accession talks in a way that will reflect their political equality.

[05] Eroglu in Ankara

The "delegation already met with President Demirel, Defence Minister Sezgin and Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

KIBRIS says that Demirel's meeting with the delegation was closed to press. However, Defence Minister Sezgin, after meeting "delegation" declared that "People of Cyprus should have no worries neither from Paphos Airbase nor from S-300 missiles.

Turkish state is a great state". (MY)

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

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