Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-05-21

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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. 88/98 -- 21.5.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on Hannay, says ´No Need to Talk to him´.

[02] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots will join EU as a Turkish Repubilc.

[03] Turkey said may buy Russian arms if S-300 cancelled.

[04] Cook holds news conference on Ankara contacts

[05] Cem: Measures taken to deal with S-300 problem.

[06] Tasucu port in Turkey to facilitate transportation to and from the occupied area.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on Hannay, says ´No Need to Talk to him´

Addressing a statement before the meeting, Denktash said that Sir David Hannay, the British Special Representative to Cyprus, thinks that the ``TRNC'' will never be recognized and the Greek Cypriot side is the legitimate government on Cyprus, adding that he does not hold contacts with Hannay.

``Sir Hannay, who is a coordinator, was assigned to help us concerning the Cyprus question. We could not get any response from him when we asked him to help us concerning the passport issue. Sir David Hannay gave his decision a long time ago. He does not recognize our existence, for this reason there is no need to talk to him,'' Denktash said.

Denktash added that the pseudostate is in continuous contact with Britain by the mediation of David Madden, the British High Commissioner to Cyprus. ``We can meet everybody who wishes to know our opinion,'' he added.

David Madden, who participated in the meeting, said that Hannay is not a coordinator, but the British government´s special representative to Cyprus, and said that the solution parameters he pursued are parameters of UN process.

``Sir David Hannay does not like us, he made us unhappy by issuing unnecessary statements. We do not like to suffer, because we are suffering for 34 years. We don´t like people who say that we will never be recognized, '' alleged Denktash, adding that a basis should be prepared to find a solution on Cyprus, and that basis would only be the equality of the sides.

[02] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots will join EU as a Turkish Repubilc

(EG)

[03] Turkey said may buy Russian arms if S-300 cancelled

General Ismail Karadayi, Chief of the General Staff, who went to Moscow for an official visit two days ago, visited the Jukov (as published) Air Base to inspect the KA-50 and KA-52 helicopters, which are known as ``crocodiles''. Russian officials want to sell 145 helicopters to Turkey for $3.5 billion. They have claimed that their helicopters are unchallenged in the world. However, it seems that the future of the military cooperation between the two countries is completely contingent on the cancellation of the delivery of the S-300 missiles to Cyprus. Russian Defense Ministry officials have disclosed that Turkey is interested in armoured vehicles, T- 80 tanks, and MIG-29 and SU-27 military planes. However, they noted that an agreement for their sale will be contingent on cancellation of the contract for the S-300 missiles. That was the first time the Russian officials confirmed the deadlock created by the missiles problem and Turkey´s firm approach on the matter.

Meanwhile, the same officials also said for the first time that the cancellation of the agreement can be considered as a distant option. In a statement to ITAR-TASS and INTERFAX on General Karadayi´s visit, they said that ``the cancellation of the agreement is not entirely impossible.''

[04] Cook holds news conference on Ankara contacts

Cook said that in his talks with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem he conveyed the message that the EU wants closer relations with Turkey both in the economic and the political fields. He added that the three officials, in turn, expressed their wish for Turkey to develop strong relations with the EU. Noting that Turkey is a key partner for the EU, Cook said that trade has been developed through the Customs Union agreement and that bureaucratic obstacles have been diminished.

Pointing out that Turkey is a major player in the region and that the EU wants to coordinate regional cooperation with Turkey, Cook added that the EU wants to be in coordination with Turkey on issues that concern the region extending from Iraq to the Mediterranean and from the former Soviet republics to the Yugoslav republics.

The British Minister further expressed the wish to extend cooperation into the fields of culture, organized crime, drug smuggling, and illegal migration. He noted that the EU finds Turkey suitable for membership and that all the member states have put forward objective political and economic criteria.

Cook, who is also the current EU president, said in his news conference that the strategy prepared by the EU for Turkey was discussed during his contacts in Turkey, adding that ways to advance it were assessed. Pointing out that Yilmaz and Cem welcomed the EU Commission´s proposals, Cook said that they include an understanding for the need for cooperation. He noted that this cooperation includes microeconomic dialogues on the CU, aid aimed at bringing Turkey to a level that is compatible with EU standards, and environmental, migration, and human rights issues.

Cook said that the EU is ready for the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting expected to be held on 25 May, and added: I hope the Turkish Government will also be ready for the meeting.

Pointing out that the Cyprus issue was also discussed during his contacts, Cook said that the aim of all the EU member countries is to secure Cyprus´ membership as a united island and as a bizonal and communal federation. Noting that the EU supports the UN efforts to achieve a political solution, Cook expressed the wish that the negotiation process be renewed.

[04] Cem: Measures taken to deal with S-300 problem

``Russia explained this by saying: ´We are selling the missiles because we sell arms. Someone else will sell missiles to south Cyprus if we do not do so´. The S-300 missiles will be a threat not only to the TRNC but also to Turkey. They have been described as defensive missiles. However, they can be modified to be used as offensive weapons. Our government´s approach on the problem is quite clear. The General Staff has been instructed to take all the necessary measures if the missiles are deployed. Measures are being taken to deal with the problem. We have explained the situation to the entire world in the diplomatic field.''

[05] Tasucu port in Turkey to facilitate transportation to and from the occupied area

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

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