Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-05-26

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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. 90/98 -- 26.5.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey´s Sezgin denies S-300 parts deployed in Cyprus.

[02] Denktash rejects blame for failure of Holbrooke mission, says S-300 not subject for bargaining.

[03] Turkish official in the occupied area.

[04] Denktash meets new French Ambassador to Cyprus.

[05] New ``protocol'' signed between Turkey and the pseudostate.

[06] 2,400-year-old vessels dug from occupied Vadili grave.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Outcome of Karadayi´s visit to Russia viewed.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey´s Sezgin denies S-300 parts deployed in Cyprus

Sezgin made this statement in reply to correspondents questions after the opening of the third Eurasian Islamic conference in Ankara . Asked to comment on press reports that S-300 missile parts have been deployed in Cyprus, Sezgin said there is no such thing. He added: ``This would be madness. Moreover, it is against the rules of common sense.''

[02] Denktash rejects blame for failure of Holbrooke mission, says S-300 not subject for bargaining

``The EU decision adopted at the urging of Greece is a great attack against the existence and status of the Turkish Cypriots as well as the Turkish- Greek balance, which was secured by means of the 1960 agreements,'' Denktash claimed.

Referring to the demand of the ``TRNC'' to be recognized, Denktash claimed that given the Greek Cypriot attempts ``to take possession of Cyprus'', as he put it, it is definitely not possible to continue the talks as a community. ``The 23 April declaration also underlined the existence of the TRNC. This is the Turkish policy. If the Greek Cypriots want to reunite Cyprus, it is possible to achieve this through state-to-state talks. It is impossible, however, to continue as the representative of a community at the table, on one hand, and the legitimate Cyprus government away from the table, on the other,'' he said.

He added: ``Before Holbrooke arrived here, he was well aware of our policy. He had the 23 April declaration in his hands. We had conveyed all the facts to him via Miller. He chose to come here, and he came. He failed to get the Greek Cypriots to renounce the idea of the missiles and the bases for Greece. Moreover, he was unable to get the Greek Cypriots to suspend their application for EU membership. He was unable to make them accept the existence of the TRNC and openly declare that they are not the government of the whole of Cyprus.''

Denktash reiterated the Turkish Cypriots´call for ``state-to-state'' talks and alleged that the subject of discussion is the establishment of good relations between the ``two states'' and the elimination of the enmities. In reply to a question, Denktash reported that he would meet with Miller at 1000 today.

Asked if the issue of the S-300 missiles will be raised during the meeting with Miller, Denktash said the ``the S-300´s are instruments of murder'' and cannot be a subject for bargaining. He noted that there is nothing to be given in exchange for these missilles. ``Together with Turkey, we are adopting the necessary measures against the S-300´s'' Denktash noted, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side is not afraid of this and will continue to resist and take the necessary measures.

[03] Turkish official in the occupied area

Taner Etkin made this statement after meeting Turkish Foreign Ministry Bilateral Political Affairs and Maritime-Aviation General Director, Ambassador Yigit Alptoga, who is currently in the occupied area for talks with the occupation regime.

Etkin said that the visit of the Turkish delegation headed by Alptoga has given strength and provided moral support to the Turkish Cypriots. (MY)

[04] Denktash meets new French Ambassador to Cyprus

[05] New ``protocol'' signed between Turkey and the pseudostate

KIBRIS further reports that the upper limit to such money orders has been raised from 20 million TL to 200 million TL.

The new so-called protocol will be in force as of 1 June 1998. (MY)

[06] 2,4OO-year-old vessels dug from occupied Vadili grave

The so-called museums and antiquities department staff excavated the historic collection from a site at occupied Vadili last week after being alerted by the tractor driver.

Believed to date from the Classical period of around 475-325 BC, the artifacts comprised a water vessel, water cup, seashell-shaped plate and a lantern.

They were found about two meters below ground.

The discovery was significant, as part of the general picture of the area, where major archaeological finds had previously been made.

In 1917 a 2,700-year-old vessel belonging to the Archaic period was discovered in the same area and is now being displayed at a Museum in the free areas of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Outcome of Karadayi´s visit to Russia viewed

What did Karadayi´s visit achieve? First, its main reasons have to be considered. The media organs created the impression that it was organized to give an opportunity to Karadayi to try to persuade the Russian officials not to deliver the S-300 missiles they sold to south Cyprus. However, that was only one of the objectives. The main aim behind the visit can be summed up as follows:

1. To broaden the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia in the economic, trade, and diplomatic fields to cover the military domain.

2. To establish the possibility of cooperation between the two countries in the defense industry domain and create an opportunity for Turkey to `increase´ the resources from which it buys its arms.

3. To explain Turkey´s approach and convey Ankara´s message on various issues, such as the S-300 missiles, the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK), navigation through Turkey´s straits, and the projects for the construction of oil pipelines.

Considering all that, Karadayi´s mission was successful. It is true that Russia made no hint to create the impression that it will change its approach on the delivery of S-300 missiles to south Cyprus. However, the visit was not expected to persuade the Russian officials to change their mind.

A new assurance was not given on the PKK. What was said was in general terms. But the Russian military officials were not authorized to give an assurance on the problem^Å

Nevertheless, the visit achieved concrete results, one of which was `the signing of a memorandum of understanding.´ The document calls for close contacts between the military forces of the two sides on various issues, from training to the environment.

Obviously, it may pave the way for a broader cooperation between the military forces of the two countries in the future.

General Karadayi`s visit conveyed the message that Turkey views Russia as a possible source that may sell modern arms to it. The message confirmed Ankara´s decision to increase the sources from which Turkey buys its arms.

Linking that to the problem of the S-300 missiles is out of question. Russia should consider Turkey´s gigantic requirements and give priority to such a market. That would be a wise approach. The question that should be asked is whether or not Turkey should avoid buying Russia`s arms if Moscow supplies S-300 missiles to south Cyprus or to any other neighbouring country.

Turkey buys its arms mainly from the United States. Is it not true that Washington also sells large quantities of arms to Greece?

A rational basis has to be created for the relations between Turkey and Russia. The common interests of the two countries are more than their clashing interests and disputes. The message General Karadayi conveyed in Moscow for `cooperation instead of . rivalry´should be the main objective of the two countries.''

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

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