Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-06-01

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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. 94/98 30-31/5-1.6.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat urges Denktash not to be sole Turkish Cypriot voice.

[02] Denktash says no decision to hit S-300´s ``at all costs''.

[03] Serdar Denktash: Greek Cypriot goal is withdrawal of Turkish troops.

[04] Denktash sees no alternative to ``two-state'' basis.

[05] Turkish poll on threat of reactionism, strength of political parties.

[06] Italian Ambassador says Italy in favour of non-deployment of missiles and mutual reduction of forces.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat urges Denktash not to be sole Turkish Cypriot voice

Asked if he had managed to persuade Denktash with what he told him, Talat said: ``You must ask him that. He does not have to be persuaded. What was important for us was to explain the real situation and what we encountered abroad''. Talat said Denktash must also know what he saw abroad about the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. He noted that the Europeans believe that the Cyprus problem began in 1974, adding: ``It is anachronistic, illogical, and a little stupid to link this to Christianity versus Islam.''

Talat stressed that except for one representative, the Turkish Cypriots have no activities in Brussels. He said that civilian organizations and political parties must assume this role on a voluntary basis in order to explain and promote the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. He stressed that he has always criticized the objection to such contacts and that he does not approve of Denktash´s stand on this issue.

Talat said: ``The honourable president believes that if only his voice is heard in the world, the world will think that we are united, but that is not true. The world believes that the Turkish Cypriots are being oppressed by Turkey and by Denktash and that if this oppression is lifted, the Turkish Cypriots will run to embrace the Greek Cypriots.'' Talat said that in order to change this belief, Europe must be told that there is a problem in Cyprus which began between the two communities but eventually spread to become an international problem. He added: ``To do that, it is not necessary to hear only the president´s voice. If this continues, the world will believe that there is a dictatorial structure in Cyprus.''

At the end of the meeting, Denktash merely said that he was briefed by Talat.

[02] Denktash says no decision to hit S-300´s ``at all costs''

Claiming that the aim of the Greek Cypriots is to create a missile crisis in the island and to cause the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from the island or to decrease their number in a great deal, Denktash said ``the Turkish side will not permit the Greek Cypriots to play a game against us, because we do not consider the S-300 missiles as an issue of bargaining. S- 300 missiles are tools of murder and they will be seized in all cases.''

Illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 31.5.98) carried a related report, adding that when asked what the Turkish side will do if the missiles are deployed in Cyprus, Denktash replied: ``One cannot disclose what will be done. One must well assess the remark made by Prime Minister Yilmaz when he said: We have the power to protect both Turkey and the TRNC against all kinds of attacks.'' The report adds that Denktash said: ``We will not negotiate on the missiles issue. A murderer does not have the right to tell a policeman to give him a vehicle, in return for which he will give up his weapon. The weapon is either taken from the murderer at the moment, or it is confiscated later on. If the murderer tries to use it, then he is hit like lightning. It other words, there can be no negotiations. The necessary measures have been and will be taken in connection with the missiles.'' Replying to a question, Denktash said that the world should not heed the remarks made by diplomatic sources to the effect that Turkey will strike at the missiles but should heed what Turkey itself says. He added: ``One should look at what Turkey did and will do when the time comes. There is no policy of hitting the missiles at all costs. Whatever is necessary will be done.''

[03] Serdar Denktash: Greek Cypriot goal is withdrawal of Turkish troops

Denktash, who is in Antalya to participate in the ``TRNC Folk Dancing and Music Festival'', made the following statement to an AA correspondent: ``The Greek Cypriots cannot deploy the S-300 missiles in Cyprus. They created the S-300 crisis for no reason at all. Their real aim was to secure the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island but their strategy has failed. When they realized that they would not attain their goal they began to retract their steps. The actions of the Greek Cypriots do not concern us. We have taken our measures. Let them be concerned about the outcome.''

Claiming that an agreement cannot be reached so long as the Greek Cypriots do not accept that ``an equal and independent Turkish state'' exists in the occupied area, Denktash continued:

``We want a Cyprus with two states. The EU, however, prevented such an agreement by making a wrong decision. The relations are at a standstill. They will resume when the Greek Cypriots recognize the TRNC.

We cannot explain ourselves. We cannot explain what we want and the stage we have reached. Everyone, however, has understood the mistake committed by the EU. The EU has realized the mistake it has committed but it cannot not take it back. We do not want war in Cyprus. The TRNC has to be recognized for a lasting peace to be achieved. Keeping Turkey outside the EU picture was a grave mistake.''

Pointing out that political relations with Turkey are very good, Denktash complained that the same level could not be attained in trade.

Noting that they have been unable to overcome bureaucratic procedures for the last 23 years, Denktash continued:

``Turkey does not accept the health certificate received by our agricultural products. We cannot sell our raki to Turkey. Activities are being conducted to solve these problems but they should speedily be legalized. Cyprus can develop economically only if the Turkish market is opened.

We want free trade with certain exemptions. Our industrial exports have decreased drastically in the last three years. We want to sell our industrial goods to the Turkic republics via Turkey. While our imports from Turkey reach $250 million our exports total $12.''

[04] Denktash sees no alternative to ``two-state'' basis

Following a meeting with Mehmet Ali Talat, the main opposition leader, Denktash discussed the Cyprus question with press members. He pointed out that Prime Minister Yilmaz´s latest statement regarding the Cyprus problem is in line with the 23 April declaration and reconfirms Turkey´s determination.

Denktash charged that from every aspect, Turkey will become one of the region´s greatest, most effective, and most influential countries in the region by 2020. ``Cyprus cannot be left outside this movement'', he stressed, adding that Turkey´s influence over Cyprus will increase, not decrease.

Denktash claimed: ``Turkey does not covet the entire island. It does not have any policies or intentions in that direction. It proved that in 1974. The Turkish Cypriots do not intend to become the government of Cyprus. They do not intend to rule the Greek Cypriots. Therefore, the two peoples must learn to live side by side in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots have made it impossible for the two peoples to live intermingled.''

He said: ``Come and let us sit at the table. Let us solve the problems between us. Let us leave the future to the will of our people who, as two equal states, will recognize each other´s existence, status, rights and sovereignty.''

Denktash said that in the future, once the problems are resolved, referendums can be held and the people can be asked what they want. He claimed that a ``two-state'' basis will not take anything away from the Greek Cypriots. He also claimed that the Greek Cypriots leave the Turkish Cypriots no alternative. ``We have a state, and nothing can be achieved by denying this fact,'' he alleged.

[05] Turkish poll on threat of reationism, strength of political parties

The poll was requested by the Path Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller. It established that the people do not view reactionism as a serious threat.

Some 2,160 respondents were asked to outline their views on reactionism. Some 40.4 percent said ``reactionism does not exist'' and 24.6 percent said ``the threat exists but is not serious.'' Some 21.2 percent said they view reactionism as a very serious threat and 13.8 percent said they had ``no idea.''

Asked to comment on the allegations that Ciller has committed irregularities, 41 percent of the respondents said that ``Ciller has been unjustly treated'' and 30.6 percent said that ``she is guilty.''

It will be recalled that 60 or more percent of respondents in previous polls said that they believed Ciller was guilty. The fact that the respondents who believe that she is guilty decreased from 60 to 30 percent was welcomed by the DYP administration, particularly by Tansu Ciller herself.

The poll result indicated that the DYP is now the leading party with the support of 21.7 percent of the electorate, followed by the Virtue Party with 18.3 percent of the vote, the Motherland Party with 16.4 percent, the Democratic Left Party with 11.1 percent, and the Republican People´s Party (CHP) with 9.4 percent.

The respondents were also asked to comment on recent developments. Asked ``whether or not CHP leader Deniz Baykal will take action to have the government removed during the next few days,'' 63.5 percent said ``he will not'' and 36.5 percent said ``he will take action to oust the government.''

[06] Italian Ambassador says Italy in favour of non-deployment of missiles and mutual reduction of forces

Bascone went on and said: ``At the Cardiff summit as well we will continue our support and take a stance in favour of Turkey.''

Bascone insisted that the EU stance at Luxembourg was misunderstood by Turkey. As for the S-300 missiles, Bascone said: ``Of course, Italy does not support actions that aim at escalating tension on the island. This includes the non-deployment of the missiles as well as the reduction of forces on the island on both sides. Italy is trying to be helpful in the resumption of the negotiation process in Cyprus.''

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

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