Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-06-17

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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. 105/98 -- 17.6.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sezgin on S-300 missiles.

[02] Turkey denies defense `embargo´ on France.

[03] Yilmaz´s response to Clinton´s letter on Cyprus.

[04] Denktash and Turkey ``protest'' landing of Greece Air Force planes at Paphos base.

[05] Denktash´s henchman admits some British citizens as well as poet Osman Turkay and Prof. Salahi Sonyel are on the occupation regime´s pay-roll.

[06] Turkish Cypriot gets 10 years in prison on spying charges.

[07] Air passengers to and from the occupied area.

[08] Syrians ``sentenced'' for ``illegal entry'' into occupied area.

[09] Turkish warships arrive at occupied ports.

[10] Independent joins FP raising number of seats to 145.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sezgin on S-300 missiles

In reply to a question on the ship that was searched in the straits, Sezgin said, inter alia, that they had received information about drugs in connection with this ship and that during the search they determined the existence of equipment not cited in the ship´s manifesto, and added: ``The customs units realized that this was military equipment, they informed the concerned authorities, and asked for a more specialized check. The issue was raised at the Council of Ministers. We discussed the matter and decided that under the Montreux Treaty, there was nothing to be done. So early this morning, the ship sailed away.'' He further claimed:

``The ship is now headed to Alexandria. There are no signs that the equipment belonged to the S-300 missiles. Only, it is believed that it is missile equipment. We cannot know for sure because military experts did not check it. However, I want to point out here and now that this is not that important. The Russians´ move involving the S-300 missiles is a continuation of the efforts that began in 1963 to hellenize Cyprus in one way or another. It is understood that the aim is to use the S-300 missiles as a bargaining chip. The S-300 issue is no longer one that concerns us and the TRNC only, but one that concerns the entire world. This is a problem that goes beyond being my problem. It is a regional problem as well as a global problem''. And he concluded:

``The minute the move to deploy these missiles started, our government, in consultation with the General Staff, discussed and determined the measures to be taken. These measures have been taken. I do not think that the S-300 missiles can be deployed on the island, because that would be madness. I believe that nobody should or will allow an Alliance member to resort to an act that might turn the Aegean, a sea of peace, into one of war - even if the possibility is small - especially at a time when the Alliance is making great efforts to ensure peace, security, and stability in the region, when NATO is gaining its new shape, and when Europe´s new security architecture is being created. That would be madness. Deploying the missiles would be irrational. As I always say, the S-300 missiles issue is a big issue for Cyprus, but a very small one for Turkey. If they are deployed, Turkey will do whatever is necessary.''

Asked whether he thinks any changes can be expected in the Russian attitude, Sezgin replied:

``The Russians may have to take a step back. Russia would have much more valuable interests than the foreign exchange it would gain from a move that might trigger a crisis in Europe. There are values and concepts that are far more valuable than the few dollars they will gain from the sale of those missiles. Turkey´s friendship is far more valuable than those few dollars. The ties with the West are far more valuable. Maybe Russia´s economic situation forces it to sell some of the weapons and equipment it has. However, states, nations, and countries cannot live in isolation from each other. They must work together, think together, and act together. On the eve of the 21st century, nations and states cannot act on their own.

I reiterate there is no point in blowing this issue out of proportion. Our government has taken all the measures. The missiles will not be deployed, and even if they are, they will not work.''

Asked to clarify if Turkey will hit the missiles Sezgin said: ``There are certain measures about which I cannot speak here. As the national defense minister, I say that following our consultations with the General Staff as the 55th republican government, and in line with the preparations of our General Staff, every kind of measure has been taken. Before everything else, these measures are deterrent. If one kind of deterrence does not work, then another kind of deterrence is resorted to. I cannot know the method of that deterrence.''

[02] Turkey denies defense `embargo´ on France

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said that France won´t be isolated from defense tenders, ``postponement of several negotiations with several companies has been reflected as an embargo upon France, but there is no such embargo,'' he added.

Utkan stated that the defense agreements with France are still in force as Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of Defense said so.

Utkan had earlier told a press briefing that negotiations which were held with French firms to sign defense agreements were postponed due to the course of the draft law on the genocide on Armenians in the French Parliament.

The French Aerospatiale firm and Turkey signed a preliminary agreement in March this year concerning the joint production of Eryx antitank missiles for 2.7 billion francs. The agreement couldn´t be signed last week, although it was anticipated to be signed between the Ministry of National Defense and the Aerospatiale company.

``We don´t target a country, we struggle against efforts which try to stain the Turkish nation,'' he added.

[03] Yilmaz´s response to Clinton´s letter on Cyprus

Yilmaz received President Clinton´s letter through Ambassador Marc Parris. In his first letter conveyed to Yilmaz through Secretary of Defense William Cohen when he visited Ankara on 17 April, President Clinton asked for the Turkish government´s support for a Cyprus solution. Yilmaz responded to it after Richard Holbrooke, President Clinton´s Special Emissary to Cyprus, ended his unsuccessful contacts on the island early last month. He said in his letter that the parameters for a solution have changed and that the intenrcommunal negotiations can be resumed only if they are to be held between the ``two states.''

President Clinton´s letter reportedly said: ``The process to resolve the Cyprus problem can be successful, regardless of the developments. The Turkish Government must continue to contribute.''

It has been ascertained that Yilmaz informed Ambassador Parris that the possibility of the deployment of S-300 missiles in Cyprus and the continuing process for the Greek Cypriot side´s EU accession have rendered a solution of the problem difficult.

[04] Denktash and Turkey ``protest'' landing of Greece Air Force planes at Paphos base

Turning a blind eye to the Turkish warships calling on the occupied Kyrenia and Famagusta ports, Denktash alleged that ``the visit is an action one cannot turn a blind eye to.''

He went on and said: ``The Greek Cypriot administration within the framework of its known policy of escalating the situation and of not giving any chance to reconciliation has permitted the landing of the planes belonging to the Greek airforce on the Paphos airbase allocated to Greece.

This action, which they claim is realized under the joint defence doctrine reached between them, is in contravention to the substance of the 1960 treaties. The TRNC together with motherland Turkey is free to take any counter measure that it deems appropriate. I strongly protest this action'' Denktash declared. A similar ``protest'' was launched by Turkey. (MY)

[05] Dentkash´s henchman admits some British citizens as well as poet Osman Turkay and Prof. Salahi Sonyel are on the occupation regime´s pay-roll.

(MY)

[06] Turkish Cypriot gets 10 years in prison on spying charges

AVRUPA says that legal circles expressed surprise over the court´s sentence. (MY)

[07] Air passengers to and from the occupied area

During this period 271 aircraft landed and took off from the occupied Tymbou airport.

During the first five months of this year, 132,748 passengers arrived in and 138,445 passengers left the occupied area.

Nine airline companies landed and took off from the occupied area. They are: the so-called Turkish Cypriot Airlines (187 landings and 185 take offs), Istanbul Air (54 take offs, 51 landings), Turkish Airlines (25 landings, 25 take offs), Guven-Air (3 landings, 2 take offs), Limak-Air, Bayindir Air, Hamoglu Aviation, Ihlas-Air and Bay-Air (one landing, one take off).

(MY)

[08] Syrians ``sentenced'' for ``illegal entry'' into occupied area

KIBRIS adds that after serving their ``sentence'', the Syrians will be deported. (MY)

[09] Turkish warships arrive at occupied ports

(MY)

[10] Independent joins FP raising number of seats to 145

EF/SK

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

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