Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-06-19

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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. 107/98 -- 19.6.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash welcomes Turkish fleet as ``Guardian of Peace''.

[02] Ciller calls for `Diplomatic Offensive´on S-300 issue.

[03] Ecevit: Turkey does not take Greek threats seriously.

[04] Six TAF F-16´s land at occupied Lefkoniko airporot loaded with ammunition weapons.

[05] Denktash: ``We are in the right de jure and de facto''.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry does not see hot clash possibility.

[07] Greek Cypriot drove into the occupied area while drunk.

[08] Yilmaz: No desire for war; ``TRNC'' has room for warplanes.

[09] Cem says Turkey resolved to protect security of ``TRNC''.

[10] Sezgin: ``Greek moves aim at hellenizing island''.

[11] Gurel comments on Turkey´s responsibility as ``guarantor state on Cyprus''.

[12] Yilmaz vows to eliminate ``threat'' against Turkey, ``TRNC''.

[13] Demirel: Cyprus is Turkey´s soft belly.

[14] Commander on ``right'', ``power'' of Tujrkey to take every measure in Cyprus.

[15] KIBRIS says Dentkash to meet Austrian Foreign Minister.

[16] Turkey said considering tough measures, `heated clash´.

[17] KIBRIS interview with Mr. Kasoulides.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash welcomes Turkish fleet as ``Guardian of Peace''

Addressing the meeting, Denktash said he is proud to welcome the Turkish commanders and Rear Ad. Ogutcu and added: ``The constant movement of the Turkish fleet in the TRNC territorial waters gives a sense of security of the Turkish Cypriot people.''

Denktash continued: ``You are the guardian of peace in Cyprus. Your arrival in the TRNC is a symbol that peace will be maintained forever.''

Denktash added that the Turkish side announced to the whole world the principles on which an agreement can be secured. Denktash continued: ``The (23 April) declaration stated that there are two states, communities, and partners in Cyprus. The reckless pursuit of one of the partners to seize Cyprus and the fact that one of the partners has disrupted the partnership republic by completely disregarding the other partner prevents conciliation. We laid the grounds for and secured 50-percent progress toward conciliation with the 23 April declaration.''

Calling on the world to accept ``the Cyprus realities'' and to comply with democracy and the rule of law Denktash alleged: ``Nothing can be accomplished unless these principles are upheld. Otherwise, Cyprus will continue on its way as two separate states.''

Stressing that 65 million persons will never give the Greek Cypriots a chance to ``seize'' Cyprus and isolate it from Turkey, Denktash said: ``We call on the Greek Cypriots to be aware of this fact''.

[02] Ciller calls for `Diplomatic Offensive´ on S-300 issue

Addressing the DYP assembly group meeting, Ciller said the S-300 crisis had become ensconced in Turkey´s agenda. Indicating that the S-300 project is being implemented step-by-step despite her party´s constant warnings to the government for months, Ciller stated that it is as though Turkey is completely isolated in terms of diplomacy.

Ciller continued: ``The wait-and-see policies with regard to this crisis are invalid. The threat that we will hit after they deploy the missiles is not convincing. Turkey should pursue a course that will prove to everybody that it can prevent the implementation of this project.'' Noting that there is a need for a serious diplomatic offensive, Ciller added: ``This offensive should be put on Turkey´s and the world´s agenda even if it does not yield results. The military (?presence) in the TRNC can be doubled. The Turkish naval and air units can start to conduct frequent military exercises. This issue can be supported through a diplomatic offensive on all platforms until the world comes to accept it.''

[03] Ecevit: Turkey does not take Greek threats seriously

Replying to reporters´ questions at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Bulent Ecevit asserted that whatever is necessary will be done in the face of the ``threats'' against the security of Turkey and the pseudostate. ``We are, of course, following the Greek measures closely. We are not taking them very seriously, though. Even if the threats are directed against Turkey´s own security, they are not so meaningful for us'', Ecevit said.

[04] Six TAF F-16´s land at occupied Lefkoniko airport loaded with ammunition, weapons

It was reported that the Turkish Air Force (TAF) planes are fully equipped and that they are loaded with ammunition and weapons.

According to Anatolia Agency (14:35 hours, 18.6.98) three of the six F-16´s that landed left the airport in the afternoon.

It is reported that the other three planes will remain at occupied Lefkoniko airport overnight.

[05] Denktash: ``We are in the right de jure and de facto''

Addressing the pilots at the airport, Rauf Denktash, inter alia said, ``…you are here to show that we will never allow the situation to change against us and Turkey, that this daughterland, as the TRNC, will eternally exist in the shadow of the Turkish Republic with the support and assistance of the motherland, and that its existence will be protected forever.''

Rauf Denktash also replied to reporters´question at the airport.

Apparently in reply to a relevant question, Denktash inter alia said: ``The 65-million-strong Turkey is just 40 km away, and it is not going to allow Cyprus to become Greek or leave the Turkish Cypriots to the mercy of the Greek Cypriots. The TRNC exists and it has been created by them. They were the cause of tts emergence.''

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry does not see hot clash possibility

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told Anatolia on Thursday that there is not a possibility of hot clash at this stage. ``They sent us messages. And we are sending them messages'', he said.

Alleging that the attitude of Greece shows that ``they are spoilt a little bit'', the official said, ``Greece and the Greek Cypriot side started to act rather unrestrained following the EU´s decision to start full membership talks with the Greek Cypriots. They had acted madly in the past too''.

The official said that opening of occupied Varosha to settlement as a response to the Greek Cypriots is not on the agenda for now, but Turkey plans to take additional military measures.

Pointing out that the visit of Turkish warships to the island was planned earlier within the framework of ``Seawolf 98'' exercise, the official alleged, ``we are disturbed by this escalation.''

[07] Greek Cypriot drove into the occupied area while drunk

According to a statement issued by the press center of the so-called Police Directorate, Kyriakou was under the influence of alcohol when he crossed over into the pseudostate from the occupied Pyroi region and was detained by ``policemen''. So-called legal proceedings have been launched against Kyriakou.

[08] Yilmaz: No desire for war; ``TRNC'' has room for warplanes

Yilmaz described the initiatives to purchase the S-300 missiles and the landing of the Greek warplanes at the Paphos air base as ``indications of a desire to attack Turkey.''

Noting that Turkey decided to take both diplomatic and military measures in connection with the latest developments, Yilmaz added: ``The TRNC has the necessary space for warplanes. We will show the whole world that the Turkish Cypriots are not alone in the face of the joint Greek and Greek Cypriot threat.''

[09] Cem says Turkey resolved to protect security of ``TRNC''

``Four Greek F-16 aircraft left for southern Cyprus on 16 June 1998 and landed at the Paphos base, which was set up by Greece at the Greek Cypriot side. Two of these aircraft returned to Crete and the other two stayed at the Paphos base for one night and returned to Greece on 17 June 1998. The Greek Cypriot side described this recent Greek provocation as the `implementation of the illegal Joint Defense Pact´ and she also said that this proved that the Paphos Air Base is ready for fulfilling its mission. These expressions are so clear which don´t need to be interpreted and they confess to the escalation of provocations and threats by the Greek-Greek Cypriot front. Turkey has carefully evaluated the initiative of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, which upsets the strategical balances on Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean. This initiative has necessitated the declaration of this attack and threat against Turkey and the TRNC to the whole world and the necessity of taking measures'', he claimed.

[10] Sezgin: ``Greek moves aim at hellenizing island''

Replying to reporters´questions in Ankara, Sezgin claimed: ``Greece has acted like a bully, defying all. It has attacked and threatened the TRNC, our country, and the eastern Mediterranean region. In fact, the Greeks have been pursuing a policy of hellenizing the island ever since 1963. Their moves on 16 and 17 June were part of their efforts to hellenize the island.''

[11] Gurel comments on Turkey´s responsibility as ``guarantor state on Cyprus''

Addressing a statement to Anatolia, Gurel said that ``Turkey will keep as many forces as necessary depending upon the degree of threat perceived.''

Noting that a joint military area was set up between Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, Gurel alleged that a more important point is the fact that Greece has settled on the island with air and naval forces. ``These developments threaten all the Eastern Mediterranean as much as it threatens Turkey,'' he claimed.

``Everybody should be sensitive in the international arena concerning these developments. If certain military concentrations are seen on Cyprus, then Turkey will be responsible for taking the necessary measures, not only to protect her security, but also being a guarantor state on Cyprus'', Gurel added.

[12] Yilmaz vows to eliminate ``threat'' against Turkey, ``TRNC''

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that he revised the measures which can be taken concerning this issue with officials from the General Staff on Wednesday night. Noting that Turkey will launch diplomatic initiatives by Britain, a guarantor state of Cyprus, and international institutions, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ``besides that, we´ll implement several military measures, but I can only say today that the Greek Cypriot side will be the one which will be suffering concerning the escalation of tension in Cyprus.''

``As you know, Turkey and the TRNC have the necessary bases for the war planes. We´ll use them more often from now on and we will show to the world that the Turkish Cypriots aren´t alone against the common threat of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side'', he said.

Responding to another question about ``retaliation'', Yilmaz pointed out, ``retaliation means taking the necessary counter measures. There is the common threat of the S-300 missiles and the Greek Air Forces, which are deployed in southern Cyprus. All kinds of measures to balance that will be taken by us.''

Asked whether there is a possibility of war in Cyprus, Prime Minister Yilmaz pointed out, ``we don´t want such a possibility, however this depends on the Greek Cypriot attitude to a considerable extent. Turkey is resolved concerning this issue and nobody should have any doubts about that.''

Responding to another question about the validity of the agreements reached earlier between Turkey and Greece regarding the Aegean, Yilmaz said ``Turkey respects this agreement, however this recent situation doesn´t abide by the spirit of this agreement. It is also strange that this development took place before the conclusions of the Cardiff Summit appeared.''

``It is very difficult to think that Greece has attempted to do something like that without getting courage from certain circles. The thing we should do now is to eliminate the threat against Turkey and the TRNC and this will be done,'' he added.

[13] Demirel: Cyprus is Turkey´s soft belly

[14] COMMANDER ON "RIGHT", "POWER" OF TURKEY TO TAKE EVERY MEASURE IN CYPRUS

General Ilhan Kilic added: "Our guarantorship right on Cyprus continues. Thus we have a right and power to take every measure on the island. We do what is necessary without being deceived by the provocations."

[15] KIBRIS SAYS DENKTASH TO MEET AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

On 22 June, Denktash will go to Istanbul to attend "HURRIYET" newspaper's 50th anniversay. On 23 June he will leave for Vienna to give a conference at the Diplomacy Academy of the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

In Vienna, Denktash will meet Austrian Foreign Minister as well as former UN Secretary General and former Austrian President Kurt Waldheim.

In Vienna Denktash will open a photographic exhibition.

(MY)

[16] TURKEY SAID CONSIDERING TOUGH MEASURES, 'HEATED CLASH'

Noting that the Greek-Greek Cypriot joint defense doctrine is a major headache for Turkey, the meeting discussed various scenarios for breaking the operational capability of this doctrine by the Turkish Armed Forces if Greece steps us the tension.

In the meeting, which lasted until the early hours of next day, relations with Greece were examined. It was decided that "Turkey should respond in the toughest manner possible to this provocative attitude by Athens." The "summit", considered to be the most crucial meeting on the highest state level in recent times, also reviewed the Turkish Armed Forces' operational plans in case of a possible heated clash.Prior to this major summit, two more summits were held in Ankara throughout the day. A meeting at the General Staff at noon assessed the crisis from the military standpoint. The meeting, held under Deputy Chief of the General Staff Cevik Bir, stressed decided to take every possible military measure against any possible new action by Greece. The General Staff meeting, which lasted for almost an hour, was attended by the heads of the General Staff Intelligence and Operations Departments, and officials from the Turkish-Greek Department and the Air Force Command. The meeting discussed General Staff intelligence reports on the landing of four F-16s and two (as published) C-130 planes of the Greek Air Force in Paphos. The meeting underlined that the Turkish Armed Forces cannot turn a blind eye to Greece's action and said that every necessary reaction to it should be shown. The commanders stressed that "not even the slightest concessions could be made in the face of this action by Greece."

[17] KIBRIS INTERVIEW WITH MR. KASOULIDES

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

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