Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-06-22

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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. 108/98 -- 20-21-22.6.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Last 3 F-16´s leave occupied area for bases in Turkey.

[02] Demirel´s trip to Cyprus to be brought forward.

[03] Minister Gurel links Cyprus problem to EU membership

[04] Turkish warships leave occupied ports.

[05] Illegal Bayrak television starts satellite transmissions.

[06] ``Cooperation Protocol'' signed with Turkish Television.

[07] Turkish, Greek Presidents to visit Cyprus almost simultaneously - Demirel says there will be no war in Cyprus.

[08] FP leader supports Turkey´s stand on Cyprus crisis.

[09] Yilmaz: Do not test Turkey´s determination again.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Last 3 F-16´s leave occupied area for bases in Turkey

[02] Demirel´s trip to Cyprus to be brought forward

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has reportedly talked to Demirel on the telephone regarding the Cyprus problem before the former´s departure to Romania. National Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, for his part, has reportedly briefed Demirel following the summit held at the Prime Minister´s residence the other day.

Work has reportedly begun to bring forward Demirel´s visit to the ``TRNC''. Demirel was expected to arrive in the ``TRNC'' at the end of next month within the framework of the projects for carrying water to the ``TRNC'' in balloons. Instructions have reportedly been issued for bringing forward as early as possible Demirel´s visit and Demirel has prepared for visiting the ``TRNC'' in the beginning of July. The visit was postponed due to a delay in the completion of the technical infrastructure.

Stressing that all the possibilities of diplomacy should be tested, President Demirel said the following regarding the assessment of the Cyprus problem: ``The incidents are developing quickly. We should make decisions according to the unfolding conditions. But solving the problem by using all the possibilities of diplomacy before the occurrence of heated clashes is beneficial for both Turkey and Greece, as well as for the two communities living on the island.''

[03] Minister Gurel links Cyprus problem to EU membership

Alleging that the European Union (EU) is linked with the Cyprus question, Gurel claimed that the decision of the EU to start full membership negotiations with Cyprus has negatively affected the points of agreement reached between the two communities on the island.

Pointing out that Turkey can´t remain indifferent to the preparations for the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island and the landing of Greek warplanes on the island, Gurel claimed that Greece plans not only to threaten the ``TRNC'', but also Turkey by settling on the free areas of Cyprus.

Gurel stressed that Turkey has always guaranteed the security of the ``TRNC'' and she is still doing the same thing today. ``The security of the TRNC is vital for the security of Turkey'', he said.

[04] Turkish warships leave occupied ports

According to information obtained from the ``police'', a frigate, a destroyer, and two submarines anchored at occupied Famagusta within the same framework are to leave the occupied area today (22.6.98).

[05] Illegal Bayrak television starts satellite transmissions

Ismet Kotak, the ``director'' of illegal Bayrak Television, said that the television broadcasts in six languages today, adding that they aim to broadcast in eight languages and broadcast beyond oceans.

The broadcasting through satellite, which will cover Turkey, all Europe and the Middle East, will start at 00:30 (GMT 21.30) and last till 02.30 (GMT 23:30) three times a week.

[06] ``Cooperation Protocol'' signed with Turkish Television

Under the protocol, cooperation between the two corporations will be increased to the highest level to include joint productions, training, and exchange of technical know-how. Accordingly, the duration of satellite transmissions will be increased and illegal BRT productions will be included in the TRT-Int and TRT-Avrasya programs. Furthermore, large-scale productions will be undertaken jointly and in solidarity.

[07] Turkish, Greek Presidents to visit Cyprus almost simultaneously - Demirel says there will be no war in Cyprus

After it became known that the Greek President will visit Cyprus, it was decided at the end of appraisals in Ankara that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel should visit the occupied area on June 28.

Stefanopoulos will be in the free part of Nicosia on June 27, while Demirel will visit the occupied part of the city on June 28. Demirel will meet with Rauf Denktash, while Stefanopoulos will meet with President Glafcos Clerides to discuss the Cyprus problem.

Within this framework, warplanes are expected to accompany the Turkish and Greek presidents to the island as they always do. Thus it is possible that Greek warplanes will accompany the Greek President, and Turkish warplanes will accompany the Turkish President. There is concern that the simultaneous visits of the Greek and Turkish presidents to Cyprus and the possibility that they will make speeches ``to bolster the spirits of their kinsmen'' during their visits will ``activate'' ``extreme nationalist'' groups in the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities.

Speaking to a group of graduating students at the Cankaya Mansion the other day, President Demirel talked about the Cyprus problem. The President was asked numerous questions during the reception. The last question was about the top issue on the public agenda: ``Can there be war in Cyprus?''

Demirel´s answer to this question was clear and explicit: ``There will not be war in Cyprus. Do not worry. Anyone who starts a war in Cyprus would regret it. That is why there will be no war in Cyprus. Do not be worried.''

Meanwhile, the recent crisis in Cyprus will be discussed at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting on June 29.

The ``Orthodox belt'' Greece supposedly wants to create around Turkey, Greek obstruction of the development of Turkeys relations with the EU, efforts to activate the Greek-Greek Cypriot joint defense doctrine, and the ``threat'' these efforts pose to the ``TRNC'' and Turkey will be discussed in detail at the meeting.

NSC members will be briefed about the developments that unfolded after Turkey dispatched warplanes to the ``TRNC'' as a reprisal and diplomatic efforts on this issue and their results.

A communique to be issued after the NSC meeting is expected to express Turkey´s determination to defend its own soil and the security of the ``TRNC'' and the eastern Mediterranean.

[08] FP leader supports Turkey´s stand on Cyprus crisis

Addressing the opening of the FP Chairmanship Council meeting the other day, Kutan said he considers the response in kind given to the landing of Greek warplanes in Cyprus to be the correct approach.

[09] Yilmaz: Do not test Turkey´s determination again

Describing the deployment of the Greek warplanes on the island as ``the sign of Greek Cypriots´aim towards testing Turkey´s determination'', Yilmaz claimed that ``the final purpose of the Greek Cypriot side is to make Cyprus a Greek Cypriot island''.

Yilmaz alleged that the deployment of the Greek warplanes on the island along with the Greek Cypriots`program concerning the deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles are threats against Turkey`s security.

Noting that Turkey is ready to cooperate with anyone in order to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, Yilmaz said the first condition of a possible solution is that ``the Greek Cypriot side should give up their initiatives aiming to make Cyprus a Greek Cypriot island and to make Turkish Cypriot community a minority.''

Responding to a question about the mediation of Britain on the island, Yilmaz said, ``we don´t expect anyone to mediate. Turkey only reminds Britain her mission as the guarantor of London and Zurich Agreements.''

Yilmaz again claimed that the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island damages not only the peace in Cyprus, but the regional stability in the Mediterranean. He added that Turkey will not hesitate on taking all necessary measures against it.

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

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