Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-06-29

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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. 113/98 -- 27-28-29.6.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Dentkash on EU policy, S-300 missiles.

[02] Denktash comments on his visit to Austria, Stefanopoulosīvisit.

[03] Denktash calls Cyprus a ``Turkish island''.

[04] Eroglu urges recognition of ``two separate, sovereign states''.

[05] Preliminary ``local election'' results.

[06] Adana Governorīs office says quake toll stands at 101 dead.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on EU policy, S-300 missiles

Denktash, who visited Vienna, met with Albert Rohan, Austrian Foreign Ministry under secretary.

In a statement after the meeting, which was held at the Austrian Foreign Ministry in camera and which lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, Denktash remarked that Austrian leaders are very familiar with the history of the Cyprus question from the times when Kurt Waldheim was UN Secretary General.

Denktash noted that especially because of this he expects Austria not to accept every allegation regarding Cyprus without challenging it and to explain the facts to the other EU countries.

Denktash recounted that he told Rohan: ``If you do not want to divide Cyprus permanently, you must take into consideration the existence and status of the Turkish Cypriots as well as their government and state equal to that of the Greek Cypriots.''

The Austrian diplomat referred to the appeal issued by President Glafcos Clerides with regard to participation in EU membership talks, Denktash reported, and said that he gave him the following response:

``Clerides is the president of the Greek Cypriots, not of Cyprus. His application for EU membership is aimed at eliminating Turkeyīs rights over Cyprus and indirectly integrating with Greece. He extended this invitation to the Turkish Cypriot community, which he managed to portray as a minority, by means of the Luxembourg decisions. He did not make a call on the TRNC. We will not be deceived by this Byzantine intrigue Clerides is engaging in.''

In a statement to Anatolia Agency in connection with the meeting, Walter Hagg, head of the Austrian Foreign Ministryīs southern Europe desk, declared that during its EU presidency, Austria will follow the line pursued by former EU presidents.

Summarizing this line as ``the UN resolutions and the EU-Greek Cypriot membership process that is already under way,'' Hagg said ``we do not have a secret agenda'' and added that Austria will do its utmost to continue the talks between the EU and the two communities.

Meanwhile, a diplomat who wished to remain unnamed, said that the missile issue was raised during the Denktash-Rohan meeting.

[02] Denktash comments on his visit to Austria, Stefanopoulosī visit

Denktash concluded his visit to Vienna and returned to the island last Friday night.

Speaking at the airport, Denktash commented on his visits to Vienna and Istanbul. He recounted that he went to Vienna in order to deliver a lecture and convey a message, adding that he is pleased with his contacts.

Denktash described the message he conveyed during his contacts as follows:

``The message we gave is very clear. We will conduct talks only on the basis of two states. We explained why we reached this stage; why the EU intervention led the Cyprus issue into a total impasse; why nothing has been achieved and nothing will be achieved without our status, our equality, and our sovereignty being accepted; and why the Greek Cypriot side is escalating the Cyprus problem and to what end. This is what I explained to the Austrian Foreign Ministry officials with whom I met. Naturally, there is an EU decision that is binding on them. According to them, the intercommunal talks can proceed while the EU membership process is continuing. We offered detailed explanations why this is impossible.''

Referring to the Greek Presidentīs visit to Cyprus, Denktash said he gave the following response to questions put to him in Vienna on whether he is affected by this visit:: ``There is a Greek Cypriot republic in the south that is hostile to us now but with which want to be friendly neighbours in the future. This republic is free to invite and host anyone it wants. We would not say anything against this. We, however, are also a sovereign Turkish republic in the north. We also have our own guests and leaders whom we would invite and host. They, in turn, should not take any offense when we do that,'' he claimed.

[03] Denktash calls Cyprus a ``Turkish Island''

He replied to correspondents questions before casting his vote yesterday morning.

Denktash claimed that Cyprus has two owners, and that the Turkish Cypriots, unlike the Greek Cypriots, do not want the entire island for themselves. Denktash reiterated that ``the Turkish Cypriots wish to live side by side in neighborly relations.''

After casting his vote, Denktash claimed that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel will not come to the island as a retaliatory measure in response to the Stefanopoulos visit, adding that this visit was planned way in advance. Pointing out that Demirel was expected to visit the island in April during the inauguration of the water project, Denktash said that when that project was delayed, so was the visit. He alleged that Greece, taking advantage of this delay, took a retaliatory step and immediately planned Stefanopoulosīvisit to the island. Denktash added: ``There is a Turkish island populated by a Turkish people some 40 miles from the Turkish coast. These Turkish people have a state. The president of the Turkish republic is coming to visit this state, which he recognizes.''

[04] Eroglu urges recognition of ``two separate, sovereign states''

Eroglu claimed in a written statement that the visit of Constantinos Stefanopoulos, the Greek President, to the free areas of Cyprus ``showed once again the uncompromising, aggressive and expansionist aims of the Greek-Greek Cypriot front''. And added claiming:

``The Turkish Cypriot people and all the Turkish nation are resolved to make the TRNC to live on its sovereign territories. Neither the Russian disarmament supported by Greece nor the threats displayed during this recent visit will be able to deter us from our determination. All circles which share this idea of peace with us should take into consideration the realities of the island and the regional balances and give up encouraging Greece and the Greek Cypriot side which are ready for madness any time.''

[05] Preliminary ``local election'' results

The National Unity Party (UBP) has won 18 out of 28 ``municipalities''. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has won four, the Democratic Party (DP) three, the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) two, and the independents one ``mayoralty''.

The UBP won four out of five ``district centers'': It won occupied Nicosia, Kyrenia, Morphou, and Trikomo ``mayoralties''. The CTP won the ``mayoralty'' in the remaining ``district center'' of occupied Famagusta.

Following are the 18 ``mayoralties'' won by UBP candidates: Semi Bora won in occupied Nicosia, Erdinc Gurcag in occupied Kyrenia , Mahmut Ozcinar in occupied Morphou, Halil Ibrahim Orun in occupied Trikomo, Ali Cetin Amcaoglu in occupied Geunyeli, Mehmet Zafer in occupied Lefka, Huseyin Kaya in occupied Yerolakkos, Sadi Cagatayli in occupied Lyssi, Erbay Kanatli in occupied Vatili, Halil Ozgenturk in occupied Asha, Huseyin Beyar in occupied Pergamos, Mehmet Ziya Tolgan in occupied Galatia, Mehmet Celik in occupied Akanthou, Hasan Basri Beycanli in occupied Sinda, Hasan Kobat in occupied Komi Kebir, Fuat Namsoy in occupied Lapithos, Necdet Human in occupied Ayios Epiktitos, Yasar Gucsay in occupied Dhikomo.

From the CTP, Oktay Kayalp won in occupied Famagusta , Alkan Cannur in occupied Louroudjina, Erdinc Sutcuogullari in occupied Chatos, and Mehmet Sali Rahbancioglu in occupied Kato Kividhes.

From the DP, Huseyin Pasa won in occupied Kythrea, Arif Ozbayrak in occupied Rizokarpasso, and Yusuf Karal in occupied Ayios Amvrosios.

From the TKP, Ozay Oykun won in occupied Yialoussa and Dr. Kivanc Buhar in occupied Lefkoniko.

Independent candidate Ertan Akbelli won in occupied Ayios Sergios.

With these ``elections'', the occupied Kyrenia, Morphou and Lyssi so-called municipalities exchanged hands and passed from the CTP to UBP. Accordingly, the ``mayoralties'' held by the CTP have now fallen from seven to four and the DPīs from five to three. The TKP, however, maintained its hold on two ``municipalities''.

[06] Adana Governorīs office says quake toll stands at 101 dead

According to information received from Deputy Governor Ardahan Totuk, head of the earthquake crisis desk at the Governorīs Office, 34 victims are from Adana center, 27 from Ceyhan District center, and 40 from surrounding villages.

Totuk said new injured patients are continuously being brought to the hospitals, and he expressed concern that the casualty figures may increase further.

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

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