Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-07-17

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Bar-Ner: Good relations with Turkey, Russia and Cyprus.

[02] Atacanli: No bargaining on issues related to S-300.

[03] Italian Deputy Foreign Minister on EU membership, Cyprus.

[04] Denktash in Kirkpinar.

[05] Investigation into the forged US dollars case continue.

[06] Ecevit: ``TRNC'' is Turkey´s guarantee''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Bar-Ner: Good relations with Turkey, Russia and Cyprus

In a statement to AA, Bar-Ner assessed the Arab world´s reaction to Turkish- Israeli relations and the effect of the S-300 missiles in the region. He said:

``We do not intend to be involved in the Cyprus issue. We maintain good relations with Turkey, as well as with Russia and Cyprus. Israel is not worried about Turkey´s relations with the Arab countries. Syrian, Egyptian, and Palestinian ministers are making visits to Turkey.''

Bar-Ner recalled Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Nethanyahu in Israel last week. Cem had said that Turkey would not make a bargaining chip of its relations with any country for the sake of establishing good relations with another country and had added: ``Turkey will neither disrupt its relations with the Arab countries in order to establish good relations with Israel, nor will it disrupt its relations with Israel in a bid to establish good relations with the Arabs''.

Bar-Ner once again denied claims that Turkey has constructed a base in the east for Israel and that Turkish planes are undergoing training in Israel to destroy the S-300 missiles and, added: ``I have said it before. The Christian Science Monitor reports are neither scientific nor do they have monitoring capabilities. The Turkish government has also announced that these claims are unfounded.''

[02] Atacanli: No bargaining on issues related to S-300

In a statement at his weekly news conference, Atacanli said: ``We had earlier announced our views on the postponement of flights over Cyprus. In relation to the S-300 missiles, we will not make any issue a bargaining matter.''.

Atacanli said: ``The issue was, anyway, presented as an idea at a joint news conference held by the US and Greek defense ministers''. In reply to a question, Atacanli said that such a proposal was not brought to Turkey.

In reply to a question on Greece leasing some of the islets in the Aegean, Atacanli said: ``On condition that it remains within an international framework, what Greece does with the islets it owns is its business. We will oppose faits accomplis regarding the islets whose ownership is uncertain.''

In reply to a question on the visit President Suleyman Demirel will be making to the ``TRNC'' on 25 July, Atacanli said: ``The project of transporting water from Turkey to the TRNC has reached its final stage. Demirel´s visit will take place in conjunction with the implementation of this project.''

[03] Italian Deputy Foreign Minister on EU membership, Cyprus

Responding to the questions of the A.A. correspondent as a member of the Italian Government that supports Turkey´s entrance into the EU, Fassino described Turkey as a strategical country which is very significant for the security and stability of the whole continent, and as a shared point between the largest markets in the world. He stressed that a Turkey which is isolated and excluded by Europe, will be a weak point for international security and the stability.

Mentioning Greece´s attitude towards Turkey, Fassino told the A.A. correspondent, ``the EU makes decisions by an unanimous vote. Therefore, Greece is invited to negotiate the issue by comparing her position with the positions of the other 14 countries. We work on an appropriate solution that will both start the full integration process of Turkey into the EU and respond to the concerns of Greece concerning the subjects of security and sovereignty.''

Fassino pointed out that they are trying to create the necessary conditions in order to establish the Cypriot delegation which will hold the full membership negotiations with the EU, in a form that will represent the whole island.

Noting that the preferences of the EU can´t be conditioned by the bilateral disagreements, Fassino said, ``we aim at an integration in which all of Cyprus will take part.''

Responding to the question of the A.A. correspondent concerning the deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles in Cyprus, Fassino stressed, ``we want the two communities living on the island to begin dialogue and to take measures that will reduce the tension. In this sense the Greek Cypriot side´s postponement of the purchase of the missiles will contribute to reducing the tension on the island.''

[04] Denktash in Kirkpinar

[05] Investigation into the forged US dollars case continue

KIBRIS reports that until now an amount of 18,000 forged US dollars have been recovered and 7 people have been arrested and held in custody.

Denktash´s ``police'' conducting a search in one of the arrested men, Mehmet Yakula´s house, besides finding forged US dollars found four forged passports as well.

The forged passports were: One British, one Turkish and two belonging to the occupied area.

(MY)

[06] Ecevit: ``TRNC is Turkey´s guarantee'' According to KIBRIS (17.7.98) state minister, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent

He alleged that Cyprus has started by strengthening its defences, threatening Turkey.

(MY)

LL/SK

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

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