Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-08-03

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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. 138/98 1-2-3.8.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Assembly to hold general elections 18 April, 1999.

[02] Denktash assesses European Court decision as `Political´.

[03] Court decision assessed as ``injustice against Turks''.

[04] Eroglu in Istanbul.

[05] Denktash: Solution possible if ``2-state fact'' accepted.

[06] Eroglu: We hope Greek Cypriots will purchase other arms with downpayment for missiles.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Assembly to hold general elections 18 April,1999

Under the law enacted by the TGNA plenum, the election calendar will begin on 4 January 1999. The High Election Council will determine the political parties that will participate in the elections and announce them on 4 January 1999. Those civil servants who must resign in order to run as candidates in the general elections must do so by 11 January 1999. If they choose the authorized organs of the political parties may have as many as 5 percent of the total number of deputies as candidates for the election districts. To this end, the political parties will be able to change their statutes.

During the election campaign, the parties will not be able to hang propaganda material such as flags or emblems in the streets.

According to another law enacted by the TGNA, the authorities will not allow rallies and demonstrations to be turned into something other than what the rally or demonstration aimed for. Demonstrators will not be able to carry the signs or emblems of illegal organizations. Demonstrators will not be able to wear clothes that look like uniforms or that have such emblems or signs. Demonstrators will not be able to cover their faces even partially in order to hide their identities.

The TGNA plenum also approved bills that bring new regulations regarding mosques. Accordingly mosques will not be opened to prayers without a permit from the Religious Affairs Directorate. Any mosque that is opened without a permit will be transferred to the Directorate within three months. Under the law, the places of mosques will be determined in line with the area´s conditions and needs as indicated in the state construction plan.

[02] Denktash assesses European Court decision as `Political´

In a written statement he issued Denktash said that he shares the statement on the issue made by the so-called ministry of foreign affairs and defense of the pseudostate. Pointing out that it is impossible to abide by the decision, Denktash added that no issue pertaining to bizonality can be discussed with the Greek Cypriot side until this decision is abolished. Denktash claimed: ``This decision is a one-sided political decision that ignores the Cyprus realities, that does not take into consideration the 35- year-old situation and the law, and that shakes the foundations of human rights. Let us invite those who took this decision to Cyprus. They will not know what to do when they see the realities here. It is impossible to abide by this decision. As long as the Loizidou decision is not abolished we cannot discuss anything pertaining to bizonality with the Greek Cypriot side. There is no need to discuss anything. There are some 60 to 70,000 persons in the TRNC waiting for a property exchange. Finding Turkey guilty in the Loizidou case without taking these people into consideration is based on political and not legal grounds. Such a decision can have no validity.''

Denktash noted that the Greek Cypriot leadership ``might hide behind this decision'', as he put it, but the result will be nil. He added that this decision will mean that the doors between the occupied area and the free areas of Cyprus will be totally closed.

[03] Court decision assessed as ``injustice against Turks''

Taner Etkin, so-called minister of foreign affairs and defense, held a news conference and read a written statement on the issue. He noted that Mrs. Loizidou tried to cross the buffer zone under UN control and enter the occupied area during a demonstration in 1989 in an effort to reach her property. Etkin added the Court, with a majority of votes, decided on the compensation because she was prevented from crossing and violating the ``TRNC borders''.

The statement alleged that the Cyprus problem can be solved ``only on the basis of two sovereign, independent, and equal states'', adding that the ownership issue can be resolved through a property exchange or through compensation.

The statement read by Etkin also claimed that the Court decision does not contribute to peace on the island nor to regional stability, because it encourages the Greek Cypriots to violate the buffer zone and the ceasefire line between the two sides.

[04] Eroglu in Istanbul

In a statement at Ataturk Airport, Eroglu who went to Istanbul last Friday, said that with its support, Turkey demonstrated to the whole world that the ``TRNC'' is lasting. Eroglu claimed that the ``one-sided'' decisions adopted by the European Council hindered the talks in Cyprus.

[05] Denktash: Solution possible if ``2-state fact'' accepted

Denktash attended the ceremony organized by the Turkish Cypriot Fighters Association to mark the anniversary of the terrorist TMT (Turkish Resistance Organization). He inaugurated an exhibition and delivered a speech on the occasion. In his speech, Denktash said: ``The aim was to divide the island while the Greek Cypriots yearned for enosis. It was to return the island to its owner, even partially, because Turkey, the owner of the island, agreed to a division. Turkey, the owner of the island, consented to a partnership republic. So did we. We had only one condition: Turkey´s effective guarantee.''

Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriots continued to pursue the wrong path and as a result the ``TRNC'' was established, and from now on contacts can continue as contacts between ``two states''. He said: ``Again, they refuse to see the realities. They will long for these days, because the 65-million- strong motherland Turkey is behind this cause, it is involved in this cause, it is involved with its martyrs, its security forces, and its people, it is totally involved in this cause because of strategic and geopolitical realities''.

Inviting President Clerides ``to hold talks under equal conditions on a state-to-state basis'' Denktash remarked that he will not issue another invitation to President Clerides, because the declarations signed with Turkey, the decisions adopted by the pseudo-assembly, ``as well as the law and the realities dictate this, and these facts will not be violated.''

[06] Eroglu: We hope Greek Cypriots will purchase other arms with downpayment for missiles

Eroglu inaugurated a joint exhibition of pseudostate artists organized by the Turkish Cypriot ``Plastic Arts Association.''

After inaugurating the exhibition, Eroglu replied to reporters´questions.

Being reminded about reports that exercises pertaining to the S-300 missiles are being held in the free areas of Cyprus, Eroglu said:

``The S-300 missiles have been ordered and an initial payment has been made. The exercises may be held, but the important issue is for the missiles not to arrive in Cyprus. According to information I have received, parts of the radar system have already arrived on the island. The missiles, however, have not yet arrived.''

In reply to a question on Turkey´s stand vis-a-vis the missiles, Eroglu said:

``Turkey´s determination is clear. The statements made by the Turkish prime minister, the foreign minister, and the chief of the general staff are loud and clear. Statements to the effect that every measure has been taken, I believe, do not need any further interpretation. Therefore, the Greek Cypriots and even the world will have to reconsider the issue''.

Upon being reminded of reports that Greek Cypriots soldiers are knowledgeable on the missiles, Eroglu said:

``Members of the Greek Cypriot Armed Forces were trained in Russia. Clerides went to Russia. They probably discussed these issues and reached an agreement on the type of missiles that should be purchased for Cyprus. They paid part of the money in advance.

Now there is a question mark on whether they will make the rest of the payment and bring the S-300´s to the island or whether they will purchase other arms with that downpayment and get rid of this missile misfortune. We hope that they will chose the second option. Otherwise they will hurt themselves more than they will hurt us.''

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

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