Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-09-01

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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. 159/98 -- 1/9/98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on Denktash - Cem joint news conference

[02] Cem returns from Cyprus, comments on Denktash proposal

[03] Demirel writes to Central Asian Leaders about Afghanistan

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on Denktash - Cem joint news conference

The only thing left to talk about between state-to-state is a confederate umbrella since the Greek Cypriots eliminated the federation and erased all the parameters. This is what we are talking about. The concept of states still holds. This means that we have not given up any of the 23 April decisions.

We are only specifying the umbrella. This is the first issue. Secondly, we are telling the EU that Turkey’s rights on Cyprus will remain, that the EU will have to acknowledge these rights, and that Turkey’s rights will continue regardless of the rights the EU will have on a Cyprus Confederation. We are saying that the quarantee agreement will continue. The two sides will talk about the EU once these conditions are accepted. The two sides can join the EU as two seperate states, as a confederation, if they reach an agreement after talking.

The following is what this proposal brings us: Everything we could not secure under a federated roof. We can conduct negotiations on the reservations on security with the EU on the basis of a state. Issues such as our reservations on the issue of settlements, which Clerides rejects, the exchange of properties, and other similar reservations. All these are open to negotiations.

Secondly, we can conduct a separate negotiation with the EU in a bid to have our economy attain the Greek standards. Consequently, this shows that we are really taking a positive step''.

On his part, in reply to a similar question, Ismail Cem said: ``The proposal made by Mr. Denktash and fully supported by the Turkish Republican Govenment was not prepared following talks with the Greek Cypriot side, the Greek side, or with any other side. It was not made following a recourse to a mediator. It is a proposal prepared and submitted directly by the honorable president, yes, through consultations with us. It has our full support. But it was in no way drawn up through consultations with another party or with a mediator.

The S-300 issue has been raised here. The appeal made by Mr Denktash and fully supported by us has nothing to do with the S-300’s. Let us eliminate this misunderstanding once and for all please. We announced our official view on the matter only three days ago, on 28 August. We said then that the S-300 is a problem created by the Greek-Greek Cypriot side itself. It is their problem. Our approach to this matter is known to all. When these death machines are brought to Cyprus, if they are brought, Turkey will do, is ready to do, and is doing, whatever is necessary for the security of the Turkish Republic and the TRNC. As far as we are concerned , the S-300 missiles are not a bargaining issue. We never considered them a bargaining tool and we never will.

The proposal to which Mr. Denktash attaches the greatest importance -- and which I hope will be positively accepted -- has nothing to do with the S- 300’s. Let me point out too that the S-300’s are not Turkey’s problem. The radar systems of the S-300’s -- and all military experts agree on that, I also investigated it because I did not Know -- have the technology to collect intelligence about a large area, about all the NATO activities, about southern Turkey, and even the eastern Mediterranean coast, including all the military activities and communications. I draw your attention to this fact. This means that this radar system will be able to follow all the maneuvers and operations carried out say, by the 6th Fleet, or the military and NATO activities in southern Turkey. And who will receive all this information? If we look at it optimistically, a country that is not a NATO member will receive it, or the Russian technitians who will man these radar systems at least for a while, and maybe their country.

As far as we are concerned, the S-300 issue has been debated, determined and closed. We do not negotiate it, bargain about it. The Greek and Greek Cypriots created this great problem for themselves, and they must solve it themselves.

We were asked if we can elaborate on certain issues. I believe that the text that was read out was sufficiently self-explanatory. Before we see the answer of the Greek Cypriot side which the appeal was addressed to, it would be wrong to say anything more about this text. Consequently, we will not say anything additional or bring any explanations. Let us first see the Greek Cypriot side’s answer. After that, we will surely have things to say''.

[02] Cem returns from Cyprus, comments on Denktash proposal

“Together, we will continue to explain and promote our views on this to the entire world. All the world agencies are already reporting on that. This is a new phase and a positive development brought about by the TRNC on its own behalf and on our behalf in our just Cyprus cause. And we will continue to move in this direction”, Cem claimed.

[03] Demirel writes to Central Asian leaders about Afghanistan

In his letters to the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, Demirel expressed Turkey’s sensitivity about the developments in Afghanistan, and noted that Turkey is always in a spirit of solidarity and unity with those countries. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry says that the letter will be delivered to the Central Asian leaders by Deputy Under Secretary Hehmet Ali Irtemcelik who will start a tour of the region as the president’s special envoy.

The Foreign Ministry statement says that it is of great importance that the situation in Afghanistan should not upset the regional balance. It also says: “Turkey believes that the stability of the friendly and brotherly Central Asian republics which have secular and democratic regimes is important for regional peace, and does not want to see the peace and stability in those countries disturbed”.

The Foreign Ministry issued another statement denying a report published in the Pakistani press that because it is in competition with Pakistan regarding the issue of oil and natural gas pipelines, Turkey does not want stability in Afghanistan.

Contrary to Pakistan which recognizes the Taleban, Turkey believes that the Afghan problem can be solved not through armed force but through negotiations, and that lasting peace can be achieved only be means of a broad-based government where all the groups are represented.

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

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