Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-09-04

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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. 162/98 -- 4.9.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: ``Two states to continue if confederation rejected''.

[02] Turkish spokesman on Denktash´s proposal.

[03] Sezgin comments on Greece, rejection of Denktash proposal.

[04] Akinci terms Denktash´s confederation proposal unacceptable.

[05] Yilmaz ready to review early election decision.

[06] Denktash in New York; to meet Kofi Annan.

[07] Madden on visa requirements for Turkish Cypriots entering UK.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: ``Two states to continue if confederation rejected''

During the meeting, Denktash commented on his proposal for a confederation.

Repeating his claim that ``there are two nations with different religions and languages as well as two democracies and administrations in Cyprus'', Denktash alleged that the foundation of the partnership republic does not allow one of these administrations to speak on behalf of the other. He continued: ``These are the realities. The path to negotiations will be opened if the world sees these realities and explains them to the Greek Cypriots.''

He criticized those who say that his confederal solution exacerbates the confrontation, claiming that the Greek Cypriot side is continuing with its daily armament efforts, it is granting bases to Greece, ``it is still talking about settling in the north,'' and is purchasing missiles.

Pointing out that the seven-point proposal for a solution submitted by Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat actually constitutes the essence of the negotiations, Denktash added: ``The status under which we will sit at the negotiating table is the actual issue here. If one side assumes the status of legitimate government and the other of minority, nothing can be achieved. We prepared a solution for this. Ignoring this will not lead us anywhere.''

Denktash declared that there are ``two separate states'' in Cyprus and the issue has actually been resolved. ``If the Greek Cypriot side fails to accepts the confederal solution, the two states will advance along their own paths,'' Denktash emphasized. He said that there is no question of the Turkish Cypriots accepting outside pressure, and claimed that nothing is being done in violation of the 1977 and 1979 summit agreements. Denktash recalled that these agreements stipulate bizonality, property exchange, the continuation of the guarantee system, and the fact that one side cannot govern the other. ``There is no meaning in us insisting on a federal solution, given that the Greek Cypriot side has already rejected such a solution'', he claimed. He reiterated his claim that a confederal solution is the most appropriate solution under the current circumstances.

[02] Turkish spokesman on Denktash´s proposal

The proposal of setting up a confederation consisting of two independent entities can meet all the expectations, because there is an actual structure under consideration in this case and because the problem was the shakiness of the structure. In this way, Cyprus is not divided and an important political formation is set up so that the two communities are free to determined their own destinies.

The Greek and the Greek Cypriot sides, however, have rejected the proposal only two hours after it was presented. Obviously, they did not give too much thought to the proposal and rejected the proposal automatically just because it was proposed by the Turkish Cypriot side. The world public discussed this issue from various angles. We, however, believe that the world and the above countries should conduct a better assessment of this proposal, which tries to protect the Turkish Cypriot side from being adversely affected by issues such as Cyprus´ membership in the EU and the S- 300. We sought with this proposal to avert international pressure from the Turkish Cypriot side. Otherwise, the deadlock on the Cyprus issue will exacerbate and the way will be paved for the TRNC to adopt other measures if the EU and the S-300 issues continue. There is no other alternative.''

[03] Sezgin comments on Greece, rejection of Denktash proposal

In reply to reporters´ questions in Aydin´s Nazilli District, Sezgin added that Turkey is in favour of turning the Aegean and the Mediterranean into a sea of peace.

``We are in favour of friendship, peace, and brotherhood. We are in favour of securing and maintaining the balance established by Lausanne. We seek for the Mediterranean to be a sea of peace. Why cannot we, two countries countries on two sides of the Aegean, settle our differences by discussing them around on a table? Why should we argue with each other? We are in favour of a dialogue. All the proposals we have submitted have been rejected. We propose to talk, to reach agreement, and to resolve the problems by sitting around a table, but nobody is approaching our stand'', Sezgin claimed.

Recalling that the confederation proposal presented by Rauf Denktash was rejected by Greece, Sezgin claimed: ``This shows once Aegean that Greece does not seek a solution, but prefers an unsolvable situation.''

[04] Akinci terms Denktash´s confederation proposal unacceptable

Akinci said that although the party views the fifth article of the proposal positively, it considers the entirety of the proposal unacceptable. Pointing out that for years the Cyprus question has been continuing as a war of tactics, Akinci said that the sides have been submitting as proposals the views that will squeeze one another into a corner. Frequently, knowing that these proposals will be rejected, they aim to generate positive impressions among third parties, Akinci added. He said: ``Knowing well that it is unacceptable, Clerides proposed to the Turkish Cypriots to join the EU negotiating team and described it as a generous proposal, while the Turkish Cypriot side is now proposing a confederation knowing that it will not be accepted and it is calling it a constructive proposal and a last chance''. Akinci remarked: ``The intention is merely to create a positive impression with third parties, as was the case with Clerides. However, even the realization of this goal is extremely difficult''.

Akinci said that his party wants the tactical war to be abandoned in favour of a realistic and reasonable method for a solution. He declared that a solution in Cyprus can only be reached within a mutually acceptable framework. ``This solution can neither be a unitary state under the hegemony of the Greek Cypriot community, nor a confederation,'' Akinci pointed out. According to the TKP, Akinci declared, the Set of Ideas which was formulated at the end of long years of experience constitutes the most reasonable and balanced framework for the quest for a solution. Akinci said that the most sensible way is to reach an agreement on content through negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and to defer the details of a solution to a later date.

[05] Yilmaz ready to review early election decision

Recalling in his address at a cornerstone laying ceremony in Gaziantep the remarks made by Gaziantep Mayor Cellal Dogan to the effect that ``holding general elections together with the local elections will drag Turkey into instability'', Yilmaz said: ``I hope that those who forced us to take an early election decision heard these remarks as well. Our government did not willingly adopt the decision to hold early elections. It was a decision that was forced upon us. Those who aim to benefit from early elections should review their stand. We, as the government, are loyal to the decision adopted at the Assembly. We are ready for the good and future of Turkey, however, to review this stance if those who forced us into taking it, because they reckon the service we render the country is insufficient, revoke the decision on early elections.''

[06] Denktash in New York; to meet Kofi Annan

Quoting UN sources in New York, KIBRIS reports that Denktash will arrive in New York on 29 September and will stay there until 4 October.

During his stay in New York Denktash will also meet the term president of the UN Security Council as well as other member-countries representatives.

Denktash will also take part in the annual coordination meeting of the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) to be held on 1st October.

KIBRIS reports that Denktash will also visit Washington and will take part in Turkey´s 25th anniversary celebrations to be held there between 8-10 October. (MY)

[07] Madden on visa requirements for Turkish Cypriots entering UK

Mr. Madden said that since the introduction of a visa for those Turkish Cypriots entering the UK, 4034 people have applied for visa. 237 of these applications were rejected and the rest 3797 people received the necessary visa.

Mr. Madden also said that prior to the introduction of visa requirements, 500 families asked political asylum from Britain upon entry to the UK annually. He said that according to information they received during the first seven months of this year only two families have asked asylum from Britain. He said that both families entered the UK with a valid visa.

(MY)

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

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