Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-12-16

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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. 232/98 -- 16.12.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Holbrooke´s seven-point formula on S-300s.

[02] Turkish official denies Holbrooke submitted proposal package.

[03] Turkish Cypriot paper reacts strongly to Turkish general.

[04] DP ready to participate in Êroglu ``government''.

[05] Turkey opposed to discussing Cyprus at UNGA.

[06] Akanthou church preserved by villagers.

[07] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce opposes joint business meetings.

[08] Cyprus seminar at ``Lefka University''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Holbrooke´s seven-point formula on S-300s

The formula for preparing the necessary ground to cancel the plan to deploy S-300 missiles in Cyprus called for: 1. Widening of the green line between the two sides by 1 km. 2. Turkish and Greek troop reductions. 3. Cancellation of orders for arms by the two sides. 4. Postponement of miiltary exercises. 5. Reduction in the tank units. 6. Measures to facilitate travel between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides. 7. Resumption of the intercommunal talks.

The formula calls for the postponement of the delivery of S-300 missiles to the island after Greece and the Greek Cypriots agree to the seven points ``in principle''.

[02] Turkish official denies Holbrooke submitted proposal package

Replying to quesitons by an AA correspondent, the official said: ``I do not think that the United States will submit a proposal package at this stage.''

According to press reports, Holbrooke submitted to the two sides the proposal of ``expanding the Green Line by another kilometer, reducing the existing number of Turkish and Greek soldiers, canceling arms orders, postponing military exercises, reducing the number of tanks on the island, facilitating crossings between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sectors, and resuming the intercommunal talks''.

[03] Turkish Cypriot paper reacts strongly to Turkish general

``The speech, full of death threats, made by Brigadier General Ali Nihat Ozeyranli, commander of the Security Forces, was played on BRTK television screens over and over again yesterday to drive the point home ot the people.

We will not be silenced no matter from where the threat comes, be it from a lieutenant or a general!

You do not own the title deed to patriotism!

The time is long overdue to prevent the soldiers´ interference in the civilian life. It is high time that all political parties and patriotic organizations unite to put an end to these unrestraint threats.

1. Those encouraging internecine bloodshed in our country must be stopped!

2. It is not up the generals from Turkey to decide who is a patriot and who a traitor in this country!

3. Speakers who during the oath-taking ceremonies debase our people and threaten it with death should be called to account.''

4. DP ready to participate in Eroglu ``government'' According to Anatolia Agency (12:11 hours, 15.12.98) Dervis Eroglu,

National Unity Party (UBP) leader and ``prime minister'', has begun his meetings with the political parties within the framework of his activities to form a new ``government''.

The UBP delegation headed by Eroglu held its first meeting with the DP (Democratic Party) delegation headed by Serdar Denktash, DP leader and ``deputy prime minister''.

In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu said that the two parties share the view that the pseudostate should not be left without a ``government''.

Noting that he has not yet been designated to form the ``government'', Eroglu added that ``his party believes that it is benenficial to start a dialogue before he is designated''.

Noting that they also found the opportunity to assess the ``coalition'' period at the meeting, Eroglu said that no details on the formation of the ``government'' were discussed. Eroglu added that he got the impression that the DP is ready to take part in the ``government'' that will be established.

Serdar Denktash said that in order not to waste time, there is no need to wait for the swearing-in ceremony and the designation to begin activities to form the ``government'', adding that the DP is ready to participate in a ``government'' that will function in harmony.

Dentkash said that the UBP, which has received the highest number of votes, will be designated to form the ``government'' in the wake of the swearing- in ceremony.

Within the framework of the preliminary talks being held to form the ``government'', Eroglu would meet with the Communal Liberation Party and with the Republican Turkish Party.

Meanwhile, the new ``deputies'' will be sworn in on 18 December and will then begin their duties.

[05] Turkey opposed to discussing Cyprus at UNGA

Volkan Vural, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN, met with Didier Opertti, the Chairman of the UN General Assembly and told Opertti the views of Turkey concerning this issue.

The Greek Cypriot Permanent Representative to the UN had met with Opertti and told him that the Cyprus Government wishes to take up the Cyprus question at the General Assembly. However the Greek Cypriot side has not taken an official initiative or request yet.

The Cyprus question is among the topics of the UN General Assembly, but one of the member states has to officially apply so that the issue can be discussed. After such an application is made, the Chairman of the UN General Assembly holds contacts with chairmen of the geographical groups which are represented in the Assembly and later a date is determined.

Vural told Opertti at the meeting that ``while the good will mission of the UN Secretary General continues, discussing the Cyprus question in a platform where the TRNC is not represented won`t serve the solution of the probhlem and this will serve propagandist goals''.

Claiming that ``such an initiative will deepen the lack of confidence between the societies living on the island'', Vural pointed out that this will cause problems.

[06] Akanthou church preserved by villagers

The church, which belongs to the Greek Cypriots, has not received even a slightest attack from villagers. On the contrary, it has been preserved in such a way that it can serve as an example to others. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Akanthou.

The villagers are not bothered by the church. According to the paper, the following are their views regarding the church:

``One of the most beautiful churchs built by the Greek Cypriots is in our village. We are not uneasy from the fact that we have a big church in our village. The same way we do not want our mosques left in the south to be harmed, we in turn should not harm the church built by the Greeks. In fact we should restore /repair and preserve it and keep it ready for service. We are not criticized for this. What we have done is not wrong. Instead of locking it and letting it to collapse, we have decided to keep it intact and use it for our purpose.'' (MY)

[07] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce opposes joint business meetings

The Istanbul meeting, convened under US presidential special Cyprus envoy Richard Holbrooke, ended with a final declaration. The TCCC in its written statement accused the USA of becoming, not knowingly, an instrument of Britain and Greece ``who want to deprive the Turkish Cypriots of their sovereignty and to dismember Turkey from Cyprus, and deprive the Turkish Cypriots of their only safeguard.''

The statement goes on to claim that an attempt is being made to trap some of the Turkish Cypriot businessmen.

The written statement alleges that the aim of these meetings is to give the message that ``Turkish and Greek Cypriots can reach reconciliation, and that this is not possible because of Turkey´s and Dentkash´s intransigent stance''. The TCCC declared that it is against holding such meetings.

Meanwhile, Basaran Duzgun, writing in KIBRIS under the column ``Kulis'', criticizes the statement issued by the TCCC and says that the TCCC has no right to issue such warnings and to demand measures from the ``government''.

Basaran Duzgun quotes a section of the written statement issued by the TCCC which reads:

``We strongly protest the permission given silently to the Turkish Cypriot businessmen to meet the Greek Cypriots. We call upon all the officials of the government to abandon this double face policies, give up this inconsistent, untrustworthy behaviour which is contrary to the principle of our national cause, and this is our last warning''.

Basaran Duzgun says it is the TCCC´s right to oppose such meetings and can openly express its views. However, he asks, ``what is the meaning of calling the goverment `to take measures´ and saying `this is the last warning´?''

Basaran Duzgun concludes by saying: ``Those who favour a liberal economy should be liberal in politics as well''. (MY)

[08] Cyprus seminar at ``Lefka University''

The seminar titled ``World´s cultural structure and Cyprus´ position in the changing balance'' was opened by Denktash.

The paper says that more than 30 academicians from Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Palestine, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France are taking part in the seminar.

In his opening speech Denktash tried to present the Cyprus problem as a struggle between two cultures, that is between Islam and Christianity, claiming that this struggle is 400 hundred years old.

He demanded Islamic solidarity in their struggle against Christian Greek Cypriots. He even claimed that the European Union is waging a struggle to keep an Islamic country, Turkey, at bay.

YENI DEMOCRAT (16.12.98) reports that the seminar ended with the publication of the final declaration where the Islamic world is called to support the Turkish Cypriot ``cause''.

(MY)

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

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