Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-12-17

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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

No. 233/98 -- 17.12.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Utkan says cancellation of missiles ``only thing to do''.

[02] Eroglu meets Talat, concludes round of contacts.

[03] Utkan says EU pressured Greek Cypriots on Turkish goods.

[04] Eroglu meets with Akinci on forming ``coalition''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Utkan says cancellation of missiles ``only thing to do''

Replying to questions on the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus at his weekly news conference, Ambassador Necati Utkan, spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said: ``The missiles are not our issue, and we hope they will not be''.

Noting that Turkey´s stand on the missiles is clear, Utkan said that the only thing to do is to cancel the arrival of the missiles.

Stressing that the missiles should not place an added burden on Turkish- Greek relations, Utkan said that the deployment of the missiles in Crete will have drawbacks from the viewpoint of both Turkish and NATO security.

[02] Eroglu meets Talat, concludes round of contacts

Eroglu went to the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) headquarters yesterday where he met with CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat. UBP Secretary General Vehbi Zeki Sertel, Nicosia, ``deputy'' Irsen Kucuk, and Kyrenia ``deputy'' Salih Miroglu accompanied Eroglu in his visit. Secretary General Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Feridun Onsal from the CTP also participated in the meeting.

In a statement after the meeting, which lasted about an hour and a half, Eroglu said that they discussed the recent ``elections''. He added that activities to form a ``government'' as well as activities to be conducted in the ``assembly'' were also assessed. Pionting out that the CTP is one of the oldest parties, Eroglu said he will continue the dialogue with the political parties. Noting that a new period has started, Eroglu stressed that he will do all in his power to bring about conciliation in this new period.

Talat, also spekaing after the meeting, noted the importance of such contacts from the viewpoint of creating an atmosphere of dialogue. Reiterating the view that the ``election'' results assigned the UBP to be the ``government'' and the CTP to be the opposition, Talat added, however, that the CTP will fulfill its responsibilities to ensure that the pseudostate does not remain without a ``government''.

[03] Utkan says EU pressured Greek Cypriots on Turkish goods

In a weekly press conference, Necati Utkan, the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman, said, ``it is reported that the Turkish goods and the goods which are shipped through Turkey can be imported to the Greek Cypriot side following the ensuring of the permissions. The Greek Cypriot government possibly decided this way under the pressure of the EU Commission''.

Utkan stressed that the Greek Cypriot side was under intensive pressure of the EU Commission since she was within the period of full membership of the EU and that the Commission requested that the Cyprus Government should lift off such restrictive measures to Turkey.

Utkan claimed that if the Greek Cypriot side would like to rehabilitate the situation on Cyprus, she would have to put an end to the embargoes she had imposed in every field to the Turkish Cypriots.

[04] Eroglu meets with Akinci on forming ``coalition''

Explaining in a statement he issued after the meeting that Akinci gave the message that he is willing to join a ``coalition'' if the conditions are right, Eroglu added that another meeting will take place once he assumes ``office'' and after UBP authoritative bodies assess the issue. Noting that he sought to form a ``government'' and secure unity by engaging in a dialogue with the political parties represented at the pseudo-assembly within the framework of the authority granted to him by his party, Eroglu said that the meeting with Akinci was held along these lines as well.

Recounting that he understood from Akinci´s statements that he is ready to join in a ``coalition'' if the conditions are suitable, Eroglu said that views were exchanged on a possible ``government'' model at the meeting. Eroglu said that he welcomed Akinci´s statement on behalf of his party that he will join a ``coalition'' if the conditions are suitable. Underlining that he is not entitled to (word indistinct) himself to forming a ``government'' with any party, Eroglu added: ``The views expressed at the meetings will be assessed by the UBP´s authoritative bodies, and a decision will be adopted.''

Explaining that it was determined at the meeting that the two parties have similar views on certain issues and unity of views on others, Eroglu added:

``The UBP will focus on the issue of forming a government and in what manner during future meetings. We will have to assess the developments during the waiting period until I am assigned the task.'' Recalling that the political parties were in unity of views on assigning the task of forming a ``government'' to the UBP, Eroglu said that detailed work will be undertaken on forming the ``government'' once Rauf Dnektash is in agreement with this view.

Akinci, in turn, said that the ``election'' results shed light on the ``coalition'' alternatives and reiterated the message that they will join a ``coalition'' if favourable conditions are secured for rendering services to the pubilc. Expllaining that the parties exist in order to serve the people and that this service can be secured among the ``coalition'' partnerships, Akinci added: ``We cannot stand on the side on this issue as the people have decided that coalitions should be formed and as the TKP can also take part in such a formation. I am ready to meet and work for a partnership in a bid to serve the people''.

Pointing out that at this stage they should wait for Eroglu to be assigned the task of forming a ``government'', Akinci said that a program can be prepared after a decision is reached to form a ``government'' with the TKP in the wake of preliminary contacts with the UBP. Akinci continued: ``The country will not be left without a govenrment. It is up to the UBP, however, to decide on the form of the govenrment, and we respect this procedure. In the event that the UBP decision is to form a coalition with the Democratic Party, then we wil continue our duties as the main opposition party.'' In reply to a question, Akinci said that they are not in a position to put forward conditions and (words indistinct).

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

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