 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Sunday, 24 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-01-12Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 5/99 -- 12.1.99[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Ecevit says Turkish policy on Cyprus to continueTRT Television network (19:30 hours, 10.1.99) aired a live interview with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit by Kurtul Altug, Sedat Ergin from HURRIYET, and Fikret Bila from MILLIYET on the ``Political Pulse'' program. Inter alia, Ecevit referred to foreign policy issues and Cyprus in particular. After repeating that his and his partyīs Cyprus policy will continue, Ecevit added: ``Our relations with Cyprus developed and deepened extensively during the term of the 55th government. In reaction to every step taken by the EU, Greece, or the Greek Cypriot Administration with regard to Cyprus or Turkey, we took the necessary counterstep and took the matter one step further. As we pursued our opposition to the deployment of the Russian S-300 missiles in south Cyprus, we also clearly declared that we will not accept any bargaining on this issue and that we will not make any concessions in this regard. This resolute stand and the harmonious relations between Turkey and the TRNC eventually led to the cancellation of the decision to deploy the S-300s in south Chyprus. This is a very important achievement. The question of whether they will be deployed in Crete and what will happen if they are is another matter, but the fact remains that a step back has been taken on a subject that is very important to the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece.Moreover, even if the world is not yet admitting the existence of the separate peoples in Cyprus, it has begun to accept this fact. We can observe several indications to that effect. I do not believe that Turkey will face increasing pressure. In actual fact, our party has been issuing the following warning to the Western world for years: You are allowing the Greek Cypriots to arm themselves. This will result in Russiaīs turning into an eastern Mediterranean state. Our Western allies were late in realizing this, but in the end they did. There are thousands of Russian firms in south Cyprus employing numerous personnel. If the S-300 missiles had been deployed there, this would have been compounded by Russian military personnel. Naturally, we want our relations with Russia to be very good but, in actual fact, the Western world has realized that this problem and danger concern them more than they concern us. Consequently, they started to act in a more realistic fashion.'' [02] Hakki Atun criticizes DP, to run for ``President'' in 2000Daily KIBRIS (9.1.99) reports that Hakki Atun, former speaker of the pseudo-assembly, announced his candidacy for the ``presidential elections'' in 2000.Atun said that ``if the conditions permit, I will run as president in 2000''. Asserting that nowhere else in the world ``a father and son could become president and prime minister at the same time'', Atun asked ``where else in the world have you seen those carrying the same surname be presidents and prime minsiters at the same time?'' Noting that ``the greatest weakness in the TRNC is the non-implementation of the laws and the failure of the administration to prove its rectitude'', Atun said that everybody is to be blamed for this situation, adding: ``From time to time we acted in a populist manner, but we have to start work from somewhere to rectify the situation''. Pointing out that though he is the honorary leader of the DP (Democratic Party) he must admit that the ``DP started to decline after the Altinisik incident (an old dispute between Atun and Serdar Denktash over Atunīs demand for the dismissal of this former ``deputy'' from the party)'', Atun said: ``The DP must democratize itself. We tried to field candidates by a very primitive method. I already told the party leader (Serdar Denktash) that no member has been left without a grievance against him. He must strengthen his immediate circle''. [03] Madden denies knowledge of US plan for ``TRNC'' recognitionAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 11.1.99), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Dentkash met British High Commissioner, David Madden, yesterday.In a statement to the press following the one-hour meeting, Madden said that the meeting was beneficial and reiterated the British Governmentīs support for the efforts of Ann Hercus, the UN Secretary Generalīs deputy special envoy to Cyprus. Replying to a question, Madden said he has no information about a US plan reported in the press involving a land concession in return for the recognition of the pseudostate. [04] Denktash on confederation, candidacyDaily KIBRIS (9.1.99) publishes the text of an interview with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Dentkash, by Basaran Duzgun.After repeating his claim that it is impossible to solve the Cyprus problem as long as those who want its solution do not tell the Greek Cypriots that the boundary of the Cyprus government ends where the ``TRNCīs'' begin, and in reply to a comment that the Americans exerted an intensive effort on the S-300s, Denktash said: ``In return, Clerides is telling them: During you intensive initiative you told me that the Turkish troops would be withdrawn, Denktash would be brought back to the table without insisting on a status, that is, on his equality, and that the masquerade of the intenrcommunal talks would resume. Clerides is now telling the Americans to fulfill these promises. This means that the Americans have actually got involved in such a bargaining''. Asked whether he has come under pressure or presented with such demands, he replied: ``They are on the way, they will soon come.'' Asked what kind of pressures could be exerted, and where they might intend to drag them to, he said: ``As soon as the pressure starts coming in we would announce it to the public. We have no intention of falling into a trap yet again by keeping silent under the principle of secrecy. We will publicize every pressure on the day and within minutes to fend them off together with our people''. In reply to the question ``Since the Turkish side will not back down from its position, does the holding of the face-to-face talks not seem impossible this year?'', Denktash replied that he does not see it possible. To a question on the new ``government program, Denktash replied: ``The government program has been read in the Republican Assembly. We all heard it. This program will first be debated in the Assembly then approved. Afterwards, I want to discuss these issues with the government. I do not want to make my views known in advance, for I do not want to influence anyone. But, you signaled me out as one that underscores the importance of confederation. What you should never forget is that the confederation has been decided upon with Turkey at the highest state level and endorsed by the TRNC government. The head of the government that accepted it then is again the prime minister (Dervis Eroglu). This is an undeniable fact. Even Mr. Akinci says that they have included the essence of confederation in the program. He means to say that he supports confederation. But, why did he not name something that he supports. I do not want to talk publicly before the government obtains a vote of confidence. It is better if I talk with the government direclty.'' He added that he will take the issue (of confederation) to the so-called Council of Ministers. ``There, I will talk about it in debt. If the assurances I get satisfy me I will continue (as an interlocutor and negotiator). If am not satisified, I do not have to continue as a negotiator. Then, they have to appoint their own negotiator'', he said. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.