Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-01-25

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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. 12/99 -- 22-25.1.1999

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HANNAY LEAVES ISLAND WITHOUT SEEING PRESIDENT CLERIDES OR RAUF DENKTASH

[02] TALAT SAYS CONFEDERATION WILL TOPPLE "GOVERNMENT"

[03] "ASSEMBLY" DELEGATION LEAVES FOR STRASBOURG

[04] CEM TO ILLEGALLY VISIT THE OCCUPIED AREA

[05] TALAT: NON-SOLUTION NOT BENEFICIAL FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HANNAY LEAVES ISLAND WITHOUT SEEING PRESIDENT CLERIDES NOR RAUF DENKTASH

The reason why Rauf Denktash did not attend the lunch was not disclosed.

In the occupied area Sir David Hannay instead had lunch with the so-called foreign and defence minister of the pseudostate Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so- called presidential under secretary Ergun Olgun, Denktash's advisor (political affairs) Necati Munir Ertegun. From the British side, British High Commissioner to Cyprus David Madden and British ambassadors to Athens and Ankara were present at the lunch.

After the meeting which lasted two and half hours, Ertugruloglu said that there was no new proposal regarding the Cyprus problem. He said that he had conveyed the Turkish side's views to the British officials. He said: "We have reiterated our known views. We have noted their views as well". When asked why the meeting lasted so long, Ertugruloglu said that the meeting took place over lunch and this was the reason why it took so long. (MY)

[02] TALAT SAYS CONFEDERATION WILL TOPPLE "GOVERNMENT"

Referring to intensive diplomatic mobility observed in the Cyprus problem, Talat said that the Turkish side should be flexible. "It is the Turkish Cypriot side that is effected most from a non-solution of the Cyprus problem" Talat noted and said: "For this reason the Turkish Cypriots should benefit from the effort directed at a final settlement of the problem. They have to take advantage of a settlement".

Stressing that tension on the island should be removed as soon as possible Talat said: "Priority should be given to putting into practice the confidence building measures. It is in the interest of the Turkish Cypriot side to exhibit constructive cooperation in reaching a comprehensive settlement. For this reason, for a mutually acceptable solution, flexibility should be shown".

As for the confederation proposal which was not included in the "government programme", Talat argued that this has showed that this proposal was not a "national policy". He said: "Non-inclusion of this proposal in the government programme has demonstrated that the confederation, which the President tries to present as a national policy, is not a national policy.

We can say that this policy is not in favour of the TRNC for two reasons:

First, its chances to be adopted as a settlement proposal are very slim because it is contrary to, in fact it is against the understandings reached, the adopted UN resolutions and the high level agreements signed so far. For this reason it does not serve the settlement of the problem. Secondly, it is not possible to use it as a propaganda tool. In conclusion, the confederation proposal neither contributes to a settlement of the problem nor does it serve the interest of the Turkish side. The President can use the non-inclusion of the confederation proposal in the government programme as a trump-card to topple the government". (MY)

[03] "ASSEMBLY" DELEGATION LEAVES FOR STRASBOURG

The "delegation" headed by the so-called assembly "speaker" Ertugrul Hasipoglu was to leave for Strasbourg via Istanbul.

The deliberations of the CEPA will end on 29 January. The "delegation" will stay is Strasbourg until the end of CEPA's deliberations and will hold contacts regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

The other members of the "delegation" are: Suha Turkoz (NUP), Yusuf Ozkum (DP), Huseyin Angolemli (CLP), and Mehmet Ali Talat (RTP).

The "delegation" will return to the occupied area an 30 January. (MY)

[04] CEM TO ILLEGALLY VISIT THE OCCUPIED AREA

He will be discussing developments in the foreign policy, the pressure exerted by the USA and the UK regarding the Cyprus problem and issues related to the establishing of the new "government" in the "TRNC".

The definite date of the visit is yet to be announced. However, the question of not including Denktash's confederation proposal in the National Unity Party Communal Liberation Party (NUP-CLP) "coalition government programme" is the very reason of Cem's visit, Halkin Sesi notes.

(MY)

[05] TALAT: NON-SOLUTION NOT BENEFICIAL FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS

In a written statement, Talat said that Denktash and President Clerides are putting forth different reasons for not reaching an agreement, adding that the leaders have manifested the latest example of this attitude by refusing to meet with Sir David Hannay. Talat said that the approaches adopted by the two leaders, though they may seem contradictory, aim at a non-solution and at reaping the benefits of that non-solution, adding that, however, this approach is unfortunately far from being beneficial for the Turkish Cypriots. Pointing out that abandoning the UN framework and the negotiation process necessitated by that framework will render the Cyprus Government the sole respondent of the UN efforts, Talat concluded by saying that the CTP believes that the UN process should be adhered to.

Reacting to President Clerides's and Denktash's refusal to meet Sir David Hannay Talat claimed: "As the RTP, we have repeatedly said that esteemed Clerides and esteemed Denktash have agreed not to agree. What we have experienced recently has confirmed this reality".

(MY)

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