Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-02-16

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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. 26/99 -- 16.2.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash holds UK responsible for Cyprus problem.

[02] Talat supports bicommunal meetings and contacts.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash holds UK responsible for Cyprus problem

Pointing out that Hercus did not reach the level of presenting a proposal during the contacts she was holding with the two sides, Denktash told reporters that President ``Glafcos Clerides is a wise man aware of the realities on the island but he could not express the truths as the world failed to see them.''

He claimed that the Turkish Cypriots want peace on the basis of ``two states'', because ``this is the only formula which won`t give the opportunity for the Greek-Cypriots to destroy once again in five years an agreement which may be reached.''

Pointing out that Britain is the country which is most responsible for the Cyprus issue, Denktash said Britain should stop her ``unfair treatment against the Turkish Cypriots'', as he put it.

Denktash alleged Britain supported Makarios with her bases on the island and that it was Britain which brought the Greek Cypriots into a position of legal government.

Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak Radio (16:30 hours, 15.2.99), replying to a reporter´s question on the ``government rift'' regarding the Cyprus problem, Denktash said: ``Foreign Minister Cem came and the problem was resolved''. He did not elaborate.

[02] Talat supports bicommunal meetings and contacts

Ambassador Rozbora in a statement said that as an embassy they are trying to bring together the political parties from both sides for joint meetings on the Cyprus problem ``We are doing everything possible on this issue'' Rozbora said.

Ambassador Rozbora recalled that the last such bicommunal meeting was held in December 1997 and their aim is to revitalize this process again. ``We will continue our efforts in order to restart the contacts between the politicians of both sides'' Rosbora added.

When asked whether there exists a specific date for bringing together the Turkish and Greek Cypriot political party officials, Rozbora said that no such date is fixed yet.

In his turn Mehmet Ali Talat said that ``Slovakia is a country that has no interest in Cyprus and for this reason it will be in a better position to be helpful in the peace efforts''.

Talat added that the joint meetings organized by the Slovak Embassy where political party officials from both sides are brought together were suspended following the EU´s Luxembourg decision. Talat said that it is the Turkish side that loses from prohibiting such meetings. Talat went on and criticized Denktash for opposing such bicommunal meetings. He said:

``Denktash tells us: `You will not engage in this kind of contacts, because they can fool you´.

This has to be changed. Bilateral contacts and meetings will only benefit us, they will benefit the Turkish Cypriots. For this reason these contacts have to be continue. There is no other way to push those who impose embargo on us in the corner. We have to use these means''.

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

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