Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-02-26

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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. 33/99 -- 26.2.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cetin: Turkey ready for peaceful dialogue with Greece.

[02] Eroglu, others find Hannay remarks on Cyprus `positive´.

[03] Demirel claims Greece behind situation in southeast Anatolia.

[04] Denktash meets Iranian Ambassador.

[05] Cetin on terrorism, ties with EU, Greece.

[06] Pseudostate increases security measures.

[07] Denktash meets Hercus.

[08] Turkish election campaign in the occupied area.

[09] Pseudostate imports olive tree saplings from Turkey.

[10] Pseudostate shares first prize with Malta at Tourism Fair in Istanbul.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cetin: Turkey ready for peaceful dialogue with Greece

Addressing a conference at the London School of Economics, Cetin explained Turkey´s economic, political and the social facts to the audience.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU), Cetin said that Turkey is an indispensable part of Europe. He called the European Union not to ignore the key points which requires Turkeys candidacy.

Alleging that Turkey cannot be without EU and the EU cannot be without Turkey, Cetin noted, ``We will never abandon the pluralist democratic system with or without the European Union''.

Reminding that the relations between Turkey and the European Union became dense after the EU did not give Turkey the same statute with the other candidate countries, Cetin noted that these negative effects still continue.

Claiming that there is no Kurdish-Turkish discrimination in Turkey, Ceitn asked, ``Who decides that such an organization represents the Kurdish people living in Turkey? Who charged them to represent the Kurdish people and told them to save the Kurdish people with weapons?''

When asked about the cross-border operation in Northern Iraq, Cetin alleged that Turkey has always showed great respect to the territorial integrity of Iraq, but the lack of authority in Northern Iraq requires such an intervention.

Responding to a question on the Turkish military presence on Cyprus, Cetin claimed that the Cyprus question began in 1963.

He told the students, ``Turkish military forces have been deployed on the island in order to save peace and provide two communities to live together in peaceful atmosphere. It will withdraw whenever peace prevails on the island''.

[02] Eroglu, others find Hannay remarks on Cyprus `positive´

In a speech in London, Sir David Hannay said that Cyprus must join the EU only after the problem is solved, that the solution must include a rotational presidency, and that the current system of guarantees must be maintained.

Turkish Cypriot political party leaders spoke to illegal BRT about Sir David´s remarks. Dervis Eroglu, leader of the National Unity Party and ``prime minister'', said that Hannay´s remarks indicate that he is thinking of a federation, while the Turkish Cypriots want a confederation, not a federation. ``Confederations are based on the principle of two states'', he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will not accept a federation.

Mustafa Akinci, leader of the Communal Liberation Party (TKP), ``state minister, and deputy prime minister'', said that unless his meaning is being misunderstood, Hannay´s remarks should be viewed as a very positive development. Akinci said that the TKP has been pursuing this policy for years and expressed the hope that all the European countries will agree with this position. He added: You must remember that what has been said and what has been done regarding this issue are two different things. Even so, Akinci said, the developments seem encouraging.

Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktash said that compared with what he used to say in the past, Sir David´s remarks can be considered progress, however, Serdar Denktash stressed, ``the Turkish Cypriots emphasise that their equality and sovereignty must be accepted, and this means a confederation. The parameters we posit have a much wider scope and Europe must think about them without wasting time. ''The DP leader claimed that the Turkish Cypriot proposal for a confederation will contribute to a solution and is a must for the protection of stability in Cyprus and region.

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat was pleased with what Sir David said. Talat claimed that if Cyprus joins the EU before the Cyprus problem is resolved, the partition of the island may be permanent. Therefore, he said, ``we are opposed to that. It is a very important development that Sir David has seen this or, rather, that he has openly said something that was already known. In this way, the Greek Cypriots may begin to see the solution of the problem as a condition for membership in the EU'', Talat added.

The CTP leader pointed out that the rotational presidency system and the issue of guarantees are not new. Even so, he said, hearing them from the mouth of the British diplomat is an extremely positive development.

[03] Demirel claims Greece behind situation in southeast Anatolia

Demirel received a Turkish Cypriot delegation headed by Salih Boyaci, the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Boyaci said that the development of ``TRNC'' can be possible by the contributions of Turkey.

Demirel said that Turkey transports water to ``TRNC'' by balloons, constructs new roads, begins initiatives to provide electrical systems in ``TRNC'', adding that all these have become the policy of Turkey on Cyprus.

On the Southeast issue, Demirel said, ``we will overcome this issue. These are not today´s issues. These issues come from the Ottoman period. You saw who is behind the Southeast issue. The Greeks are behind it'', he claimed.

[04] Denktash meets Iranian Ambassador

Speaking to journalists after meeting with Bahmen Agarazi, the Iranian Ambassador to Cyprus, Denktash said no advance can be recorded in the Cyprus issue if hostility is not given up.

He said that they told the foreign diplomats whom they met that ``it will be impossible to record any improvement or activity as long as this hostility and hostile acts continue''.

Stressing that Agarazi is the new Iranian Ambassador and visits him for the first time, Denktash noted that they informed him about the Cyprus issue in details.

Claiming that the Cyprus issue is not the issue of minority and majority and not an issue between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, Denktash alleged that ``the real issue is the problem of the attack of Greek Cypriots, which continued for 36 years to eradicate Islam from Cyprus.''

[05] Cetin on terrorism, ties with EU, Greece

Pointing out that there were two serious problems in Turkey and they were terrorism in the Southeast and terrorism staged by radical fundamentalists, Cetin said that those two problems receive ``external support''.

Cetin expressed his sorrow over ``the support given to the terrorist organization by some of Turkey´s neighbours, friends and allies''.

Cetin claimed that the independent Turkish courts are the assurances that Abdullah Ocalan, who fell into the Turkish justice´s power, will be tried fairly and openly.

Alleging that Turkey with her structure constitutes a ``unique model'' and there was not an ethnic problem in Turkey, Cetin said that the problem stems from terrorism.

``Turkey is the element of stability in the region. The European Union (EU) doesn`t have the right to say that it doesn`t need us any more. Because, Turkey is important for EU and EU is important for Turkey'', Cetin claimed.

Alleging that the decisions taken at Luxembourg, Cardiff and Vienna summits of EU last year were unjust decisions against Turkey, Cetin further claimed that EU did not assume an equal attitude toward Turkey with other candidates.

Refusing the EU`s excuses it put forward like the solution of the Cyprus issue, improvement in relations with Greece, human rights record, Cetin said, ``there is not anything we can do on our own to improve the relations with Greece and regarding the Cyprus issue. The same problem should be brought also in front of Greece.''

Cetin claimed that ``two different Greek states would be represented at the EU causing more troubles if the full-membership application of the Greek Cypriot side is accepted.''

[06] Pseudostate increases security measures

He declared that they are conducting detailed investigation over students coming from Turkey for studies in the occupied area.

He said that a few years ago four students were expelled from the occupied area because they held a meeting in favour of the PKK.

Eroglu also called on Turkish businessmen to invest in the occupied area. (MY)

[07] Denktash meets Hercus

The meeting took place within the framework of the shuttle meetings carried out by Dame Hercus.

There was no statement after the meeting. (MY)

[08] Turkish election campaign in the occupied area

KIBRIS reports that because a lot of people from Reyhanli county of the Alexandretta province are living in the occupied area, a propaganda campaign is being carried out in the occupied area as well. It publishes posters of candidates that run for the Mayor´s post.

The paper notes that the posters are displayed in places where there is high concentration of illegal mainland settlers. It says that the posters urge the voters to vote for the rightist Nationalist Action Party candidate Bulent Bahadir.

KIBRIS notes that a mainland settler from Reyhanli county told the paper that ``some Turkish parties are offering free tickets for their supporters to go to Turkey and vote their candidates''. (MY)

[09] Pseudostate imports olive tree saplings from Turkey

The paper says that the saplings will be distributed as of today. Each sapling will cost 600 thousand TL, that is less than one Cyprus pound.

KIBRIS says that ``Gemlik'' type olive saplings were imported which are the best for the Cyprus climate. (MY)

[10] Pseudostate shares first prize with Malta at Tourism Fair in Istanbul

KIBRIS reports that 60 stands from 33 countries and 250 stands from Turkey participated in the fair. (MY)

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

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