Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-04-05

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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. 56/99 3,4,5.4.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH FAVORS SETTLING KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN OCCUPIED VAROSHA

[02] DEMIREL SAYS CYPRUS PROBLEM SOLVED IN 1974

[03] DENTASH SAYS "AMENDMENT" SHOULD NOT PREVENT HIS REELECTION

[04] RUSSIAN ENVOY TO TURKEY ON KOSOVO

[05] SYRIANS ASK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM

[06] TRADE UNIONS PROTEST PRICE INCREASES

[07] ADALI'S WIDOW PRESSURED TO WITHDRAW CASE FROM HUMAN RIGHTS COURT

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH FAVORS SETTLING KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN OCCUPIED VAROSHA

Denktash said that Kosovo must be given freedom and that its independence must be recognized, adding: "If the Serbs and the Kosovars are to reach an agreement, they will do so as two equal sides. The efforts to get these people to live together after all that the Serbs have done will lead to new dangers."

Asked to comment on his statement that part of occupied Varosha must be opened for the temporary settlement of the Kosovar Muslims, Denktash declared that the final decision on this issue will be made by the "government". Denktash stressed that he will support every move to make Varosha available for this purpose, adding that he is ready to defend this view anywhere in the world. "There is empty space in Varosha, and these places must be restored and opened to settlement as soon as possible", he claimed.

Denktash said that the Kosovar Muslims can be sheltered in a section of Varosha until they return to their homes, and he asked the "government" to display determination in this regard.

[02] DEMIREL SAYS CYPRUS PROBLEM SOLVED IN 1974

Demirel, while visiting Qatar, attended a reception hosted in his honor by Turkish Ambassador Ugur Ergun. After the reception, which was also attended by representatives of the Turkish community in Qatar, Demirel met with a delegation representing the Turkish community and listened to their views. In reply to a question on the Cyprus issue, Demirel noted that until now a political solution has not been found in Cyprus. He claimed: "The Cyprus problem was solved in 1974". Demirel noted that the pseudostate and Turkey are working together to develop the economy of the "TRNC". The pseudostate must stand on its own two feet, Demirel said, stressing that its security is guaranteed by Turkey. He added: "I always tell the administrators in Cyprus that the people should not complain about the government. They have democracy and they have political parties. We also told them not to emulate the party clashes in Turkey, but unfortunately they did. You adopted everything else, but do not adopt this, we told them. The next move on the agenda is for the TRNC to strengthen its economy and organize its administration in a way that will please the people."

[03] DENTASH SAYS "AMENDMENT" SHOULD NOT PREVENT HIS REELECTION

In reply to a question on his views regarding the "constitutional amendments", Denktash said that nothing can be achieved through the "amendments" being planned. Noting that it is natural to limit the "presidential" term, Denktash continued: "The amendments cannot be used as a restriction to prevent me from participating in the elections." Pointing out that everyone can support the idea of restricting the "presidential" terms to two through an "amendment", Denktash said that he supports it as well and continued: "If, however, this amendment will be used to mean that a person who has served two terms cannot participate in the elections, this would be a move to obstruct and eliminate Denktash". Charging that such an "amendment" is "unconstitutional" and cannot be viewed as legal, Denktash said that this proposed "amendment" entails a retroactive restriction, adding that this is not right.

Denktash charged that "the people will decide on who can and cannot participate in the presidential elections", announcing that he will participate in the "elections". He advised that the "constitutional amendment", if aimed at obstructing him, should be implemented after consultations with jurists, stressing that the "elections" are a race and that no one can prevent him from participating in this race.

[04] RUSSIAN ENVOY TO TURKEY ON KOSOVO

Asked what is his appraisal of the Kosovo crisis and the NATO operation, Lebedev said: "I believe that the air attacks will upset East-West and Russia-NATO relations. This is a big mistake. By that I do not mean that the Belgrade government has always acted sensibly or correctly. However, this time Holbrooke failed in Yugoslavia, where he had several other failures earlier. Holbrooke also failed in Cyprus. If there is so much confidence in Holbrooke's diplomatic capabilities, why did they not insist that he continue these efforts? Had all efforts continued, then we might have viewed the attacks as being normal. I do not wish to draw parallels or similarities between different isues, but there is the case of Nagorno- Karabakh. The Azeris say that Karabakh is theirs historically. The Yugoslavs are saying the same thing about Kosovo. That is true historically, but the situation is different now. In my opinion, the Kosovo Albanians have a right to demand the autonomy they had during the Tito era. The Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh also have a right to demand autonomy. The Chechens are also right in demanding autonomy. If we try to change borders are create states for every ethnic community, we would be annihilated. I think that the whole world would lose. If that happens wars would break out everywhere, ethnic clashes would grow, and neither NATO nor its military power would be enough to settle them."

[05] SYRIANS ASK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM

KIBRIS says that the Syrians are housed at the "Karpass Police Directorate". The so-called police has started investigation regarding the two families. (MY)

[06] TRADE UNIONS PROTEST PRICE INCREASES

The marchers left a wreath at the door of the so-called prime minister's office as a sign of protest.

Turk-Sen, Dev-is, KTAMS, KTOS, KTOES, Kamu-Sen are some of the trade unions that participated in the march.

(MY)

[07] ADALI'S WIDOW PRESSURED TO WITHDRAW CASE FROM HUMAN RIGHTS COURT

AVRUPA says that the period the Court has given to the occupied area to defend itself in the case expires on 5 April 1999.

Ilkan Adali recoursed to the Court on 6 July, 1997.

AVRUPA reports that among those who try to convince Ilkay Adali to withdraw the case is Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party. Talat has told Mrs Adali that "if this case is not withdrawn, democracy will receive a blow".

Another person demanding the withdrawal of the case is Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who reportedly told Kutlu Adali's daugher, "Do they open a case for such a simple issue?"

AVRUPA also reports that the commander of the Turkish occupation forces in the occupied area, Brigadier General Ali Nihat Ozayranli, refuses to meet Adali's family, despite the latter's request.

The reason for the refusal is Mrs Adali's recourse to the European Human Rights Court.

(MY)

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

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