Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-04-13

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash - Italian deelgation.

[02] Italian Parliamentary delegation.

[03] IPU meeting.

[04] Ecevit issues circular on ``TRNC''.

[05] ORTAM on Ploutis Servas.

[06] Greek Cypriot church Art - centre.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash - Italian delegation

Denktash said that the Italian delegation realized the reasons for the situation on the island in light of the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. He added that the Italian businessmen are ready to conduct business with ``TRNC'' businessmen.

Describing as very favourable the meeting he held with Denktash, Senator Contestabile added: I am sure that the meeting with Denktash will be very favourable for your great country and people.

[02] Italian Parliamentary delegatio

According to Ankara Anatolia (9.4.99) Ertugrul Hasipoglu, ``Speaker of the TRNC parliament'', said that a solution on Cyprus should depend on having a confederation between the two states. Hasipoglu received an Italian delegation of senators, deputies, and businessmen.

Asserting that there are two states in Cyprus, Hasipoglu claimed that there is peace on the island since 1974 and that this peace depends on the existence of the two states.

Hasipoglu reiterated the well-known claims of the Turkish side that the Greek Cypriots ended the ``federation which was set up in 1960 by the force of weapons and fired the Turks from the government''.

The Turks, he alleged, were forced to live in three percent of the territory of the island between 1963 and 1974 whereas before they were living in 40 percent of the territory.

Turkeyīs intervention, he claimed, saved not only the Turkish Cypriots, but also the Greek Cypriots because the presence of the Turkish army on the island put an end to the clashes. It also resulted in the economic improvement of the both sides, Hasipoglu stressed asserting that this proves that the Turkish army is not an occupier but a peace protecting army.

Hasipoglu said that one side`s efforts to rule the other can cause a new war on the island and create a situation similar to Bosnia and Kosovo, adding that the European Union`s decision to have unilateral negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side is a blow for peace. He expressed the hope that Italy will reconsider the issue

Domenico Contestabile, the Italian Senator and the spokesman of the delegation, expressed the view that the Cyprus issue can only be solved by also taking into consideration the position of the Turks. The Turkish Cypriots should be taken into consideration in the process of the EU, as well, he said and expressed the hopes that the Cyprus issue can be solved to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriots.

Eroglu

Receiving the same delegation Dervis Eroglu, so-called Prime Minister of the ``TRNC'' said that the Cyprus problem can be solved if the United Nations recognize the ``TRNC''.

He claimed that the UN parameters were lifted when unilateral negotiations between the Greek Cypriots and the European Union commenced. The ``TRNC'', he said, has raised the principle of ``two states'' due to that. After the establishment of a successful confederation, a federation can be established later, he said.

The spokesman of the delegation Mr. Contestabile, said that they wish to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem which concerns the whole Mediterranean. He said that the Cyprus question cannot be solved without the contribution of the UN and added ``we trust in this state, times change and there are several advantages for Turkish Cypriots.''

Ertugruloglu

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, ``foreign affairs and defense minister'', expressed gratitude for the political support shown by the Italian delegation visiting the ``TRNC'', and asked the delegation to give support to the economic, cultural, and sports fields as well.

In a dinner in honour of the delegation Ertugruloglu said that ``the foreign policy of the TRNC is based on the continuation of the existence and recognition of the TRNC''. If the business circles in the ``TRNC'' and in Italy cooperate, Ertugruloglu remarked, an economic dimension will be added to the work conducted in the political arena. In his dinner speech, Senator Domenico Constestabile, expressed the belief that the recognition of the ``TRNC'' will eventually take place through insistence, patience, struggle, and negotiations. He said: ``Peoples have the right to self- determination; therefore, this is also the right of the TRNC people, and it must be recognised''. Constestabile noted that the Italians have ties with Cyprus rather than with the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots, and they share the historical heritage of Cyprus.

Constestabile said that the attitude of the United Nations towards the ``TRNC'' is not at a desirable level for the Turkish Cypriots or for the Italians, but the only way to solve problems within the international order is through negotiations and this must be done under the auspices of the United Nations.

[03] IPU meeting

Illegal Bayrak radio reported that in a statement prior to the departure, Hasipoglu said the ``delegation'' will be attending the meeting as ``representatives of the TRNC''. We will not attend any meeting which does not take up the issue of the ``TRNCīs existence'', Hasipoglu stated and added:

``We will explain the Cyprus realities and the existence of the TRNC to the other representatives at the meeting''.

[04] Ecevit issues circular on ``TRNC''

In his circular Ecevit demanded the name of the head of the unit to be given to the ``Councilor of the Cyprus Affairs at the prime ministers office.''

Ecevit said that these units are needed in order to coordinate various aspects of the relations established with the occupied area on the basis of integration.

(MY)

[05] ORTAM on Ploutis Servas

She says that Servas made important disclosures regarding the recent history. He admitted that AKELīs support to Enosis and self government was the greatest mistake.

He also strongly criticized late Archbishop Makarios for never being an ``hero of independence''. (to be continued)

[06] Greek Cypriot church - Art centre

The church will be used by the so-called Kythrea Arts Association DES -DER.

The chairman of the association, Ahmet Emiroglu,claimed that they will try to ``restore'' the church without ``changing'' its architectural features. (MY)

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

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