Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-04-20

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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. 63/99 -- 20.4.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish General Election Unofficial Results

[02] Denktash, Eroglu Comment on Turkish Election Results

[03] Serdar Denktash, Talal Assess Turkish Election Results

[04] Hasipoglu Explains Importance of Contacts at IPU Meetings

[05] Russian Envoy on Cyprus Problem, Kosovo Crisis, S-300’s

[06] Greek Ambassador on Ties With Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish General Election Unofficial Results Ankara TRT Television Network (17:05 hours, 19/4/99) carried the following

No. Of opened ballot boxes: 80 percent of the total Party Percentage Seat Distribution(considering the 10% threshold) DSP 22.15 135 MHP 18.20 130 FP 15.00 111 ANAP 13.53 85 DYP 12.68 87 CHP 8.49 -- HADEP 4.19 -- IND 0.78 -- Key to abbreviations: ANAP – Motherland Party; DSP – Democratic Left Party; FP – Virtue Party; CHP – Republican People’s Party; DYP – True Path Party; HADEP – People’s Democracy Party; MHP – Nationalist Action Party; IND – Independents.

[02] Denktash, Eroglu Comment on Turkish Election Results According to illegal Bayrak Radio (10:30 hours, 19/4/99), Turkish Cypriot

Also assessing the Turkish elections, Eroglu said that the elections are a good example of democracy at work. It is now our wish that a stable government be established in Turkey, Eroglu declared. Stating that there is a common cause and problems that must be solved together with Turkey, he said that as soon as a government is formed in Turkey these problems will be discussed and solutions will be sought together.

[03] Serdar Denktash, Talal Assess Turkish Election Results Illegal Bayrak Radio (15:30 hours, 19/4/99) reports that Democratic Party

Main opposition party leader Serdar Denktash assessed Turkish elections to illegal BRT. Pointing out that the Cyprus issue cannot be indexed to the election results, Denktash noted that the Cyprus question is viewed on a different level in Turkey. The Turkish political parties’ political and economic attitudes toward Cyprus are not very different from one another, Denktash stressed.

Denktash announced that following the establishment of a government in Turkey, talks will be held with government officials and other political parties on internal and external matters regarding Cyprus.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the results of the Turkish elections show the will of the Turkish electorate, as it was reflected in the ballot box, adding that these results must be respected. Commenting on the elections in Turkey, Talat pointed out that a significant increase was registered in the votes of an extreme party like the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). Talat described this as the transfer of votes from the right wing that meets the approval of the Armed Forces to the right wing that does not. Talat said that the votes of the True Path Party, the Motherland Party, and the Virtue Party moved to the MHP.

Talat noted that his party was not surprised by the gains of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), which he described as the only green party and which he said also had luck on its side. Talat also remarked that it is no surprise that the DSP also gained advantages by continuously creating problems with regard to the relations with the EU. Talat also cited as an additional factor the fact that the DSP, a leftist nationalist party, increased its votes at a time when nationalist votes are on the rise.

[04] Hasipoglu Explains Importance of Contacts at IPU Meetings Illegal Bayrak Radio (10:30 hours, 18/4/99) reports that the so-called

In a statement at illegal Tymbou airport, ``speaker'' Ertugrul Hasipoglu said that the contacts held in Brussels were important for explaining to what extent the Turkish Cypriots are right. Briefing the correspondents on the IPU meetings, Hasipoglu said that the delegation conveyed the pseudostate’s determination on the issue of equality and that a decision along these lines was adopted.

Noting that the Turkish delegation’s views were expressed at the meeting on Monday, Hasipoglu added that the new (word indistinct) representative said that he was not familiar with the Cyprus issue and that the meeting contributed to his knowledge on the issue.

Explaining that the outcome of the meetings was announced orally, Hasipoglu said that the information on the meetings will be released to the press and the institutions concerned after it is compiled in a document.

Hasipoglu claimed: ``The TRNC is a reality. Nobody has enough power to eliminate this de facto situation.''

[05] Russian Envoy on Cyprus Problem, Kosovo Crisis, S-300’s According to illegal Bayrak Radio (05:00 hours, 16/4/99), Georgiy Muradov,

Muradov last week held a news conference at the ``Foreign Press Union'' premises of the ``Turkish Cypriots Journalist Union'' and replied to reporters’ questions. For close to two hours Muradov replied to questions on the Cyprus question, the Kosovo crisis, the S-300 missiles, and the structure of the Russian Federation. Muradov explained the Russian views as well as his personal views.

Pointing out that on the Cyprus issue Russia favors a just and viable solution acceptable to both sides, Muradov added that his country does not believe that it is right to impose solutions. Noting that high level negotiations between the leaders of the two communities should begin as soon as possible, Muradov added that the problem can be solved only through negotiations. In reply to questions on whether the United States and Russia are preparing a new plan on the solution of the Cyprus problem, Muradov said that this provides grounds for optimism, adding that Russia and the United States share the view that impetus should be given to efforts for a solution. Muradov said that the G-8, composed of industrial countries, are working on a draft to help contribute to the solution process, adding that, however, he as a diplomat is not aware of its details. He expressed the belief that it is advisable to begin the negotiations for a solution as soon as possible.

According to illegal Bayrak, Muradov initially tried to avoid questions on the Russian sale of S-300 missiles to Cyprus saying that the missiles have not been deployed on the island. Faced with insistent questions on the issue, Muradov said that the missiles are not offensive but rather defensive weapons and that they have a deterrent effect on the aggressor. In reply to questions on who the aggressor is, Muradov said that he was definitely not referring to Turkey, adding that he was only trying to explain the nature of the weapons system. In reply to a question on whether he views Turkey as an occupying force, Muradov gave a evasive reply that Russia favors the withdrawal of all foreign troops on the island.

Replying to questions on the Kosovo crisis, Muradov underlined that fact that Russia definitely does not support the erroneous policies of Milosevic, adding that, however, Russia favors the solution of international problems through peaceful means. He added that, therefore, Russia is opposed to the NATO bombardment. Expressing his personal view, Muradov said that NATO launched this operation not to help the Albanians but to show that, within the framework of the new world order, it will defeat any opposition against NATO. Muradov added that problems among countries should be solved peacefully and the use of force should be based on UN resolutions.

[06] Greek Ambassador on Ties With Turkey According to Anatolia Agency (08:12 hours, 17/4/99), Yannis Corandis, the

Ambassador Corandis, who attended the reception held at the Hilton Hotel in Ankara over the Syrian National Day, responded to the questions of reporters saying that he targeted to do his utmost for the interests of the two countries during his post in Ankara.

Pointing out that it can’t be expected that the problems between the two countries will be solved in just one day, Corandis said, ``the solution needs patience and good will. Besides, people should abstain from issuing statements which can harm the relations. I am hopeful for the future of the relations between Turkey and Greece.'' Responding to a question about the Cyprus issue, Corandis said that the issue should be solved in accordance with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions, adding, ``the Cyprus issue is the last remaining wall in Europe and it should be leveled.'' Responding to a question about the Kosovo crisis, Greek Ambassador Corandis recalled that Greece supports Germany’s plan and she is preparing herself to convene a Balkan summit on 20 April within the framework of the solution for the crisis. Corandis said particularly the humanitarian aid dimension of the Kosovo crisis will be taken up at that summit.

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

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