Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-05-10

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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. 77/99 -- 8-9-10

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu re-elected UBP leader, resolutions adopted.

[02] Azeri Labour Minister, union official visiting pseudostate.

[03] Denktash: ``Cyprus never permitted to be Greek castle against Anatolia''.

[04] Denktash claims UK bias for Greeks annuls guarantor status.

[05] Demirel urges allies to keep Cyprus question out of bilateral ties.

[06] Van den Broek on Cyprus´EU accession.

[07] Akinci wants cooperation regarding tourism.

[08] Ankara claims Greece and Cyprus escalating tension.

[09] On revelations of meetings with Greek Cypriots.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu re-elected UBP leader, resolutions adopted

The UBP congress called on world countries ``to renounce applying double standards on the subject of Cyprus'' and adopted a resolution declaring that it will be a waste of time to conduct negotiations with the Greek Cypriots before the pseudostate is recognized.

Two resolutions were adopted during the 12th UBP congress, one of them on the Cyprus problem and the other on Kosovo. The resolution on Cyprus, which was unanimously approved at the congress, stressed that ``the existence of the TRNC is indisputable'' and ``any stance that could create the slightest doubt in this regard will have to face the UBP.'' Claiming that a strong and recognized ``TRNC'' is the guarantee of peace and stability on the island and in the region, the resolution underlined that every effort will be exerted together with Turkey ``to ensure that the TRNC occupied the position it deserves among world countries.''

Any talks to be held with the Greek Cypriot side before the ``TRNC'' is recognized will not benefit the Turkish Cypriot side and will delay the ``TRNC´s'' efforts to develop and become rooted, the resolution stated. It added: ``Rather than waste time with negotiations that will not yield any results, all efforts should be channelled into strengthening and promoting the TRNC in every field with the contribution of Turkey.''

In its resolution pertaining to the Kosovo crisis, the UBP resolution asked that the necessary measures be adopted to allow the Kosovar people who have been forcefully displaced from their homes to return to their places.

[02] Azeri Labour Minister, union official visiting pseudostate

The guest delegation was met by Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the so-called speaker of the pseudo-assembly.

Ertugrul Hasipoglu said that as the ``TRNC'' their aim is to develop the cooperation between the Turkish Republics and to be officially recognized by the world as a Turkish Republic.

Mehmet Albayrak said they ``wish cooperation and mutual solidarity among sister countries in every field.''

Albayrak said that the Azerbaijani delegation arrived in the pseudostate to hold contacts over the Workers` Health and Labour Security Week.

The Azerbaijani delegation will leave on May 9.

[03] Denktash: ``Cyprus never permitted to be Greek castle against Anatolia''

Addressing a conference titled ``Cyprus Question'' in Samsun 19 Mayis University, Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriot side continues to pursue an uncompromising attitude. ``They now wish to isolate the Turkish side by the help of Europe and to disturb the balance installed by the Lausanne Treat. Europe insists on not seeing the realities on the island'', he claimed.

Referring to the strategical importance of Cyprus for Turkey, Rauf Denktash said that ``Turkey will never permit Cyprus to be a Greek castle against Anatolia.''

[04] Denktash claims UK bias for Greeks annuls guarantor status

Denktash, who is continuing his contacts in Turkey, concluded his contacts in Samsun and proceeded to Ankara. In reply to journalists´ questions at Ankara´s Esenboga Airport regarding Britain´s guarantor role in Cyprus, Denktash stated that this country cannot fulfil this role any longer. He added: ``Every step taken by London has been in favour of the Greek Cypriots. We have always protested against this and we will continue to do so in the future.''

Asked to comment on ``the attempt by Greek warplanes to land at the Paphos airport'', as he put it, Denktash expressed great satisfaction over the sensitive approach displayed by the Turkish public to the developments on the Cyprus issue, but these incidents should not be described as hot developments, he said. Alleging that the pseudostate and Turkey have the right to adopt the necessary measures against any kind of action the Cyprus government plans to take against the ``TRNC'', Denktash added that these measures will always be adopted.

Within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, Denktash was to meet with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel last Saturday. Both leaders were expected to make a statement during the meeting.

[05] Demirel urges allies to keep Cyprus question out of bilateral ties According to Anatolia Agency (14:33 hours 8.5.99), Turkish President

Speaking before his meeting with Rauf Denktash, Demirel said the Cyprus question was Turkey´s national case, adding that ``we have been saying this to the world for years. Turkey, being a country in peace, wants its kinsmen in Cyprus to live safely and be in prosperity.''

Noting that there was a de facto situation in Cyprus and that there were ``two states'' Demirel said ``the issue is the relations of these countries on this island.''

Meanwhile, Denktash said they could not accept any pressure, adding that there were some activities related with the issue. Denktash said he was pleased to discuss these with Demirel.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Nazif Borman, so-called ambassador to Ankara, were also present at the meeting.

[06] Van den Broek on Cyprus´ EU accession

[07] Akinci wants cooperation regarding tourism

Mustafa Akinci, who is also leader of the Communal Liberation Party and the ``minister'' responsible for tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus, said he is ready to discuss the issue of ``allowing tourists coming to the island to visit both sides of Cyprus.''

Mr. Akinci had already conveyed his intentions to Cyprus Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr. Nicos Rolandis through diplomatic channels though there had been no response.

Mr. Akinci said ``I have in the past worked together with the Greek Cypriot Mayor of Nicosia when I was the Turkish Cypriot Mayor of the town. I believe that was a very important way of co-operating in terms what we can achieve together and a way of contributing to the peace process of our country''.

Mr. Akinci believed he could extend this way of working to other areas and said ``I believe tourism can be used as an important step towards peace. We have to step forward and make difficult decisions. We have to take necessary measures to allow tourists to visit both sides of our country. I am very genuine in this proposal and I believe Mr. Rolandis is a man of co- operation.''

Mr. Akinci added the Cyprus issue has to have a powerful economy on both sides. The occupied area of Cyprus especially needs a strong economy, otherwise the dependence on Turkey will be inevitable, he said. ``A strong economy in the north will be the assurance of peace. This has to be considered very seriously.''

[08] Ankara claims Greece and Cyprus escalating tension

``The on going flight of Greek fighter jets over Cyprus shows that the Greek-Greek Cypriot front insists on raising the tension in Cyprus'', Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli told a press conference.

Atacanli claimed that on Wednesday four Greek fighter jets ``attempted to land at a military air base in Greek Cyprus'', but ``had to turn back without landing''. He did not elaborate on why the jets could not land, the paper says.

The jets were participating in military exercises by the Greek Air Force near Cyprus.

[09] On revelations of meetings with Greek Cypriots

The meetings, revealed in the latest issue of Yeni Olusum newspaper, were also discussed on London Turkish Radio.

The meeting would elect a new Konsey chair, with the candidates being the current Konsey chair Zeka Alsancak and Arif Tahir Erisen.

All 24 member groups of the Konsey will have three votes/delegates and the voting will also include five previous Konsey chairmen. This means 77 votes will be cast.

Mr. Erisen said he did not know about the meetings with a Greek Cypriot group, saying`` I would ensure matters such as this would come to the attention of all the chairs of the member organisations''.

But Mr. Alsancak said the meetings between the Greek Cypriots and the Konsey had been misrepresented and were not intended to be a secret.

``We had met with a Greek Cypriot group last year on three or four occasions and attended at the invitation of a Labour MP who wanted to get our viewpoint'' Mr. Alsancak said.

``We were able to present our views and used the opportunities to discuss our position to the MP as well as the Greek Cypriots. It is wrong to say we did this secretly or that the members of the Konsey were unaware of the meetings.''

Mr. Alsancak added he did not believe Mr. Erisen was unaware of the Konsey meetings with the Greek Cypriots. ``If the meetings were not public knowledge, it was at the request of the MP'', he added.

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

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