Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-09-06

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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] CTP condemns Ertugrulogluīs stand on recent events.

[02] Resumed water transportation to occupied area.

[03] Elements of US Plan for Cyprus settlement reported.

[04] Akinci: Norway accepts, understands existence of ``TRNC''.

[05] Denktash goes to Turkey to visit quake zone, comments on US visit, Greek aid.

[06] Denktash on new beginning in Cyprus issue.

[07] Denktash leaves for US, details solution to Cyprus issue.

[08] On reconstructing Varosha.

[09] Claim about Pyla village.

[10] Turk in custody for Harpasī murder.

[11] Pseudo-minister goes to Israel.

[12] Pseudo-assembly delegation in Strasbourg.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CTP condemns Ertugrulogluīs stand on recent events

[02] Resumed water transportation to occupied area

The transportation, which was disrupted when the 10 thousand cubic meters balloon exploded, resumed when two 20 thousand cubic meters balloons were brought from Norway.

The transportation of water with balloons is carried out two times a week in rotation.

[03] Elements of US Plan for Cyprus settlement reported

``The United States will be guarantor state in Cyprus.

The armies of the two sides will be disbanded.

Famagusta will be returned to the Greek Cypriots.

A common currency will be adopted.

There will be a single foreign minister.''

The report further says that the efforts of the Clinton administration to solve the Cyprus problem before November 2000, when its term of office will expire, have been transformed into concrete solution proposals and that the main outlines of the long-awaited US plan for Cyprus are taking shape. It adds that according to information obtained from diplomatic sources and reports published by the Greek Cypriot dailies SIMERINI and HARAVGHI, the comprehensive package of proposals the United States is preparing to put on the table addresses security, constitutional and territorial issues.

[04] Akinci: Norway accepts, understands existence of ``TRNC''

Akinci concluded his visit to Norway and returned to the island. Speaking at a news conference, Akinci assessed his two-day visit to Norway which was made upon the invitation of the leader of the Norwegian Labour Party.

Akinci said that he held intense meetings during his two-day visit, adding that on the first day he met with the chairman and members of the parliamentary foreign relations committee. Akinci added that at the meeting they exchanged views on various issues. Noting that his second meeting was held at the Oslo International Peace and Research Institute, Akinci said that here he addressed a conference on the Cyprus issue, adding that there was high level interest in this conference. Akinci said that he also participated in an international program on the Norwegian radio.

Detailing his contacts on the second day of his visit, Akinci said that he met with the leader of the Labour Party and his colleagues. Noting that in the afternoon he met with the deputy foreign minister, Akinci said that he also held a very beneficial meeting that lasted an hour and a half with the deputy prime minister. Pointing out that he also met with the Norwegian prime minister, Akinci stressed that great interest was shown in the pseudostate during his contacts. Akinci said that during his contacts he got the impression that Norway does not believe that the Cyprus problem can be solved through impositions and through the isolation of the ``TRNC''. Akinci said that Norway has realized that the ``TRNC'' should be taken into consideration if the Cyprus problem is to be solved. He added that Norway believes that isolating Turkey from the EU is wrong, it acknowledges and voices that serious mistakes were made in the 1997 Luxembourg decisions, and that it is conducting activities to rectify these mistakes. Pointing out that Norway is seeking ways to develop bilateral relations despite the fact that it has not yet officially recognised the ``TRNC'', Akinci said that during his contacts views were exchanged on the development of bilateral relations between Norway and the pseudostate. Noting that the first field that comes to mind is commercial, Akinci said that the ``TRNC'' exported potatoes to Norway in the aftermath of the EU Court of Justice decision, that a court case on the issue is continuing in Norway, and that solutions are being sought pending the court decision.

[05] Denktash goes to Turkey to visit quake zone, comments on US visit, Greek aid

Making a statement prior to his departure, Denktash said that he will go to New York on Sunday and depart New York for Washington D.C. on Monday. Denktash noted that he will explain why they came to the point of having negotiations from ``state to state''.

Alleging that his ``state-to state'' negotiation proposal is a constructive proposal which opens the doors for the unification of Cyprus in the future, Denktash recalled that he will meet Kofi Annan, United Nations (UN ) Secretary General in New York on September 9. Denktash stressed that he will also come together with Thomas Weston, US Department of State Special Coordinator to Cyprus, and Sir David Hannay, British Special Representative to Cyprus.

Denktash emphasized that he will stay in the US until September 12 and will return to Istanbul on September 13, adding that he will go to Ankara then to make an evaluation with the Turkish government about the Cyprus question if Premier Bulent Ecevit also agrees with his plan of visiting Ankara.

In addition, Anatolia Agency reports that speaking to reporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Denktash inter alia said the humanist approach of the Greek state is obvious. ``However, we shouldnīt deceive ourselves. Although Greece is sending humanitarian aid, Greece doesnīt give up the cases she deems right. This is the same for Turkey. Humanness, friendship and helping one another are good things but these are two different issues.''

Stressing that Greece rushed to help Turkey shortly after the quake, Denktash said, ``that movement softened the contacts between the two countries. I hope this will continue.''

Wishing that the friendship laid by Ataturk and Venizelos will become real, Denktash said, ``both the two sides and regions will benefit from this. And we will be two friendly states on Cyprus''.

[06] Denktash on new beginning in Cyprus issue

Denktash replied to reportersīquestions during his visit to the Istanbul Governorīs Office. He said that he will meet with the newly appointed US mediator on 9 or 10 September.

Noting that it is not beneficial to initiate processes that have already been tried with regards to the Cyprus problem, Denktash said that this would only benefit the ``Greek Cypriot sector''. Denktash added:

``We have held useless talks. We have played this game for years. We have been patient for years. At this point, we want a new process, a new beginning. We want a new beginning because we want a conciliation. We do not believe in the benefit of continuing the old process which does not envisage a conciliation. Whereas the Americans, the British, the Security Council, and the Secretary General are saying: `Let the old process continue and let us see what will come of itī. We have waited for 26 years and nothing came out of it. How much longer will be wait? Therefore this is our view. I will hold talks in Washington and New York in order to explain our views. I will meet with the Secretary General on 9 September. I will meet with the US and British coordinators on 10-11 September. I will then go to Ankara and hold talks with the government there. Together we shall review the assessments we have made.''

In reply to a question on ``what the reaction of the Greek Cypriot sector will be to this new process'', Denktash said that ``it is not necessary to measure our just cause in accordance with the reaction of the other side''. In reply to a reporter who recalled reports to the effect that ``Europe and the Untied States expect concessions in exchange for the quake aid,'' Denktash said:

``If they want political solutions in exchange for the aid extended to this massive disaster area then this aid has no meaning whatsoever. It means that this aid was a bribe. We, however, believe that humanitarian reasons were behind this aid that was extended in the face of one of the largest disasters to hit the world''.

Upon being reminded about the aid extended by Greece, Denktash said that this aid created a positive atmosphere, adding that if the problems have a solution then this aid will facilitate that solution. Denktash continued:

``Otherwise, no one would sacrifice its national cause in exchange for aid. Neither would those who extend the aid stoop to that level. If you expect Greece to renounce its rights in the Aegean and in Cyprus because there is this rapprochement and this mutual humanitarian interest then your are wrong. If the Greeks expect Turkey to renounce its rights over the Aegean and Cyprus because they have extended this aid, if they are saying that they expect a return for the bribe they have extended, they are wrong as well. It will be easier to discuss these issues within the framework of this rapprochement and this positive atmosphere. This is beneficial. It would not be right to expect anything more than that.''

[07] Denktash leaves for US, details solution to Cyprus Issue

Rauf Denktash left for the US to hold contacts on the Cyprus question. Anatolia Agency (11: 31 hours, 5/9/99) reports that speaking to reporters at the Ataturk Airport State Guesthouse prior to his departure, Denktash said he will explain the Turkish sideīs policy for the current situation of the Cyprus question.

Noting that there is not a thing completely inappropriate to the interests of the US who is determined in solving the Cyprus question, Denktash said: ``What we expect from US President Bill Clinton is to put forward what he said few years ago. He had said that there are two owners on Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. As there are two owners, the 1960 Agreement was a partnership agreement. The Greek Cypriots destroyed the principles of this agreement. They attacked to change the Greek Cypriot administration into Cyprus government but they failed. If Mr Clinton sees these realities, makes the Greek Cypriots accept these and asks them how they can call them the government of the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of which law, agreement and right, than there is nothing that the Greek Cypriots can explain. Thus Mr. Clinton has to say to the Greek Cypriots that he canīt allow such an injustice. We want them to accept us as a democratic state as the Greek Cypriot side, and want the negotiations to start after this. If they do this, the Cyprus question can be solved in 3-5 months. Thus we are going to the US to explain this''.

Stating that some mass media organs are talking about a US plan but they did not receive such a plan or proposal, Denktash said ``the Cyprus questions will be solved by the agreement of the two owners in the issues of how they will arrange their properties and how they will cooperate, not by external plans. The Cyprus question canīt be solved by external things that are not based on realities''.

Pointing out that he reiterated his proposal he put forward on August 31, Denktash said ``we talk about confederation. We talk about an agreement based on two states. This is the law and realism. A compromise canīt be reached without these''.

When asked what kind of an attitude they would follow if they receive a pressure for the acceptance of the package claimed to be prepared by the US Dentkash said ``the side to put pressure has to give something to the side it will put pressure on. The US is not the side which protects and secures us. The US has been treating us unjustly for 36 years by accepting the Greek Cypriots as a government . First of all, they have to give up this injustice to make us trust them. We want this. Pressure canīt be put on us because we donīt have any receivable from anybody.''

[08] On reconstructing Varosha

Experts say that an eventual opening of the Varosha area will cost about 2 billion dollars, money needed for reconstructing the town and making it a liveable one. It will also take two to four years to complete the whole work.

The president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Architecture and Civil Engineering Huseyin Inan reminded that ``Varosha has been abandoned for 25 years and there have been great damages. For this purpose a huge amount of money will be needed for reconstructing the whole area. The government cannot obtain this amount of money.'' (DP)

[09] Claim about Pyla village

The newspaper protests the attitude of the UN, who doesnīt prevent this. It is also stressed that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are forbidden to have guns in this area.

(DP)

[10] Turk in custody for Harpasī murder

The pseudo-court decided to set free the three of the four suspects. The remand order for Recep Gungor was extended for another five days because there is claim that he is the person who last talked to and saw Stelios Harpas alive.

(DP)

[11] Pseudo-minister goes to Israel

At a pre-departure statement, Kuchuk said that during his visit he will have contacts especially about the water issue. Kuchuk also stated that he will met with the Turkish Agriculture Minister in Tel Aviv.

(DP)

[12] Pseudo-assembly delegation in Strasbourg

(DP)

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

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