Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-09-14

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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. 166/99 -- 14.9.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash meets US officials.

[02] Denktash not concerned about Turkey making concessions.

[03] Cem: ``Cyprus issue is between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side''.

[04] Swedish envoy in Turkey views Turkish EU candidacy, Cyprus issue.

[05] Sertac Gorguner´s murderers appear laughing before ``court''. Republican Turkish Party holds protest march.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash meets US officials

Denktash said that during the meeting he explained how the Turkish Cypriots reached a stage where they are willing to conduct only ``state-to state talks''. The US side was sincerely told that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot sit at the negotiating table on the basis of old formulas, at a time when this situation continues, Denktash remarked. He added: ``They are saying that what we want to achieve, namely our acceptance as a state and the recognition of our sovereign existence, can be obtained through talks. We have always been told as such, but nothing has ever been achieved because of the Greek Cypriots´ misuse of the talks, and moreover, the Greek Cypriots were even given the opportunity to apply for EU accession. Therefore, the ball is actually on their side''.

Denktash noted that during the talks he underlined all these aspects, and he will continue to do so in the future. Stressing that the Americans are insistently trying to get the two sides on the island to sit at the negotiating table, Denktash announced that he was again to meet with Moses and Weston the following morning.

In reply to a question, Denktash said that he has not yet seen the full text of the Cyprus report Clinton submitted to Congress, therefore he does not want to comment on it at the moment.

[02] Denktash not concerned about Turkey making concessions

Anatolia Agency adds that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met with Moses and Tom Weston, US State Department coordinator for Cyprus, for the second time in 24 hours over breakfast yesterday (Monday).

Moses, who put forth the proposal of a ``tripartite sovereignty'' during the previous day´s talks, yesterday proposed that ``the three guarantor states, namely Turkey, Greece, and Britain as well as the five permanent members of the UNSC sit at the negotiating table together with the Turkish and Greek Cypriots sides''.

The breakfast meeting among Denktash, Moses, and Weston lasted for an hour and a half.

In a statement to reporters after the meeting, Denktash said: ``Our position has not changed. They want those who refer to the Greek Cypriot administration as the legitimate government of Cyprus to sit at the negotiating table as well. This is tantamount to telling the Greek Cypriot side: `Do not be afraid to continue on the path you have been advancing so far´. We are not ready for that. Our goal is to remove the negotiations from a quadripartite framework''.

Pointing out that ``there is no preparation for a basis'' for the talks, Denktash said: ``We are not in a hurry. They should know that''.

According to Anatolia, information has been received that at the meeting Moses proposed that ``the UN Secretary General can address the invitation to the talks to the leaders of the two communities. When you receive the invitation, however, you say that `you are not the leader of the community but the president of the TRNC´. Then no one will object to it. The meeting will, thus, be held.''

In reply to a question on ``whether the Turkish government will make concessions'' at the meeting to be held between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and US President Clinton in Washington at the end of September, Denktash said: ``The Clinton-Ecevit meeting will not yield a different result. We are not worried about concessions being made''.

Meanwhile, Denktash said that he will discuss the issue of so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu submitting his candidacy for the ``presidency'' and the position of negotiator while Denktash was abroad during the assessment meeting he will hold with Turkish government officials in Ankara on 15 September. Denktash concluded: ``I am not ready for elections. I do not have a party and an organization. I know, however, that a majority of my people support me. If however, they insist on holding elections immediately then we can hold elections. Then the one who wins continues on the path''.

[03] Cem: ``Cyprus issue is between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side''

Cem said that at the EU Council he explained the developments in Turkey, that his explanations were received positively, and that he noted the views of the EU ministers.

Noting that a new foundation conducive to development was established between the EU and Turkey, Cem added that he got the impression that from now on relations will develop in an improved, speedy, and positive manner.

Cem said: ``We have not discussed the Cyprus issue. It is meaningless. We view this issue as one between the TRNC and its interlocutor in Cyprus which is the Greek Cypriot side''.

[04] Swedish envoy in Turkey views Turkish EU candidacy, Cyprus issue

In reply to a question on the Cyprus issue and specifically whether he agrees with Greece saying that Cyprus is an EU issue, or with Turkey that insists that this is not the EU´s business, the Swedish ambassador said:

``Both of them are right. That all depends on your point of view. Turkish- Greek relations are important in themselves, because we want to accept Turkey as a full member of the EU some day. However, we do not want any internal problems within the EU. Turkish-Greek relations are naturally important for us as a positive and constructive element.''

Asked about the issue of Cyprus´s full membership in the EU, he replied:

``That is a $1-million question. This issue must be discussed fairly together with the two communities on the island. If a settlement will be reached or any progress will be achieved on the island, this will happen in an environment where the two communities on the island, Turkey and Greece, the EU, the United States, certain forces in the US Congress, that is actors with interests in the future of Cyprus, are engaged. A solution based on the demilitarization of Cyprus can ensure that the island stops being a center of potential conflict and turns into a place where life proceeds normally and peacefully.''

[05] Sertac Gorguner´s murderers appear laughing before ``court''

According to an autopsy report, Gorguner was first suffocated with his own belt and then his head was crushed.

The two accused claimed before the ``court'' that they killed the victim because of his ``sexual preferences''.

The newspaper comments on the behaviour of the two accused saying they were laughing during the ``court hearing'' and looked too much at ease.

The newspaper publishes a front-page photo showing the two accused and the policemen escorting them laughing.

AVRUPA newspaper, in a front page article under the title ``They are laughing'' says: ``Police solved Goroguner´s murder within eight hours and the murderers were also arrested. Adali´s murder couldn´t be solved for 3 years now. What is the meaning of this?''

Moreover, AVRUPA reports that they have received many calls from persons who were annoyed with the fact the two accused were laughing. It says:

``Everyone had the same questions. `From where did they derive this comfort? Is somebody else behind this crime?´ Questions that couldn´t be answered''.

The paper adds that Sertac´s mother, Sevil Alpay, said some interesting things when the journalists visited her. She said: ``Last week some persons come to my house and looked for Sertac. When they didn´t find him they left''. Sevil Alpay continued: ``I didn´t know those persons, but on their way out they said `we only came to warn him´.''

Gorguner used to receive threats for some of his articles in KIBRIS newspaper. (DP)

[06] Republican Turkish Party holds protest march

(DP)

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

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