Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-09-22

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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. 172/99 -- 22.9.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says no favourable grounds for bilateral meetings.

[02] Turkish paper interviews Greek FM Papandreou.

[03] Ismail Bozkurt refuses to be common ``presidential candidate'' for leftist parties.

[04] Talat again criticizes Denktash for being intransigent.

[05] Denktash meets Badler.

[06] Papandreou´s statement on Cyprus to HURRIYET newspaper.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist says Turkey has abandoned condition of Cyprus´ EU accession.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says no favourable grounds for bilateral meetings

Denktash who gave a lecture at Trakya University in Turkey focused on the Cyprus issue.

The pseudostate wants concession on Cyprus however ``there could be no concession before maintaining equality'', he said.

``The Cyprus issue is at a good point today. Now all the efforts are to make me and Clerides meet. In New York, I explained to Secretary General that the timing was not good for a meeting. First they should propose something that will be accepted by both sides. We cannot give up our state'', he added.

Denktash was given an honorary doctorate in the International Relations field by the Trakya University.

After the ceremony, Denktash opened his photography exhibition.

[02] Turkish paper interviews Greek FM Papandreou

Congar says that ``Papandreou´s new and moderate approach has played an important role in the improvement of relations between Turkey and Greece''.

According to Congar´s report, Papandreou inter alia said: ``I do not expect our problems to be solved fast. However, we must not allow the present atmosphere to disappear just because the problems cannot be solved fast. A very important change has taken place. I do not believe that it can be reversed easily, provided that we avoid creating problems for each other. But why should anyone want to create problems?''

And as for the Aegean and Cyprus issues Papandreou said: ``Undoubtedly, the two countries must not claim rights over each other´s territory. The problems related to the borders and seas between countries that cooperate on a global basis cannot be very important for them. However, I believe that the Cyprus issue is the most important problem between our countries. We maintain a realistic approach. We believe that it cannot be solved in 24 hours. Nevertheless, we must be able to say that the Turkish and Greek Cypriots should no longer be separated by walls. Some of the developments that took place in the past are still remembered. However, new generations are coming up in Turkey and Greece and the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities. The young people have a different approach. They might be able to find a way to live together. I believe that the Cyprus problem and bilateral issues can be easily addressed on a European platform.''

And as regards the EU, Papandreou inter alia said:

``We made a unilateral gesture in the EU to show our goodwill. We did that without expecting anything in return. Turkey and Greece will always be neighbours. We believe that it will be better for Greece to have Turkey as a European neighbour. The process for Greece´s accession to the EU was very difficult. The problem of growth made us suffer. But, our economy, democracy, educational system, organizations, and foreign policy gained from the process. So, we are convinced that Greece will stand to gain from the transformation in Turkey''.

[03] Ismail Bozkurt refuses to be common ``presidential candidate'' for leftist parties

Since his withdrawal from the political life, Ismail Bozkurt has been the director of the Research Centre for Cyprus issues at the ``East Mediterranean University''.

(DP)

[04] Talat again criticizes Denktash for being intransigent

Talat also calls Denktash to give up for once his intransigent policy and to try for a peaceful permanent solution based on the interests of the people of Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.

[05] Denktash meets Badler

The meeting lasted two hours and was described by Denktash as ``satisfactory''.

During the meeting, they evaluated Denktash´s contacts with US and UN officials. Denktash said that he will inform the political parties on his contacts on Thursday.

After the meeting, Bandler only said to reporters that Denktash informed him about the contacts he had in the States.

Denktash also said that in the coming days, he will visit Turkey again. (DP)

[06] Papandreou´s statement on Cyprus to HURRIYET newspaper

``Our problems are not solved yet. Greece´s military power is only for defence. President Clerides once more declared that he very much wants the demilitarization of the island. We too want this. We have an opportunity before us.

We can establish the order which will be beneficial to the peoples of the island where they will respect the culture, language and the rights of each other and within the constitution, without losing their identity and their rights.'' (MY)

[B] COMMENTES AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist says Turkey has abandoned condition of Cyprus´ EU accession Semih Idiz, writing in Turkish daily STAR (Internet version, 19.9.99) under

And if you ask me, this is one of the issues causing Rauf Denktash, President of the TRNC, extreme anxiety. Because, even if an agreement is reached on a confederal basis, in line with the desires of the Turkish side, he does not want the island to enter the EU before Turkey. He is afraid that this would leave the Turkish Cypriots at the mercy of the EU-supported Greeks and the Greek Cypriots. If Turkey has really abandoned this `specific condition´ why does it not come out and say `sirs, we have made an important change in our position. It is now your turn´. It probably fears the hue and cry that will break out at home, which will be along these lines, `we have given way to pressure and retreated´.

US Views (subhead)

If this is the situation, then there is something `warped´ here. Seemingly, not only has Turkey made a concession but it has also failed to secure any diplomatic benefit from this concession.

Looking at the actual situation, we can see that the United States has come closer to the `confederation solution´ defended by the Turkish side. It seems that the examples of Bosnia, Kosovo, and now East Timor have persuaded the United States that some people cannot easily live together. An indication of this is the `triple sovereignty´ proposal made directly to Denktash and indirectly to Ankara by the United States.

From what we could gather, this proposal envisages a bizonal structure with foreign policy and defence coming under a single roof, and with two states that are independent and politically equal on all other areas.

Ecevit´s Words (subhead)

At this juncture, we must also draw attention to another issue. The Cyprus summit held at Cankaya under the chairmanship of Presidents Demirel and Denktash on Wednesday night announced that the two sides `were in total agreement´. Yet, the Prime Minister´s words the other day, in the wake of this meeting, were also important.

While replying to a question on the unofficial US `triple sovereignty´ plan, Ecevit said that if the political existence of the Turkish Cypriots is recognized then they were open to these proposals. And this is not a new `obstructive attitude´ coming from Ankara. On the contrary, Ecevit was merely voicing a necessary element of the now proposed US plan. Already, according to the `triple sovereignty´ proposal of the United States, the independent Turkish entity on the island should have the same political status as the Greek Cypriot side. In short, Ecevit is saying `accept this and we will look into the various proposals coming from you´.''

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

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