Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-09-28

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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. 176/99 -- 28.9.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on conditions for talks.

[02] Denktash: Ecevit visit to US not aiming at Cyprus decision.

[03] Water transportation project to pseudostate.

[04] Eroglu rules out Cyprus factor in Turkey´s EU accession.

[05] Cem on Turkish-US relations, objectives of US visit.

[06] Turkish decisions on amnesty, Cyprus adopted.

[07] YENIDUZEN describes ``annexation circular''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on conditions for talks

Denktash left for Izmir yesterday to receive an honorary doctorate awarded to him by the Adnan Menderes University. Denktash will leave Izmir for Aydin to receive the award.

In a predeparture statement at illegal Tymbou Airport, Denktash claimed that he has been subjected to unjust accusations that he does not want to take part in the negotiations, noting that these circles are trying to deceive the people. Denktash explained that he does not intend to deceive the world by declaring that he is ready to negotiate. Denktash stated that ``the important thing is not merely to participate in negotiations, but to attain a lasting, balanced outcome that will please both sides and that will be approved by the peoples of the two sides through separate referendums''. To attain this outcome, Denktash said, it is necessary to ascertain the conditions for sitting at the negotiating table.

Referring to President Clerides, Denktash added: ``He is saying that he can grant the Turkish Cypriots rights without hurting the government. The guarantee agreement is still a target. Given that he has not accepted the exchange of property, the question of bizonality pertaining to the borders of the state is still pending. It would be ridiculous to sit at the negotiating table before these matters are clarified.''

[02] Denktash: Ecevit visit to US not aiming at Cyprus decision

Responding to questions of journalists before receiving the honorary doctorate given to him by Adnan Menderes University, Denktash stressed that ``It is very detrimental and wrong to create such an atmosphere as if the Cyprus issue is a milestone in Turkish-American relations. Relations of the US with Turkey and the interests of the US are very different things. The US works to solve this issue and will continue to do so. The US - Turkey relations and the Cyprus issue are also different things. I suppose the US will hear from Mr. President this time how important the Cyprus issue for Turkey is''.

``The European Union (EU) is not our train, we don´t have our motherland which will welcome us in the station we will go,'' said Denktash, adding ``the Turkish society on Cyprus should be recognized as a state, not a minority for the resuming of the intercommunal negotiations on the island''.

Denktash said that they expect Premier Ecevit to once again explain the attitude of Turkey about this issue to the world in his contacts in Washington D.C., adding the sovereignty, freedom or equality are tried to be formalized on the island.

[03] Water transportation project to pseudostate

Dogan Altinbilek, the General Director of Turkey´s State Water Wroks (DSI), said the water transportation from Turkey to the ``TRNC'' with 20 thousand cubic meter-balloons continued without any problem.

Noting that two more 20 thousand cubic meter-balloons would be put into service for water transportation in the near future, Altinbilek said water would also be transported to the ``TRNC'' by tanker.

Pointing out that the cubic meter cost of transportation with balloon was 58 cents, Altinbilek said, ``the transportation with tanker will be put out to tender by the TRNC government. The Alakopru Dam on Dragon Stream will be constructed with loans and with the turn-key delivery method by the Alarko Holding. The construction of the dam will be concluded in three or four years. The cost of the transportation by tanker will be cheaper''.

The Alakopru Dam is estimated to cost nearly 340 million US dollars.

[04] Eroglu rules out Cyprus factor in Turkey´s EU accession

``The Cyprus problem is the last issue with regard to Turkey´s membership in the EU. It would be a great mistake to link Turkey´s membership in the EU to the solution of the problems in Cyprus.'' Eroglu remarked that the Cyprus issue is one that concerns the Turkish and Greek Cypriots who live in Cyprus, and the problem can be solved by the two sides. ``If Turkey is to be admitted into the EU, it should be granted the same rights as Greece, who was not told at the time to solve its problems with Turkey and to solve the Cyprus issue, or even to improve its economy. Otherwise, it would take years to join the EU'', he said.

[05] Cem on Turkish-US relations, objectives of US visit

Asked how he views Turkey´s relations with the United States at the approach of the 21st century, Cem replied:

``I view a positive development. At first, we have assumed a very strong position lately. I admit that the situation became difficult after the earthquake and the economic recession in Russia. Turkey, however, has never been in a stronger position than now. It is in a stronger position from the point of view of domestic politics, as well. There is consensus within the government. There was consensus within the previous government as well, but they did not have a stronghold at the Assembly. This government, however, has both consensus and the support of the Assembly. This gives a sense of confidence to the world. As a result, numerous draft bills were adopted at the Assembly. Furthermore, Turkey is continuing to have a dynamic economy. We see, when we look outside our borders, that we have security in the east, southeast, and west''.

Asked about the Cyprus issue, Cem said: ``Evidently, we have differences of views with the United States on the Cyprus issue. In other words, the United States and Turkey do not have the same views and are not looking for the same solution to the Cyprus issue. It is completely meaningless, however, to let the Cyprus issue adversely affect the Turkish-US relations, particularly since these relations cover an area from Western Europe and Kosovo to Central Asia and the Caucasus. Neither Turkey, nor the US State Department will allow such a mistake to be committed. It is quite possible that there will be some opposition, but this will not go far.''

[06] Turkish decisions on amnesty, Cyprus adopted

According to information reaching the political circles from the summit, Ecevit said there that the amnesty bill should be stripped of all the elements inciting public reaction and that if no compromise is possible then the shelving of the entire amnesty bill should be considered. But the meeting reached the consensus that the withdrawal of the bill at this stage would cause social incidents and therefore the most appropriate thing to do would be to limit its scope by taking into consideration the public reaction and the President´s reasons for vetoing the bill.

The leaders agreed to leave the gang members, torturer policemen, and premeditated murderers out of the amnesty.

The summit also examined the Cyprus problem, which Ecevit would be discussing in Washington, as well as the new restructuring in Iraq, the IMF help and the stand-by agreement, the earthquake assistance, international investment projects in Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), and energy and defense tenders. The leaders concluded that any formula that disregards the ``TRNC'' would be unacceptable.

After the leaders´ summit, Prime Minister Ecevit conferred first with MIT (National Intelligence Organization) Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun and then with President Demirel. In a statement after the Cankaya meeting, Ecevit said that ``both during the meeting with the coalition party leaders and President Demirel we dwelled on the details of the US visit to begin on Sunday as well as on other foreign and domestic issues.''

[07] YENIDUZEN describes ``annexation circular''

``With these secret documents it has become clear why Turkey´s Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is reluctant to discuss the Cyprus problem during his US visit, and why President Denktash continues to maintain his intransigent stance'', the paper says.

It adds that the Prime Minister´s circular published on 12 April, carrying Prime Minister Ecevit´s signature, mentions that with a view to securing the ``TRNC''-Turkey integration, steps are already being taken towards that end.

In order to secure the speedy and effective implementation of the existing policies, there shall be an official of the Republic of Turkey ``in all TRNC ministries, official institutions and establishments.'' Those who will work for the Republic of Turkey shall be proposed by the ``TRNC'', however, approval will come from Ankara.

Moreover, the paper says, the demand to ``urgently'' implement this decision taken on 12 APRIL 1999 in Ankara, coincides with the increased mobility in the Cyprus problem and on the eve of Ecevit´s visit to USA. It is also understood that behind the Communal Liberation Party´s (CLP) decision to sack the sectional directors from their posts lies the desire to lead the way in implementing this decision.

This decision will create ``a state within a state'', no one will be able to talk about the ``TRNC´s sovereignty'' This decision is secretly being implement by the National Unity Party and the CLP, by-passing the so-called parliament altogether, the paper says.

(MY)

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

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