Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-01-26

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

No. 26/00 -- 26.1.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat: Denktash should go.

[02] Talat in favour of bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement.

[03] Denktash to Geneva via Istanbul.

[04] Greek Cypriot to appear before «military court».

[05] Ancient tombs and artefacts unearthed.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat: Denktash should go

Speaking exclusively to the Turkish Daily News, Talat stated that Denktash, as a Cold War politician, was unable to grasp the realities of the new world order. «Denktash/s real aim is to maintain partition on the island and eventually annex the Turkish part to Turkey. He always tried to use bitter domestic political fights in Turkey to stall the peace process on the island. Having a very good network of relations with the top echelons of the Turkish state, Denktash used his leverage during both the late President Ozal/s and former Prime Minister Tansu Ciller/s initiatives to block the negotiations on Cyprus», said Talat.

Indicating that Denktash had started to revise his tone for a more peaceful approach in the recent months, Talat said Turkish Cypriots/ expectations of peace had been on the rise in the wake of the European Union decision to name Turkey as a full candidate and the rapprochement between the two countries that has accelerated since Papandreou/s historic visit to Turkey last week. «Turkish Cypriots/ expectations for peace will create a certain pressure on Denktash that will lead him to play a more pacific role in the upcoming talks. However, he will make the peace very difficult to attain even if he decides for it», said Talat. Talat argued that the status quo was playing into the hands of the Greek Cypriots, keeping Turks on the island from international organizations and aid. Underlining that resolving the dispute on the island was indispensable for the Turks, Talat said if he were elected «president» he would push for a solution rather than blocking it. «We endorse a bizonal, bi-communal federation in which the central government will not intervene in the domestic affairs of the two parts. Denktash is not sincere with his proposals. He wants to block all options in order to annex the TRNC to Turkey», he said.

Commenting on the forthcoming Geneva talks between Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides, Talat said a breakthrough was possible, as Denktash would take people/s expectations for peace into consideration and behave accordingly.

Underlining that substantial issues would be on the table in Geneva, Talat said: «I think the talks will concentrate on the Turkish side/s proposal for a loose federation in which Turkish and Greek entities will be strong but the central government weak. The Greek side/s proposal is for a strong central government and weak entities».

Responding to a comment that leftist groups have been mostly critical of the heavy Turkish presence on the island, Talat said such arguments were totally baseless. Stressing that Turkish troops were necessary for Turkish Cypriots/ security, Talat said: «What we defend is the civilianization of the administration. We have a semi-military rule on the island which is more military than that in Turkey».

[02] Talat in favour of bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement

Talat added that by accepting the EU/s Helsinki Summit results, Turkey in a sense has said that she will do what it is necessary for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Talat further noted that the Cyprus problem was an element in the relations package that includes Turkey/s and Cyprus/ EU membership, USA-Turkey-Greece relations and the pipeline.

Noting that President Clerides has to make concessions on the Cyprus problem in order for Cyprus to become EU member, Talat claimed that leftist parties in the free areas of Cyprus also defend the view that the Cyprus problem will be solved by mutual concessions.

«In this process no side should shout victory cries, because the one side/s victory is the other side/s defeat. And if one side is the loser, it will try to make up for this loss. And if a fire starts in Cyprus this will spread over the Balkans and the Middle East. New alliances could be created», Talat stressed. (MY)

[03] Denktash to Geneva via Istanbul

He will stay in Istanbul overnight and he will fly to Geneva the following day.

So-called deputy prime minister Mustafa Akinci, «foreign minister» Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Denktash/s advisors Ergun Olgun, Mustafa Evran, Osman Ertung, Mumtaz Soysal and Taner Etkin will accompany Denktash.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and DP leader Serdar Denktash will go to Geneva as observers.

KIBRIS further reports that on 10 February Denktash will go to Germany and on 11 February he will have a meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

[04] reek Cypriot to appear before «military court»

[05] Ancient tombs and artefacts unearthed

The so-called archaeological and museum department made further excavations and discovered three tombs in the area dated from the Bronze Era. Two of the tombs contained 33 pieces of artefacts. (DP)

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

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