Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-02-10

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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. 28/00 -- 10.2.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ertugruloglu assesses Geneva proximity talks.

[02] Denktash meets do Soto, Chizhov in Geneva.

[03] Turkish youth visit pseudostate.

[04] Angry Turkish Cypriots call ``government'' to resign.

[05] Turkish Cypriot leaders return from Geneva, assess talks.

[06] British and Americans want Cyprus solved in 2000.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ertugruloglu assesses Geneva proximity talks

Ertugruloglu, in a statement to illegal TAK, assessed the results of the second round of the Cyprus proximity talks which were held in Geneva. He alleged that there are indications that Europe will not assess the Greek Cypriot application as one made on behalf of the entire island prior to an agreement, thus admitting the Cyprus Government to the EU. Ertugruloglu further claimed that these indications are increasing. Pointing out that the pseudostate has no policy or approach against EU membership Ertugruloglu stressed that the ``TRNC'', however, is insistent on the policy of establishing contact with the EU through other channels. Referring to the importance of political equality, Erutgruloglu said that if the stage of comprehensive and direct talks that will lead to results is to be reached in the aftermath of the process of the proximity talks, then, naturally, this process should go beyond the phenomenon of two sides and acknowledge the inevitable need to achieve real political equality. He continued: ``This means that the reality of the existence of two peoples and two states should be accepted. It also means that one of these peoples or states does not have the right or authority to represent the other side or the entire island''.

Repeating the known Turkish claim that an agreement on the island can be reached only between the ``two states'' on the basis of a confederation, Ertugruloglu said that ``talks to be conducted on the basis of inequality cannot yield an agreement based on equality.'' Pointing out that the process of the proximity talks should not be viewed as a negotiation process, Ertugruloglu said: ``Because so far, we have not been submitted any proposals. There is only the United Nations that wants us to explain our views and seeks answers to various questions. The United Nations did not adopt an approach which said: The Greek Cypriot side posited these views. What is your opinion on the issue?''.

Recalling that the third round of the proximity talks will begin in New York on 23 May, Ertugruloglu said that it is not yet clear how long the process of the proximity talks will continue.

Referring to relations with the EU, Ertugruloglu said that the EU issue has become a part of the Cyprus negotiation process. Ertugruloglu added that in the aftermath of the EU candidacy status granted to Turkey at the Helsinki summit, the ``TRNC'' has begun to view the EU issue more positively.

[02] Denktash meets de Soto, Chizhov in Geneva

Denktash also met with Russia/s Special Representative on Cyprus, Vlademir Chizhov. Tonight, Denktash with his advisor Ergun Olgu, will go to Germany for tomorrow/s meeting with German Foreign Affairs Minister, Joschca Fischer. During his visit to Germany Denktash will attend a meeting of the Berlin Turks-Germans Businessmen Union, where he will speak about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

On the other hand, the so-called foreign affairs minister, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, met yesterday morning with Red Cross officials and informed them of the Turkish Cypriot side/s view on the missing persons/ issue. (DP)

[03] Turkish youth visit pseudostate

A ``protocol of exchange of youth'' was signed between the Turkish Youth and Sports Ministry and the so-called TRNC youth and sports ministry. (DP)

[04] Angry Turkish Cypriots call ``government'' to resign

Following are some of the newspaper headlines:

KIBRIS: ``Affected Depositors Fury''.

ORTAM: ``Bank Victims on the Road''.

BIRLIK: ``Bank Victims''.

AVRUPA: ``Bank Victims shook the Government''.

VATAN: ``Bank Victims on the Road''.

YENI DEMOKRAT: ``Shame on You''.

YENI DUZEN: ``Government Should Resign''.

The papers report that around four thousand affected customers have organized a protest march carrying various placards and chanting various slogans against the occupation regime, and calling the so-called government to resign .

The angry protesters marched towards the so-called prime minister/s office where speakers strongly criticized the ``government''. They declared that they will boycott the so-called elections.

Same of the placards carried by the protesters read: ``You have stolen my children/s education money''.

``We are experiencing the TRNC/s collapse''

``It was my daughters dowry -- you blew it into the air''.

``Those who plunder our education money should go to jail''.

``We will not let you usurp what we have earned through hard work and sweat''.

``I have earned in London, lost in the TRNC''.

``Boycott the elections''.

``We are the people, be afraid of us.''

``I did not earn it from narcotics, nor from prostitution, but from my hard work''.

``We don/t have identity, nor geography nor money. Where should we go?''

``Finance Minister should resign'' etc.

The coordination committee of the affected bank customers set a deadline for the so-called government to do something regarding their problem until tomorrow.

If nothing is done by tomorrow the affected customers will take further action.

(MY)

[05] Turkish Cypriot leaders return from Geneva, assess talks

In a statement, Akinci said that as expected there were no surprises at the second-round proximity talks on Cyprus, and noted that the United Nations continued its position of good listener during the second round, which was a continuation of the first round held in New York. Akinci said: The United Nations accorded the sides the opportunity to explain their own positions without topic restrictions.

Akinci remarked that certain undesirable situations also emerged during the proximity talks process and President Glafcos Clerides/ move to issue a written statement and convey it to the UN Security council members was not a positive stand. Recalling that the document terms the solution of the Cyprus problem as a simple constitutional amendment, Akinci declared that this stand is extremely disappointing. Pointing out that inspired by the developments in the region, the roads to peace should be opened, Akinci underlined that Cyprus is not an isolated problem. He added that the Cyprus issue is influenced especially by Turkish-Greek and Turkish-EU relations. Akinci stated: ``As far as the foundation that surrounds the Cyprus problem is concerned, this foundation has been prepared''.

DP leader Serdar Denktash, in his statement, reported that his party will make a detailed assessment of the proximity talks held in Geneva and inform the public. Serdar Denktash stressed that there are moves that must be undertaken to eliminate the difficulties experienced in the ``TRNC'' at a time when the proximity talks are under way.

CTP leader Talat, in turn, stated that very serious developments have been experienced in the past few months, and added that the positive atmosphere in Turkish-Greek relations and the EU declaration including Turkey in the process have had the strongest influence on these developments. Pointing out that the optimistic environment has not yet infected Cyprus, Talat said that the process cannot be solved by means of negotiations alone, and the Cyprus issue has a global aspect. Talat stressed that the Cyprus problem and the negotiations are proceeding on a positive course, adding that the interests of the Turkish Cypriots lie in a solution. He declared: ``Our cause consists of a solution that safeguards the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people''.

Tahsin Erugruloglu, ``foreign affairs and defense minister'', and his so- called under secretary Osman Ertul will depart Geneva today (10.2.00).

[06] British and Americans want Cyprus solved in 2000

Quoting British politicians who wanted to remain anonymous, Incirli reports that like the British, Americans as well support a federal settlement in Cyprus.

A British politician said: ``America is supporting a settlement in line with the parameters set by the UN''.

Another British diplomat, who knows Cyprus closely and who also wanted to remain anonymous, said that the time for settling the Cyprus problem has long passed and the British and the Americans are determined on this issue.

The same diplomat, referring to the New York and Geneva proximity talks, branded them ``extremely useful''.

Incirli also quotes USA State Department Under Secretary Marc Grossman who said that he expects that the problem will be settled in 2000.

When asked about the USA stance regarding the settlement, Grossman said:

``America/s stance is clear; bicommunal, biregional federation in Cyprus''. (MY)

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

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