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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-02-18Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 34/00 -- 18.2.00[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] DENKTASH REJECTS PROPOSAL FOR BELGIUM-LIKE SOLUTIONAccording to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (15.2.00), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, after he delivered a speech on Cyprus for the students of the Turkish Ground Forces Academy, then replied to the questions that were put to him by the students. The views he outlined can be summed up as follows, the paper says:"Friendship between Turkey and Greece is a rational requirement. It was called for by Ataturk and Venizelos in the past. It would be wise for Greece to maintain good relations with Turkey. It would be wise for the Greek Cypriots to establish good relations with the Turkish Cypriots. That will allow them to benefit from the opportunities Turkey has to offer for their prosperity. The Greeks claim that Turkey has to do something, in other words, make concessions, for the solution of the Cyprus problem. We must act with caution. We must ask whether an effort is made to realize a design while a peaceful situation exists on the island. We reacted in our talks to the proposal for a model similar to that in Belgium as follows: Look at Belgium. Two communities, which have different languages, live there. Would Belgium continue to exist if one morning one of them evicts the other from the government using armed force and says that it will join France? They said that that will not happen in Belgium. However, that has happened in Cyprus. We hope that the Simitis administration remains in power. Theodhoros Pangalos, whom I call Dangalos (derogatory reference), served as Foreign Minister in the former Greek Government. He maintained a foolish approach and viewed Turkey as an enemy. However, Foreign Minister Papandreou now maintains a `moderate and humane policy. His feet are on the ground./ We hope that considering Turkey/s resolute approach, he will adopt a realistic policy and contribute towards the conclusion of a durable agreement between the two states in Cyprus based on friendship, as was the case in 1959." [02] ELECTION MESSAGES FROM DENKTASHA report in daily Cumhuriyet (16.2.00) says that Rauf Denktash, who has participated in the second round of the Geneva talks on Cyprus under UN auspices, has moved prior to the "presidential elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus on 15 April to convey the message that progress can be achieved toward the solution of the Cyprus problem in the third round and that the solution of the problem will pave the way for Cyprus/ accession to the EU.The report adds that Denktash conveyed favorable messages when he arrived in Ankara to hold talks with President Demirel after the second round of the talks in Geneva ended. The reasons for the views he outlined can be summed up as follows, the report says: "1. The Turkish Cypriot people, who suffer from a merciless embargo, want the Cyprus problem to be quickly solved so that Cyprus can join the EU as a whole. The outcome of a public opinion poll in northern Cyprus showed that 74 percent of the people want the island to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot income per capita totals $15, 000 but the figure in the Turkish Cypriot side stands at about $5,000. 2. National Unity Party Leader Dervis Eroglu increased the votes of his party to 41.5 percent in the last elections. So, Denktash will concentrate more the elections this time. The diplomatic sources are convinced that he will most probably win the presidential elections, noting that the process under UN auspices can be maintained only if he wins. The same sources are convinced that the effort made to solve the Cyprus problem will have to restart from scratch if Denktash is not elected. Turkey favors the reelection of Denktash, who has a strong position in the bargaining talks that are held at international platforms." [03] TURKEY: NO COMMON GROUND TO START TALKS ON CYPRUS SOLUTIONAnatolia Agency (1202 hours, 17/2/00) reports that Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that there is no common ground for starting negotiations directed at solution of the Cyprus question.Responding to a question, Sermet Atacanli, the Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, reminded that the U.N. Secretary General/s Special Representative to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto informed the U.N. Security Council members about the second round of the proximity talks held in Geneva on February 15. Recalling that the Security Council President and Argentina/s Permanent Representative to the U.N. issued a statement to the press on behalf of the Security Council upon the information given by De Soto, Atacanli said that certain points have to be cleared within this framework. Atacanli said that the proximity talks are mediated talks, not negotiations, adding the aim of the proximity talks is to "prepare a basis for meaningful negotiations directed at a comprehensive solution." Atacanli pointed out that the concerned sides in Cyprus put forward their views about various dimensions of the problems and their solution models freely and without any precondition during proximity talks, thus they can give an evaluation opportunity to the U.N. Secretary General. Atacanli underlined the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side agreed to participate in the third round of the proximity talks in New York upon the confirmation of the rules implemented so far by the U.N. Secretary General. "Perception of the mentioned rules in the same way by the concerned circles carries importance in respect of U.N. process. In this framework, a permanent solution on Cyprus can come out as a result of negotiations and only if the concerned sides accept that," said Atacanli. Alvaro de Soto, the Special Representative of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan for Cyprus told the U.N. Security Council members that "the second round of proximity talks was concluded by success and he hoped the process would continue by gaining speed in the third round." [04] LOGOGLU BECOMES TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARYTurkish Daily News (17/2/00) reports that a much-delayed ambassadorial appointment decree was finally signed by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.The delay in its approval was due to a crisis that erupted among coalition parties regarding the appointment of new ambassadors. According to the signed decree the Turkish Foreign Ministry will be undergoing an overhaul as Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Korkmaz Haktanir is appointed ambassador to London and is replaced by deputy Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu. Another change has been announced for the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad. The ambassador to Pakistan, Bozkurt Aras, is voluntarily coming back to Ankara. Vural Oktem, who is currently serving as advisor to Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission Chairman Kamuran Inan, is to be appointed to the post vacated by Aras. [05] "FRIENDS OF NORTH CYPRUS" MEETAccording to Halkin Sesi (18.2.00) the group "Friends of North Cyprus" met at the British Parliament, and during the meeting the so-called TRNC Representative to London Hakki Muffuzade and Prof. Clement H. Dodd informed the participants on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and answered questions.Muftuzade said that they do not negotiate with the Cyprus government, "but we, as the Turkish Cypriot sides, negotiate with the Greek Cypriot side". Prof. Clement Dodd claimed that "if the Greek Cypriot side enters EU on its own, then the TRNC can be recognised because it can apply on its own. In this case TRNC will be recognised." (DP) [06] SCIENCE MEETINGAccording to KIBRIS (18.2.00) the meeting of the executive committee of MEDISAT (Mediterranean Sciences and Technology Information) is to be held today and tomorrow at the "East Mediterranean University".Representatives from Germany, N. Ireland, Turkey, Malta, Israel and Jordan will attend the meeting. MEDISAT projects aim at establishing a computer network among countries of the EU and East Mediterranean countries, to cooperate in technological issues. (DP) [07] HOLGER VISITS TURKISH CYPRIOT DAILYAccording to KIBRIS (18.2.00), the UN Deputy special Representative to Cyprus, James Holger, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the paper. (DP)[08] DENKTASH, TALAT MEET SWEDISH AMBASSADORKIBRIS (18.2.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met yesterday with Sweden/s Ambassador to Tel Aviv who is also accredited to Cyprus, Andre Liden.No statement was made after the meeting. After the meeting with Denktash, the Swedish Ambassador met with the leader of Republican Turkish Party (RTP), Mehmet Ali Talat. Prior to the meeting, Talat made a statement. He said that during the meeting he will explain to the ambassador his views regarding the Cyprus problem and the importance of confidence building measures. The ambassador did not make any statement. (DP) [09] TALAT STRONGLY DEMANDS LIFTING OF OBSTACLES TO BICOMMUNAL CONTACTSAccording to YENIDUZEN (18.2.2000) the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) Mehmet Ali Talat, taking part in the live AKIS programme broadcast by illegal BRT TV, criticized the so-called foreign and defence minister of the pseudo state, Taksin Ertugruloglu, who boasted that he was the person who prevented intercommunal contacts. Replying to Ertugruloglu Talat said: "In the face of prohibitions we feel ashamed. Specially before the foreigners we feel ashamed". He went on and said that Turkish Cypriots who take part in bicommunal activities get the chance to explain themselves to the Greek Cypriots as well as to the foreigners. "For this reason these kind of contacts are important, and we do not want to stay out of this process. Denktash is throwing the ball to the Government and the Government to Denktash. This can not go on like this. The prohibitions are there and continue to be in force. The Confidence Building Measures are necessary. For this reason permission should be given for intercommunal contacts." (MY)From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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