Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-03-10

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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. 47/00 -- 10.3.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Verheugen on Cyprus, Turkey/s EU membership

[02] UN/s de Soto meets Cem, seeks support of all sides

[03] ``EMU TV'' goes on air

[04] Denktash meets Moses

[05] Eight ``presidential candidates''

[06] Turkey manoeuvres to help Denktash lead in opinion polls

[07] Denktash meets Australian High Commissioner

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Verheugen on Cyprus, Turkey/s EU membership

Verheugen pointed out that Turkey could not fulfill the political criteria of the Union at the moment, and stressed that negotiations could not start before the conclusion of this process. He said, ``Turkey should have very clear commitments in the respect''. Verheugen, currently in Turkey as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, addressed a conference in Bogazici University.

Verheugen said Turkish language will be very active within the EU in a few years, ``so, we should get used to it''.

Verheugen said respect to human rights and rights of minority, and democracy were the basic criteria in integration process to the EU, and stressed that the countries which failed to fulfill the criteria were not included in the union.

Pointing out that several countries were afraid that they might lose their independence and sovereignty within the EU, and that some other have concerns that they would leave their cultural values, Verheugen said, ``cultural variety is very important for Europe. This is a heritage which we all want to protect whatever it costs''. Verheugen said candidate countries to the EU should adopt Copenhagen criteria in order to be ready to this process fully, and recalled that political dimension of this was democracy, human rights, supremacy of law, protection of minorities, and that its economic dimension was a market economy which works.

``The EU does not have customs union agreement with any of the candidate countries. We need Turkey. Turkey is a partner which will play an influential role in political and security policy of the union. A Turkey, where democracy is settled fully, will play an effective role in providing peace and stability in the region. The EU wants the process of Turkey/s accession to the EU family to be speeded up. We think Turkey is an attractive partner in structuring of EU/s future'' Verheugen pointed out.

Gunter Verheugen said that full harmonization to Copenhagen political criteria was also a precondition for Turkey in membership to the EU.

Pointing out that he will go to Cyprus in a few days and invite Denktash to talks again, Verheugen said the EU wants to see Cyprus as a full member. It wants to see it as a member as an integrated island, he said.

Responding to a question by the audience about the Cyprus question and Turkey/s full membership to the EU, Verheugen said first of all, the Cyprus question does not have direct and formal connection with Turkey/s candidacy. Of course, there are political connections, he said. There is not only Turkey, but also Greece in this political atmosphere, Verheugen said, pointing out that strategic atmosphere changed very much for Denktash after Helsinki Summit. Verheugen reminded that Greece is an EU member, and Turkey is a candidate country, and Greek Cypriots are in negotiations, and he claimed that Rauf Denktash is under isolation. He said they have invited him, but he did not participate.

Pointing out that Turkish side, has not participated in negotiations so far, Verheugen said he thought that this was not an advantage.

[02] UN/s de Soto meets Cem, seeks support of all sides

De Soto stressed that Turkey has an important and essential role in the solution of the problem, adding that the solution of the problem is important for the entire region.

Asked if he is optimistic about the third round of the proximity talks to be held in New York on 23 May, he replied: ``I hope that it will be possible to achieve some progress in that round. For that, however, we need the support of all the sides; not only of the two sides, but of Turkey and Greece as well''. De Soto indicated that for any progress to be made, the sides must want progress. He affirmed that his meeting with Cem was useful. He refused to reply to a question on the ``embargoes'' imposed on the pseudostate claiming the principle of ``secrecy''. He said it would not be right for him to divulge the content of the talks because of this principle.

[03] ``EMU TV'' goes on air

``EMU TV'' is broadcasting on channel 45 from a transmitter attached to illegal BRT/s (Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation) relay station on occupied Kantara. It could be viewed in and around Famagusta as well as in regions that have a view of Kantara.

The test broadcasts will continue until 15 April. ``EMU TV'' will then begin regular programs.

[04] Denktash meets Moses

No statement was made prior or after the meeting.

Present at the meeting were ``state minister and deputy prime minister'' Mustafa Akinci, ``foreign affairs and defence minister'' Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Denktash/s advisor Ergun Olgun, the ``undersecretary of the foreign affairs and defence ministry'' Osman Ertug and Denktash/s advisors Necati Munir Ertekun, Taner Etkin and Mustafa Evran. Moses was accompanied by US State Department/s Special Cyprus Coordinator, Thomas Weston, and US Ambassador to Nicosia, Donald Bandler.

(DP)

[05] Eight ``presidential candidates''

The candidates have already begun their election campaign. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash stated yesterday that there will not be a second round of elections, because he will be elected from the first round.

So-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu stressed that there is not only one person who can be the negotiator and defend the ``national case'' but there are several persons that can do the job.

Ayhan Kaymak said, ``the war has begun''. Arif Hasan Tahin: ``We want an agreement''. Due to the absence of Talat, the General Secretary of RTP, Ferdi Sabit Soyer said ``we greet the solution and the future''.

Mustafa Akinci said: ``We want two-sates internally and one representation abroad''.

(DP)

[06] Turkey manoeuvres to help Denktash lead in opinion polls

Gurel/s intervention helped Denktash to a lead in the public opinion polls, even guaranteeing his ``election'' in the first round, recalled a Turkish diplomatic source. Turkey observed that in mis-allocating its financial aid to the ``TRNC'' Eroglu has been distributing money to villagers for his own benefit but has also been making prices rise about 60 percent.

[07] Denktash meets Australian High Commissioner

Brown, who during his office in Cyprus did not interfere or take position on the Cyprus problem, stated that he is a good listener. He also wished Denktash good luck in the coming ``elections''.

(DP)

EF/SK

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

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