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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-03-27Cyprus 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. 57/2000 25-27/3/2000[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] DENKTASH WANTS VERHEUGEN TO RECTIFY "MISTAKE"Illegal Bayrak Radio (11.30 hours, 24.3.2000) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in an airport statement before his departure for Turkey last Friday, referred to what has been called the surprising remarks by Verheugen, a member of the EU Expansion Committee. Denktash started of by saying: "I would like to note the remarks made by the bureaucrat from the EU, remarks that have been called surprising. The EU's assessment of Cyprus is wrong in that it recognizes a so-called government of the Cyprus Republic. Earlier, though, Verheugen expressed his view and the truth. The Turkish Cypriots did not elect the Greek Cypriot Administration, therefore that administration does not represent the Turkish Cypriots. Verheugen is wrong. When he comes to dinner this evening, we will set that right. He thinks that the Turkish Cypriots are not participating in the elections because of the situation. This mistake must be rectified".[02] DENKTASH URGES TURKISH STATES TO SUPPORT "TRNC"According to TRT 1 Television (18.00 hours, 24.3.2000), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash addressed the 8th Firendship,Brotherhood, and Cooperation Convention of Turkish States and Communities and said that "the TRNC, which has hoisted its flag, expects brotherhood, friendship, and solidarity from the Turkic states". He said:"We expect understanding from the brother countries in face of those who declared the TRNC illegal. The so-called Cyprus government, which is actually a Greek Cypriot republic located in south Cyprus, which destroyed a partnership republic, and which covets at the whole republic, is the only illegal establishment in Cyprus. I urge you to explain this to your governments". [03] DENKTASH MEETS VERHEUGENAccording to illegal Bayrak Radio (06.00 hours, 25.3.2000) Rauf Denktash met with Gunter Verheugen, the US commissioner in charge of expansion, and has conferred with him for some time. No statement was issued during the meeting. Reporters were only allowed to take pictures.The Denktash-Verheugen meeting was also attended by Mustafa Akinci, "state minister and deputy prime minister", Tahsin Ertugruloglu, "foreign affairs and defence minister"; "presidential under secretary" Ergun Olgun; "presidential political adviser" Mustafa Evran and others. In a statement to the media after the meeting that lasted about two hours, Verheugen said that the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, adding that they found the opportunity to discuss EU expansion, Cyprus' EU membership, and the solution of its political problems. He further noted that this first meeting he held with Denktash is a start. Denktash, also making a statement after the meeting, said that they assessed the latest situation in the Cyprus issue and exchanged views. Expressing the belief that after this visit Verheugen is better informed on the Cyprus "realities", Denktash added that the primary issue for the pseudostate is the solution talks being held within the framework of the UN Secretariat General. In reply to a question, Denktash said that Verheugen did not bring any proposal regarding the pseudostate's participation in the EU accession talks. He continued: "I explained to him that it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriots to take place in the same delegation with the Greek Cypriots who claim that they are the only government of Cyprus". In reply to a Greek Cypriot correspondent who asked Denktash whether Verheugen understood, Denktash said: "He is a very intelligent person". Denktash stressed that they will continue the talks on the Cyprus issue as the "TRNC". [04] TALAT ADDRESSES GREEN PARTIES MEETING IN LARNACAIllegal Bayrak Radio 1 (11.30 hours, 25.3.2000) reports that the 9th Meeting of the European Federation of Green Parties was held in Larnaca over the weekend with the participation of representatives of 25 Green parties, including Turkey and Greece. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) was also invited to the meeting. CTP leader Talat delivered an address at the opening session last Friday night. Alpay Durduran, an official of the Patriotic Union Movement, also attended the meeting.In his speech, Talat stressed that his views are binding only on himself and his party. He stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem can be possible with an approach that involves the EU. Talat voiced his party's concern about the Turkish Cypriots' representation in Cyprus' accession talks. He said: "The Turkish Cypriots are aware that the ongoing accession talks and agreements are not binding on them. The Turkish Cypriots must participate in all the stages of the process of membership in the EU. If this happens, it will also help solve the Cyprus problem". Talat pointed out that given the EU's current stand on the Cyprus problem, the sides are trying not to weaken their positions. He stressed that these stands must radically change and that his party is encouraging the sides along these lines. Questioning the EU-Cyprus accession talks, Talat said that the issue of what kind of a Cyprus is going to join the EU must first be determined. He noted that at the moment, the Cyprus that is going to join the EU is the Cyprus Government which has been recognized as the Cyprus republic so far. "This Administration does not have the authority to represent all the people on the island", he said. Talat then pointed to the importance of the Copenhagen criteria in connection with Cyprus' full membership in the EU. He explained that regardless of whether a solution is reached, the economic structure in the Turkish Cypriot side will have a great effect on the macroeconomic indicators, and the inflation rate will be much higher than the acceptable rates in the EU. Talat criticized the Cyprus Government for distancing itself from the social, economic, and cultural developments in the occupied area. He claimed: "This stand further increases the distance between the two communities. Is this structure suitable to the EU's expansion process? What kind of contributions can Cyprus make to the EU if it maintains this structure? Based on the Barcelona declaration, a lot must be done between the EU and Cyprus. Yes but which Cyprus? The EU and the Greek Cypriot Administration are trying to prevent the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot people. This situation must radically change because it is in conflict with the EU's aim and policies of expansion". [05] GUREL SAYS TURKISH CYPRIOTS CANNOT BE REPRESENTED WITHIN GREEK CYPRIOT DELEGATION FOR EU ACCESSIONTRT 1 Television (10.00 hours, 26.3.2000) reports that Turkish State Minister Sukru Gurel has declared that the proposals to the effect that the Turkish Cypriots can be represented within the Greek Cypriot delegation with regard to Cyprus' accession to the EU are unacceptable.Gurel met with the participants of the international conference entitled "The Turkish Foreign Policy Vision in 2000 and Beyond", which was held in Ankara. In a statement, Gurel claimed that even if the Turkish Cypriots want to become a member of the EU, the union accords them the status of minority. Gurel stated: "It is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot people to accept this. If the EU wants to take a realistic step regarding the Cyprus issue, it must, for example, lift the embargo it is applying on the Turkish Cypriots". Gurel remarked that the Helsinki summit did not alter Turkey's policy on the Cyprus issue, adding that if the Greek Cypriot side is allowed to proceed to full membership in the EU as the sole representative of the island, parallel steps will be taken between Turkey and the pseudostate. [06] VERHEUGEN MEETS SERDAR DENKTASH, MEHMET ALI TALATIllegal Bayrak Radio (16.30 hours, 24.3.2000) reports that Gunther Verheugen, the EU official responsible for expansion, visited the Democratic Party (DP) and Republican Turkish Party (CTP), and lectured at the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. Verheugen also held a news conference at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone.Verheugen and his delegation paid separate visits to DP leader Serdar Denktash and CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Verheugen said that this was his first visit and that the aim was to make observations and to hold talks. He added that during his visit to Cyprus he was receiving information "about the south and the north" - information that was not widely known. He affirmed that in light of the results of these contacts, the EU would look for a lasting formula. Serdar Denktash said that he told Verheugen that a solution must be found in Cyprus before full membership in the EU. He stressed that the DP is not opposed to the "TRNC's" membership in the EU but wants the status of the island determined before such a development takes place. CTP leader Talat pointed out that the latest EU developments concerning Cyprus have been positive and conducive to a solution. He said that he told the EU official that membership in the EU should come only after a solution is reached on the island. Talat said that he discussed the issue of the translation of the EU norms into Turkish with Verheugen and his delegation and that the latter said that the EU has not yet reached a decision on this matter. [07] TURKISH CYPRIOTS WISH TO BECOME BONE MARROW DONORSKIBRIS (27.3.2000) reports that there is a big interest in the occupied areas for six year-old Andreas Vassiliou, who suffers from leukemia.According to the article, Turkish Cypriots who wish to become bone marrow donors will give blood sample today at the Ledra Palace checkpoint and at Pergamos village, between 17.00 - 20.00 hours. Not only the Turkish Cypriot media, but also the Turkish newspapers Hurriyet and Milliyet are interested in the boy's health and yesterday published relevant articles under the title "Blood-friendship on the island". (DP) [08] SOYSAL: NO LASTING SETTLEMENT WITH TURKEY OUTSIDE THE EUTurkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's constitutional advisor Prof. Mumtaz Soysal, in an exclusive interview to KIBRIS (26.3.2000) put forward a new condition for a settlement in Cyprus, saying that without Turkey's EU membership there will not be a settlement in Cyprus.When asked what could be the form of a lasting settlement in Cyprus, Soysal said that even if the Greek Cypriots accept the confederation, as long as Turkey is not in the EU the Turkish Cypriot side is condemned to be under oppression and exploitation. (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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