Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-12

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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. 69/00 -- 12.4.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Doctor says Ecevit recovered from influenza.

[02] Turkey/s Cem on Cyprus, ties with Greece, presidency.

[03] Turkey: US envoy Moses arrives in Ankara.

[04] Olgun: Turks to take concrete ideas to talks.

[05] Murder of British fans to influence tourism to Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Doctor says Ecevit recovered from influenza

When leaving Ecevit/s house yesterday evening, Abaci told reporters that Ecevit was taking medication and that he recovered from influenza.

"There is nothing to fear about Ecevit/s health condition," Abaci, noted.

Abaci stated that they advised Ecevit to rest in his residence for a few days.

Mr. Ecevit was told that he can leave his house and meet with reporters Dr. Abaci stressed.

Abaci added however that, he advised Ecevit to rest in his residence for a few more days.

[02] Turkey/s Cem on Cyprus, ties with Greece, presidency

It is clear that in the aftermath of the Helsinki summit we have taken great strides in explaining to the EU our just position on Cyprus, and so has Denktash in explaining the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots. An interesting thing happened at the news conference we held. A Greek Cypriot reporter asked me a slightly provocative question to which I responded very clearly. He referred to Turkish occupation forces. My reply was very clear, I said what I wanted to say. I explained that we are not an occupation army but a liberation army. I said that, to use their term, we are not an occupation force (last two words in English) but that we are a liberation force (last two words in English). I explained to him that we are a military force that has brought freedom. I found the opportunity to remind him that in the aftermath of that fascist coup many were massacred, many from among themselves were also massacred.

Mr. Verheugen, replying to this question on behalf of the EU, noted some interesting points. I got the impression that the Cyprus issue is beginning to be better understood.

[03] Turkey: US envoy Moses arrives in Ankara

Diplomatic sources said Moses will have meetings with Sukru Sina Gurel, State Minister, responsible for Cyprus Affairs and Faruk Logoglu, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, today.

Moses/ visit is important as it takes place before the third round of meetings over Cyprus which will begin on May 23 and before the so-called presidential elections in the occupied area.

The US State Department/s Cyprus Special Co-ordinator, Thomas Weston is also expected to visit Ankara and Athens this month. In parallel to these two visits, Alvaro de Soto, Special Representative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will have two separate meetings with the leaders of the two communities on the island early May.

Moses, Weston and De Soto had come together in an unofficial meeting on April 3 and agreed that the third round of Cyprus talks should be speeded up.

[04] Olgun: Turks to take concrete ideas to talks

Olgun claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side will put forth concrete ideas at the third round of the talks to be held in New York on 23 May.

He said that "it is a very serious advantage for the head of the delegation conducting the talks to be a person who is in command of the file on the negotiating process, who has experienced the process, and who is well acquainted with the techniques and strategies of international negotiations."

Olgun noted that if a person who is not part of the negotiating process is elected president and if there are no changes on the other side then there will be deficiencies in knowledge and style between the sides. He added that if there are no changes in the negotiating team of one side and the team and head of the other side changes then this will lead to unexpected complications in the process.

Expressing the belief that the people will make the right choice in the elections, Olgun said that the parties have said what they have to say and that the people will now make a logical assessment.

Cyprus Negotiations

Olgun said that the UN Secretary General explained the goal of the proximity talks "as preparing the foundation for comprehensive negotiations", adding that this goal has not been attained.

Pointing out that nothing changed after the item on the agenda was determined in preparation for a foundation, Olgun said that a negative instead of a positive development was noted. Olgun said that it is impossible to state in any way that there has been an agreement on certain principles between the two sides.

"Given these conditions it is impossible to sway that the ground is being prepared for the comprehensive talks in question. Therefore, at the moment the proximity talks have not even approached their goal. I have seen no change since our first trip to New York. One needs to discuss the consequences of steps to be taken in that direction".

Pointing out that it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot side to take up issues pertaining to content before these are discussed, Olgun said that first of all a unity of views should be reached on what the relations will be and only then can the sides state that they are ready for these relations.

The importance of an open dialogue

Noting that conducting the proximity talks and keeping such a dialogue channel open is a success, Olgun said that the sides can convey their concerns to the other party and that this is very important. Pointing out that the explanations and the talks have failed to lead to a new development, Olgun added that, despite this, the struggle should insistently and patiently continue to bring cooperation and peace between the two sides in Cyprus.

Olgun stated that those who are closely interested in the Cyprus problem might have certain thoughts but that these have no meaning by themselves. He stressed that the future of Cyprus will be determined by the two sides with an agreement they will reach through negotiations.

Olgun stated that the Turkish Cypriot side will take concrete ideas to the proximity talks to be held in New York on 23 May in a bid to help prepare the foundation. However, he refrained from giving details on these concrete ideas.

[05] Murder of British fans to influence tourism to Turkey

Tourism Minister Erkan Muncu in an announcement, said: "I cannot say that this event has not influenced the tourism. It will be a negative effect".

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

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