Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-05-02

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry official arrives in pseudostate.

[02] Turkey/s Logoglu visits Denktash, pledges support.

[03] Logoglu, Denktash, aides discuss Cyprus issue.

[04] Denktash on so-called emabrgo.

[05] Akinci determined to establish separate relations with EU.

[06] Talat calls for urgent steps before Cyprus joins EU.

[07] Turks to repair church and cemetery.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Denktash/s reelection seen, opposition criticized.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry official arrives in pseudostate

Speaking to reporters Logoglu said he came to carry out consultations about the third round proximity talks on May 23 in New York.

Noting that the progress of the process would become clear in the third round talks, Logoglu said, "our target is clear. The target is to reach an opinion and point which fully provide sovereignty, equality, prosperity, confidence and security of the TRNC and Turkish Cypriots, and to bring this process to this level. Our preparations will be carried out within this frame. And it is certain that we will achieve this. Because, Turkey and the TRNC have carried out this issue together in solidarity and cooperation since the beginning, and this will continue to be so."

So-called foreign and defense minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu said that "the Turkish side will continue to attend the talks with good will", and that their aim was "to set up ground for comprehensive and face-to-face meetings".

[02] Turkey/s Logoglu visits Denktash, pledges support

Denktash said that Logoglu is a talented diplomat who deals with the Cyprus issue for 20 years and he/ll help them by his knowledge, experience and talent. "We`ll search for an agreement in the coming difficult days", said Denktash.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Logoglu said in his part that "the Cyprus issue is a national cause for Turkey", and added that "you will not be alone while struggling for your national cause in the coming period which will be difficult both in respect of the EU and also the UN".

[03] Logoglu, Denktash, aides discuss Cyprus issue

[04] Denktash on so-called embargo

Denktash said they wanted to make more effective initiatives to lift the embargoes, and noted that these initiatives will be more influential with the support of Turkish businessmen.

Denktash said Turkey was involved in efforts for the economic development of "TRNC", adding that, "however, our economy began to go worse, we met very bad situations".

Denktash said they wanted to have customs union with Turkey, and noted that they wanted to make everything more cheaper. Denktash said they think if products of "TRNC" are sold in Turkey, this would give a great potential for them.

[05] Akinci determined to establish separate relations with EU

EU Cyprus delegation chairman Donati Chiarini, in turn, said that they will assess the issue of whether a EU bureau is needed in the "TRNC". Chiarini continued: "I do not know whether such a bureau will be opened, however. The contacts I held in the TRNC will most definitely make a contribution to this issue." Chiarini, who met with Akinci at the TKP headquarters, recalled that he launched his contacts with the Turkish Cypriot political parties and nongovernmental organizations in the wake of the positive atmosphere secured at the Helskini Summit. Chiarini said: "We seek to establish good relations with the TRNC political leaders. The Hellsinki Summit gave us a chance to exchange views with the Turkish Cypriots on EU issues. I believe that we can be of help in embarking on the UN process and the EU membership issue."

Stressing that it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriots to be included in the Greek Cypriot delegation before the framework of a solution crystallizes, Akinci said: "We must find a channel to set up relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU even though it does not recognize the TRNC".

[06] Talat calls for urgent steps before Cyprus joins EU

Addressing the convention, CTP leader Talat pointed out that the rate of participation is very low and that this is caused by the current conditions in the pseudostate. He stressed that the associations that are having difficulties must be saved. He charged that the Turkish Cypriots are in despair, adding: "We saw that during the election campaign".

Talat emphasized that every path must be tried for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He explained that the solution has been attached to a timetable, that time is passing by, and that unless something is done, the Greek Cypriots will join the EU. He pointed out that it is impossible to negotiate with the EU separately, and that in the negotiations, the Turkish Cypriots must demand equal rights with the Greek Cypriots.

[07] Turks to repair church and cemetery

Mustara Tamer, who inspected the Greek Cypriot cemetery and the Orthodox Church near it, also met with the representative of the Greek Cypriot enclaved people, Andreas Tanis.

Tamer said that in the coming weeks, restoration work at the cemetery and the church will begin. Specifically, they will change the four doors and five windows of the church, they will put new crosses at the cemetery, they will clean it and they will take measures to prevent the entrance of animals in the cemetery.

Tamer also said that they will repair the toilets at the Apostolos Andreas Monastery.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Denktash/s reelection seen, opposition criticized

"Considering the outcome of the elections, Eroglu must ask for the TRNC people/s confidence vote. God forbid, he might win the general elections. But he fears that he might lose.

How long can a prime minister who fears his own people/s decision remain in office"?, Sertoglu says and adds:

"Meanwhile, understanding the position held by Communal Liberation Party Leader Mustafa Akinci is impossible. I was able to partly follow the views he expressed when he was interviewed by Mehmet Ali Birand on the CNN Turk Television Network. I am curious about what he and Eroglu had in common to agree to establish a coalition government. It looks like a basket of apples and pears. They formed a strange coalition.

We established when the presidential elections were held that even Eroglu and his colleagues wanted peace. They used to advocate in the past that `no- solution/ was the best solution to the Cyprus problem. Naturally, we welcomed the change in their approach. It made us believe that Eroglu began to see the realities after so many years, that is if his approach is sincere.

Let us now discuss Denktash. He will have a hard time in Ankara. He will try to persuade the hawks in the Foreign Ministry prior to the resumption of the talks on Cyprus in May. What a strange world this is.

Denktash will have a rather good field to manoeuvre in at the UN organisation when he attends the intercommunal negotiations, which, for one reason or another, are still in the form of indirect talks. All he has to do is to show the world that the Greek Cypriots do not want to reach an agreement. To achieve that, he will have to make proposals. And, the nature of those he has in mind are almost common knowledge. But, he likes to surprise everyone. So, he might do or say something that would, in the words of former President Turgut Ozal, make Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides feel helpless.

We are convinced that Denktash and the officials in Ankara will avoid repeating the mistakes they made in the past and that they will show the world the side that does not want an agreement on Cyprus."

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

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