Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-06-16

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 114/00 -- 16.6.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Yilmaz visits Eroglu; discusses economic problems of "TRNC".

[02] Eroglu returns, says will not resign, will work in harmony with Turkey.

[03] Swedish envoy meets Talat, Denktash.

[04] Denktash rejects resolution on UNFICYP, says will `inevitably harm/ Geneva talks.

[05] Turkey: "Extending UNFICYP mandate contradicts sovereign, equality principles".

[06] Denktash: three people established the TMT.

[07] President Clerides/ interview to Turkish Daily News. NEW ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Yilmaz visits Eroglu; discusses economic problems of "TRNC"

Yilmaz yesterday paid a get well visit to so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu, who went to Ankara for treatment some time ago.

Yilmaz inquired after Eroglu/s health and then they assessed the economic problems of the "TRNC" during the hour-long meeting.

In a statement prior to the meeting, Yilmaz said: "Turkey gave various guarantees. These guarantees should be fulfilled. We will follow up these issues".

Replying to reporters/ questions after the meeting, Yilmaz said: "He (Eroglu) has various justified expectations regarding the period ahead of us. We discussed those expectations".

Eroglu said that Yilmaz attaches great importance to the "TRNC/s" economic and political issues just as he did during his terms as prime minister and minister.

[02] Eroglu returns, says will not resign, will work in harmony with Turkey

Explaining that the Republic of Turkey was satisfied with the harmonious work carried out by the "coalition government" of the pseudostate Eroglu added: "High-level officials in Turkey have openly said that the National Unity Party (UBP)-Communal Liberation Party (TKP) coalition can secure stability for the TRNC. Turkey will continue to extend the necessary financial and moral assistance to the TRNC so that it can resolve all its problems, particularly its economic problems,"added Eroglu.

In the statement he issued at the airport, Eroglu recounted that he paid visits to Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Devlet Bahceli, state minister and deputy prime minister. Eroglu added that he also had the opportunity to meet with Motherland Party leader Mesut Yilmaz. Explaining that Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer called him on the phone to extend get-well wishes, Eroglu thanked everybody who showed concern with regard to his health.

Eroglu explained that several issues of concern to "TRNC", mainly economic, were taken up at the meeting with Bahceli. Noting that he held a lengthy meeting with Ecevit, Eroglu added: "We conducted detailed discussions on every issue. Views were exchanged on the third round of indirect talks in addition to various issues of concern to economic sectors". Noting that Ecevit and Bahceli appreciated the economic package, Eroglu underlined that the economic program can be implemented once the technical delegations/ work is assessed and the necessary arrangements introduced. Eroglu stressed that he was clearly told and given assurance that, once it approves of the package, Turkey will make the necessary contributions to any financial problems that may rise with the implementation of the economic package.

Emphasizing that the UBP-TKP "coalition government" will continue, Eroglu added that the "coalition govenrment" will continue to work in harmony with Turkey.

In reply to reporters/ questions on whether he felt that the rumours of Turkey losing confidence in the "TRNC" were true, Eroglu said: "No. There is no such thing. On the contrary, I observed that Turkey welcomed the fact that we are a harmonious coalition government. Ecevit Bahceli, and Yilmaz said so clearly."

In reply to another question on rumours that he will resign for health reasons, Eroglu said: "There is no such thing. My health is fine".

[03] Swedish envoy meets Talat, Denktash

The Ambassador said that he came to the island with the aim of meeting with as many leaders as possible regarding the recent developments on the Cyprus issue. Noting that Sweden, as a EU member country, is interested in the Cyprus issue, the Ambassador said that the issue is quite important for his country.

In a statement during the meeting, Talat pointed out that the EU began to play a role in the Cyprus issue in the aftermath of the candidate membership of Cyprus and Turkey, adding that the Cyprus question has become the problem of the EU. He concluded by saying that he was pleased that this meeting gave him the opportunity to convey the CTP views to the representative of a EU member country.

The Swedish Ambassador later called on Rauf Denktash. No statement was issued in connection with the meeting.

[04] Denktash rejects resolution on UNFICYP, says will `inevitably harm/ Geneva talks

Denktash issued a statement in connection with the resolution adopted by the UNSC on 14 June regarding the UN peace force (UNFICYP) that will serve on the island. In the statement Denktash claimed that "the Turkish side made great efforts and held intensive contacts to ensure that the resolution would be right and just and that it would not harm the Geneva talks". He said: "The path that has been taken is wrong. We explained that we would react strongly to that. Despite that, the UNSC was deceived by the Greek Cypriot bluff and adopted a resolution that fits the demands of the Greek Cypriots. We are disappointed and saddened by this resolution. It is an unacceptable resolution".

Denktash recalled that in order to come to Cyprus in 1964, UNFICYP asked the permission of Dr. Fazil Kucuk and Archbishop Makarios, the two heads of the Cypriot Government at the time. Ever since then, Denktash said, UNFICYP must ask for the approval of Turkish side. "At this stage, we accept the UNFICYP but we accept it as a guest force because the relevant UN resolutions refer to a Cyprus government", Denktash said, adding that the United Nations has been informed of this decision. "Last year", he noted, "this clause was added to the relevant UN resolution as an addendum, and we indicated that the United Nations must reach an agreement with us".

Denktash alleged that because it ignores the "realities" on the island and changes the procedure the UNSC has been following for years, this latest resolution will have serious consequences. He said: "A new and comprehensive reassessment will be done in light of this resolution which brings us to a new and important crossroads in our ties with UNFICYP".

Denktash noted that the timing of the resolution on the eve of the third round of the proximity talks is unfortunate in itself. "The resolution will inevitably harm the efforts for a solution within this framework", he stressed.

Asked how the resolution can affect the proximity talks, Denktash said that the Turkish side will continue to assess that. He noted that he will discuss this matter at his meeting with Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary General/s special envoy in Cyprus, on 16 June. "This is a grave mistake", Denktash claimed, "and we will not take it lying down".

Asked if the Turkish Cypriots may decide not to take part in the proximity talks, Denktash said that every option will be considered and is permissible. He said: "The lack of confidence between us and the Greek Cypriots is now spreading to our ties with the UNSC". He alleged that there is a reality of two equal sides on the island, adding: "Unless these realities are accepted, naturally there cannot be a solution. Under those conditions, we will not receive the aid and support we expect from the UNSC."

[05] Turkey: "Extending UNFICYP mandate contradicts sovereign, equality principles"

A statement released by the Ministry claimed that, "the decision contradicts with the sovereign equality principle of Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides".

The statement further said, "the recent decision says mandate of the UN Peace Forces was extended with the consent of the Cyprus Government. In fact, there is not a government on the island representing the whole of Cyprus as it was attributed in the decision. So-called `Cyprus government/ is only the government of the Greek Cypriot side. Existence of the UN Peace Forces in Northern Cyprus is only possible within the cooperation shown by the TRNC government. Methods of this cooperation should be assessed with an agreement that will be reached between the TRNC authorities and the UN Peace Forces".

The statement said Turkey and the "TRNC" would review their future relations with the UN Peace Forces in a comprehensive way, adding that, "it is clear that these developments don/t constitute a positive contribution to the efforts to find a solution to Cyprus question."

[06] Denktash: Three people established the TMT

Commenting on one of the leaders of the terrorist organization Ismail Tansu/s claim that it was colonel Riza Vuruskan (sent from Turkey) and Tansu that established the TMT, Denktash said that Tansu rendered very valuable services to the TMT, however, he added, it was three people who founded the terrorist organization.

[07] President Clerides/ interview to Turkish Daily News

/SK

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