Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-11

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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] Denktash left for New York to participate in proximity talks.

[02] President Clinton/s meeting with Sezer.

[03] Denktash/s New York itinerary, Talat, Serdar Denktash to go to New York.

[04] Denktash on UNSC role in Cyprus, possibility of Holbrooke as State Secretary.

[05] Cem: UNSC involvement in Cyprus issue not to change Turkish policies.

[06] Hasipoglu stresses Turkish army not to withdraw from island.

[07] Denktash calls for changes in pseudo-government to regain Turkey/s trust.

[08] Turkish Presidential Adviser holds briefing on Sezer/s contacts in UN.

[09] So-called cabinet to submit letter of intent on economic package to Turkey.

[10] ``Agriculture minister'' meets Gurel in Ankara, economic problems discussed.

[11] Denktash-Wlosowicz meeting.

[12] US Ambassador gives reception.

[13] Turks Greeks attend `Mutual Understanding Festival/.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash left for New York to participate in proximity talks

In a statement he made at Ataturk Airport, Denktash said that the aim of the New York talks is to prepare the ground for the direct talks to be held to solve the Cyprus problem.

Claiming that the most suitable and valid solution from the viewpoint of the Cyprus ``realities'' is that of a confederation, Denktash continued: ``The issue is about how two partners, which have fallen apart and which have been self-governing for the last 37 years, will cooperate within a new formation and under what conditions they will appear as a single Cyprus in the international arena. We are very sincere on this issue. It is our right to expect the same sincerity from the Greek Cypriots. We want the Greek Cypriots to declare to the entire world that they are neither our government nor our state. We want them to give priority to a conciliation and not to the EU. We want the Greek Cypriots to be realistic, to lift the embargoes, and to show friendship toward us.

We are not sitting at the negotiating table for tactical purposes. We are sitting at the negotiating table with sincere and serious intentions because we want to reach a conciliation. The path to a conciliation in Cyprus leads through reason and equity. It is a path that will help strengthen the bridges of friendship between Turkey ad Greece. The island, the region, and Turkish-Greek friendship need peace in Cyprus. We want to help achieve that peace''.

``Foreign affairs and defense minister'' Tahsin Ertugruloglu, ``presidential secretary'' Ergun Olgun, Osman Ertug, ``undersecretary of the foreign affairs and defense ministry'', Prof. Mumtaz Soysal, ``presidential'' adviser on legal and constitutional affairs, Necati Munir Ertekun, ``special presidential adviser on political affairs'', and ``political affairs director'' Mustafa Evran are part of the Turkish Cypriot delegation.

[02] President Clinton/s meeting with Sezer

President Clinton informed Sezer that ``the United States appreciates and supports Turkey/s effort to integrate with the Western world''. He asserted:

``I realized when I was elected President eight years ago that Turkey was an important ally. We see Turkey as an important and respectable member of the Western countries. We support its effort to join the EU as a member. I believe that you will personally contribute toward the effort that has been made in your country during and after the Helsinki summit to step up the reforms for the adoption of the democratic standards in the West.''

On his part, President Sezer thanked President Clinton for the ``significant effort'' he made to promote the relations between the United States and Turkey. He also said that the cooperation between Turkey and the United States had a bearing on the solution of international problems, with President Clinton/s support.

What President Clinton and President Sezer discussed later about Cyprus and Greece can be summed up as follows:

President Clinton expressed the hope that the process for Turkey/s accession to the EU will contribute toward the solution of the Cyprus problem and encourage the Turkish and Greek governments to comply with the rapprochement that began between the two countries after they were struck by catastrophic earthquakes. He asserted: ``Naturally, the solution will be found by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples. However, Turkey and Greece must encourage them. I expect your contribution toward the achievement of progress in the indirect talks that will be hold under UN auspices in New York on 12 September''. Sezer responded by saying ``Turkey has always supported the talks under UN auspices''.

[03] Denktash/s New York itinerary, Talat, Serdar Denktash to go to New York

The opposition leaders had submitted a request to follow the fourth round of proximity talks and the ``government'' approved their participation. The opposition leaders are not taking part in the negotiating team, however, they have the possibility to receive daily briefings on the meetings and study the minutes.

Mustafa Akinci, Communal Liberation Party leader and ``deputy prime minister'' who had participated in the previous meetings, announced that he will not be present at the fourth round of Cyprus talks because of the ``government/s'' heavy schedule.

Anatolia Agency (16:20 hours, 8.9.00) reports that Denktash was expected to arrive in New York on Saturday to attend the fourth round of proximity talks organized by the United Nations.

Denktash will come together with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Monday at the Turkish House. Cem is expected to meet with De Soto the same day to explain the Turkish side/s opinions once again.

[04] Denktash on UNSC role in Cyprus, possibility of Holbrooke as State Secretary

Responding to press questions, Denktash who went to New York to attend the fourth round of proximity talks, referred to the statement of President Glafcos Clerides that the United Nations Security Council would become a part of the process in case of a failure at the proximity talks.

Denktash said, ``the United Nations Security Council has to listen to us. If it reaches a decision not to recognize our existence, we will not recognize this decision just as we did not recognize previous ones. If the Security Council becomes a part of the process anyway, you will see that a decision which accepts the facts on the island will be reached instead of a decision which accuses us, as Clerides hoped''.

Stressing that the atmosphere was not ready yet for face-to-face talks, Denktash noted, ``we announced that we would not escape from the comprehensive negotiations by submitting a 30-page document to the United Nations. This document explains our opinions in detail. The United Nations cannot have a hesitation about the Turkish Cypriot side/s desire''.

When asked, ``what will happen if Al Gore, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, wins the elections in November and Richard Holbrooke, the Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations, is appointed as the Secretary of State?'' Denktash said, ``I do not want to talk about probabilities. But if Holbrooke is appointed as the Secretary of State, he will evaluate relations between Turkey and the US in a better way. And he will see the fact that the relations do not pave the way to give Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots as a gift. Holbrooke is an experienced and reliable diplomat. He knows well that the Turkish Cypriots would never give up their independence and state. Therefore, we are not concerned about the issue''.

[05] Cem: UNSC involvement in Cyprus issue not to change Turkish policies

Noting that ``Turkey stands by the TRNC in its domestic and foreign problems'', Cem reiterated at the news conference he held in New York that Turkey has always extended great support to the ``TRNC''. He added that ``the Turkish Cypriot side has recently been more successful in explaining its cause to foreign circles.''

Explaining the principles of a solution that is acceptable to both sides as ``equality between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration'', Cem noted that if there is no equality then the talks will develop to the detriment of the side that is not a government. He said that ``the aim of the proximity talks is to prepare the ground on the issue.''

Noting that expecting a solution on the Cyprus issue from today till tomorrow does not seem realistic to him, Cem said that the ``TRNC'' does not have the intention of deserting the New York talks.

Cem also replied to the statements President Clerides has been making in recent days to the effect that ``the Security Council will get involved'', saying: ``The involvement of the UN Security Council (UNSC) will not change our policies''.

Cem said that during the UN General Assembly activities he will be holding bilateral talks with 25 of his colleagues and that he will explain the Cyprus issue and seek their support at every opportunity.

[06] Hasipoglu stresses Turkish army not to withdraw from island

Referring to the approach of a Cypriot identity, Hasipoglu said that there has never been such an identity and that the Turkish nation is one and united. Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side is spending millions of dollars on arms, Hasipoglu said that these arms are too little for Turkey and too much for the Turkish Cypriots. He then called on the Greek Cypriots to accept the principle of ``two states'', warning them that, otherwise, there will be no peace. Hasipoglu concluded by saying: ``So long as 80,000 martyrs are buried in this country, the future generations will keep these flags hoisted and the Turkish soldiers will not withdraw from the island. So long as there is a Turk breathing on this island, the TRNC will remain as the TRNC''.

[07] Denktash calls for changes in pseudo-government to regain Turkey/s trust

Noting that for him to request money from Turkey the ``government'' should ask him to do so, Denktash added that, however, such a request has not been made.

Speaking at a meeting he held with the administrators of the Investors and Hotel Owners Union, Denktash said that there is a lack of communication with Turkey and that Turkey has certain expectations from the ``TRNC''.

Denktash added: ``It has become a bottomless well. The money that comes is flowing out. Turkey wants this hole to be plugged''. Noting that Turkey has lost its trust in the ``government'', Denktash said that the ``government'' has to rebuild that trust. Asking that certain changes be made in the ``government'' in a bid to rebuild that trust, Denktash said: ``This Assembly can come up with three or four governments''.

[08] Turkish Presidential Adviser holds briefing on Sezer/s contacts in UN

When asked whether or not President Sezer held talks during the reception hosted by US President Bill Clinton in honour of heads of state and government, Ildem said ``President Sezer shook hands and had brief conversations with leaders''.

When asked how the Cyprus question was brought onto the agenda of the meeting between President Sezer and US President Clinton, Ildem told reporters, ``issues which I enumerated yesterday, were taken up in a balanced way in regard to timing. The Cyprus question was discussed within this framework. It is out of question to focus on a single issue''.

[09] So-called cabinet to submit letter of intent on economic package to Turkey

The ``cabinet'' also decided to submit to Turkey a letter of intent incorporating alternative proposals to the articles of the socio-economic package over which the ``coalition government'' has reservations with regard to their implementation. The letter of intent will be brought to the attention of Turkey after the technical work on the issue is concluded.

[10] ``Agriculture minister'' meets Gurel in Ankara, economic problems discussed

In reply to a question on what will happen in the event the ``TRNC government'' does not accept the 14 articles within the package prepared by the Turkish government, Gurel recalled the comprehensive work on the issue which has jointly been conducted by experts from Turkish and ``TRNC'' experts. He said: ``We have, anyway, informed the TRNC government of the results of that work. We are expecting their reaction and reply. We are aware that this work should be viewed as a whole. We are confident that the TRNC government will find it worthy of implementation''. Upon being reminded about the request of the ``TRNC government'' to get together with the Turkish government in a bid to assess the package, Gurel responded: ``We do not see such a need. As a matter of fact, the issue has been resolved from the political viewpoint. The steps that should be taken from the political viewpoint are clear. What is clear from the political viewpoint in the TRNC is the following: With regards to its economy, the TRNC is obligated to take serious, rooted, and constrictive measures aimed at a restructuring. The experts of both sides have worked in this political direction and have determined what these measures should be. Now the important issue is to implement them''.

Gurel was then asked: ``Since the start of the economic problems in the TRNC, the view that the TRNC governments have made mistakes in implementation has been expressed. Has the Turkish government, which should be guiding the TRNC and extending a helping hand, also made various mistakes in implementation?''. In reply, Gurel said that they left the assessment of mistakes to others, adding that the important issue was to ensure that mistakes are not made in the future and that future-oriented plans and coordination were based on a sound foundation.

[11] Denktash-Wlosowicz meeting

In a short statement prior to the meeting, Denktash said that they would discuss how long the talks will last and that he will inform the UN diplomat about some problems of the Turkish Cypriot side. Denktash did not clarify what these problems are.

To a question after the meeting how long the talks will last, Wlosowicz said ``I believe it will be the same way as it was in Geneva''.

[12] US Ambassador gives reception

Helen Lovejoy is the new responsible for Turkish Affairs.

So-called state minister and deputy prime minister Mustafa Akinci, the Turkish ``ambassador'' to the occupied area Ertugrul Apakan, the leader of CTP Mehmet Ali Talat, Denktash/s advisers and other so-called state officials attended the reception.

[13] Turks, Greeks attend `Mutual Understanding Festival/

A total of 5 thousand people participated in the festival which was supported by the Communal Liberation Party, the Republican Turkish Party, the Patriotic Unity Movement from the Turkish Cypriot side, and the Democratic Rally, the Communist AKEL Party, the Social Democrats Initiative and the United Democrats from the Greek Cypriot side.

Mustafa Akinci, George Vassiliou, the former President, Demetris Christofias, the General Secretary of AKEL Party, and authorities of the parties supporting the event had participated in the festival.

Mustafa Akinci said that the gathering of the two sides is a very constructive activity for peace on the island.

A joint chorus sang Turkish and Greek songs during the festival. Some of the songs were sang for the memory of Kemal Saracoglu who passed away after suffering from leukemia and for Andreas Vassiliou who suffered from the same disease and survived after an operation.

Music bands from both sides gave a concert and a folk dance show was also displayed.

The UN Peace Force also supported the festival.

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

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