Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-20

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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. 180/00 -- 20.9.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash dismisses Greek press reports on territories, stresses ``two state'' principle.

[02] Denktash on how confederation may lead to federation in future.

[03] Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus and in Britain support federal solution.

[04] Cyprus talks may be suspended on weekend for lack of progress.

[05] 1-Day break in New York talks, no change in ``TRNC'' stand.

[06] Turkish, French political meetings focus on EU, Armenian resolution, Cyprus, Aegean.

[07] Cem concludes NY contacts, goes to Brussels.

[08] Akinci in Ankara.

[09] Arrest warrant against Asil Nadir.

[10] Turkish Armed Forces to purchase 3,544 domestically manufactured pistols.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash dismisses Greek press reports on territories, stresses ``two- state'' principle

``As you know, the statement issued by the Secretary General on 12 September was viewed by us as a step forward in preparing the grounds. The Greek Cypriots, in their part, reacted fiercely and adopted an attitude showing that they do not intend to accept our equality either now or later. In this way, they lost points and suffered a lowered morale.

Now, in order to make up for this, the Greek Cypriot press is continuously carrying concocted reports on territorial matters, suggesting that the territorial issue was discussed and decisions were made. This is aimed at raising their people/s morale, while lowering that of our people. Let no one attach any importance to this. Nothing can be achieved through newspaper reports. The Greek Cypriots may dream of these things, but this cannot happen. If, in fact, they do want such things, this is an indication that they do not want reconciliation, because they know full well that the things they want will not happen. In other words, nothing has been submitted to us and nothing has been discussed with us pertaining to villages or maps.

As you know, we have certain criteria with regard to territories. These criteria have been presented to the United Nations. Nothing has been discussed and nothing will be discussed beyond that. It is beneficial that our people should be aware of this. We are saying that if you want to discuss territories, in other words borders, you must accept the existence and sovereignty of two states. Only then can one discuss the matter of the border between these two states.

We are working very hard here together with our colleagues. There is no cause for concern. As we can gather, the Greek Cypriots asked the UN Secretary General to have a break on 27 September. We do not have any objection to this. We will continue to work until then''.

Stating that he was going to have a new meeting with Alvaro De Soto on Wednesday, Denktash added: ``Today, Alvaro de Soto is conducting meetings with various ambassadors. According to our information, he will raise the security issue tomorrow. That is fine. We are prepared in this regard as well. Our security is based on the guarantees provided in the 1960 agreements and on Turkey/s geopolitical rights. It is the kind of valid security and guarantee that has prevented our total annihilation and that has proven itself. We will not consent to its being diluted. Everyone knows this. We declared and recorded this at every turn since 1963, and we will continue to do so in the future''.

He then concluded: ``Only an agreement based on two states is possible or reasonable. As a starting point, there is no other way. Moreover, there is no reason why this should not be. The Greek Cypriots reject this because they do not want to reach a conciliation. They want to march forward as the government of Cyprus and to claim ownership over Cyprus by displacing our people once again. Consequently, no one should have any concerns. Everyone should trust their state and their motherland. I repeat, internal problems can be solved, and they will be solved. Let no one have any doubts in this regard. If, however, we damage our state in any way, we will not have anything to solve''.

[02] Denktash on how confederation may lead to federation in future KIBRIS (20.9.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has said

In a statement to the press, Denktash said that the ``two states'' can live in peace in Cyprus with one in the north and one in the south, and they can cooperate in certain areas such as foreign affairs. He said: ``We will leave the door open to future developments. If confidence is restored and cooperation increases, and most important of all, if one of the sides does not try to destroy the points on which agreement has been reached, then the confederation may lead to a federation.''

Denktash stressed: ``A confederation is the simplest way to join two states. Later, if everything goes well, the two states may agree to transfer more powers to the central government''.

[03] Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus and in Britain support federal solution YENI DUZEN (20.9.00) reports that representatives of 41 NGO/s in the

In the letter, it is said that according to the signature campaign ``This is our country'', more than 10,000 people in the occupied area believe that there can be lasting peace in Cyprus under the roof of a federal solution. It is also stressed that it is really important to have political equality. Moreover, it is claimed that the non-solution status affects negatively the economy of the Turkish Cypriots.

In the meantime, Turkish Cypriots who live in London have sent a fax to Kofi Annan, asking him to exert pressure on both sides for a peaceful solution. The fax is signed by the Turkish Cypriot Democratic Association, the RTP London Solidarity Association, the Britain Turkish Cypriot Coordination Committee, the Turkish Cypriot Community Center, and the Turkish Cypriot Fine Arts Association.

The fax reads:

``We support the 4th round of proximity talks. We believe in a federal Cyprus state based on bi-communal, bi-zonal and political equality. We support any action towards this position.''

[04] Cyprus talks may be suspended on weekend for lack of progress Anatolia Agency (7:26 hours, 20.9.00) reports that the fourth round of

Sources, who asked not to be identified, pointed out that the sides were reluctant to stay in New York for a long time as rapid development could not be recorded in talks. The sources claimed that the talks could be interrupted this weekend or toward the end of next weekend.

The UN sources at the beginning of the fourth round of talks pointed out that the talks might continue till October 5.

The Greek Cypriot sources claimed that the UN will hand in a map to the sides showing the rate of the territory that will be given to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, before they leave New York.

However, Rauf Denktash pointed out many times that they would not negotiate territorial issues before sovereignty rights were recognized.

Meanwhile, it was observed that the leaders continued their talks in the restaurants. Denktash on Tuesday had a lunch with Alfred Moses, the US President Bill Clinton/s Special Envoy to Cyprus. Denktash will have his lunch with Alvaro De Soto, the Cyprus Special Envoy of Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, on Wednesday.

Similarly, President Glafcos Clerides came together with Moses at a lunch.

Korkmaz Haktanir, Turkey/s Ambassador to London and the former Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, who leads the Turkish delegation, separately met with special envoys of Russia and Britain to Cyprus, Vladimir Cizov, and Sir David Hannay.

Diplomatic sources said Haktanir also met with Alvaro De Soto.

[05] 1-Day break in New York talks, no change in ``TRNC'' stand Anatolia Agency (7:26 hours, 19.9.00) reports that a one-day break was

Diplomatic sources told Anatolia that the break was given because of the technical reasons related with the preparations which the UN wants to make, not because of any crisis.

Issues related with security will be discussed on Wednesday, following the one day break.

Prof. Mumtaz Soysal, one of the consultants of Rauf Denktash, said security issues will include guarantee agreements; de-militarization; and what kind of a military power (the UN Peace Forces, NATO Forces, International Forces) will exist on the island.

Pointing out that the views of the Turkish side were clear in this respect, Soysal said, ``we favour continuation of the security agreements, it is out of question for us to give up Turkey/s guarantee''.

Meanwhile, it was reported that there was no change in attitude of the ``TRNC not to talk on the territorial issues before the sovereignty right has been recognized''.

Diplomatic sources said territorial issues were discussed in general sense without mentioning the quantity and ratio, in talks between the ``TRNC'' delegation and the UN.

[06] Turkish, French political meetings focus on EU, Armenian resolution, Cyprus, Aegean.

During the consultation meetings which were held in a positive atmosphere, the Turkish and French officials had reached a consensus of opinion that the Turkey-France relations were positively improving, sources said.

Diplomatic sources said that the meetings had focused on the Turkey- European Union (EU) relations as France was the EU Term President.

Sources said that Turkey had brought the Accession Partnership Document, Financial Cooperation and European Security and Defense Identity onto the agenda and asked France to support the opinions of Turkey.

Noting that the Turkish officials had told the French officials that fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria did not constitute a problem for Turkey, sources said that the Turkish officials had stressed that the EU undertook commitments like implementation of the financial protocol and conveyed Turkey/s expectations about those issues to Hennekinne.

The importance of protection of the speed in improving relations between Turkey and Greece had been stressed in the meetings, sources said.

Within this framework, the Turkish officials had stated that Turkey was ready to seek solution to the Aegean issues through negotiations and the methods foreseen by Article 33 of the UN agreement, sources said.

The Turkish officials had told the French officials that EU membership of the Cyprus Government should be brought onto the agenda after acceptance of a solution appropriate to ``realities'' on the island by the two sides.

Turkey defends that the Cyprus and Aegean issues should not be included in the Accession Partnership Document that will be finalized in early November while Greece is expending efforts for inclusion of these issues in the document.

Sources said that Ankara had once again conveyed its opinions about these issues to Hennekinne.

[07] Cem concludes NY contacts, goes to Brussels Anatolia Agency (6:45 hours, 19.9.00) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister

In Brussels, Cem is expected to have contacts with European Parliament Chairman Nicole Fontaine, European Commission Chairman Romano Prodi and EU Commissary for enlargement Gunter Verheugen.

Cem will also meet with leaders of the represented political groups in the European Parliament.

[08] Akinci in Ankara According to BIRLIK (20.9.00) so-called state minister and deputy prime

It is not known when he will return.

[09] Arrest warrant against Asil Nadir According to AVRUPA (20.9.00) an arrest warrant has been issued against

AVRUPA, quoting Turkish mainland newspapers MILLIYET and HURRIYET, says the arrest warrant was issued as a result of Asil Nadir/s refusal to attend the court hearing of the case opened against him on charges of fraud and of forging official documents. For the last four years Asil Nadir and lawyer Mentes Aziz Ozmerter, who is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association, are being tried at the Istanbul Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, the so-called attorney general of the pseudostate, Akin Sait, has admitted that the Istanbul Criminal Court has sent two letters to him.

[10] Turkish Armed Forces to purchase 3,544 domestically manufactured pistols

The pistol, which the TISAS board of directors has given one each of as a gift to such personalities as Suleyman Demirel and Rauf Denktash, is carried by a large number of Parliament deputies.

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

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