Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-10-26

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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. 206/00 -- 26.10.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on Cyprus problem.

[02] Denktash not expecting Greek Cypriots to change attitude in 5th round talks.

[03] Turkish Foreign Ministry denies knowledge of Ozal-Papandreou accord.

[04] Turkish Foreign Ministry: EU accession talks to begin when Turkey feels ready.

[05] Eroglu meets De Soto.

[06] Ciller scores passive Turkish foreign policy on Greek actions before EU document.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash on Cyprus problem According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (15:30 hours, 25.10.00), Turkish Cypriot

Denktash alleged that the world, in its part, is still unaware of how it is destroying the chances for peace by telling the Greek Cypriot side that it is the legitimate government of Cyprus. "The Turkish Cypriots, who are acting on the basis of the belief that Turkish-Greek friendship is the legacy of Ataturk and Venizelos, expect this to come about" Denktash said, "but Greece is upsetting this friendship for the sake of Cyprus".

Denktash said that the atmosphere of friendship, which began to reign between the two peoples in the wake of the 15 August earthquake in Turkey, is beginning to disappear because of the politicians. He further claimed the question of what will happen to Cyprus was answered by the Greek Cypriots through the Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises, and the statements issued in the wake of the exercises by Greek Cypriot and Greek politicians.

Recalling that the fourth round talks were held with the aim of creating a basis for face-to-face talks between the sides, Denktash said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan/s statement on the political equality between the sides is equivalent to the UN Security Council resolution to the effect that the Turkish Cypriots are not a minority and that there are two equal communities in Cyprus.

"A public opinion poll conducted in the Greek Cypriot sector revealed that a great majority of the Greek Cypriot people do not want a federation, but the parliament that represents the Greek Cypriot people announced that it will discuss a federation as a last concession", Denktash recounted. He claimed that this announcement was made with aim of influencing the fifth round talks. Denktash added that the Turkish Cypriot side will go to the talks in light of this situation and these "realities". Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriots are going to the negotiating table, aware of these tactics devised by those who believe that Turkey will bow to certain things because of its desire to join the EU.

The negative developments experienced in the economy of the pseudostate have prevented the Turkish Cypriots from thinking about all these tactics, Denktash remarked. He said that "those who tell lies that an agreement is at hand only if Turkey allows it, if the Turkish Cypriot side recedes, and Denktash mellows, are actually trying to deceive and divide the people."

[02] Denktash not expecting Greek Cypriots to change attitude in 5th round talks

Denktash met with German-Turkish Friendship Federation and Solinger Turkish- German Association members and conferred with them for some time. In a statement during the meeting, Denktash said that this visit is very important. The Germans may not welcome the division of Cyprus because of the Berlin wall, Denktash noted, but he added: "You were not in favour of the division of Berlin, because you were brothers, you belonged to the same nation, and you wanted to unite. However, there is no Cypriot nation here. There are two nations composed of Turks and Greek Cypriots".

[03] Turkish Foreign Ministry denies knowledge of Ozal-Papandreou accord Anatolia Agency (11:03 hours, 25.10.00) reports that the Turkish Foreign

[04] Turkish Foreign Ministry: EU accession talks to begin when Turkey feels ready

Dirioz responded to questions of journalists at a weekly press conference.

When asked whether Turkey had pledged the EU to annul capital punishment, Dirioz said that the issue was under authority of the parliament.

When asked of news reports saying that the Cyprus question and the Aegean dispute had been included in the Accession Partnership Document prepared by the European Commission, Dirioz recalled that the document was reflection of the EU/s opinions, thoughts and expectations.

Noting that the European Commission had held consultations with Turkey as it was preparing the document, Dirioz told reporters, "but it does not mean a negotiation. Turkey/s opinions will be put forward in a document which will be prepared by Turkey".

Stressing that Turkey/s opinion about the Cyprus question was clear, Dirioz noted that the sides should support the process on the issue.

[05] Eroglu meets De Soto Anatoila Agency (08:59 hours, 25.10.00) reports that Alvaro De Soto, he UN

Eroglu said that he hoped do Soto could understand the "realities" on Cyprus and explain them to others.

The UN does not permit giving information to the press about the meetings on Cyprus, said Eroglu and noted that they must abide by that decision.

De Soto said in his part that he couldn/t have the chance to meet with Eroglu before, adding that he is pleased to meet with Eroglu.

The UN envoy pointed out that he contacts with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot political parties to take their views about the Cyprus question.

So-called foreign and defense minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and some "deputies" from the National Unity Party (UBP) also participated in the meeting.

[06] Ciller scores passive Turkish foreign policy on Greek actions before EU document

Addressing the DYP Parliamentary faction meeting, Ciller said that Turkey is suffering from a lack of will in the field of foreign policy. The tension experienced with Greece during the NATO exercises constitutes the latest example of this, Ciller charged.

"It is interesting: The Accession Document between the EU and Turkey will be announced on 8 November. All these crises are emerging on the eve of this date, a Cyprus report is being published, and Turkey is declared an occupier in this Cyprus report. It is not clear when negotiations with Turkey will begin, but Greece is raising the extremely sensitive issue of 10 miles, it is making statements, and advancing step-by-step, while Turkey is silent", Ciller said.

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

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