Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-03-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides

[02] The Turkish views on Greco-Turkish relations and Cyprus were conveyed to the US Vice-President

[03] VOLKAN claims that 24 Muslim States are about to recognize the pseudostate

[04] KIBRISLI says Lord Hannay will propose rotating presidency in Cyprus

[05] Denktas talks about games aiming at destroying the Turkish Cypriots from the inside and calls on the pseudoassembly to be on the alert

[06] The 41 organizations to UN Secretary General: The behaviour of Ankara is becoming tougher towards the Turkish Cypriots

[07] PUM will participate in the so-called “municipal elections”

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides

Reminded of his reference to the recognition of the pseudostate on the part of Muslim countries, Denktas said: There is nothing new. This is something we always appeal for. It is a demand for our right. I hope that it will be taken into consideration.

In a statement after the meeting, Denktas declared that it is not possible to say that the talks have reached an impasse or that they are going very well. He said that the talks will resume on 22 March. He reported that the U.N. Secretary-General´s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvado de Soto will leave the island on 28 March for a series of meetings in Ankara, Athens, and New York, therefore, the talks will be interrupted until 2 April. Meetings will be held on 26 and 27 March.

Asked when a detailed statement can be issued in connection with the talks, Denktas replied: When the time comes.

In reply to the question on whether it is too early to speak of an impasse, Denktas said: Of course, it is too early. There is no point in talking of an impasse, nor is there any point in saying that the talks are going very well. As we have been saying, unless there is an agreement on the whole, the individual points of agreement are merely exercises.

[02] The Turkish views on Greco-Turkish relations and Cyprus were conveyed to the US Vice-President

Following a brief statement Mr Ecevit replied to questions:

We held very beneficial talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney. We addressed several international and regional issues. I was very happy to observe once again that we share the same views on all of them. It was a very fruitful meeting from all aspects. The Vice President especially welcomed Turkey's inclination to assume the security task in Afghanistan. I, in turn, expressed the hope that an agreement will be reached on the significant details in this regard.

Question: Was the Iraq issue discussed? Did you observe a resolve on the part of the US Administration with regard to an operation against Iraq?

Answer: No, there is no such decision at present. Mr. Cheney particularly underlined that there is no question of a military operation against Iraq in the foreseeable future. He stated this very clearly.

Question: In what way did you convey your sensitivities with regard to Iraq?

Answer: We also insistently want Iraq to comply with UN resolutions and to open its doors to inspection. As you know, in a letter I wrote to Saddam Husayn, I clearly outlined my views on this subject. I hope that Iraq will meet the expectations of the international community. We hope that it will. As I said, there is no question of a US military operation against Iraq at the moment or in the foreseeable future. Moreover, as a positive gesture, the US Administration will submit a motion to Congress for a $228 million contribution to Turkey. I believe this will be a contribution for our expenditure in Afghanistan. As I said, this was an extremely beneficial and friendly meeting.

Question: You said that there is no question of a military operation in the foreseeable future. Does the US Administration want to get rid of Saddam Husayn?

Answer: We did not go into such detail. Mr. Cheney is aware of our views. Not only the United States, but the whole world is hoping that the Iraqi Administration will adopt the expected decisions.

Question: Did you convey to Cheney that Turkey is opposed to a possible operation?

Answer: There is no need to stress this matter any further, because I clearly reported to you the statements of Mr. Cheney on behalf of the US Administration. There is no question of a military operation against Iraq in the foreseeable future.

Question: Is it possible for the US Administration to change its mind?

Answer: It is not right to engage in interpretations, because Mr. Cheney declared very clearly that there is no question of a military operation in the foreseeable future.

Question: Is the government uneasy about the special meeting between Mr. Cheney and the chief of the General Staff?

Answer: No, there is no question of uneasiness, because the United States is a very close ally. In my view, it is very positive that while he is here he wants to confer with our chief of staff and his colleagues on military matters and on matters pertaining to our joint defense. As we said, we are two very close allies.

Question: Did you unequivocally declare that Turkey is opposed to an operation?

Answer: There is no need to say anything further. I conveyed Mr. Cheney's words to you very clearly. As you know, he will hold a news conference himself tomorrow morning.

Question: On Turkish-Greek relations and the Cyprus issue...

Answer: Yes, we conveyed our views and our hopes on those subjects.

Question: Will the financial aid from the US Congress be sufficient to eliminate Turkey's reservations with regard to assuming the command in Afghanistan?

Answer: Detailed decisions have not been adopted on that subject. The talks are continuing with the US and British delegations. However, the United States simply undertook a friendly gesture at this point.

[03] VOLKAN claims that 24 Muslim States are about to recognize the pseudostate

The paper writes that asked yesterday on the issue, the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas was content with saying I wish so. It is noted that talking to Al Jazeera television Mr Denktas had called on the Islamic countries to accept the Turkish Cypriots` participating in the Islamic Conference as the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and not as the Islamic community of Northern Cyprus.

[04] KIBRISLI says Lord Hannay will propose rotating presidency in Cyprus

According the British proposal, the President of the Republic should be one year Greek Cypriot and one year Turkish Cypriot, notes KIBRISLI.

[05] Denktas talks about games aiming at destroying the Turkish Cypriots from the inside and calls on the pseudoassembly to be on the alert

Talking at a ceremony which took place in memory of the incidents at Kazivera and Kalo Chorio Lefka villages, Mr Denktas called on the so-called assembly of the pseudostate to be on the alert and warn the people because, as he alleged, there are some circles, which try to buy out some people and some journalists by paying them money to destroy the pseudostate.

Referring to the case of tapping Karen Fogg´s e-mails, Mr Denktas called on the members of the pseudoassembly to shout loudly to the EU that as representatives of the people they will not accept her behaviour.

[06] The 41 organizations to UN Secretary General: The behaviour of Ankara is becoming tougher towards the Turkish Cypriots

The 41 organizations sent the letter in order to protest about the new passport draft law, which is being discussed in the pseudoassembly and provides for punishment of the holders of passports of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to AFRIKA, the organizations note in their letter that while on the one hand negotiations towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem are being conducted, on the other hand the Turkish Cypriots are being hardly oppressed.

The 41 organizations note that with the passport law and the laws forbidding the demonstrations and the protest marches, the occupation regime wants to eliminate the identity of the Turkish Cypriots and shows that it is not sincere at the negotiations towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Furthermore, the organizations express their support to the solution of the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation for Cyprus and underline that only after the solution of the Cyprus problem and the accession to the EU, will all the problems of the Turkish Cypriots be solved.

[07] PUM will participate in the so-called municipal elections

In a written statement issued yesterday, PUM stresses that despite the fact that there is occupation in the northern part of Cyprus and that nothing could be changed, the party has decided to participate in these elections in order to create a platform for struggle for peace, EU membership and against the existing regime.

EG

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