Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-22

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AA Daily

22 June 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATEMENT OF G-8 COUNTRIES ABOUT CYPRUS - TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY: - ''G-8'S CALL IS AN INADMISSIBLE INTERVENTION IN CYPRUS QUESTION IN A PERIOD THAT THERE IS NO JOINT GROUND BETWEEN THE SIDES'' - ''PEACE ON CYPRUS CAN ONLY BE POSSIBLE WITH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO EQUALY SOVEREIGN STATES''

[03] ''OTTOMAN VILLAGE'' OPENS IN ISTANBUL'S ATAKOY DISTRICT

[04] UNDERSEA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION STARTS CAMPAING TO PROTECT MEDITERRANEAN SEAL WHICH FACES EXTINCTION

[05] ECTAA SPRING MEETING TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL IN MAY 2000

[06] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS, 5.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO AFRICA

[07] KDP AND PUK MINIMIZE DISAGREEMENTS AT NEGOTIATIONS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[08] THE NSC TO CONVENE TOMORROW

[09] WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN TURKISH WORK FORCE TO BE DISCUSSED AT PANEL

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WORLD ECONOMY HAS GRADUALLY STARTED TO SAVE ITSELF FROM THE RECENT CRISIS''

[11] NORTHERN TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS COUNCIL BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF WORLD ASSOCIATION OF PRESS COUNCILS

[12] CONFERENCE ON ''STORY OF THREE SEAS'' - DEMIRAG, TPAO ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE SECUREST ROUTE''

[13] SOKOLOV, BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS ECEVIT, PRIME MINISTER - SOKOLOV: ''I BELIEVE THAT BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THE AGREEMENT ABOUT TRANSITION OF NATO TROOPS TILL WEEKEND''

[14] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE HAVE AN HONOURABLE STATUS REGARDING KOSOVO QUESTION''

[15] CONFERENCE ON ''STORY OF THREE SEAS'' - ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''OUR MINISTRY SUBMITTED THE FINAL STUDY ABOUT THE LAW ON ARBITRATION TO PREMIER ECEVIT'' - MORNINGSTAR; SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF BILL CLINTON, U.S. PRESIDENT, TO CASPIAN REGION: - ''BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE CARRIES IMPORTANCE FOR US''

[16] MORNINGSTAR; SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF BILL CLINTON, U.S. PRESIDENT, TO THE CASPIAN REGION; ADDRESSES PRESS CONFERENCE

[17] EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER: - ''THE OVERSEAS COUNTRIES CANNOT DETERMINE OUR FAITH''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

FETHULLAH GULEN HAD THEIR SUPPORT TOO
It was found out that President Suleyman Demirel and the late President Ozal supported Gulen with their reference letters. Ozal and Demirel sent reference letters to the presidents and state ministers of Caucasian and Central Asian republics. Gulen was in good relations with almost everyone in the government.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL TAKES CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION PROBLEM
President Demirel took action on the international arbitration and privileges issue which are one of the biggest obstructions in front of Turkey's energy problem. Demirel who met with Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP) said that the law must be passed from the Parliament as soon as possible. Kutan supports Demirel's view. The President also asked Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to bring a constitutional change to the Parliament's agenda.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT IS IN HARMONY WITH TUSIAD
All the proposals of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) which are known as the ''10 Commandments'' in public appeared on the government programme. TUSIAD's proposals were classified as economic, social, political, and democratic. TUSIAD had distributed its ''10 Commandments'' to all deputies, to its 451 members, and 386 workers as well as to all businessmen associations in Turkey and civil organizations.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ECEVIT: UZBEKISTAN'S TOUCHINESS IS UNNECESSARY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit responded allegations claiming that Fethullah Gulen was behind the crisis between Uzbekistan and Turkey, and schools which belonged to Gulen and the National Education Ministry, were closed in Uzbekistan, by saying, ''Uzbek President has several unjust concerns about Turkey. He has taken measures to this end. Turkey does not intervene in domestic affairs of another country. I attribute great importance to the relations with Uzbekistan. We cannot admit these relations to be damaged by unneccessary touchiness.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

WRITER OF NEXT CENTURY
British The Observer Newspaper issued a list including names of 21 best writers of the 21st century. Orhan Pamuk whose works were translated into 19 foreign languages, is among the writers promising future.

DENTISTS SUMMIT
''The Dental Forum'99'' organized by the World Dentists Union (FDI) and the Turkish Dentists Union (TDB), began in Istanbul.

EUROPE: OCALAN'S TRIAL IS FAIR
Andreas Barsony, the Hungarian deputy and the Turkey Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) said that the trial of the head of terrorist organization PKK is being carried out fairly. Barsony, who spoke during the debate on the action plan of the COEPA Chairmanship Council, explained his impressions to European parliamentarians about the trial of the head of the terrorist that continues on Imralı island.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

The draft law which harmonizes the State Security Law (DGM) and the Law on the Military Judges were accepted in the Justice Commission of the Parliament by an unanimous vote. The draft is expected to be discussed at the Parliamentary General Assembly on Tuesday.

ECEVIT: WE DO NOT COMPENSATE ON CYPRUS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey does not compensate on Cyprus. Meanwhile, President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that the world countries sacrificied the Turkish Cypriots for their own interests; adding that the world countries gave the fake and baseless title of ''the government of Cyprus'' to the Greek Cypriots for their own interests.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] STATEMENT OF G-8 COUNTRIES ABOUT CYPRUS - TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY: - ''G-8'S CALL IS AN INADMISSIBLE INTERVENTION IN CYPRUS QUESTION IN A PERIOD THAT THERE IS NO JOINT GROUND BETWEEN THE SIDES'' - ''PEACE ON CYPRUS CAN ONLY BE POSSIBLE WITH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO EQUALY SOVEREIGN STATES''

The TRNC Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries issued a written statement saying that such external interventions in the Cyprus question encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards disagreement.

The statement recalled that the Greek Cypriot side's unilateral application to the European Union (EU) on behalf of whole Cyprus, has played havoc with the negotiations which were being held within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's good will mission.

The statement underlined that EU's intervention in the Cyprus question, and decisions taken at the Luksembourg Summit have eliminated the solution parameters, and hampered the solution process on the island.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side accelerated its attempts to assign air and sea bases to Greece within framework of its political, economic, and military unification process with Greece, the TRNC Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries underlined that support given to the terrorist organization PKK has deepened current lack of confidence on the island.

Stressing that a solution which is not constructed on facts, cannot be brought into force on Cyprus, the statement also noted that it is not possible to record progress in the negotiation process without easing the lack of confidence created by the Greek Cypriot side.

Recalling that the TRNC had stated that the negotiation process can only be maintained on the base of two states, and had disclosed a concrete and productive offer or August 31, 1998 envisaging confederation on Cyprus, the statement added, ''the G-8's invite a new failure by requesting negotiations to restart in unequal conditions once again. Peace on Cyprus can only be possible with the free will of two sides. Interventions of third sides will not lead the island towards peace. Peace on Cyprus can only be possible with an agreement between two equally sovereign states. A lasting solution for the regional peace and stability, will only be attained in this way.''

Pointing out that the international community should first re-evaluate the Cyprus question, the statement added, ''recognition of TRNC's existence will be helpful to form the necessary ground for meaningful negotiations. Those trying to impose useless solutions in the Cyprus question will not assist UN Secretary General's good will mission.''

[03] ''OTTOMAN VILLAGE'' OPENS IN ISTANBUL'S ATAKOY DISTRICT

Unlu, together with Ahmet Bahadirli, the Bakirkoy Mayor, also opened the ''Otag-i Humayun'' tent which was set up by Baydemirler Foreign Trade and Textile firm. The minister later enjoyed the shows of Janisary Band and Tolgahan Dance Group.

The ''Ottoman Village'' which was set up by the Prime Ministry Coordination Board of 700th Anniversary Celebrations and Terminal TV Press Agency, will stay open until July 28.

Traditional Ottoman outfits, handcrafts, and food will be promoted in the ''Ottoman Village'' and the Janisory Band will give concerts.

[04] UNDERSEA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION STARTS CAMPAING TO PROTECT MEDITERRANEAN SEAL WHICH FACES EXTINCTION

Ozan Veryeri, the SAD-AFAG Public Relations and Training Coordinator told the A.A. correspondent that they completed the projects which were supported by the World Nature Foundation six years ago and now they ran out of financial sources. Veryeri said they aimed to raise funds and also draw public's attention to the issue.

The previous ''adoption'' campaign got a lot of attention from people, Veryeri noted and said this time they targeted people ''who have more limited sources, but who want to do something for Mediterranean seals''. Those who want to sign up to become a Mediterranean Seal Volunteer for one year will pay five million TL while the students pay only three million TL. Teenagers who are younger than 18 years old can get memberships through their parents.

''We will give a certificate to our members and send them regularly our Mediterranean Wanderer bulletin. Our goal is to reach more people this way, draw them into scientific studies and raise funds. The financial support of the World Nature Foundation will completely run out by the end of this month. We have to find new sources. We are in contact with one company. They will use the Mediterranean Seal as their symbol and in return they will sponsor our scientific studies. A lot has been done for the Mediterranean Seal, but we have to work to accomplish more,'' he concluded.

[05] ECTAA SPRING MEETING TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL IN MAY 2000

Turkey Travel Agencies Union (TURSAB) which is a member of ECTAA will host the travel agency representatives of the EU countries on May 25 and 26 next year. TURSAB proposed to organize the meeting in Istanbul when it attended the meeting of ECTAA as an observor early this year. ECTAA later approved the decision.

Talha Camas, the TURSAB Chairman said that Turkey unfairly faces obstructions about its EU membership. ''ECTAA informed us about its decision with a letter signed by Sidney Perez, the TURSAB Chairman. TURSAB will hold this meeting in Istanbul before Turkey becomes a EU member. This is a big achievement for Turkey,'' Camas stated.

[06] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS, 5.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO AFRICA

In the same period last year, the region exported 1 million 860 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural products to Africa.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in the first five months of the year, they exported 4 million 739 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 625 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; and 75 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits.

The Turkish goods in greatest demand were dried apricot, cotton textile products, and lentil.

The GAP region realized 1 million 766 thousand U.S. dollars to Algeria in exports, and 1 million 725 thousand U.S. dollars to Egypt.

[07] KDP AND PUK MINIMIZE DISAGREEMENTS AT NEGOTIATIONS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

The two groups minimized their disagreements and they will finalize the negotiations after they make further progress, a Northern Iraqi official told the A.A. correspondent. A statement will be issued after the meetings end, he said and declined to give more details.

The meetings started last week under the chairmanship of Elisabeth Jones, the US Foreign Ministry's Deputy Undersecretary to Near East. The two sides discussed the disagreements stemmed from the implementation of Washington Agreement which was signed last September in Washington D.C. to make peace between KDP and PUK.

The biggest obstruction in front of the Washington Agreement was PUK's continuing support to the terrorist organization PKK. PUK gave assurance to stop its support to PKK during the negotiations.

The power distribution at temporary local administrations that are planned to be set up in Northern Iraq and the sharing of the cash provided by diesel oil trade at the Habur border gate are the other serious conflicts.

The diplomatic observors in Washington are not convinced about this warming up between PUK and KDP and they fear that the two sides might be ''pretending like they agreed'' because of the US pressure, but ''stick to their own ways'' once they are back to their own region.

However, one significant development of the meetings was that PUK, KDP and the US assured Turkey who is closely following the matter, regarding Turkey's concerns over the region's security and politics.

Sami Abdurrahman and Kemal Fuad, who are heading the KDP and PUK delegations respectively are participating in the meetings. Turkish and British diplomats were also present at the meetings' beginning. The negotiations were planned to end last Friday, but were prolonged when the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

[08] THE NSC TO CONVENE TOMORROW

The members of the newly formed 57th government will participate the NSC meeting for the first time.

Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister, and Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister, are expected to attend the meeting.

The meeting will focus on the latest developments both in Turkey and abroad.

A general presentation about fundamentalism, separatism, and organized crime, will be made at the meeting.

The latest developments in northern Iraq, Kosovo, and Cyprus will also be evaluated at the meeting.

[09] WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN TURKISH WORK FORCE TO BE DISCUSSED AT PANEL

Yasar Okuyan, the Labour and Social Security Minister; Refik Baydur, the TISK Chairman; and Bayram Meral, the Chairman of Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is), will speak at the panel.

In the meantime, the results of the ''Socio-Economic Situation of Women Work Force'' survey have been released. According to the survey, only 15.2 percent of total personnel were women at work places where the survey covered. 74.7 percent of these women work in production while 25.3 percent of them fill secretarial positions. 0.2 percent of working women are illiterate, 1.6 percent only know how to read and write. 35.6 percent of those who hold a diploma are elementary school graduates, 26.3 percent are high school graduates, and 11.5 percent are graduates of vocational schools.

Over 90 percent of employers who answered the survey questions said they were happy to have women employees and 33.2 percent of them said ''women adopt better and they have high motivation'' as the main advantage of having women employees.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WORLD ECONOMY HAS GRADUALLY STARTED TO SAVE ITSELF FROM THE RECENT CRISIS''

Noting that the difficulties of the Turkish economy also stem from financial and political reasons besides the economic ones, President Demirel said that the need of the public sector to become indebted is increasing, which is a worrying development.

Addressing to the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, President Demirel said that the exporters who represent the enterprise power of Turkey by selling goods in five continents of the world and in 135 countries, attribute great importance to participating in such meetings.

President Suleyman Demirel pointed out that they witness a clear improvement in the confidence element of the global markets.

[11] NORTHERN TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS COUNCIL BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF WORLD ASSOCIATION OF PRESS COUNCILS

Press Council said that WAPC Executive Board accepted and announced the full membership of Northern Turkish Cypriot Press Council upon the proposal of the Turkish Press Council during the regional meeting of the WAPC held in Australia between 18-20 June.

The statement pointed out that the journalists in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) established their own council by taking the Turkish Press Council as an example and applied to WAPC for full membership.

[12] CONFERENCE ON ''STORY OF THREE SEAS'' - DEMIRAG, TPAO ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE SECUREST ROUTE''

Addressing to journalists after the first part of the conference on the ''Story of Three Seas'' which was close to the press today and which started in Istanbul on Monday, Demirag said that the world needs Caspian oil.

Noting that Turkey is an important market as an energy consumer country, Osman Demirag said that the interests of the producer and consumer countries have to be taken into consideration at the same time regarding the determination of the oil prices, adding search for oil at the national level has to be given momentum.

Demirag said that efforts are launched to be the third country in the world which stores natural gas underwater.

[13] SOKOLOV, BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS ECEVIT, PRIME MINISTER - SOKOLOV: ''I BELIEVE THAT BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THE AGREEMENT ABOUT TRANSITION OF NATO TROOPS TILL WEEKEND''

Sokolov visited Prime Minister Ecevit the same day and said after the meeting that they made a beneficial meeting with Ecevit and they exchanged views about many issues that concern the two countries.

Noting that he is in consensus of opinion with Ecevit regarding the continuation of the good relations between the two countries also in the future, Sokolov said that the NATO sent a note to Bulgaria a few days ago regarding the transition of NATO troops via Bulgaria and the Bulgarian government had an extraordinary meeting and accepted this transition.

Sokolov pointed out that the return of refugees and their lives will be taken under guarantee by the deployment of peace forces in Kosovo.

Stressing that there is not any problem between Turkey and Bulgaria which can't be solved, Sokolov said that he invited Premier Ecevit to the opening of Buorna Arda dam which is the common project of the two countries.

[14] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE HAVE AN HONOURABLE STATUS REGARDING KOSOVO QUESTION''

Addressing a press briefing in Kayseri Governorship, Cem said that although bombardment stopped in Kosovo and the Serbian soldiers withdrew, the return of immigrants to their homes is just like a disaster.

''We pursued right policies both in humanitarian and military dimension regarding the Kosovo problem,'' said Cem, adding ''Turkey did her best and she contributed to protection of peace and helping people.''

Recalling that the Turkish troops who will leave for Kosovo will be deployed in the region they wish, Cem said ''Kosovar people are our people. They are the people with whom we shared a common destiny, belief and a 500- year history. However in today's conditions, Turks in Kosovo need really a special help. Thus we chose Prizren and our soldiers will deploy there.''

Noting that the deployment of Turkish troop in Kosovo will last for three weeks, Cem described the G-8 countries by saying ''their feature is their being rich.''

Referring to the proposal the G-8 countries brought regarding the Cyprus question, Cem pointed out that the U.N. Security Council will probably take a decision within the framework of this proposal.

''We didn't like the views of G-8 concerning the Cyprus question. Being rich does not bring wisdom to countries like it does not bring to people. This issue can make Turkey uneasy. But we know that the TRNC and President Denktas will overcome this like they did in the past,'' said Cem, adding ''Turkey and Mr. Denktas are resolved in this issue. Moreover Denktas is a foreign policy expert. We will always help Mr. Denktas regarding this question.''

''During the last two years, the independence of TRNC was stressed more when compared to the past,'' said Cem, pointing out that ''as I said in my speech in TRNC, Turkey wishes the independence and existance of TRNC.''

Calling the press members to take up carefully the news about security in foreign relations, Cem said ''news published in the press saying that 'Turkey was late in going to Kosovo, but Greece has already gone' shows a very irresponsible approach. Turkey had earlier recognized that she could send troops to Kosovo and applied to NATO about that on May 17. On that date, Greece didn't apply. Greece has border with Kosovo thus her soldiers easily went. But we are in a more difficult situtation, but on Friday the Bulgarian parliament will probably ratify the agreement signed with NATO. Such kind of news give damage to Turkish foreign ministry and military forces.''

Noting that there are points in which interests of the U.S. and Turkey diverge regarding the Northern Iraq, Cem said ''the territorial integrity of Iraq is very important for us. For the U.S. the change of the Iraqi regime is very important. We closely monitor the meeting held in Washington D.C. about the Northern Iraq.''

[15] CONFERENCE ON ''STORY OF THREE SEAS'' - ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''OUR MINISTRY SUBMITTED THE FINAL STUDY ABOUT THE LAW ON ARBITRATION TO PREMIER ECEVIT'' - MORNINGSTAR; SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF BILL CLINTON, U.S. PRESIDENT, TO CASPIAN REGION: - ''BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE CARRIES IMPORTANCE FOR US''

Ersumer received Richard Morningstar; the Special Representative of Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, to the Caspian Region; and met for one and a half hours.

Addressing a statement following the meeting, Ersumer said that they discussed the joint energy projects, the Eurosian oil and natural gas pipeline projects which are supported by the U.S.

Ersumer noted that they agreed that the improvement of the renewable energy resources, the inclusion of the hydrolic resources to the energy sector and the usage of clean energy will be some of the items of the agenda in the visit of Premier Bulent Ecevit to the U.S.

Ersumer stated that the studies which started after the agreement which was signed among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in 1998, still continue.

Noting that there are some discussions about the by-pass route, Ersumer stressed that they discussed the resources which will be given through this route.

Stating that the news about the alternative pipeline routes makes Morningstar uneasy, Ersumer emphasized that these routes can never be an alternative for the Baku-Ceyhan route.

Recalling that his ministry submitted the final study about the Law on Arbitration to Ecevit, Ersumer said, ''we will unite this final study with the earlier studies and submit them to the parliament. We have included the bill of law which was submitted by the Virtue Party (FP) in the concession agreement. The aim of our efforts is including the international arbitration organization in the concession agreement without violating the control of the Council of State.''

''There is only nationalization at the Constitution, there is nothing like privatization. By our efforts, we aim at including privatization as a provision in the Constitution. We want that the privatization and the nationalization can together exist in the Constitution. I do not know what Ecevit or the Council of Ministers think about this issue. But, what we have agreed upon is paving the way for the financial opportunity of the investments'', Ersumer added.

Morningstar said that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline carries importance for the U.S. ; adding that to this end, it has the priority for the two countries.

[16] MORNINGSTAR; SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF BILL CLINTON, U.S. PRESIDENT, TO THE CASPIAN REGION; ADDRESSES PRESS CONFERENCE

Morningstar, who participated in the Conference on ''The Story of Three Seas'', addressed a press conference.

Morningstar noted that the U.S. also supports Trans-Caucasus pipeline which foresees the transfer of the Turkmen natural gas and that they will do their best to realize the two pipeline projects.

When asked whether or not the world market needs new oil resources, Morningstar stated that the world needs different resources and that the variety of the kinds of oil is good for the world market.

Noting that Azerbaijan will become the exporter of natural gas in a short time, Morningstar stressed that they support the joint efforts of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in natural gas sector and that the U.S. will assist both countries in this issue.

Responding a question about the transfer of the pipelines via Iran, Morningstar emphasized that the transfer of the pipelines via Iran is not commercial beyond the political problems between the U.S. and Iran and that the route should be towards the west.

Morningstar pointed out that when the construction of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline will start and what Turkey will do for this pipeline project are still discussed, adding that there is not an appropriate route for the Baku- Ceyhan pipeline, yet.

When asked the Trade Development Agency (TDA) is carrying out some feasibility studies to transfer a route via Bulgaria, Morningstar said that TDA is a private institution and that this study does nothing to do with the Baku-Ceyhan route.

[17] EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER: - ''THE OVERSEAS COUNTRIES CANNOT DETERMINE OUR FAITH''

Addressing a statement, Eroglu noted that the Turkish Cypriots established a state on their own decision and put forward their own policy.

Eroglu stated that the policy which was put forward after taking the pulse of the nation, is being supported by Turkey.

Noting that there are two states on Cyprus but that the world insists on not understanding this truth, Eroglu said, ''we lived what Kosovo is living today, many years ago. The G-8 countries warn the United Nations (U.N) Secretariat General to start negotiations between the two states on Cyprus without a precondition as if they are living in a bloodshed. This cannot be accepted.''

Eroglu stressed that if the U.N. Security Council decides to unite the two sides on Cyprus to have negotiations without any preconditions, the TRNC will not start the negotiations without a precondition.

Stating that the U.N. Security Council have taken many decisions until today, Eroglu emphasized that the U.N. Secretariat General should know that the TRNC will not comply with such a decision.

Pointing out that there can be shuttle diplomacy between the two sides on Cyprus, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots will not start negotiations without knowing their status.

Eroglu said, ''they say that we will start negotiations without any preconditions. But, the Greek Cypriot side is sitting at the table under the title of 'republic of Cyprus.' This means that they have a precondition. We cannot accept this. If two states start the negotiations, an evaluation of present situation can be made. Maybe, the proposals we had earlier submitted, can be evaluated.''

A.A

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