Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-04-29

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Wednesday, April 29, 1998

Turks withdraw recognition demand

THE apparent softening of the Turkish side's stance on previous demands of recognition of the Denktash regime before talks can restart was the main news item in all Greek newspapers on Tuesday.

Phileleftheros says that the Reuters news agency reported from Ankara that a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said that recognition is not a precondition for talks but added that it still remains an important issue.

On the same issue the paper says that the Turkish Anatolia news agency said in a report that the same official had said that there are two independent states in Cyprus.

The paper reports that in view of this mix-up the Cypriot government is awaiting the arrival of US Presidential Envoy Richard Holbrooke to clarify the situation.

On another issue the paper reports that a Cypriot priest has been affected by the Aids virus. The paper says that the Archbishop is aware of the fact. The priest was contacted by the newspaper but denied the reports.

Alithia reports that Ankara has withdrawn its demand for recognition of the Denktash regime.

The paper carries a reaction on the issue by Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades who said that if the report is true then this is a positive development.

The paper also reports that a Kurd arrested for selling a Kurdish magazine has been set free.

It is also reported that Turkey on Monday lifted its embargo on cruise ships which had docked at Cypriot ports.

Simerini in its report for the new Turkish stance on the issue of recognition points out that this is in direct conflict with a joint declaration by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and Turkish Cypriot Rauf Denktash that recognition is a precondition for the start of talks.

The paper quotes a legal source as saying that under the latest developments the best solution Greek Cypriots can expect to be put forward would be that of confederation.

Machi reports that the government continues to be optimistic regarding the prospects of a new round of Cyprus peace talks.

The paper says that the Turkish side seems to favour a Dayton-style peace conference during which the Turkish Cypriots would be regarded as equals to the Cypriot government.

Akel-backed Haravghi charges that Kurd Ramazan Celik, arrested for selling a Kurdish magazine, was the victim of an intervention by officials of the American embassy in Cyprus.

The paper says that the fact that police acted following an American intervention constitutes a major political issue.

Agon reports that the Americans have prepared detailed maps to be used during the Cyprus peace talks they hope to convene this summer.

The paper says that the maps are based on population composition, percentage of land and economic factors.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article