|
|
|
Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media 96-08-29
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA
No.155/96 29.8.96
NEWS ITEMS
1. "Coalition" receives vote of confidence.
2. Denktash reportedly preparing referendum on
Cyprus solution.
3. Turkey said to advise Denktash against holding
a referendum.
---------------------------
NEWS ITEMS
1. "Coalition" receives vote of confidence
According to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 28.8.96)
the "coalition government" of the National Unity Party (NUP) and
the Democratic Party (DP) has received a vote of confidence at the
so-called Assembly. It received 31 votes in favour and 18
against. One "deputy" could not participate in the voting because
he is abroad. The "government" needed a simple majority for a
vote of confidence.
2. Denktash reportedly preparing referendum on Cyprus solution
According to CUMHURIYET (26.8.96), President Glafcos
Clerides' rejection of UN Secretary General's proposal that he
"agree to issue a joint statement with Rauf Denktash in support of
a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem" has moved the "TRNC" to
consider holding a referendum on the Cyprus problem.
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has begun to make
intensive preparations for a referendum, in which the Turkish
Cypriots will be asked "whether they support the establishment of
a federation."
It has been reported that he plans to hold the referendum
regardless of the election confusion in the United States.
And the article in CUMHURIYET continues: "Denktash
reacted to Clerides' rejection by saying: 'The hope for the
establishment of a federation has been lost. We must quickly move
to hold a referendum to establish our new strategy.' Obviously,
what Denktash wants is to have the TRNC integrate with Turkey
before he dies...
The TRNC is supported by Ankara in the military,
political, and economic fields. Denktash wants to conclude an
agreement with Turkey in order to make official all the relations
between the two sides. Meanwhile, he wholeheartedly supports
Democratic Left Party leader Bulent Ecevit's proposal for
`autonomous' relations.
Denktash' serious approach on the holding of a referendum
in north Cyprus has made the opposition parties in the TRNC
uneasy. The Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and the Communal
Liberation Party (CLP) have said that they are worried about the
outcome of a referendum that may be held before a census in north
Cyprus.
The RTP and CLP support the establishment of a federation
under Turkey's effective guarantee. They also support Cyprus'
accession to the EU after a bizonal and bicommunal federation is
established. They are convinced that the existing tension must
not be worsened and the Greek Cypriot side must not be given an
opportunity to join the EU by itself. They are also convinced
that the TRNC's integration with Turkey would worsen the
international pressure on Ankara."
And the article concludes: "In a statement to the daily
KIBRIS, which is published by Asil Nadir in north Cyprus,
Professor Erol Manisali, who is known to be close to Rauf
Denktash, has said that relations between the Greek Cypriot side
and the EU would finalize the division of the island. Manisali is
a lecturer at the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics.
Stressing that the new Turkish Government has reformed Turkey's
foreign policy, he asserted: `I believe that rational changes
will be effected in Turkey's policy on Cyprus'."
3. Turkey said to advise Denktash against holding a referendum
Sami Kohen in MILLIYET (28.8.96) writes that Turkish
Foreign Ministry deputy under secretary, Ambassador Inal Batu, is
going to the occupied area to urge Denktash and the Turkish
Cypriot leadership that the time is not appropriate for holding a
referendum regarding federation in the occupied area because that
referendum will lead to "integration" with Turkey and hence to the
division of the island.
Kohen says that at this stage Ankara considers the
holding of a referendum as harmful to the Turkish side because, he
adds, in case of an "integration", if the Cyprus Republic is
admitted to the EU, then Turkey will find itself in the position
of occupying a piece of land that belongs to the EU. Kohen points
out that "official integration with Turkey in reality will not
change anything because, clearly, the Turkish side is already
integrated with Turkey. Making it official will neither secure
the TRNC's recognition by other countries nor will it stop the
Greek Cypriot side's entry into the EU nor will it change the
(economic) situation of the Turks on the island".
He concludes by urging the Erbakan government to extend
economic aid to the occupied area so that it may overcome its
economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30
hours, 28.8.96) Ambassador Inal Batu, has arrived in the
pseudostate to hold various contacts. Batu said that he has not
brought any proposals and that he will be holding talks. On his
arrival at occupied Tymbou airport and speaking at an airport news
conference, Batu said that he arrived on the island in accordance
with the declaration signed between Turkish President Suleyman
Demirel and Rauf Denktash on 27 December 1995, envisioning the
increase of political consultations between Turkey and the
pseudostate. Noting that the formation of a new "government"
played a significant role in the timing of his visit, Batu added
that the wish to assess the situation created by the recent
regrettable incidents has also played a significant role in
planning this visit. He noted that during his contacts views will
also be exchanged on the timing and content of the various
high-ranking visits to be exchanged between Turkey and the
pseudostate in the period ahead. Batu added that he will be
holding intense contacts during his stay.
Replying to reporters' questions, Batu said that the
Greek Cypriot side has rejected a meeting between the Turkish
Cypriot and Greek Cypriot commanders and added that the ball is
now in the Greek Cypriot court with regard to this issue.
Also speaking at the conference, Taner Etkin, so-called
Foreign Minister, said that during Batu's two-day stay on the
island the "national cause" and the Cyprus problem will be
reviewed and views will be exchanged. Etkin added that this will
be an excellent indication of the solidarity and cooperation that
exist between Turkey and the pseudostate.
Batu later left the airport for a meeting with Turkish
"envoy" Aydan Karahan. Batu later met with Denktash and so-called
Assembly Speaker Ayhan Halit Acarkan. Karahan was present at both
meetings. In a statement during his meeting with Acarkan, Batu
recalled that the Denktash-Demirel declaration envisioned closer
and more intense consultations between Turkish and "TRNC
officials" adding that he came to the island with that purpose in
mind.
--------------------------------
EF/SK
|
