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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-13From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleTURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.226/96 13.12.96CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Denktash on Greek Cypriot missile purchaseAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 12.12.96) Aziz Altay, so-called chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Resistance Association", and the association's administrative council members called on Denktash yesterday morning. In a statement at the meeting Denktash said "that the Greek Cypriots cannot be victorious in the war they will be initiating with the aim of turning the island into a Greek Cypriot Republic". He added: "There are 65 million some 40 miles away. They will not desert Cyprus, they cannot do that." Describing the Greek Cypriot behaviour as "insensible", Denktash alleged that such a situation would be tantamount to opening Turkey's southern ports to the "enemy", adding that "Turkey has the right to defend its blood brothers for strategic, geopolitical and historic reasons."Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots are trying to ensure their security through the multi-national force and by joining the EU, Denktash addressed himself to the Greek Cypriots: "You cannot eliminate the guarantees that ensure the island's security just because you want be secure. Renounce this kind of reasoning." Claiming that the Greek Cypriot principle is to transform Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot Republic, Denktash said that the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is to prevent this and defend its partnership rights granted through the 1960 agreements. He added that both sides will advocate these principles, will not concede, and, if necessary, will fight for them. Reiterating his claim that the Cyprus Government is getting ready to fight, Denktash said: "I am calling on Clerides. Do you not love Greece? As much as we love Turkey." Alleging that the Turkish Cypriots are "putting up with everything" to avoid involving Turkey in a war and are refraining from provocations, Denktash said that it would be easy to ignite clashes between Turkey and Greece and to begin a war in Cyprus. He continued: "It will be very difficult for us to endure the consequences of this war and everyone will suffer in Cyprus". Reiterating that the Turkish Cypriots have "territorial, sovereignty and equality rights", Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriots have expelled the Turkish Cypriots from their own territory. He said that the Greek Cypriots should accept "the inalienability of the Turkish Cypriot right to equal sovereignty." [02] Turkish columnist likens Ciller to "Turkish diva" and "Lucretia Borgia"Semih Idiz, writing in Turkish Daily News (12.12.96) on the occasion of Tansu Ciller's visit to Dublin, inter alia, says: "Deputy Prime and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller is preparing to travel to Dublin to attend the dinner with her European counterparts immediately after this weekend's EU summit.She will be travelling to the Irish capital essentially as a me ssenger for Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan in order to explain why he turned down Irish prime minister John Bruton's invitation to the EU's post summit dinner. Knowing Ciller as we do, she will undoubtedly try to en gage in an `extracurricular' effort to present herself as anything but Erbakan's messenger. In Dublin she will moan and groan about how the EU has not fulfilled its obligations towards Turkey, and try to smooth her way in this by talking about a vague `human rights package' submitted to parliament, and about whose true merit the Turkish public (supposedly the beneficiary) knows hardly anything. But the feedback from Europe is that patience is wearing thin there, and no one is prepared to be captivated by the charming smiles of the `Turkish diva' anymore. If anything, Ciller can expect some hard hitting questi ons about Turkey's sincerity in fulfilling the promises that she herself made to Europe when she was riding high as prime minister. She can also expect to be grilled about certain recent remarks of hers which, if anything, put her in the league of history's Lucretia Borgia's." [03] Turkish occupation army officers involved in antiques smugglingYENIDUZEN (13.12.96) reports that shocking developments regarding the smuggling of antiques and icons have occurred and four army officers were arrested regarding the case (see Turkish Mass Media Bulletin No. 225/96, dated, 12.12.96, item 3).YENIDUZEN says that the so-called military prosecutor h as started an inquiry regarding the case. The paper adds that the icons were stolen from the Ayia Thekla church in occupied Marathovouno. YENIDUZEN reports that Greek inscriptions on the icons were used as a clue to find out which church they had been stolen from. It further adds that so-called Interior Ministry officials went to Ayia Thekla church two years ago to make an inventory but they were told to go back because the church was situated "within the military prohibited area." YENIDUZEN speaks about the existence of a big antiques smuggling gang "where army officers as well as civilians are involved." Meanwhile, Denktash's police found in a shop run by Barbara Elizabeth Busbridgage, 238 old coins. Mrs Busbridgage claimed that the coins were given to her by her divorced husband Ibrahim Dundar. Busbridgage and Dundar were taken in custody for further inquiry. (MY) [04] Serdar Denktash proposes bi-state solutionAccording to YENIDUZEN (13.12.96) the so-called deputy foreign and defence minister of the pseudostate, Serdar Denktash, replying to criticism raised by the opposition at the pseudo Assembly during the debate on the said "Ministry's" budget, proposed to start sounding out about the establishment of a bicommunal, bi-state system in Cyprus instead of a bicommunal and bizonal system.Replying to Denktash's proposal, the Republican Turkish Party secretary general Ferdi Sabit Soyer strongly criticized Serdar Denktash for his bi-state proposal. The Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci as well criticized Serdar Denktash saying that this was wrong. (MY) EF/SK |