Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-27

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.233/96 24-25-26-27.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu welcomes Erbakan statement on Cyprus' EU membership.

[02] Turkish Party leader claims army preparing a coup.

[03] Etkin criticizes UNSC resolution.

[04] Former ANAP deputy returns to party.

[05] Turkey reportedly to acquire WS-1 missiles from PRC. 6. Kornblum speaks of "strong consensus" that the Cyprus problem needs to be solved.

[07] Population in the occupied area almost 200,000.

[08] Denktash meets Egyptian Ambassador.

[09] Turkish Parliamentarians in the occupied area.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu welcomes Erbakan statement on Cyprus' EU membership

Denktash met with Eroglu and Serdar Denktash, "state minister and deputy prime minister", within the framework of their weekly routine meetings. In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu said that domestic issues as well as the recent developments on the Cyprus issue were assessed with Denktash. In reply to a question, Eroglu said that developments on the Cyprus issue are continuing and claimed: "Intense efforts are being exerted to eliminate the TRNC. We should increase our sensitivity on the issue and explain our cause to the world. At a time when there are attempts to take away our land and our state, the Turkish Cypriot people should show the world that they are in unity and solidarity. The time has come to become a single voice and declare that we will protect our state."

Pointing out that the Turkish people are very sensitive to the Cyprus issue, Eroglu alleged: "They are applying pressure on us with ulterior motive. They have adopted a stand aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem to our detriment."

In reply to another question, Eroglu said that when a Turkish Cypriot delegation goes to Ankara to sign the Turkish-"TRNC" so-called protocol, the Cyprus question will be included among the issues to be assessed in Turkey. He stressed that the issue will definitely be discussed at the so-called Assembly. Noting that the date of the Ankara visit will be set within a few days, Eroglu welcomed the statement made by Turkish Prime Minister Erbakan that if the Greek Cypriot side joins the EU despite Turkey, Turkey will move toward integration with the "TRNC". He added, however, that certain circles were disturbed by this statement. Eroglu said that Erbakan's statement is significant from the viewpoint of demonstrating the importance Turkey attaches to the Cyprus question.

[02] Turkish Party leader claims army preparing a coup

Guzel said in a news conference that all the sections of the society should stand up for democracy. Guzel said: "Regrettably, a military intervention exists on Turkey's agenda. I received important intelligence on the coup issue. Regrettably, the conditions necessary for a coup have matured." He added: "The claims about reactionary activities, irregularities and mafia, separatist terrorism, social movements and political bottlenecks face us like the five horses of the Apocalypse. With help from the media there is an attempt to show the Susurluk incident as the last straw. We have to stop coup-mongering and stand up for Turkey and democracy."

Noting that President Demirel is doing everything he can to stand up for democracy, Guzel said: "Esteemed Demirel does not want to pick up his hat and leave. That is why he brought the leaders together. To warn about a possible coup was the real aim of the meeting which was held in the presidential palace and presented as a summit to discuss the Susurluk case. Demirel warned the leaders about a coup."

Claiming that 72 percent increase in military salaries was approved out of the fear of a coup, Guzel added: "The army is the crucible of the Prophet. I too love our soldiers. However, the army's task is to defend the country and the national borders against the outside world. If a new military intervention takes place in Turkey then the car of democracy will tumble down the abyss. Even if proceeding slow, democracy is now functioning."

Reminding that the claims of the state using people like Abdullah Catli in some operations are not new, Guzel said: "Such people started to be used with the order issued by the martial law commanders who carried out the 12 September 1980 coup. If need be, I can give information to the president and judiciary in this regard."

[03] Etkin criticizes UNSC resolution

In a written statement he issued, Etkin claimed that "laying the grounds of the UNSC resolution on the Cyprus government concept is not in line with the principle of equality and the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission."

Recalling that according to the UN set of ideas the EU issue would be taken up and concluded between the sides after a comprehensive solution is achieved and a separate referendum held, Etkin criticized the UN resolution for not referring to the Greek Cypriot refusal to engage in talks with the Turkish Cypriots. He said that the resolution treated equally the killings during the summer "border" incidents and the, as he called them, "planned murders of Turkish Cypriot soldiers in order to mitigate the crimes of the Greek Cypriots".

[04] Former ANAP deputy returns to party

[05] Turkey reportedly to acquire WS-1 missiles from PRC

Considering the long-range missiles that Iran, Iraq, and Syria have, Turkey made a proposal to the United States, France, the PRC and Israel to agree to a joint initiative on missiles nearly two years ago. Israel and the PRC responded to it but the United States and France failed to do so. The officials assessed their offers and decided to conclude an agreement with the PRC.

Reportedly, no disclosure has been made on the talks that were held on the international agreement, because it called for the transfer of technology. But, reportedly, the project, which will cost $150 million, will be realized in two stages. The two countries will jointly manufacture WS-1 missiles with a range of 80 km.

According to the first stage of the agreement, Turkey will acquire a battery of 19 WS-1 missiles from the PRC and the two countries will later move to jointly manufacture another five batteries in Turkey. The second stage calls for the production of missiles with a minimum range of 150 km. Reportedly, the missiles will be mounted on large trucks, which also will be manufactured in Turkey.

[06] Kornblum speaks of "strong consensus" that the Cyprus problem needs to be solved

"I think that we have all the elements for solution there. It is a question of the participants that includes the parties on the island - it includes the European Union, it includes the United States, it includes the United Nations - all the parties now need to determined whether the time has come for a resolution", he said.

"(British) Secretary (of Foreign Affairs, Malcolm) Rifkind made a very important push with his visit (to Cyprus). We will be working once our team is in place. We are also working very hard to see whether the time has come to make such a push," Kornblum added.

Asked if he thinks the willingness of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots to enter into direct negotiations is the most crucial element of the settlement Kornblum said:

"I am not going to talk to you about what a settlement would entail. "That's your view. I think it's a very complex issue." He added that he did not intend to discuss the situation further.

[07] Population in the occupied area almost 200,000

The so-called State Planning Organization "under secretary" Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, at a press conference yesterday, declared that according to the census held on 15 December, 1996 the population of the occupied area is 198,215.

According to the 1960 census, there were 104,000 Turkish Cypriots on the island.

Bulunc said that according to the first information coming in, more than half of the population in the occupied area live in urban areas.

Bulunc added that the census figures are not final and that small discrepancies might appear.

Bulunc further said that according to the 1992 data the number of mainland settlers is 25 thousand.

		  General Population distribution

             General  %Distri     Urban  %Distri     Rural  %Distri
District
Nicosia       89,152   44.98     59,300   56.69     29,852   31.89
Famagusta     71,702   36.17     32,762   31.32     38,940   41.60
Kyrenia       37,361   18.85     12,543   11.99     24,818   26.51
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total        198,215  100.00    104,605  100.00     93,610  100.00

			      Nicosia
Township
Central       61,667   69.17     39,973   67.41     21.694   72.67
Morphou       18,212   20.43     12.859   21.68      5,353   17.93
Lefka          9,273   10.40      6.468   10.91      2,805    9.40
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total         89,152  100.00     59,300  100.00     29,852  100.00

			     Famagusta
Township
Central       44,385   61.90     27,742   84.68     16,643   42.74
Lefkoniko      8,248   11.50      1,262    3.85      6,986   17.94
Trikomo        8,177   11.40      2,722    8.31      5,455   14.01
Galatia       10,892   15.19      1,036    3.16      9,856   25.31
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total         71,702  100.00     32,762  100.00     38,940  100.00

			      Kyrenia
Township      37,361  100.00     12,543  100.00     24,818  100.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total         37,361  100.00     12,543  100.00     24,818  100.00

[08] Denktash meets Egyptian Ambassador

There was no statement after the meeting. (MY)

[09] Turkish Parliamentarians in the occupied area

The delegation had met with Denktash Atun and Pasalar.

The delegation will continue its contacts.