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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-31From: "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.235/96 31.12.96CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Demirel on CyprusAccording to TRT (8:00 hours, 28.12.96) Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, during his end of year news conference, he referred to the Cyprus problem and said: "As for Cyprus, Turkey is in favour of a just and realistic solution to the Cyprus problem. Turkey believes that such a solution can be attained within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's goodwill mission, through negotiations and the free will of the two communities in Cyprus. A realistic solution must ensure the protection of the Turkish Cypriot people's rights and interests, which were guaranteed by the 1960 agreements; It must guarantee their sovereignty rights, political equality, and security; and it must enable the continuation of the balance established between Turkey and Greece by means of the 1960 agreements. In this regard, Turkey's effective and de facto guarantee is of vital importance and must definitely continue."He also said that Turkey, "is determined to protect the Turkish Cypriot people's legitimate rights and interests, which stem from international agreements, in the future as well." He added that "everyone should be well aware of who would pay the price of renewed disturbances. It goes without saying that such actions -- namely, the armament efforts and the provocations -- will not facilitate the solution of the Cyprus problem and that Turkey will not tolerate developments that could pose a threat to the security of the Turkish Cypriot community or to its own territories." On the EU membership issue, he said: "As stated in the joint declaration issued with Rauf Denktash, `president of the TRNC', in Ankara on 28 December 1995, Cyprus can become a member of the EU only after the political solution has been attained in Cyprus and simultaneously with Turkey. This requirement stems from the 1960 agreements and aims at perpetuating Cyprus' independence, as well as the intercommunal equality on which this independence is based, by preserving the balance between Turkey and Greece. It is clear that nothing can be achieved by ignoring the existence of this foundation", he added. He also said that the economy of the "TRNC" must be strengthened and the economic cooperation "protocol", which Turkey and the "TRNC" are planning to sign within this context, must be concluded as soon as possible. [02] Denktash claims BBC Program `biased,' `integration not annexation'According to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 30.12.96) in a statement to the press, Rauf Denktash said that branches of the press that deal with foreign contacts in particular should be more effective in the face of Greek Cypriot "propaganda campaign". He expressed his pleasure over a report by illegal Bayrak Radio and Television on a BBC program assessing the Cyprus issue. Expressing the belief that illegal BRT will continue its mission successfully, Denktash said that, in this way, "the people will be able to follow and assess what has been said to foreign correspondents who visit Cyprus." Pointing out that foreign correspondents arriving on the island inquire whether there are domestic differences of views regarding the Cyprus issue, Denktash claimed that most of the foreign correspondents are influenced by the information they receive from the Greek Cypriot side. He noted that exposing domestic strife in statements made to the foreign press on the Cyprus issue can only damage the "national cause", adding that foreign correspondents inquire whether there are any differences of views between the pseudostate and Turkey. "Let us not forget that they come to us with the intention of pursuing the policies of the government their press represents", he added.Denktash claimed that the commentary on Cyprus carried by the BBC last Sunday evening was biased. Pointing out that Cyprus' application to the EU was discussed, Denktash said that despite all that has been said, "an attempt was made to create the impression that this development would play a positive role in the solution of the Cyprus problem." Denktash claimed: "The lie that Turkey has announced that it will annex the island if Cyprus joins the EU is being spread deliberately". He said that integration is not annexation and that the "TRNC's" integration with Turkey will be balanced against the free area's membership in the EU. Denktash said that this integration will be realized in the same fields and in the same manner. He claimed that when Cyprus' membership in the EU is being discussed, one should always ask which Cyprus, alleging that "there are two Cypruses, two peoples, two administrations, two states, and two democratic entities on the island." [03] Denktash welcomes Demirel remarks, rejects Russian proposalAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 29.12.96) Denktash has described the statement made by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel on the Cyprus issue as "a realistic and timely one". "This statement is the most beautiful, precious, and meaningful new year gift the motherland could give to the Turkish Cypriot people", he added.In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency) Denktash assessed the statement Demirel made on the Cyprus issue, and said: "I hope that everyone will seriously assess this announcement made by our guarantor, Turkey." He noted that Demirel once again stressed the principles on which the Turkish Cypriots have been insisting for years. Denktash claimed that the Greek-Greek Cypriot partnership is acting as though these principles do not exist and is trying to deceive the world via the EU member countries. He alleged: "They may deceive the EU member countries and even the entire world; however, if they fail to deceive the TRNC and the Turkish peoples, they can achieve nothing. Clerides is an intelligent and balanced leader. I hope he will make a realistic assessment of Demirel's statement. I once again extend my sincerest thanks to our motherland and to Demirel, its president." In reply to a question on the Russian proposal that the Cyprus issue be handed over to the five permanent members of the Security Council, Denktash claimed the following: "Russia is inordinately serving the Greek Cypriots. This proposal indirectly raises the issue of an international conference. This is something the Greek Cypriots have wanted for years. Why? Because at such a conference, the Greek Cypriot side, posing as the government, will represent Cyprus. We will be dragged into it as a community. Everyone knows that we will not be deceived by such a plot. Turkey cannot attend such a conference, because it runs counter to the 1960 agreements and the principle of equality. It would be the continuation of the injustices that have been committed against us. This is a very deceitful ploy." [04] German tourists caught by Denktash's regimeAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 30.12.96) guards from the so-called security forces of the pseudostate have "arrested" four German tourists -- one woman and three men -- for violating the "borders" of the pseudostate. According to information received from the so-called security forces press bureau, the tourists parked their car in the area of the British bases and crossed the "TRNC border" by foot. Guards caught them in the garden of the church in deserted Achna village. The "press bureau" claimed: "We believe that the Greek Cypriots encouraged them to come to the region and that this is a Greek Cypriot provocation." EF/SK |
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