Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-04-23

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 73/97 -- 23.4.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ANAP leader says Government to fall after holiday.

[02] Turkish COE group cancels meeting with Greek counterparts.

[03] Denktash: Greek Cypriots should abide by `Rules of the Game'.

[04] The Netherlands working on Turkish-Greek dialogue.

[05] Demirel interviewed on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ANAP leader says Government to fall after holiday

Yilmaz's statement -- "This time around I am not engaged in fortune-telling, I am saying it because I know it" -- has attracted attention. His lieutenants, too, believe that this time around Yilmaz really knows something.

ANAP Istanbul deputy Ali Talip Ozdemir makes a similar assessment: "This time around the situation is very different.

As far as I understand, he has received serious messages."

A high-ranking party member is also of the same opinion, and he even goes as far as naming the persons Yilmaz is relying on: "(RP deputy leader) Aydin Menderes and his friends are to withdraw their support for the government after the holiday. It has also become evident that a group from the DYP will go into action in tandem with Menderes as well"..

That means there will be a simultaneous uprising against the REFAHYOL in the RP and DYP.

[02] Turkish COE group cancels meeting with Greek counterparts

[03] Denktash: Greek Cypriots should abide by `Rules of the Game'

Pointing to a statement issued by President Glafcos Clerides to the effect that bicommunal rights of sovereignty are not acceptable, Denktash claimed: "In other words, he is refusing to abide by the rules of the game even though our legitimate rights were granted to us by the UN Secretary General. In addition, the 1960 agreements stipulate that Cyprus cannot join any organization that does not include both motherlands. This, too, is among the rules of the game. Moreover, the UN Secretary-General is also saying that two semi-referendums should be held for securing conciliation and membership in the EU. Clerides is rejecting this as well."

With regard to Cyprus' application for EU membership, he claimed: "We will be handing Greece the deed of Cyprus with our own hands if we do not collect our wits. It is everybody's most vital and national duty to safeguard the Turkish-Greek balance and not let anything whatsoever undermine it."

[04] The Netherlands working on Turkish-Greek dialogue

A high ranking official from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, replying to questions by an Anatolia Agency correspondent, said that a reply is expected from the Turkish and Greek sides by this weekend. He added that the ministry is getting prepared to make a statement on the establishment of a dialogue by next week the latest. Noting that the Netherlands does not aim to impose any solutions to either side with regard to the Turkish Greek dialogue, the official added that the aim is to bring the two sides together and make progress in solving the problems.

[05] Demirel interviewed on Cyprus

"Akis: How do you assess the latest political developments in the Cyprus problem?

Demirel: First of all, I congratulate our kinsmen on the occasion of the Holy Kurban Bayram. The Turkish Cypriot people after going through long and arduous years of struggle have arrived to the present. They rightly deserve their freedom. They have secured their existence through their blood and lives. It has been a long and honourable path. With firmness and patience progress will be made along this path. Turkey, fulfilling its undertakings stipulated by treaties and history, realized the 20 July operation and secured peace in Cyprus. And today as well peace and tranquility in Cyprus or in the Aegean is under Turkey's assurance.

The struggle waged by the TRNC today is against the mentality that refuses to accept the security, political equality, right to self-rule and self- determination, even the right to live of the Turkish Cypriot people.

It is time for the international community to make the right diagnosis to the Cyprus problem. Changing world conditions every passing day further confirm the rightness of the Turkish thesis in Cyprus. It is necessary to make the right diagnosis in Cyprus, who is right, who is wrong, who is just and who is not.

Today in Cyprus there are two different democracies and administrations. It is out of question for one of these to have right and sovereignty claims over the other. It is contrary to history and to present realities. If the settlement is just and is based on the realities, then it has a chance to prove successful. And this can only be secured through the free will of the two peoples and through negotiations. This path can be opened through establishing trust and developing constructive relations between the sides. Bicommunality, bizonlaity both sides' political equality and Turkey's effective guarantorship constitute the unrelinquished basis of the settlement. There could be no bargaining on this issue.

We appreciate the stance of our Turkish Cypriot brethren for favouring peace and negotiations. Turkey wholeheartedly supports this stance.

The support we are extending to the negotiation process does not mean that our stance regarding the decision by the Greek Cypriot Administration to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island has changed. These missiles should definitely not be deployed on the island.

Cyprus's membership to the EU prior to Turkey's membership will tilt the balance existing in the East Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece, and this cannot be accepted.

I believe that the Turkish Cypriot people's strong tradition in democracy, and the unity and understanding necessary for the national cause will overcome all kinds of difficulties. A bright future awaits the TRNC. (Paragraph omitted).

AKIS: Regarding the EU issue. Recently the EU's Association Council meeting did not take place. As you know it was postponed. Here a situation exists where the Turkish Cypriots are not present and there is also the fact that the status of the Turkish Cypriots is not accepted. And they say that under these conditions the Turkish Cypriots could be represented. How do you assess it?

Demirel: We are of the view that Cyprus should not become member of the EU where Turkey is not included. We do not make any concession on this.

AKIS: Also, recently a formula is being drawn for a "Multinational Force". It is being done to water down the guarantees. This is an initiative put forward by the Greek Cypriot side to loosen and break down the ties between Turkey and the TRNC. How do you see this issue of the Multinational Force?

Demirel: Don't worry about this issue. Turkey will never step in a trap. That is, Turkey will never agree to such things that endanger North Cyprus's security. In fact North Cyprus's security is no different than that of Turkey. It is the same thing, be it Edirne's (Adrianopolis: Tr. note) or Kars's or north Cyprus's or Antalya's security.

AKIS: Despite all the goodwill demonstrated by Turkey and the TRNC, if the Greek Cypriot side becomes an EU member, with Greece's support, what should the Turkish Cypriots do? Should they feel helpless? Isn't there any alternative?

Demirel: Don't be pessimistic. There are a lot of alternatives.

And Cyprus' destiny is the same as Turkey's. For this reason you must continue to trust Turkey. Turkey in no way will leave the Turkish Cypriots alone. This is a national cause. You have always heard this from me. You will always hear this from me.

You will hear it from all the rulers of Turkey. There is a single mouth in Turkey `when Cyprus is mentioned'. It is a dear problem to us. I would like to tell to my Cypriot brethren to be at ease. We are following everything. I want them to celebrate and enjoy their bayram."

(MY)

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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