Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-05-05

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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. 78/97 -- 3-4-5.5.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Russian Duma members in the occupied area.

[02] Duma delegation continues contacts.

[03] Denktash on exchange of property.

[04] New book by Salahi Sonyel.

[05] SOS Children Villages chairman in the occupied area.

[06] Dome Hotel to be "privatized".

[07] Ciller on Turkey-EU Association Council.

[08] "Melvin Jones Fellowship" for Rauf Denktash.

[09] Turkish Cypriot "envoy" defends "TRNC airspace" - Denktash on British elections.

[10] Turkish link in UK's biggest heroin haul.

[11] Tourism deal between pseudostate and Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Russian Duma members in the occupied area

The coordinator of the Duma's delegation, Rinar Sultanov, has said that "it is necessary to know the views of both sides in Cyprus. It would be strange to reach a judgement through the views of one side". He added that it is for this reason that they have visited the occupied area.

The delegation had meetings with Atun, Serdar Denktash, Taner Etkin and Eroglu.

Sultanov said that they have an official view regarding Cyprus but this does not mean that it cannot be changed. He further added that the feeling they got during their short stay is that they need to learn more about North Cyprus. Sultanov went on and said that their visit was a first step and that it was possible to create a ground for developing bilateral relations.

Speaking to the visiting Russian parliamentarians, Hakki Atun said that this visit will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem. He added that the information the Duma members will receive in the occupied area will be conveyed to the Duma in a realistic manner.

In his turn, Dervis Eroglu pointed out the importance of the visit saying that it was the first time that Duma members were visiting the occupied area. He added that the visit gains further importance due to the fact that Russia is one of the UN Security Council's permanent members.

The delegation also had a meeting with the so-called Legal and Political Affairs Committee of the pseudo-assembly.

KIBRIS reports that Sultanov, speaking during the delegation's contacts, alleged that the visit was a new start for them, because, as he put it, "there is information regarding the Cyprus problem that is not objective". "The world should not be a single but a multicentre place and the interests of all countries, be it small or big, should be taken into account," he added. (MY)

[02] Duma delegation continues contacts

Speaking to illegal BRT, Rinar Sultanov, deputy from Baskerdistan, has said that they are on a familiarization visit to the occupied area.

Sultanov added that this part of Cyprus is completely unknown to them, that one-sided views can never be objective and that during their visits they gained positive impressions.

However, he added, they do not want to act hastily in reaching a conclusion.

When asked to comment on the future developments Sultanov said that the most important thing is that a cooperation should be established which will safeguard the interests of the sides. He said "dialogue and cooperation is important".

In his turn, Insaf Sayfullin, deputy from Tataristan, asked for the establishment of relations with the occupied area in the scientific, economic and cultural fields.

YENI DEMOKRAT (3.5.97) gives the names of the Russian Duma deputies that are visiting the occupied area. As cited in the paper, they are:

Bagautdinov Gilmurdinovic Baknienko Yurievic Emalyanov Vasilyevic Sagetgaliev Islamovic Sayfullin Sharifullogic Oinvid Mihailovic Budajanov Purbuevic Rinar Sultanov

The two scholars who came with the deputies are:

The President of Kazan State University, Degiorev Gennady, and the Member of the Baskirdistan Republic's Academy of Sciences Higher Council, Majitov Niyaz. (MY)

[03] Denktash on exchange of property

Speaking at the occupied Tymbou airport upon his return from Turkey, Denktash said that the population exchange was arranged with a view to creating bizonality and that it was necessary to realize the exchange of property, as a prerequisite for bizonality. (MY)

[04] New book by Salahi Sonyel

The publisher of the 200 hundred-page new book is "The Eothen Press". The book is about the political developments in Cyprus between 1960-1965. (MY)

[05] SOS Children Villages chairman in the occupied area

Mr. Kutin had meetings with Hakki Atun and Ertugrul Hasipoglu. (MY)

[06] Dome Hotel to be "privatized"

The paper says that the opening price for the tender is 3.5 m US Dollars and for 100 thousand dollars as yearly rent.

The Dome Hotel, which belongs to Greek Cypriots, is under the management of the so-called "Vakif Administration". (MY)

[07] Ciller on Turkey-EU Association Council

[08] "Melvin Jones Fellowship" for Rauf Denktash

[09] Turkish Cypriot "envoy" defends "TRNC airspace" - Denktash on British elections

Osman Ertug made the statement in response to Greek Cypriot administrators who have been writing to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan complaining that Turkish planes violate Cyprus airspace.

"The flights occur in TRNC airspace with the knowledge of the TRNC administration," Ertug claimed in a letter to the UN.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, speaking at a university in the western province of Canakkale, said that "Turkish Cypriots won't bow to the Greek Cypriots".

Responding to a question on remarks by the British Labour Party's shadow foreign minister backing Greek Cypriot membership in the European Union, Denktash said that Britain would never sacrifice Turkey's friendship. "Britain can never give or force someone else to give Cyprus to Greece."

However, Denktash said that there is truth to the idea that Britain has always backed Cyprus on the issue, but that the declaration signed between President Suleyman Demirel and Denktash will always be given importance whoever comes into power after the elections in Britain.

[10] Turkish link in UK's biggest heroin haul

Heroin weighing 250 kilos, with a street value estimated at more than 20 million was seized and two as-yet-unnamed Turkish nationals arrested in London on Tuesday.

The capital's radio and TV stations broadcast virtually hourly "news flashes" as soon as the swoop in Hornsey was announced.

A statement by police said the two Turks, living in London, were arrested when they came to collect the heroin hidden in two boxes used for importing clothes at an industrial complex.

It said the raid was yet another sign of immense quantities of heroin and other drugs coming from Turkey - a prominent feature about to be highlighted in Britain's annual HM Customs and Excise report.

The previous largest haul of heroin -- again Turkey-routed -- involved 165 kilos.

The nationwide Operation Flounder dragnet has continued over many months and appeals have gone out for any helpful information to be passed either to British embassies, the British High Commission in Cyprus or UK drugs hotlines which can be provided by these authorities for confidential calls.

In November alone, 70,000 Ecstasy tablets and 150 kilos of heroin were discovered on a lorry in Dover and later, a 77-year-old man from the pseudostate was found at Stansted Airport with six kilos of heroin, with more in his son's Tottenham, London, home.

[11] Tourism deal between pseudostate and Turkey

Yucel said he found the city "well-preserved" and added that the healthiest solution for Cyprus would be full membership in the European Union. The development of tourism also depended on achieving political stability on the island, he said. In a similar vein "TRNC Deputy Prime Minister" Serdar Denktash, called the continuing closure of parts of the ocucpied area of Cyprus to tourists a great sacrifice. He explained that Varosha had a 14,000-bed capacity which was lying unused.

Commenting on the political situation, Yucel claimed the Greek Cypriot side "should not further abuse the TRNC's goodwill" in maintaining the closure of the city of Varosha by continuing to arm itself.

"We will open Varosha if those missiles are stationed on the island", Denktash said.

Denktash added that the divided island needed a rapid-resolution agreement that would end the conflict. He said this had cost a year of prosperity because an economic deal between Turkey and the "TRNC" could not be put into action. Yucel also commented on the casino situation in Cyprus, which is more lax than that in Turkey. He said that Turkey did not interfere with the casinos nor encourage people to go to them, but urged the occupation regime to be cautious on the matter since there were many students on Cyprus.

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

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