Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-05-16

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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. 87/97 -- 16.5.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on the Rouvas-Kut concert

[02] Turkey welcomes Greek acceptance of flight "Moratorium"

[03] Denktash "police" armed with hand guns

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Sabah views Denktash's difficult position, Rebukes Ankara on Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on the Rouvas-Kut concert

"For the first time since 1963 so many people from both sides are coming together" says KIBRIS and adds that despite strong security measures taken by the UN peace force, there is serious concern regarding the concert on both sides. "Both sides are doing every thing possible so that the concert is completed without incident", declares KIBRIS.

KIBRIS further reports that Turkish and Greek Cypriots will sit intermingled and listen to the concert.

The paper says that Turkish youth who have never met and talked to a Greek Cypriot show great interest in the concert.

The paper then quotes Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides's statement in favour of the concert and his critical statement against those who exploit people's nationalistic feelings. KIBRIS then gives the reactions of various Turkish Cypriot organizations regarding the concert. It says that while some organizations support the concert, others oppose it.

The General Executive Council of the Fighters Association in a statement yesterday declared: " Greek Cypriot fanaticism could turn the joint concert into an unforgettable tragedy."

The statement further alleged that Greek Cypriot fanaticism is using every available means to secure the cancellation of the joint concert or making it end into a fiasco.

The statement also expressed doubt and concern regarding maintaining security during the concert and said that it is natural to have doubts regarding the security, because, it adds, the UN Peace Force was not successful in maintaining security during the "incidents at the boarders".

The statement noted that the most significant thing regarding the concert was UN's respect for arithmetical equality, by invit ing equal numbers from both sides. "This approach is a good start, we wish that the understanding of the political equality will be extended in every field and in every issue."

In its turn the General Secretary of the fascist organization Cultural Centre for Turkish Union (Turk-Bir), Hasan Nihat Erduran, declared that "Idealists should not go to the concert". He went on and said: "As Turk-Bir we have decided not to attend this or any other coming event organized by outside forces. We kindly ask our Idealists not to attend the concert so that they will not be in a negative picture that might be put up".

The Republican Turkish Party (RTP) in a statement yesterday declared that while some circles in the Greek Cypriot side are planning to stand against the concert, some in the Turkish side are trying to disseminate doubts regarding security at the concert. The statement declared that the RTP General Chairman and its leadership will attend the concert.

Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants Trade Union (Cag-Sen) Chairman Erdinc Selasiye criticized those who opposed the concert. He invited people to act with common sense and with logic.

Moreover, Turkish Radio Television (TRT) has announced that it will broadcast the concert live. MY/MD

[02] Turkey welcomes Greek acceptance of flight "Moratorium"

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel, in reply to a question, said that U.S. authorities have informed Turkey that the Greek Air Forces decided not to fly over Cyprus during the Toxotis- Vergina Greek Cypriot- Greek joint exercises between 6-8 May and that for the time being they have no planned flight programs for the same region. Akbel stated that Turkey has notified that if the Greek planes do not fly over Cyprus during their joint military maneuvers then Turkish planes will not fly over Cyprus either during similar maneuvers. Akbel said: "Turkey welcomes Greece's acceptance of this U.S. proposal. We believe that such steps will contribute to reducing the tension in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean."

[03] Denktash's "police" armed with hand guns

The paper says that for the first time in the history of Cyprus "police" are carrying guns.

YENIDUZEN reports that the hand guns "Astra - 7.65" were confiscated from the Yemeni registered Ship Anne-M.

All 1700 "policemen" have already received their guns. (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Sabah views Denktash's difficult position, Rebukes Ankara on Cyprus

Yes, he is troubled because no one in Ankara has bothered to be concerned about the dark cloud that has appeared over Cyprus.

The European countries will most probably put pressure on the Turkish and Greek Cypriots in one or two months to force Glafkos Clerides and Rauf Denktas to resume their bilateral talks after a long time.

'Agreeing to negotiate' means agreeing to make concessions on certain issues. That is what has made Rauf Denktas uneasy. He has found himself in a difficult situation, not because he is aware that he may be forced to make concessions but because the final point where the Turkish Cypriot side can retreat has not yet been established.

The instability in Ankara has seriously affected Cyprus. This is the time when Turkey has to make delicate calculations and carefully adopt decisions. However, the serious political confu sion in the country has not yet been removed. But, let us not concern ourselves with the Welfare Party- True Path Party Govern ment for the time being. Let us focus on the Denktash-Clerides dialogue.

The point we have reached is not favorable. No matter how much we insist on 'the two equal and sovereign states coming together,' the Western world has made up its mind. The Western countries believe that the Greek Cypriot Administration will join the EU and that the Turkish Cypriot side must not obstruct the process. They also believe that the Turkish Cypriots must suffice with increased and guaranteed minority rights. Regarding the Treaty of Guarantees, they do not even want to hear about Turkey's right as a guarantor power. The word 'sovereignty' makes them allergic.

Obviously, the Greek Cypriots are very satisfied with that state of affairs. Their only mistake is that they are very con fident. They plan to join the EU without making a single con cession. However, the European countries have advised them as follows: 'Do not adopt a very negative approach. Agree to make concessions on problems which will be automatically resolved when you join the EU. Do not forget that what you give away today will be yours again tomorrow.'

Well, they have not been able to persuade the Greek Cypriots to fully heed their advice. Obviously, that is due to the Greek Cypriot side's narrow- minded nature. They believe that they have already joined the EU.

Meanwhile, the European countries are not concerned with the concept that laws are supreme. They are trying to have the Cyprus problem quickly resolved through a political agreement.

Yes, all that has made Rauf Denktash uneasy. The country he trusts is occupied with other problems. Meanwhile, the countries which want to impose their views are very strong.

Let us now consider the calendar. If everything goes well in the summer, then Denktash and Clerides may resume their talks at the end of 1997. That is because presidential elections will be held in the Greek Cypriot side in autumn.

The UN and EU officials are on the scene. They are trying to persuade the sides to adopt a moderate approach. The United States will take action and apply pressure at an appropriate time during the negotiation process.

Considering all that, 1997 will not be 'a year of solution in Cyprus.' It will be one in which preparations will be made for a solution. The general offensive is expected in 1998.

Obviously, 1998 will be a year of activity. On the one hand, the talks on Cyprus' accession to the EU will begin, and, on the other hand, the S-300 missiles will be deployed on the island."

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

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