Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-07-30

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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. 138/97 -- 30.7.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gurel ends talks in Cyprus, holds news conference.

[02] CTP opposes Denktash policy, population transfer to north.

[03] Klaus Kinkel: "Unless Cyprus problem is solved EU membership is difficult.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gurel ends talks in Cyprus, holds news conference

Gurel ended his contacts in the occupied area. A joint statement has been issued in connection with the talks held at the level for the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot "government" . Before leaving the occupied part of the island, Gurel held a news conference in the occupied Kyrenia together with Dervis Eroglu. Gurel said that they are determined and in full agreement regarding the need to increase bilateral cooperation and the steps that must be taken to carry out a structural change in the occupied area. Gurel said that Turkey considers the occupied area a guarantee for its own security and well-being and that it is determined to extend the support necessary for the Turkish Cypriots' economic and social development. He pointed out that as a result of the contacts held, the daily difficulties encountered in the Turkish Cypriot economy will be overcome. He said:

"Everything will be done to make sure that the occupied area is not considered separately from Turkey."

The joint statement issued in connection with the so-called "official" talks says that the two sides agreed on the procurement of the financial support urgently needed by the occupied area's economy, on the rapid implementation of a structural change program, and on the implementation of developmental projects. It is pointed out in the statement that the plan to extend loans and premiums to the agricultural sector and to the small and medium-size enterprises according to the conditions in Turkey is being finalized. It is also noted that the resource problem related to the compensation of the farmers stricken by drought has been eliminated.

[02] CTP opposes Denktash policy, population transfer to north

"We are at a new stage in the Cyprus problem. The latest summit attended by the leaders of the two communities in New York under the auspices of the UN occupies a very important place in the process for the solution of the problem," the statement says and adds: "Just when the UN and the leaders of the two communities were issuing statements to the effect that the New York talks were beneficial, suddenly everything disappeared behind a huge cloud of dust with the release of the EU report, whose content was known beforehand."

The statement continues: "The leadership's reactive and rejectionist policy to date has prepared the ground for the unilateral application of the Cyprus Government to the EU. Hence, at least now, it is necessary to act sensibly and not emotionally, logically and not impulsively. And for that, we have to let reality be our guide."

Stating that "we are announcing the reality", the statement says:

"1. The released EU document is not a decision but a report. The decision will be taken after the Ministerial Council meeting in September. .../..

"2. There is nothing new in the report in question. It is nothing more than the reconfirmation of a fact accepted and announced when Turkey was signing the Customs Union agreement with the EU.

"3. The released report postpones the membership talks with Cyprus until after March 1998 in accordance with the 5+1 formula."

The statement continues: "The actual element that could prevent the Greek Cypriot side's unilateral EU membership process at this stage would be for us to display an enthusiastic and creative willpower and initiative for the realization of a federal solution in Cyprus based on bizonality and the political equality of the two communities."

"But regrettably, instead of taking such initiatives, Denktash primarily, and the National Unity Party (UBP) and Democratic Party (DP) leadership, are working to promote their own integrationist policies. To achieve this they are gambling in a dictatorial manner with the existence of the Turkish Cypriot community without any right. They are enraged with the Greek Cypriot side and the EU, but they are only trying to punish the Turkish Cypriot community. They have now placed the population and integration issues on the agenda."

Touching on the issue of population, the statement says "attempts are being made to gamble with the political and communal existence of the Turkish Cypriot community under the pretext of partial integration,", adding:

"1. The new population transfer from Turkey has been placed on the agenda. This mistaken demographic policy applied in the past not only ruined the Turkish Cypriot community but also piled countless of humanitarian and democratic problems on the transferred population. This policy has done nothing but damage the Turkish Cypriot community. They are now trying to drag us into another adventure by saying they will raise our population to 500,000. This is an unacceptable approach.

"2. It has been reported in the press that Turkish Republic citizenship will be given to all the TRNC citizens and TRNC citizenship to the Turkish Republic citizens. With this initiative, an attempt is being made to terminate our communal and political existence. At this stage, when even Turkish Cypriot capital is fleeing Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots are encouraged to emigrate by being given Turkish Republic citizenship.

"For Denktash to place this issue on the agenda, in cooperation with the UNP and the DP, without asking for the people's opinion, and his announcement that he has signed an agreement with Ecevit is definitely unacceptable for a community that asks the world for a referendum to unite with the Greek Cypriot community in a federal solution and has won international recognition with the inclusion of that demand in the Boutros- Ghali Set of Ideas.

"The Turkish Cypriot community is not a herd or a clan.

It is obvious that a leadership that does not respect its own community has itself invited disrespect from the international community and the EU. The population transfer and integration with the Turkish Republic is not a solution, but amounts to creating tension and war and assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot community.

"Yet, there is a way out. And that is to eagerly sit at the table for the internationally endorsed federal solution and force the Greek Cypriots to accept it; and to press for a federation by defending the EU membership after a solution. That is what will really open the path to EU membership after a solution. The population transfer, autonomy, and integration theses are wrong, unacceptable. The Turkish Cypriot community must be protected against anything and anyone.

"A solution in Cyprus rests on a bizonal and bicommunal federation based on political equality and not on a population and integration policy."

[03] Klaus Kinkel: "Unless Cyprus problem is solved EU membership is difficult

In a statement to Turkey's Anatolia Agency, AA, Kinkel admitted that the USA is exerting pressure on EU regarding Turkey, however, he added this pressure did not bear positive results, it only made the EU uneasy.

When asked to comment on Turkey's EU membership, Kinkel refused to say anything specific.

(MY)

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

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