Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-08-26

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash threatens with war as "remedy" to Cyprus' EU membership.

[02] Denktash: Problem cannot be solved in intercommunal talks.

[03] Eroglu: Greek Cypriots should abandon "dream" of returning to their properties.

[04] Denktash stresses importance of US delegation's visit.

[05] Salamis Bay hotel leased to "Istanbul Airlines".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash threatens with war as "remedy" to Cyprus' EU membership

"The membership of the Greek Cypriots to the EU under the title of the government of Cyprus will strip the Turkish Cypriots of their rights. And the remedy to this is a war", Denktash told reporters in Nicosia's Turkish occupied sector, according to the illegal Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK.

Denktash also said he saw no point in continuing UN-sponsored intercommunal reunification talks with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, a Greek Cypriot.

[02] Denktash: Problem cannot be solved in intercommunal talks

Denktash met with "prime minister" Dervis Eroglu for a weekly routine meeting yesterday. In a statement after the meeting, Denktash said: "I would clearly like to convey the following message to the Greek Cypriots. Accept the principle of bizonality. This cannot change. The attitude of building houses for the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots returning to their homes is unacceptable".

He stressed that it is impossible to revert to the old ways, adding that, in time, "the Greek Cypriots will also be granted the right to have employment and land in the north in accordance with the laws of the north and the demographic composition". Denktash claimed that this is the formula stipulated in the UN Secretary General's Set of Ideas.

Explaining that a meeting can be expected to yield results if the Greek Cypriot side accepts this formula as well as the "laws" of the Turkish Cypriots in the occupied area, Denktash stated that it would be propaganda to speak of peace with goodwill after rejecting these basic principles, as he called them.

Denktash underlined that the Turkish regiment, which is an effective representation of the guarantee system, must remain in Cyprus in a reinforced way, and it must not be touched. He claimed "the greater part of the danger in Cyprus has originated from the Greek Cypriot people, and the situation continues to be the same. Therefore, we need permanent, lasting, and unchanging Turkish guarantees."

Denktash declared that the way to reach a conciliation with the Greek Cypriots consists of the existence of the "TRNC", its reinforcement, and its perpetuation, "and of its people embracing their cause and their motherland".

Asking that the fear over Greek Cypriot armament be put aside, Denktash said: "Let the Greek Cypriots and the Greeks worry about that. They must be mad to create such a situation, because they have seen that they cannot resolve the matter through war and that the 60 million people of Turkey will in no way cede Cyprus to them".

Asked when he will meet with President Clerides, Denktash disclosed that there is no meeting planned on any subject. He added: "I wonder what we have left to discuss in the wake of the negative criticism we received from the United Nations, Van den Broek's statement that fails to grant any rights to the Turkish Cypriots, and Clerides's remarks in Dherinia. However, it is not possible to say anything solid in these matters. We will assess the situation in line with the developments."

Denktash expressed the hope that Korkmaz Haktanir, the new Turkish Foreign Ministry under secretary, will arrive in the occupied area and conduct in- depth talks, adding that this is needed. He noted that, if necessary, he will go to Turkey after such a visit and conduct a joint assessment. He concluded by saying that the Turkish Cypriots cannot and do not have the right to damage Turkey's interests unnecessarily by pursuing a separate policy.

[03] Eroglu: Greek Cypriots should abandon "dream" of returning to their properties

Explaining that the Cyprus Government did not accept the principles of exchange of properties and bizonality, Eroglu added:

"The Greek Cypriot Administration is provoking the Greek Cypriot public with statements to the effect that they can return to their properties in the north. It is time this dream should be abandoned. The Turkish Cypriot side is now waiting for the EU meetings in December."

In reply to a question, Eroglu stressed that the Partnership Council will be formed between Turkey and the "TRNC" despite the opposition of certain parties.

Recalling that certain press reports are aimed at provoking the people on the issue of "citizenship", Eroglu said:

"There is no such thing. Those who study and work at universities are given residence permits."

[04] Denktash stresses importance of US delegation's visit

[05] Salamis Bay hotel leased to "Istanbul Airlines"

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

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