Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-11-17

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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. 213/97 -- 15-16-17.11.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash's address stresses principle of "two "two states".

[02] Turkish gangs said to launder money through banks in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[03] Turkish Cypriot party leaders on assessment meeting.

[04] Ecevit interviewed on Cyprus, EU ties.

[05] "International conference" at "Near East University".

[06] Inflation in the occupied area.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash's address stresses principle of "two states"

In his speech, Denktash said that no one can take this "republic" away from the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktash remarked that for years he has been asking at the negotiating table for a new entity that will not be destroyed and will not be eliminated. He claimed that "rights that are not based on sovereignty cannot go beyond rights written on paper."

Reiterating that the "TRNC" will continue to exist, Denktash said that the principle of "two states" will lie at the basis of an agreement.

[02] Turkish gangs said to launder money through banks in the occupied area of Cyprus

Indicating that there is an effort to turn the occupied area of Cyprus into a steppingstone for the gangs who run the underground economy, Saglar said: "The fact is clearly seen through the Susurluk gangs' use of a bank for laundering money and their purchase of a casino and a hotel through Omer Lutfu Topal's mediation."

[03] Turkish Cypriot party leaders on assessment meeting

Eroglu reported that during the meeting Denktash briefed the parties on his contacts in New York and Washington and his talks with Richard Holbrooke, US President Bill Clinton's special envoy for Cyprus. Eroglu stressed that, both as the leader of his party and the head of the "government", he is pleased with the policy of approaching a solution on the basis of the reality of the "TRNC".

He said: "If the attitude of the EU toward Turkey satisfies us, we can be more hopeful with regard to future meetings. For the time being the fact that Holbrooke conducted contacts in Cyprus and in Turkey is a positive development."

Eroglu expressed the hope that the world will realize the facts, adding: "We must not have great expectations for the future. We will wait and see what attitude of the EU will be."

In his statement after the meeting, Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that during the meeting, he outlined his party's views and welcomed the talks in view of the Turkish Cypriot side's need for peace. Talat explained that he told Denktash that the Turkish Cypriot side should not deviate from the negotiating process if the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are to be defended. He added that any kind of assistance and initiative that could contribute to the negotiating process must be appraised. Remarking that his party's views regarding the EU have not changed, Talat said that the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot side must be confirmed. "At a time when Turkey has set a goal of joining the EU", Talat noted, "it is not right for the Turkish Cypriots to be deprived of this."

Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci, in turn, stated that an exchange of views was conducted with Denktash on the latest developments. Akinci said that his party has carefully noted the issue of EU membership, provided a bizonal and bicommunal solution is reached in Cyprus, Turkey is provided with the perspective of EU membership, and the Turkish-Greek balance is maintained on the island. Certain future dates are of significance, Akinci remarked, stressing that the decisions to emanate from the EU Council of Ministers meeting to be held next month are very important. He expressed the belief that the paving of the way for Turkey's EU membership during this meeting will positively contribute to Turkish- Greek relations.

The Greek Cypriot elections to be held in February are also very important, Akinci underlined, expressing the conviction that the initiatives with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem will gain momentum in the wake of these elections. Akinci said that the acceleration of Cyprus' EU accession process within the framework of a possible solution following Turkey's membership perspective and the increasing efforts in the wake of the elections in the free areas of Cyprus can be expected as a positive future scenario. A possible negative scenario could be Turkey's exclusion from Europe, Akinci noted, adding that this, in turn, would further strain Turkish-Greek relations. Akinci stressed that his party does not want this to happen, it wants the events to follow a positive course.

Serdar Denktash, Democratic Party leader and "deputy prime minister", declared that he is extremely pleased to see the implementation of his party's long-standing assertion that a solution must be based on "two states". He added: "I hope that the world will continue to act on the basis of this reality and the problem that has been continuing for many years will be resolved." Denktash said that, "as a person who declares that these territories constitute the TRNC and my country, he will lay flowers in the green area between the Kyrenia gate and the Ataturk statue this evening. On these days when the anniversary of the TRNC will be marked, I am appealing to the people and calling on everyone who claims these territories as the TRNC and as his country to join this campaign." Pointing out that it is too early to say that he is hopeful with regard to the future, Serdar Denktash noted that if a solution is to be reached, both sides must display an attitude of goodwill. Denktash said that although he is not too hopeful, he is pleased to demonstrate a realistic stand on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Following his statement, Serdar Denktash went to the green area-behind the Ataturk statue at the Kyrenia gate, accompanied by members of the press, and laid some flowers. In a statement here, Denktash said that this campaign is not related to his party and stressed that he launched it on his own. He explained that he chose this location because the 15 November anniversary will be marked here and the gate has a historical significance. Denktash added: "I hope that as of tomorrow, this area will overflow with flowers, and everyone will demonstrate his love for his state in this way."

[04] Ecevit interviewed on Cyprus, EU ties

In reply to a question on the Cyprus problem, Ecevit inter alia claimed: "The TRNC was declared soon after the 1983 elections. At the time, the last government of the military regime was in power. The TRNC was declared before the elected government assumed power, and I believe it was a good move. I can say that it was even a delayed one. Those who came to power through elections could not digest this. No efforts were exerted to secure the recognition of the TRNC, whereas had the need for this declaration and Turkey's intentions vis-a-vis the TRNC been better explained to the world, I believe those obstacles could have been overcome at that stage."

At some other point, Ecevit said: "Turkey's importance has increased remarkably. The Europeans, however, have not been able to realize this importance. The United States understands, because it is a world country and has a broader perspective. The vision of the Europeans ends in Europe. Because the United States is a world country, it has a broader vision and has realized Turkey's importance within that vision. Therefore, the United States, more than the Europeans, has realized that Turkey should not break from Europe. Therefore, it is exerting sincere efforts to overcome the obstacles and prejudices blocking Turkey's membership in the EU. Particularly Holbrooke, who is US President Clinton's envoy and is a successful diplomat - if you recall he played a significant role in putting an end to the bloody incidents in Bosnia-Herzegovina - took an interest in this issue, in Turkish-Greek relations, and in the Cyprus issue. He began to practice shuttle diplomacy. He was supposed to depart for Germany the day after he met with me. In a way, he was going to lobby for Turkey."

And he continued: "Meanwhile, in his various visits, he has begun to better grasp the difficulties in the solution of the Cyprus problem. He has a realistic and goodwill approach. We might not accept some of the proposals he has put forward, but it is clear that he is trying with goodwill. The important issue, however, is for Turkey to sustain its determination."

[05] "International conference" at "Near East University"

KIBRIS reports that around 300 scientists from 42 countries will take part in the conference.

Turkey's state minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs Sukru Gurel, will open the conference.

Denktash will also attend the conference. (MY)

[06] Inflation in the occupied area

According to KTAMS calculations, the inflation rate for the month of November is 5.6%. (MY)

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

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