Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-17

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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. 48/98 -- 17.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash rejects proposal to participate in EU talks, says British are blocking his request to meet Koffi Annan.

[02] Turkish Cypriot so-called Security Forces Commander claims they are "modernizing" not arming.

[03] Turks see a British pro-Greek Cyprus initiative.

[04] Cem asks for confirmation of existence of "two states" at ICO meeting.

[05] Sezgin on Kinkel's remarks about Cyprus.

[06] "BRT" to begin satellite test broadcasts in the occupied area.

[07] Gurel claims occupation troops, are contributing to regional peace!

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash rejects proposal to participate in EU talks, says British are blocking his request to meet Kofi Annan

Explaining the reasons for the rejection, Denktash claimed that the entire island cannot become an EU member through the Greek Cypriot application. He added that an agreement to be concluded with the Greek Cypriots should stress the existence of two separate "states" in Cyprus. Denktash continued: "This invitation aims at our indirect acceptance of the Greek Cypriot Administration as the legitimate government and at eliminating Turkey's rights over Cyprus by tying us to Greece. This invitation is aimed at pushing us toward a cleverly plotted trap. We will not be a party to this ploy. The proposal was rejected the moment it was submitted. There is nothing in this proposal."

Madden called on Denktash at 14:00 yesterday in order to submit the proposal. The meeting, also attended by Madden's under secretary, lasted for half an hour. "Presidential under secretary" Ergun Olgun and political affairs adviser Necati Munir Ertegun were also present at the meeting.

Replying to questions after the meeting, Madden said: "I can only confirm that I submitted to Denktash the proposal that was given to us in London. In this way, I have fulfilled the instructions that were given to me." He concluded by saying that he will not disclose the contents of the proposal.

In a statement to the press after his meeting with Madden, whom he met as the British and not the EU envoy, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot proposal was immediately rejected by the "TRNC". Denktash added: "Clerides' invitation is extended to the Turkish Cypriot community to participate in the Cyprus delegation. As far as we are concerned, Cyprus has not applied for EU membership. The delegation which they call the Cyprus delegation is only a Greek Cypriot delegation and it represents the Greek Cypriot Government. It is out of the question for us to participate in this delegation because this application aims to serve the Greek Cypriot national cause. This invitation aims at forcing us to indirectly accept the Greek Cypriot Administration as the legitimate government and at eliminating Turkey's rights over Cyprus by tying us to Greece. This invitation is aimed at pushing us toward a cleverly plotted trap."

Denktash added that only negotiations and an agreement with the Greek Cypriots will stress the existence of "two Cypruses". Asked to comment on reports that he will hold a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in Geneva on 26 March, Denktash said that he has not yet received any information of the issue. He noted that he wanted very much to hold a meeting with Annan because of the negative situation that emerged with regard to Cyprus in the aftermath of the Luxembourg decision, adding, however, that so far he has not received a positive reply to his request. Pointing out that he has understood that the British are blocking his request, Denktash claimed that this shows the way the Turkish Cypriots are viewed.

In reply to another question, Denktash said that he will meet with Diego Cordovez, UN Secretary General's special Cyprus adviser, on 19 March, alleging that Cordovez's duty is to prepare the grounds for talks based on "two states" in Cyprus. He continued: "The basis for the talks with the Greek Cypriots has to be prepared. This is the duty of Cordovez. His duty is to prepare the grounds which will be based on two states and two governments. There is no other basis for the talks."

[02] Turkish Cypriot so-called Security Forces Commander claims they are "modernizing", not arming

The work launched some time ago to meet the requirements of the new age is coming to a close.

Almost the entire 7-trillion (Turkish Lira) budget allocated by the Turkish Republic Defense Ministry for the "SFC" in 1998 will be spent on modernizing the so-called Security Forces. In assessing the changes in the army, Brigadier General Hasan Peker Gunal, commander of the "SFC" claimed that "we are not arming but modernizing".

Gunal added: "We do not need to arm ourselves. We already have everything. We are now simply modernizing our existing systems with the latest technology."

Noting that "we have made an initiative to purchase two helicopters", Gunal said that these new helicopters will be brought to the occupied area next year, and that besides military use they will also be used in the tourism, health, and trade sectors.

The briefing of the press on the work being done at the "SFC" and affiliated units began the other day. In the first day of the two-day briefing, Gunal spoke about developments and the army of the year 2000.

Gunal said that modern lodgings are being build for the units and that 70 percent of them have now been completed. Noting that "the SFC will soon have no housing problem", Gunal said that two of the apartment blocks with eight rooms on each flat - have been completed, five are still under construction, and another five are in the planning stage.

Also noting that three apartment blocks, with eight-room flats, have also been constructed for the "police", Gunal said that in the coming days three more apartments will be built to house 24 "police" families.

Pointing out that of the 1,400 "police" in the pseudostate only one-third are on active duty and the rest are resting, Gunal said: "Difficulties are being encountered in bringing together the police force in case of an unexpected incident, because our police reside in places far away from their posts. With the commissioning of the lodgings, we will be able to easily move hundreds of police to the site of any incident."

Also noting that the so-called paramilitary forces are living in very bad conditions along the "border", Gunal said that houses will also be allocated to soldiers serving in this unit.

Gunal announced that "modern equipment" has been bought for the "police" to use during "border" incidents adding:

"At present, we have enough to equip 600 policemen".

Gunal said that they have been carrying out intensive work to remove munitions dumps from cities, and that the construction of four munitions dumps has already been completed and two are still under construciton.

Gunal said the following concerning the "modernization" of the force's weapons: "The Army is being equipped with Scorpion armoured vehicles. Large purchases of recoilless cannons have been made. Large amounts of mortars have been procured. the old mortars have been replaced with the new. Anti- tank weapons have been purchased. And, anti-tank rockets, anti-aircraft missiles, and grenade launchers will also arrive soon. The introduction of modern light infantry rifles is on the verge of completion. Also, a field ambulance has been purchased for our army".

Gunal said that bakeries, laundry services, and the operation of the garrison bistros have been sold off to civilian organizations, thus creating new employment opportunities.

Also noting that the workshops in occupied Dhikomo will be expanded to create additional jobs, Gunal said: "We intend to contribute to the solution of the economic problems bit by bit.

Some of the lands that we hold lands that we do not use now but would use in a war have been incorporated into the economy by auctioning them off."

Gunal also said that two filling stations are among the operations handed over to the private sector in auctions.

Noting that 110 specialized personnel, 22 of them women, are also employed at the "SFC", Gunal said that "with new modern weapons the number of specialists will also go up."

Asked if "the mandatory military service duration could be reduced with the onset of specialization", Gunal said that there is an opinion that in the next ten years there will be less need for privates and that a decision regarding the service duration is being assessed, adding: "Only time will show whether or not the service period will be reduced, it depends on the transition to a professional army."

Answering a question on historic and tourist locations inside the military zones, Gunal said: "The historic and tourist places within the military zones in Famagusta and Karavas will be opened to tourism once the military units are moved somewhere else. The transfer of the units will be completed by the end of this year."

Once the units move out, the historic city-walls in Famagusta and the Lamboussa royal site at Karavas will be handed over to the tourism service.

The press corps, which gathered at the "SFC's" headquarters at occupied Boghaz, inspected the units at occupied Dhikomo and Famagusta and toured the newly built installations.

The reporters, who lunched with the soldiers, later visited the occupied Lefkoniko airport and got a briefing about the activities of the aviation installations.

Orhan Ceylan, Director of the "Aviation Installations", said that they are capable of rendering services in various fields and the only thing they need is interest and support. The first response to his request came from the reporters, who among themselves collected some 25-million Turkish lira.

Ceylan told them that they charge $250 per hour for commercial flights and $200 for entertainment flights.

Specially noting the importance of donating sheep hides to the "Aviation Foundation", Ceylan said that "the only thing we want is financial support and interest."

[03] Turks see a British pro-Greek Cyprus initiative

According to information obtained by MILLIYET from diplomatic sources, Britain, which wants to immediately speed up the UN-sponsored talks for a federal solution, is now trying to convince the UN Security Council and Secretary General that these talks should be held parallel to the Greek Cypriot side's full EU membership process as the Cyprus Republic, the report says.

On such an initiative by British UN representative John Weston, the five permanent Security Council members came together with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and reached a consensus on the views drawn up by the British delegation.

The group of five, which, besides Britain, has the United States, Russia, France, and China, supported the continuation of Annan's goodwill mission on Cyprus, and asked that Diego Cordovez, special envoy on Cyprus, be sent to the island to make preparations to bring the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides to the negotiating table again. The meeting also decided that in order for the talks to progress the sides should take "practical steps" rather than dabble in "theoretical issues."

During the five's meeting with Annan, British Ambassador Sir John Eston is said to have emphasized that "the talks, envisaged to resume under the UN aegis, should run parallel with the Cyprus Republic's full EU membership process."

This British pro-Greek Cypriot initiative, carried out in a way that suggests the EU and the other UN Security Council members are being "dragged" behind Britain, has put Cordovez in a very difficult position, the report claims.

Despite the Turkish side's statement that it will not sit at the UN's table as long as the "TRNC's" political equality is not recognized, Cordovez will go to Nicosia on 17 March via London enacting the Security Council's desire "to speed up the talks".

Afterward Cordovez will go to Athens on 23 March and Ankara on 24 March for contacts.

[04] Cem asks for confirmation of existence of "two states" at ICO meeting

(MY)

[05] Sezgin on Kinkel's remarks about Cyprus

Pointing out that the London and Zurich agreements gave responsibilities to Turkey on Cyprus, Sezgin claimed: "We are in Cyprus as a guarantor state which is a requirement of duties and responsibilities given by these agreements. Thanks to this, Cyprus has stability, security, and peace today. We are not occupiers, we are a country who fulfills the responsibilities of international agreements."

Sezgin said that the full membership talks of the Greek Cypriot side will be an "open-close meeting". Responding to a question if it will not be so, Sezgin said: "I do not think that they can make such a big mistake. This will be the underestimation of laws, along with injustice."

Stating that some mistakes can occur when acted with prejudgments, Sezgin said: "Germany is our friend, our traditional ally. If the aim is to cause trouble, I can find many things against Germany. German statesmen should think well and freshen their memories before they speak on violation of human rights, racism, terrorism, and violence."

[06] "BRT" to begin satellite test broadcasts in the occupied area

The broadcasts, which will encompass the day's "main news" bulletin, will include cultural and social programs, sports news, and musical pieces from Turkish composers. In addition, the broadcasts will include news and advertisements for Turkish Cypriots living in Turkey, Britain, and Germany.

[07] Gurel claims occupation troops, are contributing to regional peace!

Gurel, who was hosted on the "Behind the Scenes in Ankara" program aired on NTV, replied to questions on the latest situation in Cyprus. Gurel claimed that if Cyprus joins the EU, it is out of the question for it to represent the entire island.

Commenting on a statement made by German Foreign Minister Kinkel on 14 March, Gurel claimed that Turkey keeps a "military base" in Cyprus "to ensure the security and tranquility of the Turkish Cypriots." He put forward the claim that Turkey is contributing to regional peace by keeping troops on the island.

In reply to a question Gurel referred to the special development project being implemented in the pseudostate adding that the necessary resources have been allocated to undertake various projects and investments that will create jobs in the "TRNC". Noting that the projects are being implemented, Gurel said that the water project will be implemented as of April with the use of balloons. He added that at a later stage water will be transported to Cyprus through a pipeline. Expressing the hope that the so- called government crisis in the pseudostate will not escalate, Gurel said: "I know that the valuable statesmen engaged in politics in Cyprus are aware that the Cyprus issue is going through a very critical stage now. Therefore, even a small disagreement can be considered a big crisis."

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

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