Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-23

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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. 52/98 -- 21-22-23.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash threatens to restrict UNFICYP if status not settled.

[02] Denktash discloses contents of "proposal" to President Clerides.

[03] Etkin reports application to OIC for "full membership status".

[04] Denktash "pleased" with Cordovez visit.

[05] Denktash to meet Annan on 27 March in Geneva.

[06] Atun says hope for "TRNC" recognition lies in Turkic states.

[07] Turkic summit ends, calls for recognition of "TRNC".

[08] Yilmaz said considering early election in fall 1998.

[09] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots can wait `year' to join EU.

[10] Atun repeats demand for recognition.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash threatens to restrict UNFICYP if status not settled

Denktash met with Cordovez last Saturday for the third time. Also attending the meeting, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, were Taner Etkin, "foreign affairs and defense minister"; "presidential" adviser Mumtaz Soysal; Ergun Olgun, "under secretary of the President's Office"; and coordinator Necati Munir Ertegun; as well as Gustave Feissel, UN Secretary General's assistant special envoy for Cyprus; and other officials on behalf of the United Nations.

In a statement after the meeting, Denktash said that the positions and situation of the Turkish Cypriot side were clearly explained to Cordovez within the framework of the pseudo-assembly "resolution". Pointing out that Cordovez will convey this assessment to the Secretary General together with the information he received from the Greek Cypriot side, Denktash noted: "We are now working toward June, when the UN Security Council will meet to extend the mandate of the UN soldiers on the island." Recalling that these soldiers are accredited to the Cyprus Government and receive salaries from the Cyprus Government, Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot side does not recognize the resolution passed to enable the soldiers to serve on the island because it mentions the word government. Denktash added that the Turkish Government does not recognize any resolution adopted by the UN Security Council that refers to the Government of Cyprus. He also claimed that the UN soldiers are in the occupied are as "guests" because of the mention of the word government. Alleging, therefore, that this brings certain restrictions on the soldiers' movements, Denktash said: "Each time, they complain about it. They act as though they have the right to enter these areas in the name of the Cyprus Government. We want these aspects to be rectified as well. The Secretary General's authorities speak about the government of the Cyprus republic, but there is no such republic. A government that existed in 1960 was destroyed in 1963."

Denktash declared that from now on, talks will be conducted between "states", adding that the "resolution" is binding on him.

He alleged that if bridges are built and cooperation is launched between these "two states", political peace will follow automatically.

Denktash also replied to reporters questions. Asked if certain restrictions will be imposed on UNFICYP, he responded:

"We will discuss this with the Secretary General. If they ignore our existence, there will naturally be certain restrictions regarding the United Nations."

Commenting on reports that the Greek Cypriot side is gradually freezing its armament efforts, Denktash said that Turkey adopted new measures against the measures of the Greek Cypriots.

Denktash noted that in Glion he asked President Clerides to halt the arms buildup. "If the Greek Cypriots renounce their new measures, so will we, "Denktash said, adding, however, that no one should expect Turkey to cancel its guarantor status in Cyprus under the guise of disarmament.

[02] Denktash discloses contents of "proposal" to President Clerides

So-called non-commissioned officers (NCO's) and sergeants received their diplomas in a ceremony last Saturday and addressing them, Rauf Denktash disclosed that he sent a message to President Clerides through UN's Cordovez, saying: "Come let us solve this problem not through EU games, not through this course you have chosen to separate us from our motherland, not through the continuation of the 34-year fight you started in order to dominate us, but with a new spirit, a new approach, and by accepting the realities."

Denktash said that President Clerides immediately rejected this "proposal", which also said: "Come and acknowledge the fact that you are not our government, that you do not have the right to apply to any international body on our behalf, and that you do not have the right to dominate us".

According to Denktash, his "proposal" to President Clerides also said:

"Freeze this unrealistic application to the EU. Come let us talk. When the foundation is ready for us to make a joint application, we will do that together. Let us build bridges of peace, agreement, and consensus between our two states. Give up the embargoes. With such sanctions, you cannot win the trust of the Turkish Cypriots or pave the way to friendship. Renounce these things. Let us pave the way for peace together. Let us take steps that will build our confidence in each other. After that, the two sides can discuss what kind of a political agreement can be reached."

"Everybody must realize that the TRNC will not disappear. We must set on our course from this point because this is the only way peace can be achieved on the island", Denktash added.

[03] Etkin reports application to OIC for "full membership status"

In a statement at illegal Tymbou airport, Etkin commented on the contacts he has been conducting since 11 March, when he left the occupied area. Explaining that he held an assessment meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in Ankara on 12 March before the OIC meeting, Etkin recalled that the ratification documents of the "agreement" on the establishment of an "Association Council" with Turkey were exchanged during the same meeting.

Etkin then proceeded to Qatar to attend the OIC foreign ministers meeting, and together with the other members of his delegation, he held contacts with the representatives of Islamic countries. Noting that he explained to the Islamic foreign ministers the recent situation concerning the Cyprus problem, Etkin said that "the brother countries approached the issue with great indulgence."

Referring to his speech at the OIC conference, Etkin said he had stressed the "need" to accept the principle of "two states" in Cyprus and to recognize the "TRNC".

In his speech at the OIC meeting, Etkin claimed that the recognition of the "TRNC" and the acknowledgment of the "state" will contribute to a solution in Cyprus as well as to regional peace. Etkin recalled that the pseudostate asked the OIC to change its status "from observer to full member", adding: "It was stressed during the conference that the TRNC demand in this regard is being assessed." The resolution issued at the end of the meeting included the question of the S-300 missiles and the Paphos air base, Etkin recalled, and said that the resolution called on the Greek Cypriots to display common sense.

Etkin said that the consultation meetings with Cem continued throughout the OIC conference. Pointing out that he concluded his contacts earlier than planned, Etkin said this allowed him to visit the pseudostate's so-called representation in the United Arab Emirates and to be briefed about its activities.

Commenting on the Cyprus contacts of Diego Cordovez, UN Secretary General"s special adviser on Cyprus, Etkin claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side is open to negotiations. He alleged however: "Such negotiations can be held within the framework of new parameters -- namely, on the basis of two states."

[04] Denktash "pleased" with Cordovez visit

In a written statement, Denktash pointed out that for three days, Cordovez listened to what the Turkish Cypriots want "with patience and interest", and that he will convey these views to the UN Secretary General. The UN Secretary General, in turn, will convey them to the UN Security Council (UNSC), Denktash said, adding: "Maybe the UNSC will convene and will ask to listen to us. On the other hand, as a result of the unilateral application the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo made to the EU -- in order to own all of Cyprus, to turn our status into that of a minority in a Greek Cypriot republic, and to eliminate Turkey's historical and legal rights over Cyprus -- the European countries are, for the first time, being forced to make an in depth study of the voice, problems, cause, demands, and political status of the Turkish Cypriots and the reasons why they do not want to give that status up."

Denktash stated that the Islamic world and the Turkic world must realize the "Byzantine intrigue" in Cyprus and come to the help of the Turkish Cypriots. He added: "Nobody should hide behind the pretext: `This is what the UNSC wants'."

[05] Denktash to meet Annan on 27 March in Geneva

Denktash's office said that this meeting has been confirmed during the meeting held between Denktash and Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus.

Denktash will be accompanied by Taner Etkin, so-called foreign and defense minister, and Necati Munir Ertegun, his consultant.

[06] Atun says hope for "TRNC" recognition lies in Turkic states

In a statement to illegal BRT at occupied Tymbou airport, Atun said: "The most important aspect of the congress was that its efforts of many years have reached a concrete stage. Our hope for the recognition of the TRNC lies with the Turkic republics."

[07] Turkic summit ends, calls for recognition of "TRNC"

"A serious need for solidarity within the Turkic world is being observed in connection with the problems facing the Turkic states and communities. Consequently, our congress has decided to recommend that sensitivity be shown against the oppression of Turkish communities in regions such as Syria, Iraq, Akhaltsikhe, Western Thrace, Eastern Turkistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh and (name indistinct); that as a sign of that sensitivity the TRNC be speedily recognized by the other states; and that more effective efforts be exerted at the United Nations and other international organizations to ensure the withdrawal of the occupying Armenian armed forces from Karabakh", the communique reads.

The joint communique also says that a recommendation will be made to the member governments to convene a Turkish legal congress as soon as possible, to establish a Turkic world ministry in Turkey, and to sign a free trade agreement among the member countries.

[08] Yilmaz said considering early election in fall 1998

According to Yilmaz's new strategy, until the recess the parliament will work in full steam and legislate the reforms. At the end of the coming three months, when the inflation is also expected to take a downturn, the government will announce its election decision just as the parliament goes into recess.

Yilmaz's statement at the latest ANAP (Motherland Party group meeting that "we should enact the reform bills in the next three months so that we can have something to say to the citizens at the elections" is seen as the most clear sign of this strategy.

Already, to ensure fast legislation, Yilmaz and his lieutenants introduced an item onto the parliament's agenda at the beginning of this week calling for the parliament to convene on Fridays as well and extend its working hours till midnight. This was not put into effect because the CHP (Republican People's Party) joined the opposition in voting it down. Though ANAP leaders are still continuing their initiative to win over the CHP.

According to the new strategy, as the ANAP returns to Ozal's line, it will initiate a warmer dialogue with the Virtue Party (FP), in contrast to its antagonism with the Welfare Party (RP) in the past. It is claimed that the ANAP leader, who believes that the FP is not the RP's continuation and who has told his deputies that "we should consider the FP as our counterpart", is proposing dialogue and cooperation with the FP only as a matter of tactic to push the bills through the parliament.

While ANAP leaders are saying that in a possible election they will forge an election alliance with the DTP (Democratic Turkey Party), Yilmaz is said to have instructed his lieutenants "to disregard the DTP." Yilmaz's statement to the deputies that "Neither Mrs. Tansu, the DYP, the CHP, nor soldiers are important anymore" is seen as part of the new tactic.

[09] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots can wait `years' to join EU

Denktash held talks with the visiting members of the Turkish Diplomatic Correspondents Association some days ago. Asked to comment on the US approach on Cyprus, he said: "US officials have begun to realize that the problem is more complicated than what they thought. They have begun to realize that we are determined. So, they have move to urge the EU not to put too much pressure on the Turkish Cypriots." Alleging that Cyprus cannot join the EU before Turkey becomes a part of the organization, Denktash asserted: "The game cannot be played without Turkey.

They may decide to agree to Turkey's accession in 10 or 20 years. Well, we will wait. There is no need for us to rush the matter."

The messages Denktash conveyed were:

[01] We have suspended the dialogue with the EU officials.

However, Britain has imposed visa regulations on the Turkish Cypriots. Personally, I will not ask for a visa to Britain unless I suffer from a deadly ailment. We have reacted by imposing visa regulations on the Greek Cypriots, which has been very profitable.

[02] EU Commissioner Hans Van den Broek said: "The EU

[03] The EU cannot allow Cyprus' accession as a divided

[10] Atun repeats demand for recognition

Replying to a question on casinos, Atun said that the pseudostate does not have the capacity to incorporate the amount of casinos that were closed in Turkey. He noted: "We have enough casinos in the TRNC".

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

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