Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-04-09

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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. 63/98 -- 9.4.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Fassino supports US, UN initiatives.

[02] Turkish, Greek General Staff Chiefs reportedly decide to freeze Aegean crisis.

[03] Sezgin: Turkey favours dialogue, peace with Greece.

[04] Turkey, pseudostate to sign mutual defense agreement.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Fassino supports US, UN initiatives

Fassino, while in Cyprus, held contacts in the occupied area as well. He held a meeting with Taner Etkin "foreign affairs and defense minister", and "presidential under secretary Ergun Olgun" yesterday. He later met with Kenan Atakol, National Unity Party (UBP) "deputy". Fassino also met with the leaders of the opposition parties that have groups in the pseudo- assembly, namely Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Communal Liberation Party (TKP leader Mustafa Akinci. The meeting was held over lunch at the occupied Kyrenia Harbour Club.

In a statement after the meeting, Etkin said that his meeting with Fassino was beneficial, adding that at the meeting he conveyed the stand of the Turkish Cypriot side in the aftermath of the Luxembourg decisions. He stated that the message conveyed to the Italians was that at the current stage the "TRNC" has to be recognized and the equality of the "TRNC" and the Cyprus Government should be accepted. Etkin said that Fassino was told at the meeting that it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the delegation to hold the EU membership negotiation talks. He added that it was also explained to the Italian official that the existing sensitive balance between Turkey and Greece will not be allowed to be destroyed. Pointing out that Fassino listened with understanding, Etkin said that from this viewpoint the meeting was beneficial.

Etkin stressed that the Turkish Cypriots are resolute about the stand that has been determined together with Turkey.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side has once again found the opportunity to stress that it favours the commencement of the negotiations based on the principle of "two states", Etkin added:

"They have received our explanations with understanding. It seems that they have not yet developed a formula on the issue. We have observed, however, that they are thinking about it".

In reply to a question, Etkin concluded by saying that though Fassino showed understanding he was insistent on the Turkish Cypriot side participating in the delegation.

Atakol, in a statement after the meeting, said that Fassino insistently called on the Turkish Cypriots to participate, together with the Greek Cypriots, in the full membership negotiations. Atakol said that Fassino was told that this was not possible and that the Turkish Cypriots would not sit at such a negotiating table because the EU was holding negotiations not with communities but with governments. Despite these explanations, Atakol noted that the Italian official was insistent that this was indeed possible. The UBP "deputy" asked Fassino how this would be possible. He added that he was told by Fassino that the two communities would have equal status. Atakol said that the Italian official was told that the EU has, for the last 25 years, been pursuing a wrong policy and that the Turkish Cypriots do not and cannot trust the EU. Atakol continued claiming: "Through this wrong policy, the EU has brought the island to the brink of division. I told him as much". Atakol said that he told Fassino that if the EU policy is to divide the island, then the policy pursued so far is the right one. He stressed that he was told by Fassino that this was definitely not the case.

In a statement after the meeting, Talat said his party supports the participation of the Turkish Cypriot side in the delegation to take part in the negotiations with the EU. He added that the EU should act in a balanced manner with regards to the Cyprus problem and should protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. Pointing out that at the meeting Fassino was informed about the need to improve Turkey's relations with the EU as well as the need for a more positive perspective with regards to Turkey, Talat stressed that a solution can be found to the Cyprus problem through the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in this process. Noting that an opportunity has been missed, Talat added at the meeting the view was expressed that future steps should bring the UN process to the foreground and should, thus, enable the solution of the problem as well as a unification with the EU. Talat said that, otherwise, the Greek Cypriot progress on the EU path will lead to a lasting division on the island.

Akinci said that so long as a framework solution does not emerge in Cyprus it would not be appropriate for the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the delegation. Regarding the existing confusion over status and authority, Akinci said that the emphasis should be put on advancing along the UN approach. Noting the necessity of ameliorating the relations between Turkey and the EU, Akinci also referred to the "wrong" EU decisions reached during the Luxembourg summit.

Fassino, in a statement after the meetings, recalled that this is his second visit to Cyprus within the last few months. He added that his visit to the island is an indication of the importance the Italian government attaches to Cyprus. Stressing that his government wants to definitely help find a positive solution to the problem, Fassino expressed support for the efforts being exerted by the United Nations and Holbrooke, the US special Cyprus envoy, on the issue. Stressing that his government supports the exertion of every possible effort to ensure Turkish Cypriot participation in the delegation to hold negotiations with the EU, Fassino expressed the belief that the negotiations should be held with the participation of the representatives of all the island's inhabitants. He further noted the need to overcome the impasse created in the aftermath of the Luxembourg summit as well as the need to improve relations between Turkey and the EU.

After concluding his contacts with the opposition party leaders, Fassino visited the occupied Famagusta region.

[02] Turkish, Greek General Staff Chiefs reportedly decide to freeze Aegean crisis

1. The two-month moratorium (the freezing of military exercises) implemented in July and August of last year will be increased to four months. In this way, barring the emergence of last-minute differences of views, the effect of the exercises on tourism during the summer months will also be prevented.

The decision shows that the initiatives of the United States and NATO to diminish the likelihood of a clash in the Aegean have brought results. In a news conference he held the other day, Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos, for his part, confirmed the decision regarding the moratorium. In this way, the Aegean crisis became frozen for four months.

2. Moreover, according to reports in the Greek press, the two commanders also agreed to decrease the number of military exercises in the Aegean. No official statements were made by either side regarding this issue. While the Greek officials denied these reports, the Turkish side said that they will accept such a likelihood in the event of a Greek consent.

3. The Turkish and Greek Armed Forces will launch exercises in the Aegean on different dates. This allegation disturbed Athens, the report claims, while the Turkish side indicated that it is also warmly disposed towards such a decision.

4. The Turkish and Greek Chiefs of the General Staffs decided to meet again during the NATO meeting to be held in Brussels next month.

[03] Sezgin: Turkey favours dialogue, peace with Greece

Responding to questions of journalists, Ismet Sezgin recalled that Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi visited Greece to participate in West European Union (WEU) Chiefs of General Staff meeting, adding that:

"We always say that Greek people are our friend, we are the children of two coasts. I can not see any reason of disagreement between the two countries. Turkey favours dialogue and peace with Greece. I believe that Turkey and Greece, which are members of NATO, can solve their problems by negotiations".

[04] Turkey, pseudostate to sign mutual defense agreement

According to the plan, which envisages the strengthening of the "TRNC's" economy, a free trade area will be formed immediately between the two sides and the support extended to the "TRNC" will be increased by diversifying the credit extended to it.

The plan, which compasses the principle of "further contacts" from the political perspective, envisages high-level state visits to the "TRNC". The first visit will be accomplished by President Suleyman Demirel after the holiday. Plans are being formed to "explain" to the world that the EU's decision to begin full accession talks with the Greek Cypriots is wrong. Based on an article in the EU's foundation understanding to the effect that "the EU may not begin full accession talks with countries with unsolved border problems", Turkey will ask international legal experts to prepare a report. The report will also be sent to the UN and the EU.

The most remarkable stage of the plan is the sighing of a "Defense Agreement" between the "TRNC" and Turkey. The agreement, which will include provisions similar to the ones signed between Cyprus and Greece, will reportedly be signed during President Suleyman Demirel's expected visit to the island after the holidays.

With this agreement, Turkey will be responsible for the full defense of the "TRNC" and will be able to establish bases in the pseudostate.

The proposals of US Presidential Envoy to Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, who visited the island, are reportedly not "considered realistic" in Turkey. Drawing attention to Holbrooke's proposal regarding the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from the island, the sources claimed: "He wants to water down Turkey's guarantorship". The sources also indicated that Holbrooke's advice to the EU to "invite Cyprus, not the Greek Cypriot sector, to apply for membership" has no meaning.

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

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