Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-09-25

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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. 177/98 -- 25.9.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Etkin on rejection of Denktash´s proposal for property exchange committee.

[02] Denktash opposes change in guarantee system.

[03] Turkish Minister, Russian envoy discuss missiles, economy.

[04] Denktash claims EU membership process should be set aside.

[05] Yilmaz suppots confederation at UN Assembly speech.

[06] Turkish minister resigns from TGNA, to resign from ministry.

[07] Party leaders discuss confederation proposal with Denktash.

[08] Echinococcus on the rise.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Etkin on rejection of Denktash´s proposal for property exchange committee

Claiming that the Greek Cypriots make a mistake by acting like this, Etkin alleged ``we expect that they will evaluate these proposals in time. We, as the Turkish side proposed a goodwill proposal. This goodwill opens the way for the solution of the Cyprus question and it will end this problem. This is the last chance.''

Etkin said that he will leave for New York together with Rauf Denktash at the end of September and participate in the Foreign Ministers meeting of the Islamic countries and hold various contacts there.

[02] Denktash opposes change in guarantee system

Noting that the Cyprus problem was not a question stemming from the guarantee system, Denktash claimed ``the Cyprus question is a problem of occupying the partner´s post by causing bloodshed and despite the international agreements to turn Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot state''.

President Glafcos Clerides proposed the number of guarantor countries to be increased in case the Cyprus question is solved and wanted these countries to have the right to launch initiatives if the agreements are not abided by.

[03] Turkish Minister, Russian envoy discuss missiles, economy

Addressing the meeting, Andican reminded that Turkey attributes great importance to Russia in the field of the economy.

Andican pointed out that they will discuss with Lebedev at the meeting the issues of Turkish businessmen in Rusia, the shuttle trade and the economic crisis in Russia.

Describing the sales of the S-300 missiles to Cyprus as a significant commercial business for Russia, Aleksandr Lebedev stressed, ``the mentioned missiles won`t cause a political crisis between the two countries. Consultations concerning the missiles are being held on the bilateral and multilateral levels. I will be pleased with the signing of an agreement concerning the sales of missiles with the S-300`s to Turkey during my mission period.''

Lebedev stressed that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz´s visit to Russia in coming months will also be discussed at the meeting. He added that Turkey and Russia are important partners for each other.

[04] Denktash claims EU membership process should be set aside

In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency), Denktash assessed the reports that Italy, France, and Spain will veto the accession of Cyprus to the EU until a political solution is found to the Cyprus issue. Denktash continued: ``It is essential that the Cyprus issue be discussed and settled first. The issue must be settled before talks on the whole of Cyprus can be launched and before a situation is created which allows for the representation of the two former partners in Cyprus; namely, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities''.

Commenting on the remarks of Spanish Foreign Minister Matutes to the effect that a more comprehensive proposal is expected instead of the EU joint confederation proposal, Denktash claimed: ``The confederation proposal is a constructive proposal aimed at uniting under a confederate structure the states of two peoples, which have had separate lives and governments for 35 years. I continue to hope that this proposal, which takes into consideration the existing realities, will be assessed properly. No more time should be wasted on what this or that diplomat told or did not tell the Greek Cypriot leaders.''

Stressing that no agreement can be secured by assuming that the ``TRNC'' does not exist, Denktash inter alia added: ``An agreement that ignores the TRNC cannot be made. The Greek Cypriot Administration, which calls itself the Cyprus government, is equal to the Turkish Cypriot administration called the TRNC. The exchange of properties should be speedily settled if a union is sought.''

[05] Yilmaz supports confederation at UN Assembly speech

On the military front, the policies of the Greek/Greek Cypriot camp have heightened tensions on the island. The clock is ticking for the deployment of the S-300 missile system.

On the political front, the decision of the European Union to start accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side has altered all the parameters and the established framework for a settlement. Regrettably, this process serves only to perpetuate the division of the island.

Turkey fully supports the initiative tabled, at this critical time, by President Denktash on 31 August 1998. This proposal of historic importance envisages the establishment of a Cyprus confederation. We believe this proposal provides a perspective for a just and lasting settlement. It corresponds to the realities of the island. It protects the vital and legitimate interests of all the parties concerned. It aims at preserving the integrity of the island. It is in line with the United Nations´ approach to reach a freely negotiated and mutually acceptable settlement to the Cyprus issue.

We believe that the proposed confederation can finally open an avenue for peace and reconciliation based on a common destiny for the two peoples in Cyprus''.

[06] Turkish minister resigns from TGNA, to resign from ministry

[07] Party leaders discuss confederation proposal with Denktash

KIBRIS reports that the leaders of the NUP, the DP, the CLP and the RTP took part in the meeting. The newly-established Patriotic Unity Party (PUP) refused to attend the meeting which was convened at Denktash´s invitation. The PUP said that ``they do not want to be a walker-on in this act''.

Prior to the meeting Denktash told the journalists that they will make assessments regarding his confederation proposal.

During the meeting, Denktash gave the impression that soon shuttle diplomacy could start regarding the Cyprus problem. Denktash said that according to information he received the UN will be the centre of this shuttle diplomacy.

Denktash and party leaders said that they have received interesting reactions from abroad regarding the confederation proposal especially on the possibility that a confederal Cyprus could became an EU member. Some EU centers are looking positively into this opening, they said. Party leaders agreed that the confederation proposal should be used as a door opening for the resumption of the dialogue. (MY)

[08] Echinococcus on the rise

In his report Alper says that in 1995, the number of cases were 3, in 1996 7, and in 1997 12.

He said that most of the animals which were found infected with echinococcus were in the Messaoria plane. (MY)

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

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