Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-12-14

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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. 230/98 -- 12-13-14.12.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash undergoes ¨successful´cataract surgery in Ankara.

[02] Ecevit visits Denktash: says DSP seats `no problem´.

[03] Water source discovered to meet needs of Kyrenia.

[04] Demirel reassures Denktash about change of government.

[05] Commander vows to eliminate danger from outside, inside.

[06] Talat rejects resignation allegations.

[07] Clerides asserts S-300 determination amid cancellation rumours.

[08] US intensified efforts to reduce tension in Cyprus.

[09] Turkish settlers on the verge of ``resuscitating''. The New Birth Party under the name of Rebirth Party.

[10] A policeman and three civilians arrested near the occupied Tymbou airport.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash undergoes `successful´ cataract surgery in Ankara

A correspondent quoted the adviser of Denktash as saying that Dentkash came to GATA at 9:00 local time this morning.

The surgery held by Prof. Dr. Erol Yildirim and Prof. Dr. Hamdi Bilgi lasted 35 minutes.

It is also reported that the surger was successful and that Denktash would be discharged from the hospital in a short time.

[02] Ecevit visits Denktash; says DSP seats `no problem´

Ecevit and State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel responsible for Cyprus Affairs paid a visit to Rauf Denktash, who is staying at the Sheraton Hotel.

Issuing a statement after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, Ecevit said that Denktash had undergone a cataract operation and that his health and morale were very good.

In reply to a question: ``What are your views on the reports that the DSP seats in the Assembly will not suffice to form a government and that this will create difficulties?'', Ecevit said: ``We have no problems on this issue. There is also the possibility of limiting the number of state ministers''.

[03] Water source discovered to meet needs of Kyrenia

Eroglu referred to the importance of the water source given the occupied area`s climate.

[04] Demirel reassures Denktash about change of government

President Demirel said: ``Governments may come and go, but in the case of Cyprus, the new government takes over from where the former government left off, and goes on from there. Demirel pointed out that thanks to the state policy being pursued regarding Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots´ security and rights have been guaranteed''.

Demirel said: ``There are two state in Cyprus. That is a de facto situation. We told this to the world. One of these two states is recognized while the other is not. That is a very big mistake. Both states must be recognized. After that, the two states can negotiate and reach an agreement on how they will live on the island. They can live in a confederation. They can decide on what kind of arrangement they want. We do not think that the current de facto situation allows for another solution''.

Demirel charged that EU relations with Cyprus are making the solution of the problem more difficult.

Demirel went on and added: ``Let me regretfully point out that the TRNC has been completely isolated. The over 180,000 Muslims of Turk heritage who live `on this island in the eastern Mediterranean are treated differently from the rest of the world. They have a state but nobody recognizes it other than Turkey. They cannot trade with anyone. It is a strange situation. Given this situation, Turkey decided a few years ago to grant every kind of economic aid to Cyprus. Programs were drawn up and are being implemented. Services are being extended according to program.

Infrastructure investments are being made in north Cyprus. Ports are being restored. Water is being carried to north Cyprus. Projects are under way to supply north Cyprus constantly with water and electricity. I am saying this so that our kinsmen in north Cyprus can hear: All this will continue with the same intensity. In other words, when governments change in Turkey, the new government continues from where the previous government left off. Everybody must feel reassured''.

Demirel pointed out that the recent elections in the TRNC showed that the policy pursued for years in Cyprus is approved by the Turkish Cypriot people.

Rauf Denktash said that the occupied area is a fact that cannot be ignored. He explained that the opportunity for cooperation still exists if the Greek Cypriot side gives up its claim to the whole of Cyprus. He urged the Greek Cypriots once again:

After that Denktash left Ankara for Cyprus. He was seen off by Deputy Prime Minister Ecevit and State Minister Sukru Gurel.

Before his meeting with Demirel, Denktash was visited by Prime Minister Yilmaz. (MY)

[05] Commander vows to eliminate danger from outside, inside

Addressing a ceremony where soldiers conscripted in November were sworn in at the occupied Famagusta Training Battalion, Ozeryanli said: We are ready to pay not one but one thousand prices to protect this holy land and flag from danger, whether it comes from the enemy or from those who shamelessly betray the country from within by collaborating with the enemy. We will uphold the TRNC and keep it alive forever''.

Ozeryanli claimed that certain circles are trying to slander the occupation Forces Command, saying: ``They are claiming that we shot one of our sons in the back. We do not shoot even our enemy in the back''.

Replying occupation commanders threats AVRUPA (13.12.98) says that the ``sworn in'' ceremonies has turned into a forum of death threats. Brigadier- general Ozeryanli accused us of collaborating with the enemy and threaten us with death, declared AVRUPA. (MY)

[06] Talat rejects resignation allegations

Talat explained that the CTP Party Assembly convened yesterday evening, assessed the general elections, and decided that the Central Administrative Council should resign. He stressed that certain circles tried to inject from outside the idea that the leader must resign, but that the issue was not discussed. He said: Our Party Assembly decided that there is no need for the party lelader to resign, and the party must organize based on the lessons drawn from the election results, with discipline, and with a view to restructuring.

The CTP leader recalled that the CTP lost a significant amount of votes in these elections while the National Unity Party (UBP increased its vote. He pointed out that these results affected the political structure.

Talat explained that the Central Administrative Council, which is responsible for party activites, decided to resign in order to permit the free debate of the election results, and submitted its resignation to the Party Assembly. He said that the resignation was accepted but that the council will continue to have caretaker status until a new council is elected. Talat said that the election results were assessed by the party Assembly, which will make decisions on the issue at its meeting on Tuesday.

Talat pointed out that the Central Administrative council will hold a meeting with the District Administrative Councils this evening. He added that the general party congress scheduled for 2000 might be held earlier.

The general party congress scheduled for 2000 might be held earlier.

Asked what the CTP stand will be regarding the efforts to establish a government, Talat said that the Party Assembly did not discuss the issue and agreed with what the Central Administrative Council had said ealrier. He added: Acting with a sense of responsibiilty, the CTP will not shun its duties during the UBP´s efforts to establish a government, or if that fails, during subsequent efforts.

[07] Clerides asserts S-300 determination Amid cancellation rumours

Despite Clerides´ determination, speculation has increased that Cyprus and Greece would bow to international pressure and cancel the deployment of the S-300 in Cyprus. The most probable face-saving formula appears to be the deployment of the missiles on the Greek island of Crete, the TDN said.

According to the paper, the English-language Moscow Times on Thursday quoting Greek diplomats reported that Athens was stepping up pressure on the Clerides to accept the Crete formula. The Greek sources reportedly said that ``regardless of where the missiles are deployed, Greece will pay Russia the money.'' The article also claimed that the training which Greek and Greek Cypriot experts received on the S-300s was highly insufficient. Turkey and the ``TRNC'' have made it clear that the cancellation of the S- 300s cannot be ``a bargaining chip''. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem went even further by saying recently that the deployment of the missiles in Crete, or in any other place in the reigon, was not acceptable either.

[08] US intensified efforts to reduce tension in Cyprus

The package is expected to be announced by the UN and to include confidence- building and demilitarization measures.

In Ankara, diplomatic sources told the Turkish Daily News that recently Washington has been exerting ``very strong pressure'' on Clerides to cancel the deployment of the S-300s in Cyprus.

[09] Turkish settlers on the verge of ``resuscitating''. The New Birth Party under the name of Rebirth Party

He implied that if the party established he will leave the DP and join the Rebirth Party of the mainlanders.

The New Birth Party was established by the Turkish settlers in 1984 and in 1992. It was merged with the DP. ``No one could preclude the establishment of the Rebirth Party'' decelared Akin. Kenan Akin further said that once the Rebirth party is established it would be possible to form a coalition ``government'' with that of NUP the National Unity Party.

Speaking to KIBRIS´ correspondent, Kenan Akin confirmed the press reports that Turkish settlers are after establishing a political party.

He claimed that New Birth Party grassroots are worried and want a new party to be established.

KIBRIS further says that the other two mainland Turks Osman Imne Ahmet Elbasah who were ``elected'' to the pseudo-Assembly from occupied Trikomo, have declared that they will stay in the DP and continue working from there.

According KIBRIS (13.12.98), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who returned to the occuiped area after undergoing a successful cataract operation in Ankara, yesterday, declared that, ``reestablishing of the Turkish settlers party will not be in favour of the Cyprus cause and the people of Cyprus''.

Denktash went on and said that a sensible man will not engage in such thing. Denktash branded Kenan Akin´s attempt to establish a mainlanders´ party - ``as separatist attempt'' (ayirimci girisim) Denktash went on and said: ``It is not necessary for me to comment on rumours. I believe in this. Such a development will not be in favour of Cyprus cause nor to the Cyprus people. We are for actions that unite people this is a separatist attempt. Tomorrow I will talk to Mr. Kenan Akin. I do not want to comment on somehting that I did not know.'' (MY)

[10] A policeman and three civilians arrested near the occupied Tymbou airport

Paper does not give the full names of the arrested people it only reports the initials of their names. All of them, says the paper came from the occupied village of New Khorio, Kythreas. The gun and the ammunition in their possession were confiscated.

Denktash´s ``Police'' chief Erdem Demirag confirmed the arrests but refused to give further details.

The arrested four people claimed that they were poaching. After getting their statements they were set released on bail. (MY)

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

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