Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-12-15

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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. 231/98 -- 15.12.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot-Greek Cypriot meeting described as a `success´.

[02] Dentkash admits presence of 30,000 mainland Turk settlers.

[03] Turkish Cypriot businessman dissatisfied with ``Istanbul meeting''.

[04] Denktash on Ann Hercus ``package''.

[05] ``TRNC'' delegation to Tataristan.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot-Greek Cypriot meeting described as a `success´

Richard Holbrooke, US Special Envoy to Cyprus, said that the businessmen came together to improve the relations in the region and that the fact that the meeting was held in Istanbul did not have a political aim.

Responding the questions in a press conference after the meeting, Holbrooke stated that the meeting aimed at improving the relations between the businessmen by non-political diplomacy.

Holbrooke said, ``We are not here for a political aim. We have not come together to give a political message or to establish a political lobby. We are here to improve the relations in the region''.

Stressing that the meeting was held in order to take decisions regarding the facilitation of the life on Cyprus and in order to put these decisions into effect, Holbrooke noted that their aim was to prevent the misunderstanding between the parties by having face-to face meetings.

Responding the questions of the journalists on the success of the meeting, the participants said that the fact that they came together was a solid success.

Moreover, according to MILLIYET (14.12.98), replying to journalists´questions at the end of the meeting, Richard Holbrooke, President Clinton´s Special Envoy to Cyprus, said that they maintain a positive approach on Cyprus´ inclusion in the talks on accession to the EU and noted that Turkey must also be inlcuded in the process. He asserted:

``The Unitied States believes that the EU made the right decision to invite Cyprus to join the organization. In fact, we applauded it. However, we are convinced that the treatment that was accorded to Turkey during the summit in Luxembourg was wrong. There were 12 candidate countries but only 11 of them were invited. Turkey should have been included in the expansion process, starting off as an equal candidate. President Clinton expressed a similar view in Germany at the beginning of 1998''.

Holbrooke also said that factors such as economic problems, political issues, and human rights will delay Turkey´s application.

It has been reported that the meeting discussed the water problem in Cyprus and that the participants agreed that it was not a political issue.

The disclosure that was made at the end of the convocation said that the participants expressed the hope that the restrictions on property, services, and the free movement of the people will be reduced and eventually removed.

Holbrooke said that he will visit Athens at the invitaiton of Foreign Minister Theodhoros Pangalos to discuss the reigon´s problems, including Kosovo.

[02] Denktash admits presence of 30,000 mainland Turk settlers

He dismissed Mavroyannis´s accusation that it is Turkey that precludes Cyprus´ NATO membership. Denktash said that ``the Republic of Cyprus is a partnership republic made up of two peoples.''

He wondered how a non-aligned Cyprus wanted to become a NATO member. ``It is time to put an end to this lie'', Denktash declared.

Commenting on Ambassador Mavroyannis´s accusation that because of the Turkish mainland settlers the Turkish Cypriots are a minority in the north, Denktash dismissed this accusation and admitted that there are 30 thousand mainland Turks living in the occupied area, that they came and settled on their own free will, and that they are ``TRNC citizens''.

``Had it been Turkey´s demand and their desire and had there been a policy of introducing demographic changes, then the population of the TRNC would have been over half a million today'' Denktash said. He added that there is no need for such a policy since the Turkish Cypriots consider themselves as part of the 65 million Turkey, which is 40 miles away from Anatolia, and feel secure. He wondered how ambassador Mavroyannis ``dared acuse Turkey of attempting to annex Cyprus''. (MY)

[03] Turkish Cypriot businessman dissatisfied with ``Istanbul meeting''

Lordos and Celik expressed divergent views as regards the Istanbul meeting which was jointly organized by the International Conflict Resolution Programme of Columbia University and the Oslo International Peace Research Institute. The meeting was chaired US Presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke.

Vedat Celik said that in the final declaration of the Istanbul meeting projects are included which are very difficult to realize.

On the other hand, the head of the Greek Cypriot delegation, Mr. Lordos, expressed satisfaction and happiness regarding the agreement concluded and added: ``I hope both sides will be able to put this into practice''.

Celik said: ``We are ready to enter into cooperation, but under equal conditions. We, as businessmen, are involved in this with the hope that the embargoes will be removed, cooperation will be established, especially in the fields of trade and economy, the contacts will increase and that trust will be re-established. Otherwise, we will never accept a task that delegates us to realize projects by replacing governments and authoritative organs. We will never enter into such course.

Unless there is a reciprocal approach between the two states, we believe that no project, no initiativie will be successful. We do not want to encourage such a thing''.

Celik went on and said: ``Had we not attended these meetings we would have left the stage empty. As the case is, we might have bad results, but by attending such meetings we make our voice heard.'' He said that during the Istanbul meeting he had the chance to explain the Turkish views to several press agencies.

The KIBRIS correspondent goes on and reports that Mr. Lordos, contrary to Vedat Celik, expressed great satisfaction at the result of the meetings and also expressed the view that opportunities should be created to meet more often with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

When asked why the bussinessmen did not meet in Cyprus and always meet elsewhere, Lordos said: ``Because meetings in Cyprus are not encouraged and supported. But we have to overcome this obstacle as well''. He expressed the view that the Cyprus problem can be solved. Turkish Cypriot businessman Vedat Celik said that Lordos was not sincere in what he said. (MY)

[04] Denktash on Ann Hercus ``package''

Answering a question put to him by an Anatolia Agency correspondent, Denktash said that Dame Hercus was holding confidence building contacts with both sides for a long time. However, he added, he was anaware that she was preparing a package.

Expressing the view that Ann Hercus should continue her contacts Denktash said: ``For the time being there is no result. God willing there will be a result''.

[05] ``TRNC'' delegation to Tataristan

KIBRIS reprots that the meeting will take place in Kazan. Samioglu will address the meeting. (MY)

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

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