Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-02-23

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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.30/99 20-21-22-23.2.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] EU warned by Turkey against interference in Ocalan process.

[02] Denktash on House of Representatives resolution on Ocalan.

[03] Demirel threatens with failure of talks if confederation basis not accepted.

[04] Incident with Syrian fishermen.

[05] Denktash meets German academicians, says ``there is no Cypriot people.''

[06] French academicians, students meet Denktash.

[07] AVRUPA reports of speedy developments that will include Cyprus.

[08] Denktash meets Slovak ambassador.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] EU warned by Turkey against interference in Ocalan process

The statement alleged that the Turkish judiciary is independent, that this independence is categorical and unconditional, and that attempts to influence the judges and the prosecutors are considered to be a violation of Turkish law. The statement went on the express the following views:

``It is impossible for any circle inside or outside Turkey to interfere with the judiciary. Turkey, which is a state of law, is a country that meticulously fulfills the requirements on national and international laws.

Therefore, Turkey will neither allow nor tolerate any attempt at interference by a third party. Those who did not uphold the principle of the supremacy of the law with the excuse of protecting their own personal interests when the terrorist ringleader was a fugitive, have no right now to criticise us on the issue of a fair trial''.

The statement went on to note that during the trial of Ocalan Turkey will find the opportunity to expose the collaboration of certain foreign countries and circles with the PKK, the financial support extended by these circles to the organization, and the profits made through the drug trade, as well as to bring to justice those responsible for the said acts.

Claiming that those who supported the PKK despite Turkey´s warnings are now trying to create a new agenda between Turkey and the EU in a bid to rescue Greece and the Cyprus Government, the statement added: ``We draw the attention of the EU to the fact that it should not fall into this trap. The EU is responsible for dissuading one of its members, which has extended open support to terrorism, from pursuing this grave course and to make it account for its deeds.''

The statement alleged that it is a known fact that the PKK has been threatening the administrators of certain European countries in which they have perpetrated their recent attacks, as well as the various institutions of these countries, and that they have been conducting negotiations to end their actions. The statement went on:

``Now the administrators in question are creating the impression that they will launch anti-Turkey initiatives under the threat of terrorism. Those who succumb to threats and violence now, will be exposing their communities to greater problems in the future.''

[02] Denktash on House of Representatives resolution on Ocalan

``I would like to stress again that the assembly that adopted this shameful resolution is not the assembly of Cyprus, but one that represents only the Greek Cypriots,'' he said.

He noted that ``Kenya´s reaction is appreciated as a gesture in line with the values of humanity''. He then claimed that in the wake of the latest developments, Greece and the Cyprus Government must be placed on the list of countries that support terrorism.

He said that at this stage, the Turkish Cypriot side must seriously reassess the option of co-operation and partnership with the Greek Cypriots.

[03] Demirel threatens with failure of talks if confederation basis not accepted

Demirel added that on 31 August 1998 there was a proposal to establish confederation and alleged that this was a ``realistic basis'' to bring the sides around the negotiation table. He went on and said: ``This proposal is based on the equality of both sides on the island. It also considers the balance between Greece and Turkey in their relations regarding Cyprus. At this moment the benefits of the federation (as mentioned in the paper) proposal are being evaluated in Europe.

We hope that those sides which want a settlement in the Cyprus problem will make use of this opportunity and pressure Greece and the Greek Cypriot side for reconciliation''. (MY)

[04] Incident with Syrian fishermen

KIBRIS says that when the fishermen did not heed the warning and instead started to sail out of the so-called TRNC territorial waters, the coastguard boat was forced to open fire against them.

During the firing incident a fisherman was slightly wounded on the arm and the fishing boat was captured and towed to the fishing shelter in occupied Yaloussa.

An investigation is carried out, the paper says. (MY)

[05] Denktash meets German academicians, says ``there is no Cypriot people''

The group, from Mannheim University in Germany, was briefed by Denktash on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

Denktash told the visiting academicians that the ``Greek Cypriot administration does not need a settlement in Cyprus and as a result of this it does not want a settlement in Cyprus.''

``As long as the world accepts them as the government of the Republic of Cyprus and as long as they are not motivated for a settlement, they do not intend to reach a solution'', he claimed.

Denktash called on the world to use the confederation proposal to motivate the Greek Cypriots.

Denktash also told the visiting German academicians, who are on a fact- finding and familiarization visit, that there is no people called ``Cypriot''. He said that ``there is only one animal species that can be called Cypriot and that is the donkeys''. (MY)

[06] French academicians, students meet Denktash

The fifty-member group comprising academicians, students, a journalist and a foreign relations official from the French parliament had a meeting with Denktash.

Denktash explained the Cyprus problem to the visiting group and repeated his known allegations.

Denktash told the visiting group that there are very few books written in French that justify the ``TRNC case''. He offered the French students who want to do their Masters on the Cyprus problem scholarships at the occupied area´s universities.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting group, the academicians praised Denktash and said that he was a great politician. They described Denktash ``one of the major actors of history''.

The group presented Denktash with two photography albums on France saying that they know about Denktash`s hobby.

The delegation invited Denktash to open a photographic exhibition at the Vallenciennes University next September. Denktash told his audience that his recent exhibition in France was closed because of the Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby´s claim that it was political one. Denktash denied it. (MY)

[07] AVRUPA reports of speedy developments that will include

Quoting political circles, AVRUPA says that an agreement has been reached to deploy the S-300 missiles in Crete and points out Turkey´s silence on this issue. ``There was no reaction to this arrangement from Turkey'' reports AVRUPA.

The same circles, says AVRUPA, point out that these speedy developments will include Cyprus, and there will be steps towards the solution of the problem.

AVRUPA also quotes Foreign Minister Kasoulides´ statement in the US regarding the demilitarization of the island. (MY)

[08] Denktash meets Slovak ambassador

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

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