Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-04-26

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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. 67/99 -- 24-25-26

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pseudostate nationalists hope for accelerated integration.

[02] Ecevit pays surprise visit to ``TRNC''.

[03] Denktash meets British official.

[04] Three Greeks released after mistakenly crossing into the occupied area.

[05] EU-Greek Cypriot decision said not binding on Turks.

[06] Demirel confers with Clinton on Kosovo, Greece, Cyprus.

[07] Turkish Cypriot delegation to COE meetings in Strasbourg.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pseudostate nationalists hope for accelerated integration Cyprus Today (24.4.99) reports that nationalists in the pseudostate inspired

The Nationalist Justice Party (MAP) of Zorlu Tore, which shared MHP`s right wing platform, expects an occupied area repeat of the polling day success for the Turkish party, which came second behind Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit´s Democratic Left Party.

Mr. Tore told Cyprus Today that the ``TRNC'' must maintain its autonomy, while taking steps towards further integration with Turkey.

``Since the international community is closely involved with the Cyprus issue, the two sides are able to meet at the table. But how much will this accomplish? At the end of the day, the issue is the strengthening of the TRNC and taking the path towards integration with Turkey…

There is no room for a federation, or even a confederation; the TRNC can only be strengthened as a unitary (autonomous) nation'', he said.

Turkey´s future actions would add momentum to the process of integration, said Mr. Tore, but this would not in any way mean the ``TRNC'' forfeiting it autonomy, nor would it be ``detrimental''.

``Today, there are many nations which are a part of the European Union, yet simultaneously preserve their autonomous (unitary) structure'', he said.

``Without Turkey, anyway, the TRNC would not be able to preserve its autonomy, or stand up to the Greek Cypriots… What we must do now is speed up our process of integration with Turkey'', he added.

Formed as an active political party on February 25, 1991, MAP has been led since then by Larnaca-born agricultural engineer Mr. Tore.

``We, as MAP, have integrated with (Tukey´s) MHP as a party'', he said.

``Our emblems are the same, our party platform and our causes are the same, and we are the people developed and `brought up´ by the late Chieftain, Alparslan Turkes''.

MAP stood under the political umbrella of the National Revival Party (UDP) in the so-called general election of December 1998, but failed to gain the percentage of the vote needed to attain a seat in ``parliament''.

However, Mr. Tore claimed his party, like MHP in Turkey, had the vote of 20 per cent of electors.

Analysts in the occupied area did not share Mr. Tore´s outlook, believing rather that Turkish Cypriots´ deep-rooted political tradition would hold out against any upheaval to the current route being followed on the Cyprus issue.

``I truly do not believe that the MHP rising to power is going to have an adverse affect on politics in the TRNC'', said the so-called president of the ``Turkish Cypriot Research Institute'' at the ``Eastern Mediterranean University'', Ismail Bozkurt.

Dr. Bozkurt said: ``One thing that has to be taken into consideration is that North Cyprus has a firmly-established political party structure…

As far as the Cyprus issue in general is concerned, this specific structure may have no effect, but the government to be formed as a result may have - for that, it is too early to predict.''

[02] Ecevit pays surprise visit to ``TRNC''

Anatolia reports that Ecevit, accompanied by his wife Rahsan, arrived at 10:10 and in a short statement to the press at illegal Tymbou airport, said this is an utterly private visit, that he will meet with Denktash and be briefed on the developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

Ecevit pointed out that due to the elections, he was not able to come to the pseudostate before. He noted that at his meeting with Denktash, they will assess the current stage of the economic relations between the two sides, and discuss the pseudostate´s expectations from Turkey.

Replying to a question, Ecevit said that he will stay in the pseudostate for a few days during which he will rest and think.

Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also arrived with Ecevit.

Ecevit went to meet Rauf Denktash at the ``Presidency'' after issuing this statement at the airport.

According to Anatolia, in his press statement at the ``Presidency'', Ecevit reiterated that this is an altogether private visit and that he was here for a holiday. Ecevit continued by saying that Denktash will also brief him with regard to the latest developments.

Explaining that the Cyprus issue was dropped from Tureky´s agenda because of the elections, Ecevit added that Denktash will brief him on the latest developments. Ecevit continued: ``We must be alert on the Cyprus issue. We have never forgotten the TRNC.'' Ecevit indicated that Sukru Sina Gurel was accompanying him on this visit because of his sensitivity on the Cyprus issue.

Recounting that he will discuss the economic relations between the two sides with Denktash, Ecevit added that he will disappear for a couple of days on a vacation.

Denktash, in turn, expressed his pleasure at Ecevit´s visit and added: ``We are proud that you chose this baby homeland, which you have saved from oppression, in order to take a rest. We will do everything in our power so that you will be comfortable.''

With regard to the Turkish elections, Denktash expressed belief that Ecevit will be able to set up a stable government as soon as possible. Recalling that both Turkey and the pseudostate had not changed their minds on the Cyprus issue., Denktash said: ``We are always ready to bridge our differences with the Greek Cypriots. This, however, should be on equal conditions and on the basis of a confederation.'' Recalling that foreign countries say that they will not impose a solution from the outside and that they urge the sides to settle their differences, Denktash assessed this as the right course of action.

Ecevit who retired to a suite allotted to him at the Jasmine Court Hotel, left the hotel in the afternoon to go to the military region.

It was reported that Ecevit had lunch with Rauf Denktash in his summer residence, which is located in this military region.

In his statement to reporters upon returning to his hotel, Ecevit said that he discussed the latest developments in Cyprus and the economic relations between Turkey and the pseudostate during his contacts and added: ``I need to think without talking for a while.''

In reply to reporters´ questions on whether he had any other plans, Ecevit said that he did not and added: ``You know very well that I have never misled you.''

It was learned from the Jasmine Court Hotel that Ecevit has reservations until 28 April, Anatolia says.

[03] Denktash meets British official

In a brief statement before the meeting, Denktash pointed out that there are those in the Greek Cypriot sector who describe him as the person who does not want an agreement. He added: ``Let them know that if there is to be an agreement, it will be based on equality''. Reiterating his view that an agreement will be reached between two equal partners, Denktash claimed that those who consider the Greek Cypriot side as the only government in Cyprus constitute the biggest obstacle to a solution.

[04] Three Greeks released after mistakenly crossing into the occupied area

The ``military court judge'' said that it has become clear that the three crossed into the ``TRNC'' unwittingly and did not engage in any action that could threaten the security of the ``TRNC''. Taking into account that they have no previous convictions, the ``judge'' decided that the three sign a ``personal bond'' of 1 billion Turkish lira pledging not to commit the same ``crime'' for one year. Their car was returned to them.

[05] EU-Greek Cypriot decision said not binding on Turks

In a written statement Hasipoglu said: ``We find it beneficial to declare once again that none of the actions undertaken or statements issued by the European parliamentarians during the said meeting are binding on the Turkish Cypriot people or their state, that the parliamentarians were present on the territory of the Greek Cypriot Administration, and that the decisions they adopt are not binding on the whole of Cyprus.''

[06] Demirel confers with Clinton on Kosovo, Greece, Cyprus

Sermet Atacanli, Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman, pointed out that Clinton met with only three statesmen that day, namely French President Chirac, President Demirel, and Greek Prime Minister Simitis.

Anatolia reports that Demirel and Clinton discussed the situation in Kosovo, the bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States, cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the Balkans, the Caucasus, the pipelines, the Middle East peace process, Iraq, Turkish-Greek relations, and the Cyprus issue.

At the meeting, President Clinton thanked Demirel ``for the determined role Turkey has been playing in connection with Kosovo'' and ``for the determined personal role he has been displaying in this regard''. Clinton asserted that NATO will finish what it has started off and that ``a blood- stained dictator like Milosevic will not be allowed to threaten Europe´s common values.''

[07] Turkish Cypriot delegation to COE meetings in Strasbourg

In his statement at illegal Tymbou airport, Cosar claimed that ``the TRNC is a separate entity on the island'', adding that this fact is defended on every platform. Explaining that the issue of identity may be raised at the Strasbourg meetings, Cosar added: ``As the TRNC, we may get involved in discussions on who we are and what is our identity''.

Cosar added: ``We are the representatives of the TRNC people. Our most important duty as representatives, therefore, is the promote ourselves on world platforms and in this way gain recognition.''

The delegation will remain in Strasbourg until 30 April and is expected to return to the pseudosotate on 2 May.

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

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