Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-06-18

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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. 105/99 -- 18.6.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey irked by G-8 involvement in Cyprus.

[02] Ecevit: ``There is no Cyprus issue''.

[03] Bosnia-Herzegovina Ambassador visits occupied area.

[04] Pseudostate delegation to go to Strasbourg.

[05] Denktash insists on recognition of his pseudostate.

[06] Albanian party leader to visit pseudostate.

[07] Gurel: ``two states'', confederation, a precondition for negotiations.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey irked by G-8 involvement in Cyprus

``I should underline that we do not approve the G-8 countriesī arbitrary interference in this issue'', Foreign Ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli told reporters.

He was referring to a June 10 statement by the groupīs foreign ministers calling for an immediate resumption of the dialogue between the two Cypriot sides with no preconditions, and their upcoming summit in Cologne, where the Cyprus issue will be again on the agenda.

Atacanli claimed that the efforts of the G-8s contradicted the goodwill mission carried by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his Cyprus envoys.

``The June 10 statement of the G-8s will not bring about any acceleration in the solution process and it contains contradictions within itself'', Atacanli said, stating that the G-8s do not have the authority to call on the two sides to restart dialogue.

He referred to the EUīs 1997 Luxembourg summit at which Cyprus was announced a candidate and reiterated the claim that this decision destroyed the solution framework based on the establishment of a bi-zonal bi-communal federation.

``The proposal of President Rauf Denktash for the establishment of a confederation has the full support of Turkey'', the spokesman said.

Atacanli reiterated that, ``Any talks in Cyprus can be held only between the two sovereign states there. There cannot be any talks between communities.''

He also emphasized that before making calls for dialogue, the atmosphere on the island should be taken into consideration.

The G-8 group embodies the worldīs seven most industrialised nations - the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia. Their leaders will gather for a three-day meeting in Cologne on Friday.

[02] Ecevit: ``There is no Cyprus issue''

``But there is no issue in Cyprus so that G-8 countries should be interested in it. Cyprus is neither Bosnia nor Kosovo. There is peace on the island since 1974. If others get involved, then there could be an ethnic conflict, like in Bosnia. We wonīt allow foreign intervention.''

[03] Bosnia-Herzegovina Ambassador visits occupied area

[04] Pseudostate delegation to go to Strasbourg

[05] Denktash insists on recognition of his pseudostate

He further claimed: ``The only way to a solution is talks between two states. The Greek Cypriots have to recognise the TRNC, or at least Mr. Clerides has to announce that he is not the government of the Turkish Cypriots.''

[06] Albanian party leader to visit pseudostate

[07] Gurel: ``two states'', confederation, a precondition for negotiations

``The (68) decision does not assess the issue on the basis of the realities. They refer to negotiations without preconditions, while Mr. Denktash in no way accepts that and we support his stand''.

Gurel added that Turkey and the pseudostate pose as condition for the carrying out of negotiations the ``two states'' in Cyprus and the establishment of a confederation on the island. He added that the framework of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General is the consent of both sides in Cyprus.

Reminded that the Cyprus problem is one of the most important issues on the agenda of Washington, Gurel replied:

``Whenever there is reference to Turkey, the Cyprus problem is not the only issue that should come to mind. Turkey is a state that guarantees stability and peace in the area. Consequently, this fact should be appreciated by the USA. Turkey must cease to be the state about which there is consideration only simultaneously with the Cyprus problem.''

The article further notes that during Ecevitīs visit to Washington, probably in September, President Clinton will ask for concessions on Cyprus by Turkey. It further notes that the present Turkish Government stresses that it is impossible for Turkey to make concessions on Cyprus, but that such an impression has been created among western countries due to the mistaken policies of previous governments.

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

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