Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-09-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 161/99 -- 7.9.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash suffering from influenza in US, extends visit.

[02] Denktash reacts to reported Holbrooke plan to oust ``TRNC''

[03] Denktash explains purpose of his US visit.

[04] Only one person under arrest for Harpas´ murder.

[05] Turkish Cypriots protest Hala Sultan arson attempt to UN.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish columnist views Ecevit´s Washington agenda.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash suffering from influenza in US, extends visit

Denktash who was to proceed to Washington D.C. yesterday by train, will return to New York again on Tuesday.

He is scheduled to meet with Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations on Thursday.

The United Nations Security Council has assigned Annan to call on Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides, to start negotiations this fall.

Denktash will discuss the issue with Annan before he invites the two sides on the island to the negotiations.

Meanwhile, Denktash who was expected to depart the US on September 11, has extended the period of his visit to the US.

He is expected to hold talks with Tom Weston, Special Representative of the US State Department to Cyprus, and with Sir David Hannay, Britain´s Special Representative to Cyprus, on September 12.

He will attend a meeting which will be held at ``CIBC World Markets Corp'' by an organization named ``Briefings'' as speaker on Wednesday. Denktash will also address the meeting of the Foreign Relations Council.

[02] Denktash reacts to reported Holbrooke plan to oust ``TRNC''

Speaking on the phone with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who is currently in New York, illegal Bayrak´s announcer asked the latter what does he have to say in connection with this comment-report that they received. Denktash replied:

``First of all, I do not want to believe that Mr. Holbrooke said such a thing. This is tantamount to eliminating the Turkish Cypriot people, one of the four sides that are politically and legally essential to the Cyprus issue. This is not possible. If the Cyprus problem is to be solved, the two peoples in Cyprus and their motherlands, namely guarantor Turkey and Greece, must say yes. Having illusions about anything else will not serve any purpose.

Saying we will settle the issue with Turkey, and there is no need to discuss it with Denktash… (pauses) Denktash is not an individual, he is the democratically elected representative and negotiator of one of the sides to the problem. Therefore, I do not believe that Holbrooke made such a gaffe. Naturally, if he said such a thing, we must review our relations with him''.

To a question what is his opinion about Richard Holbrooke´s stand toward him, Denktash replied: ``I repeat: I do not believe that he could have said such a thing. Holbrooke is an intelligent person. He cannot push aside the Turkish Cypriot people, one of the sides to the issue. This is impossible. Therefore, there is no point in continuing as though this was actually said. I say that the Cyprus problem can be resolved if Turkey and Greece also approve the principles acceptable to the two peoples living in Cyprus. This is a four-legged issue. If one of these legs is cut off and cast aside, they will encounter a lame situation, and no outcome can be achieved in this way.''

[03] Denktash explains purpose of his US visit

Denktash stated that ``we can negotiate with the Greek Cypriot side only as state to state and we want the General Secretary of the UN Kofi Annan not to take sides''.

Denktash also asked Annan to prepare the ground for the two sides to meet, within the framework of his good offices mission.

Replying a question about the aim of his visit to New York and Washington, Denktash said: ``My goal is to have contacts in New York and Washington in order to prepare the necessary things beforehand. I have to explain to them the policy of the Turkish Cypriot side.'' He accused the Greek Cypriot side of doing whatever it can so that the embargo against the ``TRNC'' continues and ``to punish Turkey.'' Denktash reiterated his claim that ``we can talk only as state to state, this is the reality. On the island, there are two states, two democracies, two peoples''.

He claimed that the UN General Secretary knows all these, but he cannot speak about these ``realities'' due to the Greek lobby. ``When the Greek Cypriot side accepts the Turkish Cypriot side as a separate government, the Cyprus problem will be ended'', he said.

(DP)

[04] Only one person under arrest for Harpas´ murder

It was announced that only one person is under arrest for the moment. (DP)

[05] Turkish Cypriots protest Hala Sultan arson attempt to UN

Plumer demanded from the UN Peacekeeping Forces to take the matter more seriously and make the appropriate investigations and that on their initiatives the culprits must be found. He also asked from Hutter that the UN must take more serious measures so they will be able to obtain security and protection for , Tekke and other sacred places.

Plumer informed KIBRIS´ correspondent in New York about his meeting with Hutter. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side did not give permission to the Turkish Cypriot journalists to visit Hala Sultan Tekke immediately and did so a week after the arson attempt.

Plumer claimed that the Cyprus government wanted to ``hide'' the incident, ``so they invited the Turkish Cypriot journalists after they had taken care of the place, hiding evidence''. Plumer said that ``this is not a matter that can be taken lightly. We will inform the Islamic Conference Organization, UNESCO, and other relevant organizations''. He concluded by saying that ``this action must be punished by the UN''.

(DP

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish columnist views Ecevit´s Washington agenda

The foreign ministries of both countries are now working intensively to prepare the agenda. The talks will start with `easy problems´ on which the two countries agree and gradually move up to contentious ones.

Very Important (subhead)

The US Administration is giving great importance to Ecevit´s visit, as evinced by the decision to host Ecevit at the Blair House presidential guest-house reserved for important presidents and prime ministers. I remember well the past disputes between the two countries on where to accommodate our officials. Blair House is quite a modest guest-house just opposite the White House, but has gained an aura of importance because of the guests it has hosted.

So, Ecevit staying there is important, but even more important is the United States´ determination to find lasting solutions to the problems of its `best ally´ Turkey.

The two countries differ most on the Cyprus problem.

State, But How? (subhead)

The irrevocable statements of TRNC President Rauf Denktash and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that `we can sit at the table only after the state is recognized´ has created a major difficulty for the United States. Almost anyone now knows that the US administration wants the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides to resume the talks `unconditionally´. The United States has, therefore, been producing various formulas to bridge the gap between the sides, and it seems certain that it would put all these formulas on the table at Washington.

Suppose a progress was achieved and the talks resumed. The Turkish side will continue defending the confederation, even as the United States supports a bizonal and bicommunal federation.

This is a clear indication of difficulties involved in this issue.

Another Difficult Problem (subhead)

The United States frankly believes that Turkey´s place is in the EU and promotes this idea. I have intimate knowledge of it. Concomitantly, the very same United States believes that Turkey should fast adopt decisions, enact and implement laws that would bring it closer to Europe on human rights, equality, freedom of thought and conscience. But, such demands give the impression of interference in Turkey´s domestic affairs. That is why the Turkish government always feels the need to state that it would introduce the reforms not because others want them but because Turkey itself needs them. Despite everything, it is believed that the sides would easily narrow the gap, if not achieve complete unanimity on this issue.

Earthquake Aid (subhead)

When President Clinton invited Ecevit to visit Washington, the earthquake disaster had not yet struck Turkey. But, naturally, the `post-earthquake´ Turkey would also become another important item on the agenda. Once Turkey´s needs´ are clearly ascertained, the United States would almost certainly extend substantial amount of assistance and credit. The United States´signal to the IMF and World Bank would, therefore, be of great importance for Turkey''.

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article