Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-11-17

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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. 210/99 -- 17.11.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem: We will never abandon Cyprus for EU membership.

[02] Ecevit speaks of no concessions in Cyprus issue.

[03] ``TRNC'' hosting Turkic Parliamentarians Congress.

[04] Cem on Cyprus.

[05] Pseudostate participation at Crans Montana.

[06] Raki producers protest.

[07] ``TRNC-Italy Trade Bureau'' inaugurated.

[08] Denktash: No concessions on sovereignty.

[09] Foreign universities to cooperate with ``TRNC'' universities.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cem: We will never abandon Cyprus for EU membership

Cem recalled that United Nations Security Council had decided to call on the leaders of the two communities on the island for negotiations through Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations. He said that the decision was a mistake.

Reminding that such a call was refused by both Turkey and the ``TRNC'', Cem said, ``we had previously stated that only an indirect talk could be held. We also told the United Nations officials that political equality between the partners should be recognized before direct relations. But in the last, it was decided to hold indirect negotiations. Words in the invitation text were chosen fastidiously. As a result, words such as `excellency/ were taken out of the text. No one has put pressure on us, but this time we have put pressure on them. We will never abandon Cyprus for membership to the European Union (EU)''.

[02] Ecevit speaks of no concessions in Cyprus issue

``This was a very positive meeting from Turkey/s viewpoint. Anyway, all the speeches made by President Clinton, both the speech he delivered in the Assembly and the statements he made to the press, showed how well Mr. Clinton understands Turkey as a statesman and how warmly he views Turkey. We are grateful for this. During our meeting at the Cankaya Mansion, I focused on the economy in particular. I explained that some of Turkey/s economic requirements are urgent in certain aspects. I noted that we appreciate the interest displayed by the IMF and the World Bank, but I said that the stand-by (preceding word in English) contribution they envisage for us is far from meeting our urgent needs. I asked the President for more support in this regard. He, in turn, found my request justified and said that he will do his utmost.''

Another journalist reminded Ecevit that Clinton expressed the view that Ankara and Athens must work hard for the solution of the Aegean and Cyprus problems. Ecevit replied:

``In any case, work is being conducted and a dialogue is being established on these issues. There is no serious obstacle, but there are subjects on which we cannot make concessions with regard to the Cyprus issue. As you know, the UN Secretary General issued a statement unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriot side, this generated reaction, and the statement was immediately rectified, eliminating all problems. Now, the proximity talks will begin in New York. The course of the talks will show us what the future holds''.

In reply to another question, Ecevit said that there is no question of his sending a letter to Greek Prime Minister Simitis, but he is hoping to meet with him in Istanbul during the OSCE summit.

[03] ``TRNC'' hosting Turkic Parliamentarians Congress

Rauf Denktash spoke in the opening ceremony of the congress.

Denktash said that holding this congress in the ``TRNC'' carries importance for them.

Meanwhile, Polat Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijani Culture Minister, said that they are pleased to participate in the ``Independence Day'' of the Turkish Cypriots.

He said he believes that the ``TRNC'' will be recognized by all the world.

``We aim at seeing the TRNC flag in the United Nations'', Bulbuloglu stated.

In addition, according to KIBRIS (17.11.99) a total of 20 parliamentarians of Turkish origin from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Australia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania, participate in the congress.

Among those who addressed the meeting were Azeri Parliamentarian Gulamhuseyi Aliyev, Turkish MPs Hakki Ogu Aykut, Hasan Goler and Mehmet Cumen, Australian senator of Turkish origin Tayfun Eren, and Bulgarian MP Remzi Durmus Osman. They all supported the pseudostate and claimed that they will continue their efforts to make the pseudostate gain recognition. They urged to increase the lobbying activities aimed at recognition of the pseudostate.

(MY)

[04] Cem on Cyprus

[05] Pseudostate participation at Crans Montana meeting

So-called foreign affairs and defence minister, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so- called minister of public works and transportation, Salih Miroglu, so- called undersecretary of the economy and finance ministry, Mehmet Turgut, will go to France via Istanbul on Thursday morning in order to participate at the Monaco World Summit.

According to information, at the Monaco World Summit, which is organized by the international institution Crans Montana, the issue ``Infrastructure- Telecommunications-Privatization-Finance'' will be discussed. 43 countries will be represented with their presidents or prime ministers or ministers.

Ertugrouloglu and Miroglu will have bilateral contacts during the summit. They will inform foreign investors on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

At the previous such meeting in Switzerland, Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash informed the participants through satellite about his views on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

[06] Raki producers protest

They protested for not being able to export raki to Turkey, although a ``protocol'' was signed related to the alcoholic drinks exports to Turkey from the ``TRNC''.

According to the ``protocol'', which was signed in 1997 between Turkey and the pseudostate, 3 million litres would be exported to Turkey every year. But producers say they could not export to Turkey not even 3 bottles of raki until now. So the demonstrators poured yesterday 3 tons of raki on the roads.

(DP)

[07] ``TRNC-Italy Trade Bureau'' inaugurated

The ``TRNC-Italy Trade Bureau'' will operate on the upper floor of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce building.

Among the people who attended the inauguration were Italian MP Niccolo Cuscuna, the so-called TRNC Italy honorary representative Augusto Sinagra, other Italian Parliamentarians and the chairman of the ``Bureau'' Dr. Armando Mendozza.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Italian MP Niccolo Cuscuna welcomed the opening of the ``Bureau'' and claimed that it will positively help the relations between Italy and the occupied area and will contribute to regional peace. He said that ``an attempt which will take into consideration the existence of two state, two governments and two cultures in Cyprus can be result oriented''.

Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash, Turkish envoy Apakan, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Salih Boyaci, and Dr. Mendozza also spoke during the inauguration ceremony.

(MY)

[08] Denktash: No concessions on sovereignty

Denktash stressed that the Turkish Cypriots should not worry about the pressure to be exerted on them.

Denktash further stressed that if a chance is given to the Turkish Cypriots for reconciliation during the indirect talks in New York on 3rd December he will look for this chance. However, he added, it is out of question to make concessions on freedom, sovereignty rights and justice.

(MY)

[09] Foreign universities to cooperate with ``TRNC'' universities

Meanwhile, according to BIRLIK (17.11.99) within the framework of celebrations for the illegal UDI, deans, representatives, directors of 20 universities from five countries, Belarus, Nigeria, Tataristan, Bashkurdistan, and Azerbaidjan, signed an ``academic cooperation protocol'' with the deans of ``TRNC'' universities.

The ``protocol'' foresees an exchange of teachers and students. (DP)

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

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