Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-02-01

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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. 21/00 -- 1.2.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Annan-Denktash meeting ends; Denktash very pleased.

[02] Turkey calls for end to «inhumane practices against TRNC».

[03] Denktash/s seven points.

[04] Turkish Cypriots in London ask for recognition from British government.

[05] YENIDUZEN accuses illegal TAK of spying on journalists.

[06] Eroglu proposes 15 April as day for «elections».

[07] Journalist commits suicide.

[08] Hasipoglu claims foreign MPs will come to Cyprus through Tymbou.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Turkish paper views Greek policy on Cyprus, Turkish stand.

[10] Columnist on Denktash/s visit to Germany.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Annan-Denktash meeting ends; Denktash very pleased

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Denktash said, «Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, said that his meeting with Annan focused on four main issues. But there are seven main issues for us».

Describing Annan as a good listener, diplomat, and statesman, Denktash expressed profound satisfaction over meeting with Annan.

Denktash said, «there is no need for new opinions to resolve the Cyprus question. Realism and sincerity will be adequate for solution».

Diplomatic sources noted that President Clerics wanted to bring the issues of security, distribution of powers, property, territory, and settlers onto agenda while Denktash insisted on the thesis of equality, sovereignty, and recognition of the «TRNC».

[02] Turkey calls for end to «inhumane practices against TRNC»

A written statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed Turkey/s hope that steps to this end will be taken in the proximity talks.

The statement said Turkey also hoped that a compromise will take shape in the new period, in a confederal framework, which guarantee the legal rights and interests of both sides.

Pointing out that intense preparation efforts of the so-called TRNC authorities were underway with the contribution of Turkey, the statement said, «TRNC authorities brought the proposal for a confederation formed by two states, which is the most realistic and permanent solution model, by considering the EU dimension of the issue».

The statement stressed that Turkey, as the guarantor country, fully supported the views of «TRNC», and noted that, «we appreciate the constructive leadership of TRNC President Rauf Denktash in efforts to find a secure and permanent compromise between the two states on Cyprus.»

[03] Denktash/s seven points

[04] Turkish Cypriots in London ask for recognition from British government

[05] YENIDUZEN accuses illegal TAK of spying on journalists

The report says that the real duty of illegal TAK should be to occupy itself with news reporting and not compiling intelligence reports.

YENIDUZEN adds that illegal TAK compiles reports and sends them to intelligence services with a «confidential» note on the envelope.

The paper further adds that such «confidential» reports find their way to the so-called coalition government/s organs BIRLIK and ORTAM and accuses these papers of cooperating with the intelligence services. (MY)

[06] Eroglu proposes 15 April as day for «elections»

Eroglu stated that he will submit his proposal to the pseudo-assembly, adding that the election campaign will begin on 15 February. (DP)

[07] Journalist commits suicide

[08] Hasipoglu claims foreign MPs will come to Cyprus through Tymbou

Hasipoglu said that it has been decided that political parties who are represented at the Interparliamentary Union will hold meetings in Cyprus.

The first such meeting, according to Hasipoglu, will be held in Paphos on 15 February and the second one in occupied Kyrenia, and guest MPs will arrive through the illegal airport of Tymbou.

Hasipoglu pointed out that this is really important from the point of view of safeguarding their sovereignty.

Hasipoglu said that they have had very fruitful contacts with parliamentary assembly members, adding that they reacted written and orally to the election of Cyprus MP Mr. Hadjidimitriou as chairman of the Cultural Committee.

Hasipoglu also said that they have prepared a proposal related to the sports «embargo», which will be submitted to the chairman of the Sports Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. He said that this proposal has been signed by Turkish, British, French, Russian and Lithouanian MPs. (DP)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Turkish paper views Greek policy on Cyprus, Turkish stand

He describes Greek policy on Cyprus as follows: «Greece is convinced that it has created a difficult situation for Turkey on Cyprus and the Aegean. It plans to conquer the castle from within its walls. That is why it encourages contacts between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, claiming that `an obstacle similar to the Berlin Wall must not exist in Cyprus/ while the Turks and Greeks move to embrace each other. The Greek officials are convinced that they hold a very effective trump card to help Cyprus join the EU even if a solution cannot be found to the problem. Greece/s plan is as follows: Talks are held between the EU and six candidate countries. The adaptation measures taken by Hungary, Estonia, Poland, and south Cyprus have brought them close to the organization. The Greek Government might not object to the accession of the other three if a problem arises on Cyprus. However, it might only delay the process until it secures its parliament/s approval.

A legal obstacle against the Turkish Cypriots benefiting from the EU opportunities will not exist even if south Cyprus joins the organization with its present status. Obviously, the Greeks and Greek Cypriots believe that the Turkish Cypriots might be attracted by the advantages they might gain.»

He then says that Turkey and the pseudostate have a thesis on Cyprus but not a strategy and adds: «Would it not be better for them to focus on initiatives that would strengthen their position in Geneva and help them solve their problems after the second round of the proximity talks ends? For example, can they not consider initiatives to pave the way for the recognition of the TRNC by the time the final stage of the talks on Cyprus/ accession is reached and to secure the participation of north Cyprus in the accession talks under equal conditions in return for an agreement on the general outlines of the island/s future status and the border between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides? Many creative alternatives can be found if the matter is seriously considered.

Meanwhile, an important point is as follows: The policy of trying to avoid difficulties is not always useful. The EU process has started. Time is an important factor. The agenda and the parameters are quite clear. Trying to move around the problems will be useless.»

[10] Columnist on Denktash/s visit to Germany

Prof. Sen further claims that Denktash will visit Germany as the official guest of Mr. Fischer. Prof. Sen further says that during Denktash/s visit, it would be very appropriate if the Turkish embassy officials and consulate members in Germany stay behind and not expose themselves too much. «It is the Turkish diplomats/ responsibility in Germany to demonstrate to the German public that Denktash is not a president who acts in accordance with Turkey/s decisions or a president who takes directives from Turkey».

He claims that year 2000 will be an important year for the occupied area in making its voice heard and for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Prof. Sen concludes by urging non-governmental organizations to extend help to Denktash. (MY)

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

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