Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-03-21

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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. 53/00 -- 21.3.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit, Denktash make statements in Ankara.

[02] Demirel lauds Denktash/s determination.

[03] Church turned into mosque.

[04] Turkic states refuse receognition to pseudostate.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit, Denktash make statements in Ankara

Denktash and Ecevit staged a joint press conference at the Esenboga Airport.

Prime Minister Ecevit said very interesting developments had occurred about the Cyprus issue especially in recent months.

Ecevit said the activities and initiatives that Rauf Denktash launched "with his broad experience and leadership" were very important.

"The leadership of Mr. Denktash in the TRNC in these times is very important and a great chance for both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Currently, there have been some serious developments that can be thought positive for the Cyprus issue. Meanwhile, the whole world now accepts that the Greek Cypriots have no longer sovereignty over the TRNC. As the politics can/t accept authority gap, it should be accepted that there is an independent and sovereign state in northern Cyprus. Although the world has still not accepted this officially, this reality has started to receive gradually increasing acceptance. Of course, Mr. Rauf Denktash/s leadership contributed to the occurrence of this result. I wish success to him and all of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters," Ecevit said.

Rauf Denktash said in his part: "We are grateful to you. The Cyprus issue has really reached a very good point in last three years as a result of your efforts. The world is gradually perceiving and understanding the source of the Cyprus issue and how it couldn/t be solved for years. There are some people among the Greek Cypriots who started to say the truths and realities. I think that one of these realities will make us feel relieved. It has been revealed in one of the latest public poll that 72 percent of the Greek Cypriots do not want federation. Then, what do they want? They want to give us minority status in a unitary state", he said and added:

"The ways of compromise have become very clear after Turkey/s EU candidacy. Benefiting from these after reciprocal exchange of opinions is very natural. I am sure that a way which protects the rights of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots and does not mistreat both sides, will be absolutely found. Also, this way should not force us to make concessions from our national policy", he said.

Following their joint press conference, Denktash and Ecevit held a tete-a- tete meeting.

[02] Demirel lauds Denktash/s determination

Addressing the ceremony, Demirel said that Denktash did not only safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots "but at the same time he has been waging the struggle of the Turkic world and the Turkish identity". He added that "the Turkish Cypriots have been waging this struggle heroically under the leadership of Denktash". Demirel added:

"It should be well known that the Cyprus question is a national cause for Turkey today as it was in the past. It will remain a national cause in the future as well. This struggle will continue until just, lasting and equitable conditions are created. Naturally, in the current world diplomacy plays an extremely significant role. The power of diplomacy, support mustered through that power is a necessity and will be sufficient to attain a reasonable result. Mr. Denktash has been waging the current struggle with great expertise and determination. We congratulate him, and we wish him success in the struggle in the coming period".

[03] Church turned into mosque

The articles says the lack of a minare draws the attention of tourists who travel from Kantara to Famagusta and makes the "citizens" feel uneasy. (DP)

[04] Turkic states refuse recognition to pseudostate

RADIKAL reports that despite the fact that it was decided that the 2000 Turkic Congress was to be held in the occupied area, the Turkic states informed that they would not take part in the Congress since they do not recognize the "TRNC". Consequently, it was decided to hold the Congress in Samsun, Northern Turkey.

Earlier, while Turkey was working to secure recognition of the pseudostate, Bosnia-Herzegovina and FYROM decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Cyprus Government.

RADIKAL says that in the face of the Turkic states going back on their word and saying "we do not recognize the TRNC, so we cannot attend the Congress there", the venue of the Congress was transferred to Samsun.

RADIKAL notes that as a result of this development Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who together with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel demanded the pseudostate/s recognition, might refuse, as a reaction, to attend the Congress.

(MY)

EF/SK

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

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