Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-20

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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. 75/00 -- 20.4.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu withdraws candidacy, second round cancelled.

[02] Turkey on third round of talks.

[03] Reasons for withdrawal of Eroglu/s candidacy.

[04] Demirel calls Denktash and Eroglu prior to latter/s withdrawal.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu withdraws candidacy, second round cancelled

Given the situation, the second round of the "presidential elections" expected to be held on 22 April will not be held since there is only one candidate, Rauf Denktash.

According to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 19.4.00), the decision of the National Unity Party (UBP) to withdraw Eroglu/s candidacy was unanimous. The decision, inter alia, said: "Our Party Council has assessed the various stands and behaviour exhibited in the last few days and has unanimously decided that our candidate should not participate in the second round. The UBP, which is the largest and most rooted party of the TRNC , will continue to serve the country rallying around Dr. Dervis Eroglu. We extend our sincere thanks to all our citizens who supported our leader Eroglu through their efforts and votes during the presidential elections and who made him succeed in the first round".

[02] Turkey on third round of talks

Pointing out that it is natural for the parties in the problem and the sides interested in the issue to exchange views prior to the new round expected to be held in New York in May, Atacanli said that it would not be right to make a comment before the results of the New York talks are obtained.

[03] Reasons for withdrawal of Eroglu/s candidacy

Asked by moderator Mehmet Ali Birand in the studio about the reasons for Eroglu/s sudden withdrawal, Alkan said:

"The UBP party assembly meeting is continuing. We will get the reasons from them a bit later. But political circles are listing a few reasons for Eroglu/s withdrawal. First, Turkey/s open position has played a role in Eroglu/s withdrawal. Soon after the first round, Turkey/s State Minister for Cyprus Sukru Sina Gurel issued a surprise statement in which he expressed the hope that Denktash would remain in his post. Second reason was the leftist parties/ position on whom to support in the second round. The government partner Communal Liberation Party, TKP, adopted a surprise decision last night allowing its voters to make a free choice. This created disillusion among the senior coalition partner UBP. And the Turkish Republican Party, CTP, tied its support for any candidate to the signing of a protocol. There were conditions in that protocol that were unacceptable to the UBP."

Asked to clarify these conditions, Alkan said: "According to reports, the protocol calls for the Turkish side/s soonest-possible participation in the negotiations held by the Greek Cypriot administration with the EU. This is seen as contrary to the Turkish thesis as seen by both Denktash and Eroglu. Second, for the past two years the Turkish side has been formally defending the establishment of a confederation on the island. Whereas the CTP was fiercely defending a federation with the Greek Cypriots. The CTP wanted clear provisions on federation introduced into the protocol. Third, using the EU decision as a pretext, the Turkish side has, for the past three years, been restricting contacts with the Greek Cypriots. Whereas the CTP wanted these bans lifted too".

[04] Demirel calls Denktash and Eroglu prior to latter/s withdrawal

[05] 100 million dollar credit from Turkey

/SK

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

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