Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-12-15

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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. 242/00 -- 15.12.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ``TRNC'' finds UN resolution extending UNFICYP mandate `unacceptable/.

[02] Denktash: Situation will continue to be same for UN soldiers in Cyprus.

[03] Turkish Council of Ministers approves `Action Plan/ to strengthen ``TRNC'' economy.

[04] Denktash to give lecture on Cyprus developments.

[05] Turkey/s Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] 'TRNC' Finds UN Resolution Extending UNFICYP Mandate 'Unacceptable' Anatolia Agency (15:59 hours, 14.12.00) reports that the so-called ministry

In a written statement, the so-called ministry claimed that the resolution comprises unacceptable elements such as a reference to a Cyprus government, and a phrase saying that the UNFICYP mandate is being extended with the approval of the Cyprus Government without any reference to the approval of the ``TRNC''.

The statement said that "the UNFICYP's deployment and activities in the TRNC completely depend on the approval and accord of the TRNC authorities, and these activities can be effectively carried out only with the cooperation of the said authorities. Until today, the TRNC allowed these activities within the framework of its own law, rules, and regulations, and it has repeatedly stressed that an agreement must be signed with the Turkish Cypriot side in order to place the relations with the UNFICYP on sound foundations."

The statement further said that the latest resolution may leave the UNFICYP activities within the ``TRNC'' in a legal vacuum. This is a grave development and bad example for peacekeeping operations in the world, it added.

The ``ministry'' pointed out that the resolution mentions the measures the ``TRNC'' took against the UNFICYP on 30 June 2000 and raises the issue of Strovilia. ``This is a one-sided and unacceptable thing to do'', the ``ministry'' claimed adding: ``Keeping the Turkish Peace Force responsible for activities carried out in an area controlled by the TRNC Security Forces is absolutely unacceptable.''

It asserted that the 30 June 2000 measures -- which also include the Strovilia issue -- were taken by the so-called council of ministers and that the United Nations must address itself to the ``TRNC'' regarding this issue and all other issues. It went on: "The resolution contradicts the principle of the two sides' political equality, a principle accepted by the United Nations too. It also contradicts the de facto, political, and legal realities on the island and is completely unacceptable. The situation created by the adoption of this resolution is being assessed together with motherland Turkey."

[02] Denktas: Situation Will Continue To Be Same for UN Soldiers in Cyprus KIBRIS (15.12.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said

Denktas met with members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Addressing the meeting, Denktas said, ``Our proposals are still valid. Mission of United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Northern Cyprus depends on the agreement they will reach with us. If they refrain from reaching an agreement with us, then the mission willdepend on their acceptance of our conditions. They cannot enter the TRNC without insuring their motor vehicles. We have decreased number of border gates. Their actions have been limited on many issues. We will assess further restrictions.``

At the meeting, Denktas informed members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization on the latest developments on Cyprus and United Nations- sponsored proximity talks process.

Furthermore, Denktash has said that the proximity talks had started with certain conditions and these conditions were broken by the UN Secretariat. Denktash said that the proximity talks have come to an end.

``The conditions put before us are totally unacceptable, dangerous and could create problems'' Denktash said. He added that they accept and respect the goodwill mission of the UN Secretary General. ``This respect continues and we want it to continue to be this way'', Denktash declared and added that ``If meaningful negotiations will start, then a new basis should be agreed. Therefore, it is necessary for us to get in touch with the UN Secretary General and his representative''.

Denktash repeated his known conditions for recognition, equality and sovereignty of his pseudostate. He said that there cannot be any bargaining on these.

Denktash denied that he had said ``I will go to Geneva''.

[03] Turkish Council of Ministers Approves 'Action Plan' To Strengthen 'TRNC' Economy

``At the Council of Ministers meeting today, the prime minister briefed us on current affairs. "After that, in line with a decision the Council of Ministers had reached in August this year, I submitted a draft action plan for the strengthening of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC]. The Council of Ministers approved the plan which will be implemented as of the beginning of 2001 for a period of three years. As you know, the action plan covers Turkey's contributions for strengthening the TRNC's economic and social structure.

Strengthening the TRNC's economic and social structure is of vital importance for Turkey. Together with the stability program the TRNC government has recently started to implement, this action plan aims at reviewing the TRNC's economy and social structure, carrying out structural reforms, and bringing about an economic development effort in the TRNC with Turkey's comprehensive contributions. The action plan covers the ways in which the contributions will be made in cooperation with the TRNC in every field.

I must emphasize that the Turkish Republic will not refrain from any contribution in order to turn the TRNC into an important center of higher education, transit trade, light industry, and tourism in eastern Mediterranean. Our three-year action plan will be implemented with the coordination of all our ministries and public institutions."

In reply to a question on ``prime minister'' Eroglu's remarks about a $350 million loan from Turkey Gurel said: "We will probably sign that agreement and implement it at the beginning of next year for a period of three years."

[04] Denktash to give lecture on Cyprus developments According to KIBRIS (15.12.00) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will

[05] Turkey/s Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement KIBRIS (15.12.00) reports that Turkey/s Foreign Ministry issued the

``UN Security Council, at its meeting on 13 December, adopted a resolution

regarding the extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in

Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further period of six months until 15 June 2001.

It is said in the resolution that the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force

is extended with the consent of the `Government of Cyprus/. What is meant

by this is the Greek Cypriot Administration in South Cyprus. As a matter

of fact, there has been no single joint political authority representing

two sovereign equal peoples in the Island. The operations of the UNFICYP

in North Cyprus so far has been possible with the cooperation of the

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The UN has diverted from the

established practice and framework as the consent of all the concerned

parties have not been sought during the adoption of the resolution no.

1331 of 13 December 2000 as well as the resolution no. 1303 of 14 June

2000.

The consent of the TRNC and Turkey, as a guarantor state, has not been

acquired. Therefore, the operations of UNFICYP in North Cyprus has been

left in a legal vacuum. We consider this as a dangerous development and

precedent not only in terms of the Cyprus issue, but also with regard to

the other peacekeeping operations of the UN.

Whereas, with a view to putting the cooperation modalities with the

UNFICYP to a sound framework, for some time the Turkish Republic of

Northern Cyprus has been making constructive proposals. Turkey supports

the endeavors of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with a view to

putting the operations of the UNFICYP in North Cyprus in the right

framework between the two sovereign equal parties in Cyprus. As a country

contributing to the UN peacekeeping operations in different disputed

areas, Turkey would like to remind that all peacekeeping forces operate

with the consent of the concerned parties.

Our views that a separate arrangement has to be made with the Turkish

Cypriot side for the operations of the UNFICYP in the North, had been put

on record within the context of the UN Security Council resolution no.

1283 of December 1999. The UN Security Council, once again, by

disregarding this previously adopted method, displays how contradictory it

treats the matter.

There is a reference in the resolution to Akyar which is under the

sovereignty of the TRNC and a call, together with the Turkish Cypriot

side, to `Turkish forces/. As is known, the reason for the arrangements

regarding the operations of the UNFICYP in North Cyprus is the adoption of

the resolution no. 1303 without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side

despite our persistent demands. The decision comprising the principles on

the modalities by which the UNFICYP should operate in North Cyprus has

been taken by the TRNC Government. Therefore, the addressee of the UN

Security Council's call is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

At the same time, this resolution is contrary to the spirit and letter of

the UN Secretary General's statement of 12 September 2000, reaffirming

the political equality of two peoples of the Island as parties not

representing each other. For this reason, the resolution is also in

contrast with the efforts of the UN Secretary General's good offices

mission.

Turkey does not accept this resolution, which contravenes with the

principle of the sovereign equality of the two parties in the Island,

adopted without the consent and the approval of Turkey and the TRNC.

The political and legal ramifications of this resolution on the Cyprus

issue will be jointly assessed with the Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus.''

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

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