Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-04-10

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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. 68/01 -- 10.4.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktash: The latest economic developments have greatly affected everyone.

[02] UNFICYP/s Acting Spokesperson gave an interview to CUMHURIYET newspaper.

[03] The Republican Turkish Party to stage a protest march in occupied Famagusta.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktash: The latest economic developments have greatly affected everyone

Mr. Denktash warned that the situation would become worse and the ``fire would become bigger'', if the measures were delayed. The Turkish Cypriot leader noted that extraordinary decisions have to be taken in extraordinary situations.

[02] UNFICYP/S Acting Spokesperson gave an interview to CUMHURIYET newspaper Gaulkin: The Island/s Strategic Importance diminished

Question: What do you think about the resumption of the proximity talks regarding Cyprus?

Answer: Everybody is expecting the resumption of the negotiations. My expectations as well are on the resumption of the negotiations and scoring progress towards a settlement. At this moment the negotiations are at a stand still. Of course various contacts are going on. Also there are parliamentary elections in Cyprus in May. On this issue as well there are expectations.

Question: According to you who could win the elections in the South?

Answer: The latest public opinion polls show that AKEL (Communist Party) is five points ahead of President Clerides/ DYSI Party. It will be difficult to say anything on how the election results would affect the negotiating process.

Question: Don/t you think that AKEL/s Cyprus policy has seriously hawkish inclinations?

Answer: It/s not for me to express views on policies of a political party in Cyprus. However, I know that especially AKEL wants rapprochement between the two communities in Cyprus and it did several attempts towards this end. In fact there was a youth festival in Ledra Palace last Saturday. Two thousand five hundred people from both sides attended this event. The organizers of the festival were the youth branches of AKEL and RTP (Republican Turkish Party) from north Cyprus.

Question: Well do you think that the number of people taking part at these rallies could be taken as serious indication? One and a half years ago elections were held in the ``TRNC'', don/t you think that almost 97% of the people voted in a sense in favour of independence?

Answer: There is a contradiction here. For years esteemed Denktash was defending the idea of federation. But now he retreated from this and speaks about independence.

Question: Well recently there is talk about the demilitarization of the island. And this is directed towards the Turkish forces, but nothing is said about the British bases in the South. What kind of thing is this?

Answer: I know that like the UN, the EU as well wants very much the settlement of the Cyprus problem, and it is doing all it could to overcome the existing obstacles.

Question: How?

Answer: It seems that international lawyers will deal with this issue quite a lot. However, I would like to draw attention to the following: At this stage the sides will not accept something like two states.

Question: But the de facto status quo is this.

Answer: Confederation was mentioned as well. Let the talks start and then we will see what to discuss about.

Question: As UNFICYP/s Spokesperson in Cyprus do you think that Cyprus is at a very strategic region?

Answer: UNFICYP/s responsibility is not to evaluate the island/s global importance. Since 1964 we as UN are fulfilling our duty in a successful manner. However, let me convey to you my personal views. The island/s strategic importance has decreased.

Question: Why?

Answer: There are so many advanced weapons and long range missiles.

Question: If that is the case why then the world centred its attention and is pouring so much money for Cyprus? Why then so much effort is being put to solve the Cyprus problem?

Answer: The Cyprus problem is going on almost for half a century. There is difference between the views of the sides at that time and the views now.

A day will come when they will need less weapons here. What I have noticed here is that the sides hold wrong views towards each other. Both sides should overcome this. On the other hand very important measures should be taken to build trust. For example the Nicosia Airport and Varosha should be opened.

Question: What do you think about the rumours that an armed conflict would flare up between the two sides and a Dayton type agreement would be concluded after that?

Answer: These rumours always existed. It is said that both the USA and Britain are secretly conspiring to create problem on the island. There are even rumours that nobody wanted the independence of 1960. In the South the view of maintaining the 1960 independence is very strong. The issue emanates from the fact that both sides fail to understand each other/s feelings of insecurity. The Turkish side is unable to see that the Greek side does not want to return to the past''.

[03] The Republican Turkish Party to stage a protest march in occupied

The slogan of the march will be ``Raise your head, it/s enough!''. Famagusta regional leader of RTP, Sonay Adem, in a statement yesterday called on people to joint the protest march and raise their voices against the so-called government and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

His statement continues: ``They were saying no-solution and it leads us to `isolation/. The policy of integration has brought us many problems''.

It is also stressed that their target is a solution based on the federal principles in Cyprus and Cyprus accession to EU after the solution.

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

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