Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-12-28

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Prime Minister on his meeting with President Bush.

[02] Ilter Turkmen says that Turkey's future is discussed in Cyprus.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot industrialists are pessimistic for 2002; they support the negotiation procedure

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Prime Minister on his meeting with President Bush

``During my visit to the United States in January of 2002, I will hold a series of contacts with U.S. President George W. Bush and other senior officials. Economy and trade will be high on the agenda during our contacts in the United States. We expect trade and investment from the United States rather than aid. I hope that we would return from the United States with positive results in terms of the economy.``

Noting that the issues of Afghanistan and Middle East could be brought onto the agenda, Prime Minister Ecevit went on: ``I hope that the issue of Iraq would not be brought onto the agenda. If it is discussed, I will explain Turkey`s opinions. We are opposed to a formation that can jeopardize Turkey`s integrity. From the very beginning, we have been telling the United States that Turkey was one of the neighbours of Iraq, and that Turkey`s relations with Iraq were of critical importance. Stability in Iraq is also extremely important for both the world and the region. The United States, therefore, should set up dialogue with us before taking any step. They have pledged to inform us.``

As regards the Cyprus problem Ecevit said: ``I do not think that the Cyprus question would be high on the agenda of our contacts in the United States. President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides will come together. This meeting should not be overshadowed.``

Referring to the relations with the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``Important progress has been recorded in our relations with the EU during the Laeken Summit. The EU decided to include Turkey in the convention to be formed to discuss the future of Europe, and shed green light to starting full membership negotiations with Turkey. Meanwhile, the EU has pledged that the army could not be used against Turkey. Greece raised its objection. I do not think that Greece would maintain its objection. Otherwise, it will reveal its intention to use this army against Turkey. Greece has to give up its attitude sooner or later.``

[02] Ilter Turkmen says that Turkey's future is discussed in Cyprus

Mr Turkmen, who was talking on "Cyprus on the way for a solution", claimed that the solution of the Cyprus problem is a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the EU. However, he added, after a solution is found it would be very difficult to keep Cyprus waiting for Turkey.

"Cyprus' accession to the EU and the beginning of Turkey's accession talks would be the best at this stage", noted the former Turkish diplomat who is the chairman of Turkey's Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). Arguing that the equilibrium on the island has been overturned with the beginning of the talks for the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, Mr Turkmen noted the following: "If only we could turn the military success into a political success in 1974, we could quickly bind Cyprus to a solution. We did not do this. They told us 'Greece is entering the EU, come let us take you too'. We did not go. Two opportunities were lost...".

Furthermore, Mr Turkmen supported that by the so-called initiative of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to invite President Clerides to face-to-face meetings, the initiatives of the third parties have been put away. The former Turkish diplomat said he believed that the direct talks to begin on 16 January are going to have a positive result, because all the sides concerned want a solution and because the interests of all sides demand a solution.

According to Mr Turkmen an agreement should provide for the two sides entering the EU having a common sovereignty, but at the same time the sides should preserve their internal sovereignty as well.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot industrialists are pessimistic for 2002; they support the negotiation procedure

Talking yesterday at a Press conference Salih Tunar, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Industrialists Chamber, said he is pessimistic about 2002 because during the last two years the industry of the pseudostate has been receiving blows from the economic crisis and the already weak industrial sector is continuously getting smaller because of the new blows it receives every day.

Mr Tunar accused the pseudogovernment of not taking any measures to solve the economic crisis and characterized the "budget" of the pseudostate for the 2002 "an even more bitter receipt".

KV/SK

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