Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-05-27

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Mesut Yilmaz in Brussels.

[02] Mesut Yilmaz claims that with the right moves Turkey can prevent Cyprus/ accession to the EU.

[03] Mesut Yilmaz speaks of a crisis if Cyprus is admitted to the EU.

[04] Political crisis in Turkey deepens.

[05] Newly founded SHP predicts elections in the Spring of 2003 in Turkey.

[06] People - Smuggling ring operates in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[07] Mustafa Akinci criticizes Denktas and Ferdi Sabit Soyer criticizes Sukru Sina Gurel.

[08] Denktas criticizes again the European Union for its position on the Cyprus problem.

[09] Denktas stated that he does not believe that a framework agreement could be reached by the end of June.

[10] The occupation regime forces the Turkish Cypriots to go to the free areas of Cyprus through Istanbul and Athens.

[11] Talat wants a date to be given for the beginning of Turkey's EU accession talks.

[12] The National People's Movement is threatening the journalists of AFRIKA newspaper and Turkish Cypriots who co-operate with the Greek Cypriots.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] The Turkish National Security Council to discuss Cyprus on 30 May.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Mesut Yilmaz in Brussels

Holding a press conference in Brussels, Yilmaz recalled that he had held a meeting with EU Commissioner Gunter Verheugen for Enlargement earlier in the day, and added, ``during the meeting, Verheugen told me that RTUK Law did not meet their expectations. I informed him on the past of the law. Also, I told him that an amendment could be brought onto the agenda in coming months in case of an agreement. ``

``Amendment to the RTUK Law was not an amendment to fulfil our commitments to the EU. It was adopted to remove some problems, and to put forward a legal frame for activities of radio and television channels under the light of past implementations. The law received many criticisms. One of these claims was that punishments envisaged in the law for the regional radio and television channels has a destructive dimension rather than being deterrent. I agree with this. In fact, Turkey has the highest number of local radio and television channels in the EU. For instance, there is no private television channel in Austria. The issue should also be assessed within this framework. However, we, as the coalition partners, have reached an agreement to decrease these punishments to a more reasonable level, `` he said.

Yilmaz told reporters, ``If we can reach an agreement on the issue of broadcast in mother tongue within the scope of the Copenhagen political criteria, the law will be changed again. In that case, punishments can be decreased. ``

``It was claimed that participation of representatives of political parties in the new RTUK Board will contradict with the impartiality of the board. According to my point of view, this claim is totally baseless. Therefore, I do not accept that this law contradicted with the EU norms. Meanwhile, Verheugen did not put forward any concrete objection. He expressed his concerns stemming from comments in the newspapers, `` he added.

Noting that the EU was at a ``critical crossroads, `` Yilmaz added: ``We think that there is a big confusion about the authority of the EU. This confusion should be removed through a new agreement. This should not hurt the well functioning sides of the EU. EU`s democratic legality comes from both the EU Parliament and national parliaments. We believe that the role of the national parliaments should be increased in legislative activities in order to strengthen the democratic legality of the EU. ``

Yilmaz had expressed Turkey's views at a European Convention meeting he attended.

Yilmaz also said he met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen this morning. ``We had a comprehensive meeting about Turkey-EU relations, `` he said. ``The EU today is at a critical crossroads. It is expected to make a number of historic decisions in the next six months. These decisions will change the EU`s map. The EU is not only expanding, it is undergoing a structural change. At this stage, we're witnessing certain populist political powers getting stronger. Under the light of these developments, Verheugen and I discussed how we can speed up Turkey's membership. I told him about Turkey's progress. I told him that this progress would become faster with the help of the Commission and EU members. ``

``I told him that Mr. Denktas took an important step by April 29 proposals. I told him that the EU Commission should encourage the Greek Cypriots to find a political solution on the island. I told him that the two sides in Cyprus were equal, and a solution should be based on equal sovereignty of both sides, `` Yilmaz told reporters. Yilmaz announced that EU Parliament Foreign Relations Commission Chairman German Parliamentarian Elmar Brok would visit Turkey to attend a meeting on Saturday in Ankara. He said that during Brok`s visit, he would have the chance to discuss the EU Parliament's possible contributions to Turkey-EU relations.

He stressed that Turkey has to fulfil the EU`s political criteria to start membership negotiations with the EU and this was not negotiable.

``Turkey is sensitive on certain points, but I think with some wisdom, we'll overcome those difficulties, `` he said.

Yilmaz later left for Ankara.

[02] Mesut Yilmaz claims that with the right moves Turkey can prevent Cyprus' accession to the EU

Asked about the importance of the timetable concerning accession to the EU, Yilmaz first talks about the enlargement and restructuring process the EU is currently undergoing, and explains that if Turkey misses this opportunity now, it will be more difficult to join the Union in the future. Yilmaz says that "we have time until June or July to enact the necessary laws to conform with EU criteria, but we have not yet reached the conciliation needed to this end. The National Security Council [NSC] meeting on this subject, the party leaders meeting to be convened by the president, and the meeting to be held by the coalition partners will all be aimed at attaining this conciliation."

Sever mentions that Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli will be absent from the NSC meeting, which is scheduled to focus on the EU and Cyprus. In reaction, Yilmaz says that this is "unfortunate, but I believe that the NSC meeting, which will discuss this matter in all its aspects, is very important. The meeting with the president following Bahceli's return from China and the coalition partners meeting will probably reveal if such conciliation is possible by mid-June."

Asked if he expects a concrete outcome from these meetings, Yilmaz says: "I was hoping to have reached a conciliation by now. If one looks at the matter from a broader perspective, without being limited to Turkey alone, one realizes that there is not a more attractive alternative for Turkey. In my view, anyone who assesses the matter in its broadest dimension, including the perspective of the future, will inevitably conclude that Turkey's interests lie in the EU. Naturally, we have had some bitter experiences that obstruct this. Unfortunately, there are concerns that stem from domestic politics. I believe that in the end all this will be surmounted, and that the shared goal of everyone who engages in politics should consist of Turkey's future and Turkey's position in the future."

Referring to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statement that he believes that Bahceli will take the necessary courageous steps to this end, Sever asks Yilmaz if he shares this conviction. Yilmaz replies in the affirmative, underlining Bahceli's "constructive attitude until now," which also enabled the government to draft the National Program and implement its various phases. Yilmaz adds: "At present, we are at the most critical point of this process. However, in the final analysis, I believe that even at this phase common sense and the love of Turkey will prevail."

Sever poses a question about the distrust felt toward the EU and its intention. Yilmaz refers to his conversation with EU Commissioner Verheugen on the subject, noting that Verheugen admitted that there is some justification to this, "but, we must accept that since Turkey was accorded candidate status in Helsinki the EU has been taking all its steps consistently in accordance with the political will displayed in Helsinki." Yilmaz concludes that there is no cause for distrust anymore. There is only one way to test this, Yilmaz points out, and that is to fulfil all the criteria like other candidate countries and demand to start accession negotiations.

Prompted by Sever, Yilmaz states that the steps to be taken in the field of human rights are moves that Turkey must introduce even without the EU and should not be considered as concessions. "If, however, we leave these steps to the process of natural evolution, I fear that we will not reach the goal of EU membership," Yilmaz adds.

Sever then asks about the impact of possible progress or lack of progress in the Cyprus problem on Turkish-EU relations. Yilmaz answers: "Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot side should declare in advance the steps it plans to take if the Greek Cypriot side responds positively, and thus show to the whole world and to the EU that it is the side that is pushing for and really wants a solution in Cyprus -- naturally, without renouncing its priorities and red lines. I believe that if we do this, we will stop the EU membership in December, which the Greek Cypriots now take as a given, immediately deflect the criticism levelled against us because of Turkey's attitude regarding the Cyprus problem, and consequently force the EU to adopt a very different stand. If we do not do this and leave things to run their course, in my view, the worst scenario will be realized in December. At present, this is the closest scenario. The Greek Cypriot side would be admitted into the EU. Turkish-EU relations would reach maybe their most critical stage to date, because, in time, the Cyprus problem would inevitably cease to be a Turkish-Greek or Turkish-Greek Cypriot problem and turn into a Turkish-EU problem. Therefore, the present period is the time to prevent this. A historic mission falls on Mr. Denktas in this regard. I sense that Mr. Denktas is aware of this. I believe that his adopting a more conciliatory attitude, without making concessions from the parameters that have been maintained until now and that the world has partially been made to accept, will better serve Turkey's interests."

[03] Mesut Yilmaz speaks of a crisis if Cyprus is admitted to the EU

Speaking at the opening of a symposium on "the EU future, European Convention and Turkey", Mesut Yilmaz referred to the Cyprus problem and said: "If the EU admits the Greek Cypriot side as full member, then it would have acted contrary to the International Law. And Britain will be the one, which will be the most at unease. The EU is forcing us to be more reconciliatory in Cyprus. We have to support the solution efforts as much as we can. We have to preclude the "bad scenario on Cyprus. Otherwise we are heading towards a crisis, emanating from Cyprus/ EU membership".

[04] Political crisis in Turkey deepens

"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's unexpected hospitalisation at the beginning of May boosted concerns that the ongoing economic crisis would deepen, gaining a political dimension. As Ecevit was hospitalised with an intestinal obstruction, political circles started to get shaken up. Beginning to get agitated with Health Minister Osman Durmus' statement that Ecevit was in an intensive care unit, the political world has not calmed down in the last three weeks.

Ecevit went to a private hospital in Ankara on May 4. Nobody could understand why he chose a private hospital, as there are many good state hospitals in Ankara, such as Hacettepe, Gazi, Ankara and GATA. However, developments revealed that Ecevit was acting very meticulously against a possible political conspiracy.

Nobody was allowed to see Ecevit after he was hospitalised, and this was an important factor in the increased political uncertainty. Preferring his close friend and presidential candidate Mehmet Haberal's hospital, Ecevit displayed his political experience, as it was claimed after his hospitalisation that he could not remain in power. When Ecevit showed that he was adamant about staying in power, stories hinting that his term of office should end with an official report from a state doctor began to fill the newspaper columns.

The first hospitalisation did not take long. Ecevit thus aimed to stop the increasing speculations. However, as nobody was allowed to visit him while he was resting at home, the pressures urging him to step down as prime minister did not end. Ecevit did not see anybody but President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu during this period. As coalition partners and deputy Prime ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz and Husamettin Ozkan did not visit him at his home, the cloud over the political arena thickened.

Ecevit went to his friend Haberal's hospital for a second time because the pain in his shoulder, caused by falling into a wall, would not stop. This time, it was announced that he had a fractured rib and thrombophlebitis in his left leg.

As Ecevit was hospitalised for the second time, many circles, especially the giant businessmen's club, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), demanded that he transfer his powers to a government member, thus urging a premiership by proxy.

Ecevit immediately rejected this offer, but the pressures did not stop. The media published and broadcast these demands every day, in addition to the demands of the opposition leaders.

When the pressures urging him to step down did not bear fruit, people started to press him to move to a state hospital. Health Minister Osman Durmus' statements supporting such pressures drew attention. Ecevit ignored these pressures, too, and held a leaders summit with his coalition partners and some of the ministers in his hospital room. He tried to show that he could manage his work, despite his health condition.

When it was understood that Ecevit would not transfer his powers, either by proxy or by health report, demands for an early election in November began to get louder. State Minister responsible for the economy Kemal Dervis uttered the most important of all these demands. Dervis said that setting a date for elections would not affect the economy badly, and this increased political tensions. At a special meeting with some DSP deputies, Dervis said that it would be better to hold the early election in November, and this provided a new dimension to the political volatility.

Ecevit rejected this demand as well and asked Dervis not to deliver statements on this issue. Dervis insisted on voicing this demand among his close friends. Finally, Dervis leaked out his estimate that an election held this year would cost less when compared to an election held next year.

A series of pressures aiming to remove Ecevit from office continued during his illness, and this intensified the feelings that extraordinary developments were taking place in Ankara. Political circles considered that the reason Ecevit was being subjected to such pressures mainly stemmed from the fact that Turkey was on the verge of making many tough decisions. There are four big problems on Ecevit's 1-month agenda. These are as follows:

1 - A solution should be found by the end of June for the Cyprus problem, which necessitates the Turkish side making a big compromise in line with the European Union's demands after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's visit to the island. Although the Turkish side wants this period to be extended until the end of the year, it is known that the EU expects a solution by the end of June.

2 - Turkey has to solve three major problems before Parliament goes on summer recess in order to start full membership negotiations with the EU. The solution of problems such as the abolition of the death penalty, the ending of the State of Emergency (OHAL) in the southeast and education and broadcasting in languages other than Turkish are also important in terms of determining Ecevit's future. As coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), openly rejects these three offers, the Motherland Party (ANAP) supports their unconditional fulfilment. Ecevit indirectly strengthens the MHP's tendency by appearing reluctant to realize these reforms and find a solution to the Cyprus problem. This reluctance is pointed to as the cause of the pressures being placed on Ecevit. Another problem for which Ecevit must find a solution is related to the military appointments that will be concluded at the beginning of August. Military appointments, including the extension of Chief of General Staff Kivrikoglu's term of office for one year, seem to be a challenge for Ecevit. These appointments should be made before the High Military Council meeting to be held in August.

Another important issue on Ecevit's agenda involves the developments in northern Iraq and the Iraq problem in general. The Bush administration expects Turkey to give full support to U.S. preparations for an operation aiming to overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. However, Ecevit is not in a hurry to get involved in an adventure in Iraq. Both the Arab states and the EU countries do not seem willing to support the United States on the Iraq issue as they did on Afghanistan. The United States will be challenged to conduct its Iraq operation without Turkey. This situation hinders the Iraq operation.

Political circles in Ankara stress that the common point of these four issues is Ecevit's decisions, and they claim that the pressures against Ecevit stem from these issues. Political circles note that all these issues may influence media, business, military and bureaucratic circles. They give an interesting luncheon as an example of this situation: The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) undersecretary, who visited Ecevit when he was hospitalised for the second time, met top officials of several media organs at a luncheon at the beginning of the week. This meeting increased the doubts of the political circles.

Ecevit had the opportunity to find out who his real friends were during his illness. Having few close friends except his wife Rahsan, Ecevit will probably go for elections and rid himself of the pressures if he can heal. If he is unable to recover, Turkey will lose great deal of time with the endless fights between the various circles at odds with each other. "

[05] Newly founded SHP predicts elections in the Spring of 2003 in Turkey

Stating that there are differing predictions about the timing of the polls, Karayalcin stated that, "We have set our goal according to this schedule, the SHP should have completed its regional organization until this time in order to be able to enter the polls."

Elections in Turkey are due in 2004, but there is speculation that Ecevit's health problems will force some kind of change in the government before then. Ecevit, who is seen as the force holding the three-party coalition together, is undergoing treatment for a broken rib and a vein infection at an Ankara hospital.

A devastating economic crisis last year, which brought massive layoffs and saw the currency lose half its value, has seen support for the existing parties slump - particularly those in the government. Analysts believe that new parties have a good chance of winning public support at the next election.

Former state minister and deputy prime minister veteran social democrat Murat Karayalcin and his colleagues has set up a new left-wing party namely SHP, last week.

Karayalcin, former culture minister Fikri Saglar and some founders presented the foundation petition to the Interior Ministry. Karayalcin said that the SHP had 176 founding members, adding that the party was open to all people.

Meanwhile, KIBRIS (27.05.02) reports that the leader of SHP, Mr Murat Karayalcin, has proposed to HADEP, the Pro-Kurdish party, and co-operation in order to strengthen the leftist forces.

HADEP is expected to reply to the offer of SHP when its President, Mr. Murat Bozlak returns to Turkey from abroad.

[06] People - smuggling ring operates in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The four Turkish suspects and the migrants were discovered late last week aboard the Evgania 5, a Cambodian-registered freighter, anchored off the coast of occupied Famagusta.

An initial hearing at a so-called Famagusta District Court, which remanded the group in custody, was told that all of the refugees had arrived in the pseudostate on May 12 through the occupied Kyrenia harbour.

Irgan Yonculer, Turgut Yonculer, Ahmet Cinar and Huseyin Tanriverdi, all from Mersin, in Turkey, were said to have charged the refugees between $2,500 and $3,000 each to transport them on to a European country, believed to be Italy.

Two of the men are alleged to be the occupied areas section of a people-smuggling ring, making arrangements for would-be refugees to be illegally registered as crew on ships.

They were said to have handled all of the paperwork needed by the so-called Immigration Office and the Harbours Department.

At a second hearing, all of the suspects were charged with making an entry or exit from the occupied areas through an illegal port. Eight of the Turkish refugees are charged with obtaining false documentation as ship/s crew.

All deny the allegations and are being held in custody pending the completion of legal action.

[07] Mustafa Akinci criticizes Denktas and Ferdi Sabit Soyer criticizes Sukru Sina Gurel

In his speech, former Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Mustafa Akinci said that "following Kofi Annan's visit the Turkish Cypriot side adopted a relaxed attitude as though the June target is no longer valid. Akinci remarked that not only has this pressure not been lifted but also the loss of time is working against the Turkish Cypriot side. Akinci also claimed that Mr Rauf Denktas is the person who is wasting time on the Cyprus issue."

Referring to Denktas' insistence that an agreement can be reached if our sovereignty and status is accepted, Akinci stated that there is no longer absolute sovereignty in the world, and it has become customary to share sovereignty. Pointing out that there is no internal sovereignty in the`TRNC/, Akinci said that no progress is being recorded because a non-existent factor is being posited in the Cyprus talks. He declared that if the current stand continues, in the end Cyprus will join the EU. Akinci remarked that shared sovereignty must be proposed, adding that the Belgian model is a good example.

Akinci remarked that it is impossible for the arguments put forth by the Turkish Cypriot side in the talks process to be accepted by the world. He also called on the Greek Cypriot side to renounce "its hard-line attitude," on the EU to abide by its pledge to take all the factors into consideration, and on the United Nations to be more active.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so-called foreign affairs and defence minister, responded to Akinci's criticism. Ertugruloglu explained that an agreement cannot be reached so long as the world fails to accept that the Greek Cypriots are not the government of Cyprus. It is the international community, not the Turkish Cypriot side, that is losing time regarding Cyprus, he alleged. Ertugruloglu also declared that "the Turkish Cypriot side did not propose absolute sovereignty, and if the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot side is accepted, it is ready to share this sovereignty, but this sovereignty was not accepted." Welcoming the Belgian model, Ertugruloglu remarked, however, that the existing communities in Belgium do not pursue a policy of owning Belgium, while the Greek Cypriots want to possess the whole of Cyprus. Ertugruloglu also rejected the claim that Turkey is the cause of the Cyprus problem and that if Turkey wishes the Cyprus problem can be solved.

Speaking for a second time, Akinci said that the current mentality wants to divide the island, and warned that if this mentality prevails the Greek Cypriots will accede to the EU very easily. Akinci remarked that the Greek Cypriots announced that they do not intend to Hellenise Cyprus, and they demonstrated this by accepting bizonality and Turkey's guarantee. Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side should demand the right to participate in EU delegations and it will lose this right after December, Akinci stressed that a solution can be attained only if all the relevant sides fulfil their share of the responsibility.

In another off-the-agenda speech, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Republican Turkish Party secretary general, criticized Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, claiming that the Turkish minister does not want the Turkish Cypriots to become EU citizens before Turkey. Soyer said that "in principle, Turkey accepted Cyprus' EU accession before the solution of the Cyprus problem." He stated that "sovereignty must be shared with regard to the Cyprus problem and the EU issue." According to Soyer, "the Turkish Cypriots want an equal and sovereign structure just like the Greek Cypriots, and this can be attained through the EU process."

In response to Soyer, Ertugruloglu suggested that the EU wants to admit the Turkish Cypriots into the union in order to detach them from Turkey. He described as wrong the policy of seeking to join the EU at all costs. He pointed out that the EU is a changing structure that has not matured and it also makes mistakes. Ertugruloglu said that "it is not possible for him to respect the EU, which does not respect the identity and status of the Turkish Cypriots."

[08] Denktas criticizes again the European Union for its positions on the Cyprus problem

Speaking in Turkey before being awarded by Gebze Young Industrialists and Businessmen Association (GENC-SIAD) as the "statesman of the year 2001", Mr Denktas expressed the opinion that the problem in Cyprus is the fact that the Greek Cypriots cannot go and settle in the "north", as he described the occupied areas of the island. "The EU must stop putting before Turkey the Cyprus issue for its full membership", said Mr Denktas adding: "For us the whole issue is not becoming a minority in Cyprus and having equal rights".

"Yesterday we supported a federation based on equal rights. Today too we support this", alleged Mr Denktas arguing that as a result of the Turkish 1974 invasion in Cyprus the Turkish Cypriots "were saved from the Greek Cypriot danger".

Referring to the recent visit of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Cyprus, Mr Denktas expressed the opinion that the positions put by Mr Annan reflect to a great extent the realities in Cyprus and added: "We think that an agreement could be reached within the framework of these ideas.Efforts are being made to render Turkey's guarantees ineffective under a super guarantor.".

[09] Denktas stated that he does not believe that a framework agreement could be reached by the end of June

In statements after his Friday meeting with President Clerides, Mr Denktas noted: "We discuss sovereignty. During our today's meeting we submitted our views regarding sovereignty. The Greek Cypriots have retreated somewhat. They will think and bring their views to the next meeting. We shall see".

Responding to a question regarding the possibility of "seeing a light" by the end of June, Mr Denktas said that he does not believe that a framework agreement could be reached until the end of June and added: "You too saw that the UN Secretary-General opened the door for the negotiations to continue after June. .There is no obligation for concluding the negotiations in June. It will be good if we can achieve a framework agreement by the end of June, but I do not think that this could be done the way things are going. We are trying to do this but both sides have their own difficulties. .".

[10] The occupation regime forces the Turkish Cypriots to go to the free areas of Cyprus through Istanbul and Athens

According to the paper the so-called authorities of the pseudostate refused to permit Umit Inatci, a Turkish Cypriot painter and journalist of AFRIKA, to come to the free areas and open an exhibition. However, Mr Inatci travelled to the free areas through Istanbul and Athens.

Furthermore, the paper writes that the occupation regime has not permitted a Turkish Cypriot named Turgut Cavlan, who lives in the free areas, to go to his father's funeral. His father has been a retired "police" director. AFRIKA writes that there is a "warrant" for Caylan's arrest in the pseudostate because he quarrelled with some "policemen" in plain cloths during two bi-communal activities.

[11] Talat wants a date to be given for the beginning of Turkey's EU accession talks

Talking during a meeting with the Co-Chairman of the EU - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee, Mechtild Rothe and the rapporteur of the European Parliament for Cyprus, Jack Poos, Mr Talat argued that Cyprus should accede to the EU after the solution of its political problem, because if this happens before the solution the Turkish Cypriots will be harmed.

Mr Talat supported also that Turkey should be encouraged for the solution of the Cyprus problem, noting that opening Turkey's way towards the EU will contribute to this direction.

[12] The National People's Movement is threatening the journalists of AFRIKA newspaper and Turkish Cypriots who co-operate with the Greek Cypriots

"NPM is comparing our friends with Dervis Kavazoglu, Ayhan Hikmet and Ahmet Gurkan", the paper reports. They also spread words that "they cooperate with the Greek Cypriot Intelligence Services", they are traitors and that a new conspiracy is being prepared. As it is known, Kavazoglu was murdered in 1965, Ayhan Hikmet and Ahmet Gurkan in 1962, writes the paper.

NPM is encouraging the attacks against our newspaper as well as our journalists and they make preparations for envisaged pessimistic scenarios, where everybody's voice will keep quiet. Our people follow this development closely and wonder how far this dangerous escalation will extend, concludes AFRIKA.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] The Turkish National Security Council to discuss Cyprus on 30 May

"The Cyprus problem will be put on the NSC/s negotiation table in relation with the EU. There is no other item on the official agenda of the Council", Bila notes.

Fikret Bila goes on and says: "One can list the questions that the NSC will try to find answers to, on its 30 May meeting as follows:

1) What is the possibility of reaching a common solution in Cyprus?

2) Is the real aim of the proposals, and the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, geared to block the path of a common solution?

3) What is the possibility of admitting the South Cyprus Greek Administration to the EU prior to reaching a common solution?

4) What should be the stance of Turkey and the `TRNC/ if the Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus is admitted to the EU without reaching a common solution?

The NSC will assess the Cyprus issue from this point of view. One or two days later Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will leave for the `TRNC/".

Bila concludes by saying that the Cyprus problem is on the NSC agenda, as a result of EU/s stance, the uncompromising stance of Greece and the South Cyprus Greek Administration and statements that "Even if there is no result regarding the Cyprus problem, the south Cyprus Greek Administration will be admitted to the EU".

KV/SK

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