[01] Atun claims EU should close its doors to Greek Cypriots.

[02] Denktash's further contacts in Poland.

[03] Turkish firm builts storage tanks in the occupied area.

[04] Planned population census in the occupied area.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atun claims EU should close its doors to Greek Cypriots

According to illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 27.2.96), the so-called prime minister Hakki Atun has said that the EU should close its doors on the Greek Cypriot application to the EU and call the Greek Cypriots to sit at the negotiating table with the Turkish Cypriot side. Atun said that the reasonable thing to do in Cyprus is to put aside armament efforts, sit at the negotiating table, and search for a solution through mutual respect shown for the rights of both sides. Claiming that the so-called Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces have been securing peace in Cyprus since 1974 within the framework of the guarantee agreements, Atun stated that it is out of question for the Turkish Cypriots to make concessions on the guarantee agreement.

In a statement to a correspondent of illegal BRT, Atun said that "the hostile behaviour displayed by Greece against Turkey at the EU platform during the past few days should be watched closely". Alleging this behaviour can be considered as setting an example of future behaviour and attitude, Atun added: "Consequently, the Turkish Cypriots' retention of the guarantee system has been justified once again."

Stressing the importance of not disrupting the balance between the two motherlands at international platforms, Atun recalled that this point has been especially emphasized in the guarantee agreements.

In his "warning" statement to EU officials, Atun pointed out that the EU should suspend the Greek Cypriot EU application and make them sit at the negotiating table. Atun reiterated his view that the EU membership issue can be raised after the Cyprus issue is resolved.

Noting that Turkey and Greece have both advantages and disadvantages regarding the Cyprus issue, Atun alleged that the Turkish Cypriots' entry into a union that does not include Turkey, and in which Greece is a full member, poses certain dangers. Atun further emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots cannot renounce the guarantees.

Commenting on Greek Cypriot armament efforts in his statement, Atun said that the Turkish Cypriots are not concerned with the Greek Cypriots' arming themselves.

[02] Denktash's further contacts in Poland

KIBRIS (29.2.96) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who is on a private visit to Poland, gave a conference at the Turkology Faculty of Warsaw University on the Cyprus problem.

KIBRIS says that students attending the conference expressed great satisfaction.

KIBRIS further reports that local papers in Gdansk where Denktash had a meeting with former Polish President Leh Walessa, referred to Denktash as "the President of the TRNC".

KIBRIS adds that during a dinner given in honour of Denktash by the Polish Rotary Club, Denktash conveyed an invitation from the Rotarians of the occupied area to the Polish Rotarians to visit the occupied area.

The paper reports that Denktash also had a meeting with the members of the Turkish-Polish Friendship Group. (MY)

[03] Turkish firm builds storage tanks in the occupied area

According to KIBRIS (29.2.96) a Turkish firm, Kask Comp. Ltd, has established vegetable and olive oil storage facilities at the so-called free trade area of the occupied Famagusta port.

The company, which had some 3,570 ton capacity storage tanks built, will buy and store vegetable and olive oil from the occupied area or from third countries. Then, it will market it to the Black Sea and Far East countries.

One of the Kask Comp. Ltd. partners, Metin Olken, said that it is easier to export from the occupied area.

Olken said that they have built three storage tanks of 1700, 1700 and 170 ton capacity at a cost of 500 thousand US Dollars. (MY)

[04] Planned population census in the occupied area

According to KIBRIS (29.2.96) the so-called State Planning Organization of the pseudostate has started preparations for holding a detailed and comprehensive population census in the occupied area.

No date is fixed yet for the census. (MY)