Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-10-29

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TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.194/96 26-27-28-29.10.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Kalemli and Pasalar claim EP decision on incidents is "one-sided".

[02] Turkish Foreign Ministry finds EP resolution "Impossible to accept".

[03] Acarkan resigns from Democratic Party.

[04] Hakki Atun leaves for talks in Germany.

[05] New Turkish "Ambassador" confers with Denktash

[06] Turkish Cypriots brief press on foreign policy.

[07] Denktash: "The incidents may worsen and kindle a war".

[08] Denktash: "There are two states and two governments in Cyprus".

[09] Eroglu threatens to stop Greek Cypriot enclaves to cross into free areas.

[10] Workshop organized by Cypriot German Cultural Association.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Kalemli and Pasalar claim EP decision on incidents is "one-sided".

He expressed regret that the EP blamed the Turkish Cypriot side for the outcome of these incidents. Alleging that the Cyprus Government aimed at becoming a member of the EU and integrating with Greece by triggering such incidents, Pasalar claimed: "The EU, in turn, pursues a one-sided stand by disregarding these facts."

Furthermore, according to TRT (17:00 hours, 25.10.96) Mustafa Kalemli, speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has also claimed that the European Parliament (EP) continues to ignore realities in Cyprus "through its one-sided resolutions concerning the Cyprus issue."

In a statement he made on the subject, Kalemli claimed that on 23 October the EP added another to its collection of "one-sided resolutions on Cyprus". "This resolution shows that the EP still refuses to accept that the deaths that occurred in Cyprus in recent months were caused by the provocative attitude of the Greek Cypriot side", Kalemli alleged.

Kalemli continued by claiming that "such resolutions will only strengthen our conviction that the EU cannot make an impartial contribution to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem".

[02] Turkish Foreign Ministry finds EP resolution "Impossible to accept"

"It is impossible for us to accept the content or reasons for the European Parliament (EP) resolution on the aid to be extended to Turkey. As with its resolution dated 19 September 1996, the EP continues to prevent the cooperation between Turkey and the EU. Turkey believes that the authorized bodies of the EU and the member countries will show the necessary reaction to the EP's obstructionist attitude.

We are in the process of studying the statement issued today by the European Commission's representative in Turkey."

[03] Acarkan resigns from Democratic Party

Acarkan's resignation changes the distribution of seats at the so-called Assembly as follows: The DP 15, the NUP 15, the Republican Turkish Party 13, the Communal Liberation Party 5, the National Birth Party 1, and independents 1.

[04] Hakki Atun leaves for talks in Germany

In a statement at Istanbul Ataturk Airport before his departure, Atun said that during his visit, he will discuss the problems and "just cause" of the pseudostate with the Turkish organizations as well as German officials. He claimed: "We must disprove the lies and concoctions of the Greek Cypriots because it is we who are right."

[05] New Turkish "Ambassador" confers with Denktash

Apakan said that during his term of office in Cyprus, he "will advance the cause and do everything he can to develop further the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

Denktash pointed out that Apakan's term in Cyprus will be under difficult conditions, claiming: "This is because the Greek Cypriot side is trying to dilute the Cyprus problem."

Denktash said that "he is proud to know that motherland Turkey is aware of this fact and is taking and will take the necessary measures."

[06] Turkish Cypriots brief press on foreign policy

Etkin held a briefing session for the press last Friday in connection with the foreign policy of the pseudostate. He said that such briefing sessions will be held regularly and the "ministry's" dialogue with the press will be intensified.

Etkin briefed the press on his contacts in the United States, on the application made by the Greek Cypriots to the EU, on the "TRNC's" stand toward this application, and on the issue of having the commanders of the two sides come together for talks.

Etkin stressed that if the Greek Cypriots are accepted into the EU, "then the TRNC will sign with Turkey the same agreements the Greek Cypriots will sign with Greece and the EU."

Etkin stressed that if there is going to be an agreement on the island, it will be its contents and not its name that will be important. He said: "This agreement must involve bizonality, political equality, Turkey's active and effective guarantorship, and our equality in sovereignty -- principles that we cannot renounce."

On the issue of having the highest-level military commanders of the two sides hold talks, Etkin said that such a dialogue has not started yet, not even indirectly. He alleged that if such a dialogue is to be started and if an agreement is to be reached then this must be done under equal conditions just as in 1989, "and the commander of the Turkish Cypriot security forces must be accepted by the Greek Cypriots as an equal interlocutor."

[07] Denktash: "The incidents may worsen and kindle a war"

"They will not gain any right by violating the border and launching attacks on the Turkish Cypriot side. The incidents may worsen and kindle a war. I have disclosed this several times. The Greek Cypriots will not be able to force us to change our position by creating such incidents. This is impossible. The Greek Cypriot side continues to obstruct the talks, insists on representing Cyprus by itself, and maintains its attacks on the Turkish Cypriots. This is tantamount to asking for war. The necessary steps will be taken if they do not change their biased approach", he threatened.

In reply to a question on EU membership, Denktash claimed: "The accession of the Greek Cypriot side, which has obstructed the Turkish Cypriots rights, to the EU will be very disadvantageous and dangerous. It will kindle a war on the island. Such a mistake will cast a shadow on the EU's democratic appearance. It cannot address itself to only the Greek Cypriot side in the talks that will be held on accession."

To a question how he will react if the EU approves the Greek Cypriot side's application, Denktash said:

"We will move to cooperate with Turkey in order to have the Turkish Cypriot people's rights protected if the EU approves the Greek Cypriot side's application and allows it to join the organization. Obviously, such an approach by the EU will be a historic mistake".

[08] Denktash: "There are two states and two governments in Cyprus"

Stressing that the sides' views regarding the security issue are diametrically opposite, Denktash said that regarding proximity talks on the military dialogue, they have given their assurance to the UN and that he hoped that the dialogue will start after the holidays.

Denktash further said that he will be replying to President Clerides' letter, to which he will attach documents as well.

Regarding Mr. Rifkind's forthcoming visit Denktash said: "The visit is the continuation of the pressure exerted on the sides. This kind of interest is good. However, if this will be used the same way it has been used for the last 33 years, then there will be no result. There are two states and two governments in Cyprus. If this fact is not taken into consideration and no formula is found to unite them, then the Greek Cypriots will continue the way they are going on. This path does not lead us to reconciliation and to unification."

Denktash went on and declared that it was necessary to recognize the Turkish Cypriots' status. "We are not ready to discuss these issues time and again. We are here, if they accept our existence let them come then, we will meet them".

As for Sir David Hannay's repeated statements that, during his recent contacts in Cyprus, the ground was prepared for a meeting, Denktash said: "We did not see a prepared ground. Sir David Hannay, while leaving the island, said: `On the security issue you are diametrically opposite to each other'. It is true because while we say that we don't even let people touch the 1960 guarantee system, the Greek Cypriots on the other hand want to remove it. Unless the Greek Cypriots realize that they cannot water down or remove it with ideas such as an international force etc,. This issue will not end. The balance in Cyprus should be maintained." (MY)

[09] Eroglu threatens to stop Greek Cypriot enclaves to cross into free areas

[10] Workshop organized by Cypriot German Cultural Association

The workshop will start on 3rd November under the supervision of Eleenore Von Roteinhan. (MY)