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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-10-15Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 191/98 -- 15.10.98[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkish Cypriots to hold ``elections'' 6 DecemberAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 12.10.98), the pseudo-assembly has adopted the ``draft resolution'', on holding ``general elections''. The ``assembly'' convened last Monday.The ``draft bill'', which was discussed and which calls for ``general elections'' to be held on 6 December, was approved with a majority of votes. [02] Yilmaz on problems with GreeceAccording to Anatolia Agency (13:49 hours, 13.1098), Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, addressing the closing session of the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries� Heads of State and Governments, inter alia, when asked if relations between Greece and the PKK (Workers Party of Kurdistan) came onto the agenda of the meeting with Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis on Monday, said that in all his bilateral meetings he held with the leaders, he mentioned the problem between Turkey and Syria. Yilmaz said that he briefed Simitis within this framework, adding ``I told Simitis that Turkey can`t bear any more the support extended to the separatist terrorist organization.''Yilmaz said that Simitis told him that Greece was faithful to the international commitments, adding that he gave very strict orders to the security forces not to let the terrorist organizations to shelter in Greece. Responding to a question related to the solution of the problems between Turkey and Greece, Yilmaz said there were several differences of opinion related to the identification of these problems and methods of solution. Noting that both of these countries were willing to solve the problems, Yilmaz said there wasn`t only one problem between Turkey and Greece and that he defended that all the methods for solution should be tried, even applying to the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Yilmaz pointed out ``the only point we agreed on is that the existing tension between the two countries shouldn`t be escalated.'' He also said that within this framework, both of these countries agreed to support the Confidence Building Measures. Yilmaz also stressed, ``I am still optimistic about the solution of bilateral problems between Turkey and Greece.'' [03] Pseudostate�s ``food control certificates'' to be recognized by TurkeyAccording to KIBRIS (15.10.98) the adviser for Cyprus at the Turkish Prime Minister�s Office, Salih Zeki Karaca, has said that the problems created at the Turkish Customs Offices regarding the ``Health and Food Control Certificates'' issued by the pseudostate have been resolved.Karaca has added that documents prepared at the pseudostate�s laboratories, until a ``legal arrangement'' is fixed between Turkey and the occupied area, will be considered valid. ``This is great progress. The main reason blocking trade between the two countries has been removed'' Karaca claimed. He went on and said: ``The necessary instructions have been issued to the Customs Offices of the Republic of Turkey and their application has started. An important step has been taken on the road to free trade''. Karaca, who arrived in the occupied area on 7 October, left the island for Ankara yesterday. Karaca told the journalists that goods produced in the occupied area will go through the Turkish Customs without any waiting. Karaca also said that they have inspected the laboratories that carry out tests in the occupied area and found them generally satisfactory. (MY) [04] Greece against Turkish intervention in SyriaAccording to Anatolia Agency (12:45 hours, 13.10.98) Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis has said that he is against a possible Turkish intervention into Syria, adding: ``At our meeting on 12 October, I told Mr. Yilmaz that we are against a possible intervention. Such an intervention can only be launched within the framework of a UN Security Council resolution''.Simitis, in reply to a question at a news conference held at the end of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of Southeast European Countries, said that Greece is against a possible intervention in Syria. In reply to another question, Simitis said: ``We do not expect any change in Turkey�s policy concerning its relations with Greece as long as the issue of the elections in Turkey is pending.'' [05] Turkey signs agreement with Spain on production of 9 planesAccording to TRT Television network (17:00 hours, 12.10.98) new naval planes will be added to the Turkish Navy and the Turkish Shore Security Command fleets. The Defense Industry Undersecretariat, the Turkish Aviation and Space Industry Corporation (TAI), and the Spanish (Casa) firm signed an agreement on the production of nine CN-235 planes:six naval warplanes for the Navy and three sea patrol planes for the Shore Security Command. According to a statement issued by TAI, the planes will be manufactured by TAI and fitted with special task equipment. Meanwhile, the agreement on the offset (last work in English) package remaining from Casa�s light transport plane project has also been signed. Under this package, the Turkish corporation will produce for Airbus a total of 200 sets of parts for the A-319, A-320, and A-321 planes. [06] Demirel urges peaceful solution to problems with GreeceAccording to TRT Television network (17:00 hours, 13.10.98), last Tuesday, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel received a delegation of parliamentarians headed by Izmir Deputy Hakan Tartan, head of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Turkish-Greek Friendship Group. Tartan said at the meeting that he hopes a similar friendship group will be set up in the Greek parliament and that this will be an important step toward the solution of the problems between the two countries.President Demirel said that nothing can be as valuable as the peaceful solution of problems. On the Cyprus question, Demirel claimed that there has been peace and calm in Cyprus ever since 1974 and that there has not been any bloodshed there since that time. He claimed: ``It is Turkey that has ensured its. It is the Turkish Armed Forces. Once again, there are efforts to arm Cyprus.'' ``There may be conflicts between states. Some may be inevitable. Some date back in history. What is important is to live with these conflicts, not to exacerbate the problems, and to have goodwill to solve them and to try to solve them,'' he added. And he further charged that Turkish politicians did not engage in enmity against Greece in their election campaigns. ``Even in the most difficult periods of the Cyprus issue for example, in 1969 and 1977 we never used the Cyprus question as a political tool,'' he said. Demirel pointed out that not every problem must be turned into a cause for war. He added: ``Compared to Greece, we have an easier job when trying to develop our bilateral friendly ties, because if their politicians say that we must solve our problems peacefully, they are criticized.'' Demirel stressed that no matter what the conditions, the value of solving problems in peaceful ways must not be forgotten. ``Much earlier, we decided that we should try to solve the problems between Turkey and Greece peacefully and to leave aside those we cannot and solve them later, when suitable conditions arise. In other words, if you cannot improve the situation, do not exacerbate it,'' he said. The president pointed out that it is useful for the various establishments of the two countries, for their artists and politicians, to be in contact with each other. [07] Kivrikoglu: Measures against Syria inevitable if diplomacy failsAccording to TRT Television network (17:00 hours, 13.10. 98) General Huseyin Kivrikoglu inspected ground, air, and gendarmerie units in the 2nd Army Command areas last Tuesday. He made a statement to the press at Adana Airport. He said that ``considering the methods countries resort to in order to prevent terrorist attacks, everyone can see how patient Turkey has behaved toward Syria until now and how much it values peaceful efforts.''``Turkey cannot tolerate this situation any longer. The existing problem is not a Turkish-Arab problem but a bilateral problem between Turkey and Syria. The essence of this problem is the support Syria extends to terrorism,'' he added. [08] Turkey not convinced Greece not supporting PKKAccording to Anatolia Agency (11:23 hours, 14.10.98), Turkey�s Foreign Ministry has not found convincing the statement made by Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis to the effect that Greece does not support the PKK.Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Sermet Atacanli, speaking at a news conference, said: ``We have complaints about the terrorist organization�s activities in Greece. We have informed the public and the Greek Government about our complaints. I would like to state that our views on the issue differ from those expressed by Mr. Simitis.'' Simitis, replying to reporters questions in Antalya where he attended the Summit of Heads of State and Government of Southeast European Countries, said that Greece opposed terrorism and interference in the domestic affairs in other countries, adding that there were no military or illegal camps in Greece. [09] British ``Friends of Cyprus'' visit occupied areaAccording to KIBRIS (15.10.98) a delegation from the ``Friends of Cyprus'' at the British House of Lores, headed by Lord Bethell, visited the occupied area and had a series of meetings yesterday. They met with Hakki Atun and the leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) Mustafa Akinci.During the meeting Atun claimed that Denktash�s confederation proposal stems from the ``realities'' in Cyprus. In his turn, Mustafa Akin claimed that the EU Luxembourg decision regarding Cyprus does not help in the settlement of Cyprus problem. As for Turkish Cypriot participation in the membership negotiations, Akinci wanted clarifications regarding the Turkish Cypriots status and power- sharing in the decision taking. (MY) [10] Pseudostate to lease or sell holiday village in occupied VokolidaAccording to AVRUPA (15.10.98) the so-called council of ministers of the pseudostate convened yesterday and, inter alia, discussed the issue of the holiday village in occupied Vokolida.During the meeting, the ``council'' authorized the so-called finance ministry to either lease or sell the holiday village. AVRUPA adds that there are few applications to this effect and the so- called ministry will study them and give a final answer. (MY) From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |