Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-01-04

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.1/99 1-2-3-4.1.1999

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says ``coalition protocol'' forgoes management of foreign policy.

[02] Gurel: ``Crete cannot be a solution''.

[03] Dentkash claims Turkish Cypriots to face unfairness in new year.

[04] Eroglu, Akinci comment on ``coalition'' goals.

[05] Hasipoglu speaks of increased political pressure on ``TRNC''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Columnist predicts new pressure on the Turkish side after S-300 cancellation.

[07] Columnist on steps the Clinton administration will take in the Cyprus problem.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says ``coalition protocol'' forgoes management of foreign policy

In a statement he issued Talat assessed the National Unity Party-Communal Liberation Party ``coalition''. Recalling that the ``government'' program has not yet been presented, Talat continued: ``As far as the protocol goes, everything concerning the Cyprus issue is transferred outside the govenrment, as it was in the past. The protocol says that these policies will be pursued together with Turkey. The new govenrment has not formulated any foreign policies except this one'', said Talat, and added: ``The words confederation or federation do not appear in the protocol. It is understood that the government has no intention of making an impact on foreign affairs, which in itself is very complex''.

[02] Gurel: ``Crete cannot be a solution''

Answering questions put to him by CUMHURIYET, Gurel said: ``The deployment of the S-300 to Crete instead of Cyprus cannot definitely be a solution. In that case the balance in the Aegean will change. In fact, here is the crux of the matter. In such a case Turkey and Greece might directly come face to face. As a matter of fact, there is no official statement regarding Crete (deployment). Actually the issue regarding Crete is yet to be clarified because there are two sides to the issue: Whether the missiles will be deployed in Crete or whether they will be stored there.'' (MY)

[03] Dentkash claims Turkish Cypriots to face unfairness in new year

Addressing a new year message, Denktash said that Turkish Cypriots will continue to defend their rights in 1999. Denktash pointed out that ``you know the principles and decisions we have put forward together with Turkey, these decisions are valid, they have been approved by our people and they have chosen deputies to defend these decisions. The formula we have foreseen is confederation based on two states. We can�t give up the principle of the recognition of equality, sovereignty and the existence of two separate democracies on the island''.

[04] Eroglu, Akinci comment on ``coalition'' goals

Indicating that formulating the ``government'' program is one of the important duties awaiting the ``coalition'', Eroglu added: ``Securing development constitutes one of the issues to which we attach great importance''. Underscoring the fact that cooperation with Turkey will always continue in a bid to strengthen the pseudostate, Eroglu wished success to the new ``government''.

In reply to a question, Eroglu said that the consultations and cooperation with Denktash will continue during the new term as well.

Mustafa Akinci, Communal Liberation Party leader and ``deputy prime minister'', said: ``In addition to securing harmony between the two government partners, a healthy dialogue with the president and the opposition is also necessary. It is also very important for a healthy and participatory democracy that cooperation be secured with the civilian mass organizations.''

Akinci said that the pledges made to the people and included in the ``government'' program should be implemented as soon as possible.

[05] Hasipoglu speaks of increased political pressure on ``TRNC''

Hasipoglu stated that the pseudo-assembly has important missions to carry out in the new year.

``Our target in 1999 is to continue having very good relations with Turkey and we also wish to make cooperation with the parliaments of Turkish Republics in Central Asia. We wish to improve relations with countries which are close to us like Pakistan and Bangladesh'', said Hasipoglu.

He added: ``The Greek Cypriot side has to accept the existence of TRNC, only if this is the case, a permanent peace can be installed in this island. This fact has to be known by the European Union (EU). We think there is peace on the island since 1974. The thing that should be done by the US and EU is to tell the Greek Cypriot side that there isn�t one government on this island.''

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Columnist predicts new pressure on the Turkish side after S-300 cancellation

Duzgun goes on and says: ``The aspect related to us regarding Clerides�s S- 300 failure is fraught with critical developments. It is the Americans who secured the non-deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus. The Americans very well evaluated the Turkish side�s sensitivity and reaction, and very well used their influence on Greece.

Now the Americans will turn towards the Turkish side.

The US Administration considers the Turkish side as being responsible for the impass in the Cyprus problem. The conditions put forward by the Turkish side regarding the intercommunal talks will be the main concern of the US presidential envoy, Richard Holbrooke.

Clerides�s defeat in fact is not a great victory for the Turkish side. It will be the beginning of new pressure to be exerted on the Turkish side.

Search for a new government is going on in Ankara. A new government has been formed in north Nicosia. In 1999 all eyes will be focused on the Turkish side. It is considered inevitable that both Ankara and north Cyprus should chart new policies.

Otherwise, those who have warded off the evil of S-300 from Cyprus�s head, this time might create new troubles for north Nicosia�s head.

The missiles are to go to Crete. However, the S-300 game being played in Nicosia has yet to end.'' (MY)

[07] Columnist on steps the Clinton administration will take in the Cyprus problem

The campaign `Pressure on Turkey for Cyprus� will be spear-headed by the USA, and the UN and Europe will join in.

Diplomatic sources in Washington claim that Athens had positive influence on the Greek Cypriot administration regarding the S-300 missiles. `Since the beginning, the USA opposed the deployment of the Russian missiles in the Greek Cypriot section and Athens held intensive diplomatic consultations with Nicosia. Athens was able to convince Clerides. Now it is Turkey�s turn. Ankara has to make something to force Denktash to give up his intransigent stance�, sources in Washington note.

What the USA want (subtitle)

In 1997 and 1998 Washington declared that `the Clinton Administration will solve the Cyprus problem`. Now it says, whatever necessary will be done in order to solve the Cyprus problem in 1999.

The diplomatic sources describe the steps to be taken as follows:

1. Denktash has to accept the resumption of talks on the intercommunal basis and not on the interstate basis. Turkey has to convince Denktash on this issue.

2. While the intercommunal talks are in progress, the Greek and Turkish communities should take part in the EU accession talks with a joint delegation.

3. After the sides officially reconfirm their committment to establish a bicommunal and bizonal federation, talks on this issue should start as soon as possible.

4. Necessary steps should be taken for the demilitarization of the island (from arms and foreign troops) within the framework of a plan and programme.

A USA State Department source, who said that the Cyprus problem was not solved for the last three years due to the absence of a strong government in Turkey, added: However, there is no more time to wait. We will take up the Cyprus issue without waiting for Turkey to solve its domestic policy problems.'' (MY)

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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