Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-03

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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. 38/98 28-2.1.2.3/3/98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash turns down Cook's invitation, rejects TC participation in EU talks.

[02] Ecevit: "Turkey will not withdraw from Cyprus".

[03] Hannay meets CTP's Talat, TKP's Akinci.

[04] EU warned about S-300's.

[05] Turkey is on `Primary Concern' list for money laundering.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash turns down Cook's invitation, rejects TC participation in EU talks

Denktash also refused to meet British envoy Sir David Hannay, who had visited the island for contacts.

"Unless the visa is abolished I will never go to London, even if it lasts ten years or more", Denktash said on Saturday, according to the Anatolia news agency.

Denktash also criticized Hannay's comments in Nicosia on Friday.

The Turkish Cypriot leader claimed that nothing could be achieved with a state on one side of the conflict and a community on the other. Referring to reports that some EU officials, including EU commissioner Hans Van den Broek, would visit the island soon with the aim of persuading the Turkish Cypriots to join the talks, he said: "They do not have to bother at all.

Unless the principle of equal states is accepted, unless the 1960 balance is restored, we will not join an organization to which motherland Turkey is not a member but Greece is. The Turkish Cypriots are not fools and will not believe in tricks".

[02] Ecevit: "Turkey will not withdraw from Cyprus"

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot journalists currently visiting Ankara Ecevit declared: "Under no conditions Turkey can think to withdraw its troops from Cyprus. "This is Turkey's own security issue".

Due to the progress and development in the arms technology, Ecevit alleged that not only the Mediterranean shores of Turkey but also its hinterland is under the threat of missile attacks if Cyprus is in the hand of, as he put it, an enemy.

"Especially when Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project is materialized the strategic importance of northern Cyprus will increase more.

Any one looking into the map can realize this", Ecevit added.

As for the S-300 Russian manufactured missiles to be deployed in Cyprus, Ecevit said: "Whether to allow or not the deployment of these missiles in Cyprus is not in our hands, but we have warned Russia, Europe and the USA". Referring to the opening of occupied Varosha to illegal settlement Ecevit said: "Varosha was an important trump card, however, since the parameters have changed we have to re-think".

According to TRT Television (28.2.98) Mr. Bulent Ecevit has stressed that Turkey will never make concessions in the Cyprus issue. In a statement to Turkish Cypriot reporters visiting Ankara, claimed that with the application the Cyprus Republic submitted to the EU and with the EU decision to commence the accession negotiations, "a new era has begun. From now on the TRNC will continue its independence in a more effective manner.

It will never opt for being dragged into the EU in the footsteps of the Greek Cypriots and Greece because this would be tantamount to breaking way from Turkey and falling onto the lap and into the trap of the Greek Cypriots and Greece. We can still recall the bitter memories of the genocide committed not long ago."

[03] Hannay meets CTP's Talat, TKP's Akinci

He met with CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat and TKP leader Mustafa Akinci at Saray Hotel.

In his statement after the meeting, Talat expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriots should join the EU in a way that reflects its political equality. Describing as very appropriate the current initiative launched by the EU, Talat added that the Turkish Cypriot community's interests can be safeguarded through joining the EU on equal terms with the Greek Cypriots.

Talat went on to criticize Denktash for refusing to meet Sir David Hannay and for implying that he will not also meet with British Foreign Secretary Cook.

On his part Akinci stated that no formula was presented to them at the meeting with Hannay and that there was not concrete proposal. Explaining that Hannay told them that work was under way along these lines, Akinci added that he had the opportunity to convey his party's views at the meeting. Akinci said that the Turkish-EU and the Turkish-Greek relations should be improved because they affect adversely the Cyprus issue. Noting that a solution process within the framework of the United Nations should crystallize in Cyprus before the EU process can be launched, Akinci added: "In our opinion, it is extremely important to crystallize the outline of a draft proposal. The Turkish Cypriots have no part in the Greek Cypriot application, which was accepted on behalf of the Cyprus government."

[04] EU warned about S-300's

According to the same report changing its policy that it will strike the S- 300 missiles earmarked for deployment in Cyprus, Turkey is now pursuing the thesis that the deployment of a non-NATO country's missiles on the island should concern the alliance as well as the EU. In line with this policy, Turkey started to increasingly warn EU member countries such as Britain and France. "...... Turkey informed the EU that if Greece deploys these missiles on the demilitarized islands, there will be grave consequences and the Turkish-Greek balance will be upset. Turkey also asked the EU to apply pressure on Athens."

The same report by CUMHURIYET referring to the intensification of the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem says that Tom Miller, assistant of Richard Holbrooke, US President Bill Clinton's special coordinator for Cyprus, is also planning a tour of Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus in mid-March.

"Diplomatic sources reported that Miller will prepare the grounds for Holbrooke's upcoming visit to the region and apply pressure on Ankara and Athens to implement the confidence-building measures pertaining to the solution of Turkish-Greek problems."

The report goes on to add that Sir David Hannay, who arrived in Turkey last week as the special envoy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, conveyed to Ankara a formula similar to that proposed by Holbrooke on Turkish Cypriot participation in the EU accession talks. "The formula proposed by Holbrooke for Cyprus before the EU closed the full membership door to Turkey consisted of the participation of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities in the EU accession talks as a single Cyprus delegation, without mentioning their respective status."

[05] Turkey is on `Primary Concern' list for money laundering

"The illegal cross-border trade ("the suitcase trade") in commercial goods is a major source of funds to be laundered", the report said.

"The casino and construction industries are widely thought to serve as conduits for laundering funds, and the Turkish Parliament passed a resolution in August 1997 calling for the closure of all casinos within six months."

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

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