Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-17

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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. 72/00 -- 15-16-17.4.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ``Election'' results.

[02] Denktash, Eroglu , others comment on ``election'' results.

[03] Denktash: No change in Cyprus policy.

[04] Gurel expresses backing for Denktash.

[05] Denktash on third round of talks.

[06] US said not in favour of Turkey/s thesis on Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish columnist writes of ``Concern for Cyprus in Europe''.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ``Election'' results

According to the ``official'' results, the distribution of votes is as follows: The total number of ballot boxes, 506; the number of ballot boxes opened ,506. The number of electorates, 126,678; the number of electorates who voted, 102,636 (81.02 percent). The number of valid votes, 98,043 - (95.52 percent), the number of invalid votes, 4,593 (4.48 percent).

Mustafa Akinci received 11,469 votes (11.70 percent), Mehmet Ali Talat, 9, 834 votes (10.03 percent), Arif Hasan Tahsin, 2,545 votes (2.60 percent), Dervis Eroglu, 29,555 votes (30.14 percent), Ayhan Kaymak, 369 votes (0.38 percent), Rauf Denktash, 42,820 votes (43.67 percent), Sener Levent, 899 votes (0.92 percent), Turgut Avsaroglu, 553 votes (0.56 percent).

[02] Denktash, Eroglu, others comment on ``election'' results

Pointing out that he will not conduct propaganda in the second round, Denktash remarked that he will prepare for the third round Cyprus proximity talks to be held in New York on 23 May.

Dervis Eroglu said that the second round results will depend on the attitude to be displayed by the other parties. Eroglu charged that he will win the ``elections'' if the parties unite against Denktash. Noting that the number of votes he received in these ``elections'' is higher compared with the votes he received in the first round of the ``elections'' held in 1995, Eroglu recalled that in 1995 agreement was reached with Denktash not to participate in television programs or hold rallies.

Communal Liberation Party (TKP) candidate Mustafa Akinci, who came in third place, declared that his party preserved its strength in the ``elections''. Akinci stated that his party occupies a key position in the second round ``elections''. He explained that the question of which candidate his party/s votes will go to in the ``elections'' next week has become a key issue. Akinci said that voter participation was lower than ever before. Akinci said that this must be assessed by all parties, candidates, and politicians.

In his statement, Republican Turkish Party candidate Mehmet Ali Talat said that the party/s authorized organs will assess the results and clarify its position with regard to the second round. Further expressing the belief that the people/s free will was not fully reflected in the ballot box, Talat said that the ``elections'' were tainted with blackmail, pressure, and threats.

Moreover, ORTAM (17.4.00) says that the leader of the Communal Liberation Party CLP Mustafa Akinci, commenting on the so-called ``election results'' and the stance his party will take regarding the second round which will be held on 22 April, said that his party/s stance will be clarified tomorrow when the party assembly will convene and take the final decision.

Akinci declared that his party/s stance will not affect the so-called ``coalition government'' of which the CLP is a ``junior partner''.

Akinci further said that Party/s Executive Committee had convened and exchanged views regarding the stance the CLP will take regarding the second round.

He added that following the sounding out that will be carried out regarding CLP/s organs in other towns, the party/s assembly will take the final decision tomorrow. When asked by journalists what was the inclination of the Party/s Executive organ, to set the members free or tell them to cast their votes for a specific candidate, Akinci preferred not to answer this question. When asked whether their final stance might affect the ``so- called coalition'' Akinci said: ``It should not. The two issues are separate things.''

He said there was no ``government crisis''.

[03] Denktash: No change in Cyprus policy

``Our Cyprus policy is formulated in cooperation with Turkey. So long as an extremist, a person who is against Turkey, is not elected - and I do not foresee such a possibility since Mr. Eroglu follows the same line - this policy will not change. The problem, however, is about the way in which this policy is presented and defended at the negotiating table. Otherwise, I do not believe that there will be a change in policy.''

Asked whether he thinks Cyprus politics is getting dirty, Denktash replied:

``Yes, it is getting dirty because foreigners are trying their best to cause us to deviate from our known national policy. They are spending money for that purpose, they are trying to gain supporters. There is great confusion. At the same time, those who are facing economic difficulties can easily be convinced to change sides. In other words, if we cannot succeed in improving our economy. (changes thought). We have, unfortunately, not been able to raise the level of the economy despite all the Turkish aid and the infrastructure work. Many factories were closed down. Goods produced in these factories were supposed to be sold to Turkey, but this did not happen because of legal obstacles. In other words, people can easily be made to feel restless because of economic difficulties. They can easily be deceived. Therefore, people stooped to low levels this time. There were candidates who participated in the elections not to be elected but to insult me and, through me, Turkey. These people have, unfortunately, done, the dirty work on behalf of Mr. Eroglu. They have directed against me the insults and slanders Mr. Eroglu was incapable of uttering. Their aim was to destroy me. Consequently, they stooped to low levels. I hope that things will improve and not deteriorate in the future.''

[04] Gurel expresses backing for Denktash

Gurel, who is an alumnus of Bornova Anadolu High School, delivered a speech on Turkish foreign policy in the new century at a meeting organized by the Bornova Anadolu High School Education Fund (BALEV) at the Ege Palas Hotel.

Noting that it would be difficult for him to comment on the ``TRNC elections'', Gurel said:

``I have, however, an opinion which I cannot hide. I personally hope that TRNC President Rauf Denktash will continue in his duty. Because he is a very valuable statesman who has so far represented the Turkish Cypriot people in the international arena as necessitated. His negotiating characteristics cannot be denied. His expertise on the issue is known to all in the international arena. Therefore, I hope that he will continue in his duties. I hope that this will be realized in the first round. If, however, a second round is to be held, the result will not change. I do not view the possibility of another outcome. If it happens, whoever, it will probably not affect the TRNC people. Those to be elected will determine the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people together with Turkey. I do not consider the possibility of another outcome''.

[05] Denktash on third round of talks

``I hope we will hold the first round and the elections will be concluded. Immediately after my winning the elections, preparations will begin for the third round of the Cyprus proximity talks on 23 May. Mumtaz Soysal is here, and we have already begun the preparations for the talks''.

Denktash was asked if the third round of the Cyprus proximity talks could lead to face-to-face talks. He said that the Greek Cypriots must undergo a great change, and a face-to-face meeting may ensue if they accept the existence of the Turkish Cypriots, the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are a separate ``state'' as well as an equal and sovereign people, and that they are not the government of the Turkish Cypriots.

Noting that the positive relations between Turkey and Greece will also affect the Cyprus issue, Denktash said that if Turkey and Greece are able to discuss the Cyprus issue, these good relations may enable them to see the ``realities'' in Cyprus. Denktash stressed that the talks to be held in New York are very important, adding: ``We are preparing ourselves for these talks. We have already begun our preparations. It is our expectation that certain developments and changes will take place in the Greek Cypriot side. This is essential''.

[06] US said not in favour of Turkey/s thesis on Cyprus

The United States wants the two leaders to find a middle way to solve the problem through a ``give and take approach''. However, Turkey and the ``TRNC'' believe that the basis for such an initiative has not been prepared yet.

The contacts held recently in Ankara by Alfred Moses, President Clinton/s Special Envoy on Cyprus, and the disclosures Tom Weston, US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator, made in Washington indicated that the US Administration is not in favour of the Turkish side/s thesis. Weston informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Greek Cypriot side/s accession to the EU even before Turkey joins the organization will have an important bearing on the solution of the Cyprus problem. That caused a reaction in Ankara. The Turkish officials maintain that Turkey and Cyprus should simultaneously join the EU after the island/s problem is solved. They have believed thus far that the US officials were in a position to better understand Turkey/s thesis.

The format for the third round of talks was discussed during Moses/ contacts. He suggested that the talks be held at a place other than the UN building and that the sessions be closed to the press. He further suggested that the sides prepare concrete documents for the solution of the problem.

The United States wants the sides to start the give and take process during the third round on the basis of the documents they will prepare and in the light of the conclusions the UN officials have drawn from the first and second round of the talks. The United States also wants progress to be made to a certain extent before the presidential elections are held in that country. In view of that, it plans to place the talks under its control if everything goes well.

The establishment of a confederation, which has been called for by Turkey and the ``TRNC'', has not been officially included in the US plan. However, the Turkish diplomats defend the view that the solution outlined by the United States is based on the establishment of a confederation. Meanwhile, various sources have said that ``equal status and security guarantees'' are important for Turkey and that the third round of talks yielding a result will be impossible if progress cannot be achieved in those fields.

The UN and US officials view the question of equal status as ``a matter that can be taken up together with the other issues in the talks''. However, Turkey has informed them that that is unacceptable.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish columnist writes of ``Concern for Cyprus in Europe''

Ferai Tinc claims that following the Helsinki Summit decisions ``the Greek Cypriot side'' started giving negative messages, such as poll results that show opposition to a federal settlement.

Tinc further reports that rumours are circulating that the Portuguese Foreign Minister and the EU term president Jaime Game will meet Denktash in Portugal.

``This is hopeful regarding the opening of independent channels between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU'' notes Tinc and adds: ``There is no other way than this where the Turkish Cypriot community can reflect its will in the EU process.

It seems that it is understood that it is not possible to make the Turkish representatives join the Greek Cypriot delegation.

However a debate is going on whether direct contact will mean TRNC/s recognition.''

Tinc further reports that with a view to transferring water to the occupied area from Anamur, Southern Turkey, work for the under water pipelaying has started by the Alarko firm. The construction work will take two years, she says and adds that the free areas will also take advantage of the water from Anamur.

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

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