Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-06-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] AFRIKA reports that the Cyprus Government has proposed the opening of ten more crossing points and the disengagement of military positions

[02] Weston to visit the office of the occupation regime in Washington.

[03] Walter Schwimmer says that the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community should end.

[04] Contacts of Turkish Cypriot leaders in Istanbul.

[05] Verhofstadt: "I have always been Turkey's advocate".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] AFRIKA reports that the Cyprus Government has proposed the opening of ten more crossing points and the disengagement of military positions

Among the points suggested, reports AFRIKA, are Ledra Street in the Nicosia city within the walls, Dherynia in the east of the island and Pyrgos on the west coast.

The paper stresses that the Greek Cypriot National Guard has approved the opening of the new crossing points and that the Greek Cypriots are preparing to propose the disengagement of military positions by 100 to 200 meters at the points where they are face to face.

The paper concludes that if the Turkish side accepts the proposals ten more crossing points will be created in Cyprus reminding that among the proposals of the Greek Cypriot side is the clearing of the 27 Turkish and 11 Greek minefields existing along the ceasefire line.

[02] Weston to visit the office of the occupation regime in Washington

This will be the first visit of an American official to the above-mentioned office, notes the paper reminding that recently Mr Weston visited the office of the pseudostate in New York. According to KIBRIS, Mr Weston will meet with Osman Ertug, the representative of the occupation regime in Washington.

[03] Walter Schwimmer says that the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community should end

Addressing the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Mr Schwimmer alleged that the efforts towards solving the Cyprus problem had a disappointing end and added: "In spite of our respect to the will of the Greek Cypriot community, now we have to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. We are working on this issue".

[04] Contacts of Turkish Cypriot leaders in Istanbul

Addressing the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OIC, Mr Denktas said that the final goal of the Turkish Cypriots is becoming a full member of the organization. Mr Denktas alleged also that the results of the 24 April referendum in Cyprus show that the Greek Cypriots are not willing to share power with the Turkish Cypriots and asked the OIC member countries to upgrade the status of the Turkish Cypriots at the organization to "Turkish Cypriot State".

According to Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (16.06.04), Mr Denktas ensured a great support to his positions during the bilateral contacts he made yesterday and the day before. Mr Denktas met with the Head of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Mr Muhammed Abulgaffar, the deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Vagif Sadikov and a delegation of the Islamic Development Bank, which is expected to give long term credits to small and medium-sized Turkish Cypriot business enterprises. Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has conveyed a message to Mr Denktas informing him that his country was ready to launch economic and cultural relations with the occupation regime in Cyprus.

Meanwhile CUMHURIYET, invoking information which Turkish semi official Anatolia News Agency acquired from "reliable foreign sources", claims that the Republic of Cyprus is planning to apply for joining the OIC as an observer.

Furthermore, KIBRIS (16.06.04) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called Prime Minister of the occupation regime will be visiting Istanbul today in order to have contacts with foreign officials and the Turkish government. Mr Serdar Denktas will also be present at the meetings of Mr Talat, which are expected to take place tomorrow.

[05] Verhofstadt: "I have always been Turkey's advocate"

He went on and said that during his recent visit to Turkey he had seen the firmness and the faith in the EU membership. Turkey will act as the bridge between countries in the region and the EU, he added.

When asked to comment on the Cyprus referendum results held on 24 April, Verhofstadt said that the result caused disillusionment. "On this issue Turkey had played a very constructive role. The EU as well exhibited a constructive role. It immediately decided to extend financial aid to the Turks in the north. This stance should continue until the unification of the island. Whatever happens one day the island will be united. History writes it. And it will continue to write. I do not know when it will happen, but it will happen. The Turkish Cypriots said yes in the referendum and their effort should bear fruit. It is a sad event that this chance was missed. However, who knows may be this has created a chance for the Turkish Cypriots to open to the world. The rapprochement between the two communities should be maintained".

/SK

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