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Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media 96-08-29

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.155/96 29.8.96

NEWS ITEMS

1. "Coalition" receives vote of confidence.

2. Denktash reportedly preparing referendum on

Cyprus solution.

3. Turkey said to advise Denktash against holding

a referendum.

---------------------------

NEWS ITEMS

1. "Coalition" receives vote of confidence

According to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 28.8.96)

the "coalition government" of the National Unity Party (NUP) and

the Democratic Party (DP) has received a vote of confidence at the

so-called Assembly. It received 31 votes in favour and 18

against. One "deputy" could not participate in the voting because

he is abroad. The "government" needed a simple majority for a

vote of confidence.

2. Denktash reportedly preparing referendum on Cyprus solution

According to CUMHURIYET (26.8.96), President Glafcos

Clerides' rejection of UN Secretary General's proposal that he

"agree to issue a joint statement with Rauf Denktash in support of

a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem" has moved the "TRNC" to

consider holding a referendum on the Cyprus problem.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has begun to make

intensive preparations for a referendum, in which the Turkish

Cypriots will be asked "whether they support the establishment of

a federation."

It has been reported that he plans to hold the referendum

regardless of the election confusion in the United States.

And the article in CUMHURIYET continues: "Denktash

reacted to Clerides' rejection by saying: 'The hope for the

establishment of a federation has been lost. We must quickly move

to hold a referendum to establish our new strategy.' Obviously,

what Denktash wants is to have the TRNC integrate with Turkey

before he dies...

The TRNC is supported by Ankara in the military,

political, and economic fields. Denktash wants to conclude an

agreement with Turkey in order to make official all the relations

between the two sides. Meanwhile, he wholeheartedly supports

Democratic Left Party leader Bulent Ecevit's proposal for

`autonomous' relations.

Denktash' serious approach on the holding of a referendum

in north Cyprus has made the opposition parties in the TRNC

uneasy. The Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and the Communal

Liberation Party (CLP) have said that they are worried about the

outcome of a referendum that may be held before a census in north

Cyprus.

The RTP and CLP support the establishment of a federation

under Turkey's effective guarantee. They also support Cyprus'

accession to the EU after a bizonal and bicommunal federation is

established. They are convinced that the existing tension must

not be worsened and the Greek Cypriot side must not be given an

opportunity to join the EU by itself. They are also convinced

that the TRNC's integration with Turkey would worsen the

international pressure on Ankara."

And the article concludes: "In a statement to the daily

KIBRIS, which is published by Asil Nadir in north Cyprus,

Professor Erol Manisali, who is known to be close to Rauf

Denktash, has said that relations between the Greek Cypriot side

and the EU would finalize the division of the island. Manisali is

a lecturer at the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics.

Stressing that the new Turkish Government has reformed Turkey's

foreign policy, he asserted: `I believe that rational changes

will be effected in Turkey's policy on Cyprus'."

3. Turkey said to advise Denktash against holding a referendum

Sami Kohen in MILLIYET (28.8.96) writes that Turkish

Foreign Ministry deputy under secretary, Ambassador Inal Batu, is

going to the occupied area to urge Denktash and the Turkish

Cypriot leadership that the time is not appropriate for holding a

referendum regarding federation in the occupied area because that

referendum will lead to "integration" with Turkey and hence to the

division of the island.

Kohen says that at this stage Ankara considers the

holding of a referendum as harmful to the Turkish side because, he

adds, in case of an "integration", if the Cyprus Republic is

admitted to the EU, then Turkey will find itself in the position

of occupying a piece of land that belongs to the EU. Kohen points

out that "official integration with Turkey in reality will not

change anything because, clearly, the Turkish side is already

integrated with Turkey. Making it official will neither secure

the TRNC's recognition by other countries nor will it stop the

Greek Cypriot side's entry into the EU nor will it change the

(economic) situation of the Turks on the island".

He concludes by urging the Erbakan government to extend

economic aid to the occupied area so that it may overcome its

economic difficulties.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30

hours, 28.8.96) Ambassador Inal Batu, has arrived in the

pseudostate to hold various contacts. Batu said that he has not

brought any proposals and that he will be holding talks. On his

arrival at occupied Tymbou airport and speaking at an airport news

conference, Batu said that he arrived on the island in accordance

with the declaration signed between Turkish President Suleyman

Demirel and Rauf Denktash on 27 December 1995, envisioning the

increase of political consultations between Turkey and the

pseudostate. Noting that the formation of a new "government"

played a significant role in the timing of his visit, Batu added

that the wish to assess the situation created by the recent

regrettable incidents has also played a significant role in

planning this visit. He noted that during his contacts views will

also be exchanged on the timing and content of the various

high-ranking visits to be exchanged between Turkey and the

pseudostate in the period ahead. Batu added that he will be

holding intense contacts during his stay.

Replying to reporters' questions, Batu said that the

Greek Cypriot side has rejected a meeting between the Turkish

Cypriot and Greek Cypriot commanders and added that the ball is

now in the Greek Cypriot court with regard to this issue.

Also speaking at the conference, Taner Etkin, so-called

Foreign Minister, said that during Batu's two-day stay on the

island the "national cause" and the Cyprus problem will be

reviewed and views will be exchanged. Etkin added that this will

be an excellent indication of the solidarity and cooperation that

exist between Turkey and the pseudostate.

Batu later left the airport for a meeting with Turkish

"envoy" Aydan Karahan. Batu later met with Denktash and so-called

Assembly Speaker Ayhan Halit Acarkan. Karahan was present at both

meetings. In a statement during his meeting with Acarkan, Batu

recalled that the Denktash-Demirel declaration envisioned closer

and more intense consultations between Turkish and "TRNC

officials" adding that he came to the island with that purpose in

mind.

--------------------------------

EF/SK

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