DENKTAŞ: "GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE HAS TO SOFTEN ITS POSITION RELATING TO EMBARGOES IMPOSED UPON TRNC"

DENKTAŞ: "WE CANNOT BE A MINORITY…"

DENKTAŞ: "GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE HAS TO SOFTEN ITS POSITION RELATING TO EMBARGOES IMPOSED UPON TRNC"

Following the completion of his contacts in Istanbul, where he addressed a conference organised by the Young Businessmen’s Association, TRNC President Rauf Denktaş returned to the TRNC on March 2, and speaking upon his arrival at Ercan State Airport said that at the conference he had explained all the aspects of the Cyprus issue.

He stressed that the Cyprus issue still remains unsolved because of the Greek Cypriot side’s claims that the problem started in l974. "This is a wrong diagnosis which has to be changed", stated President Denktaş.

The President reiterated that the Cyprus issue began in l963 as a result of Greek Cypriot attacks against the Turkish Cypriot people and that the Greek Cypriots destroyed the constitution of the Cyprus Republic and occupied the seat of the Cyprus government. "These are the real causes of the Cyprus conflict which have to be diagnosed correctly before making efforts to find a solution to the problem", he added.

On being asked about the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce’s rejection to lifting the embargoes imposed upon the TRNC, the President saying, "this is not a surprise", said, during the very first days when the discussion on lifting the embargoes was being carried out, a Greek Cypriot deputy voiced his opinion on the issue by saying, ‘why should the Greek Cypriot side lift the embargoes. We are getting results. Their (TRNC) economy is collapsing’.

Drawing attention to the fact that he saw the embargoes being imposed by the Greek Cypriots on the TRNC as political punishment, President Denktaş said the Greek Cypriots could show their sincerity in achieving a settlement to the Cyprus issue by either being more flexible or softening the embargoes they impose upon the TRNC. "If they really have the desire (to achieve a settlement), you cannot have punishment on the one hand and sweet talk at the negotiating table on the other. We hope that during the course of the negotiations the Greek Cypriot side will move towards these issues with a new approach and do whatever is necessary", added the President.

President Denktaş also said that this week he would again go to Turkey to give lectures on the Cyprus issue. He said that he would explain the dangers of the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral accession into the EU prior to finding a ssttlement to the Cyprus issue.

DENKTAŞ: "WE CANNOT BE A MINORITY…"

Speaking at a conference organised by the Young Businessmen’s Association in Istanbul, President Denktaş pointing out that on the issue of finding a settlement to the Cyprus issue the Turkish Cypriot side is working with goodwill but that there are ‘impossibilities’, said, "we cannot be a minority. We cannot give up our equality, sovereignty, Turkey’s guarantee and bi-zonality. We cannot take in the Greek Cypriots and all their refugees again."

Referring to the face-to-face negotiations, the President said, "in the first round both sides put forward their views. There are certain indications that show how flexible the sides can be. In the second round, it will be evident just how flexible the two sides can be. I reiterate, if other countries, who up until now have said ‘reach an agreement’ but have prevented a settlement because they do not treat the two sides equally, and those countries who have not treated the two sides equally for their own interests, comply with treating the two sides equally, then we can settle the issue".

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side wants to enter the EU prior to reaching a settlement on the Cyprus issue, President Denktaş said, "if there is a settlement our rights, jurisdiction, status will be defined. Within the framework of that right, jurisdiction and status, we too will be in a position to safeguard our own rights with the EU. Thus, the Greek Cypriot ploy of taking control of the whole of Cyprus through the EU will collapse."

Responding to a question asked, the President pointing out that the negotiations could be concluded by June said, "in this second round I hope that the U.S.A, the U.K and other interested governments make a correct diagnosis of the Cyprus issue and by researching who is doing what and who wants what, puts some pressure on the Greek Cypriots. We are working with goodwill, but we have impossibilities. We will not be a minority. We will not give up our equality, sovereignty, Turkey’s guarantee and bi-zonality. We cannot take in the Greek Cypriots and all their refugees again."

ŞÜKRÜ SİNA GÜREL IN TRNC

The Turkish Minister of State in charge of Cyprus Affairs, Şükrü Sina Gürel, on March 3 arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for a three-day official visit. A delegation from the National Industrialist and Businessmen’s Association are also accompanying Mr. Gürel.

Soon after his arrival to the TRNC Mr. Gürel paid courtesy visits to state and government officials.

Yesterday morning Mr, Gürel and his accompanying delegation attended a meeting on a Special Development Model for the TRNC, which was held in Girne.

Tomorrow (March 5) Mr. Gürel and his delegation will visit investment areas in Girne and on Wednesday (March 6) they will attend the inauguration of the new Lefkoşa- Girne highway before their departure for Ankara the same day

Speaking during a meeting with President Denktaş, Mr. Gürel said that he came to the TRNC with a delegation consisting of entrepreneurs from the private and public sector in Turkey and that the year 2002, just as it is for Turkey will also be the year of progress for the TRNC. It will be the year of economic expansion, he added.

GREEK CYPRIOT CHAMBER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY REJECTS THE LIFTING OF EMBARGOES IMPOSED UPON TRNC

In the weekly ‘Ependitiki’ newspaper published in South Cyprus it was reported that in contacts carried out with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Trade and Industry (KEVE), rejected requests put forward to them by Turkish Cypriot businessmen for them to act as a mediator in bringing an end to the isolation and embargoes imposed upon the TRNC.

The Head of KEVE, Vasilis Rologis pointing out that, "it was not even an issue for the Turkish Cypriot request to be discussed", alleged that the consent of the European Court and the European Parliament was needed if the economic embargoes were to be lifted in any way.

GREEK CYPRIOT EDUCATION MINISTER YOANNIDES: "THE HALF COMPLETED WORK OF EOKA WILL BE COMPLETED"

Speaking at a memorial ceremony on March 3 in Larnaca in memory of Grigoris Afksentiou, EOKA’s second leader, the Greek Cypriot Minister for Education, Uranios Yoannides alleging that the Turkish Cypriot stance was provocative said that if this was to be successfully overcome cool-headedness and unity were needed.

Yoannnides stated that Afksentiou’s work was half completed and their efforts were needed to complete the work. He also requested the Greek Cypriots not to lower the flag for their struggle.