1.
GV: General Assembly
0.06

2.
MV: Turkish Ambassador Ilter Turkmen speaking
1.14

3.
MV Greek delegate seated listening (silent)
1.20

4.
MV: British Ambassador Ivor Richards speaking.
2.00

6.
GV: General Assembly (silent)
2.03

7.
MV: Iranian Ambassador Feredoun Hoveyda speaking. (in French)
2.38


TURKMEN: "It should also be stressed that the economic situation in the North is not suitable for massive immigration. There is no room for further permanent immigration under present economic conditions. On the other hand there are more Turkish Cypriots abroad than the Turkish Federated State can ever accommodate. If the Turkish Federated State had followed a policy of increasing its population for political purposes it would certainly have drawn on that source rather than import immigrants from Turkey. What has taken place is that skilled technicians and workers have been imported from Turkey on a temporary basis to meet the immediate requirements of the economy.



RICHARDS: "If the talks are to make progress it is essential that both sides should give assurances in advance that they are ready to negotiate constructively, and that they are prepared now to put forward comprehensive and concrete proposals on both constitutional issues and on territory. In particular it is to be hoped that when the talks do resume, the parties will be in a position to make a concrete response to the proposals put forward in earlier rounds. It must be recognised that a lasting solution depends primarily on the commitment of the parties immediately involved."



Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said the resolution being debated was inconsistent and contradicted the realities of Cyprus. He said the resolution??? sponsored by a ground of non-aligned countries - overshadowed the independence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot community and even "endangered its existence".




Initials RH/2308


TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A debate on problems of Cyprus continued at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (8 November) with a denial from the Turkish Ambassador, Ilter Turkmen, that more Turks were being 'imported' into Cyprus. Greek Cypriots have accused the Turkish Cypriots of boosting their population for political reasons. Cyprus has been divided into distinct Greek and Turkish areas, each with its own government, since the Turks invaded in 1974. The basis for the debate is a resolution which calls for talks between the two communities to try and bring them together under a common government.

SYNOPSIS: Mr Turkmen gave reasons for his denial of the 'importation' of more Turks into Cyprus.

Some Turkish Cypriots who had emigrated to Turkey, Britain and other Commonwealth countries over the past years in order to liberate themselves from the Greek oppression have also been given the opportunity to return to their homeland.

Britain's United Nations Ambassador Ivor Richards, said it was time both parties held constructive talks.

Next to speak was Iran's ambassador, Foreydown Hoveyda. He told the assembly that despite certain encouraging developments in Cyprus, such as the resumption of dialogue between the Greek and Turkish communities, the problems still remained. But he said there was no need to feel too discouraged. Mr Hoveyda said there was in fact, a large measure of consensus on certain fundamental issues, and this would go a long way towards solving the problems in Cyprus.

The debate on the issue was to continue.