Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (95-11-21)

From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 218/95 21.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] BUSINESSMEN FROM TURKIC STATES IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

According to KIBRIS (21.11.95) five businessmen from Azer- baijan, Ukraine and Turkmenistan are currently in the occupied area, as the guests of the so-called Turkish Chamber of Industry.

The so-called Chairman of the Chamber of Industry, Eren Ertanin said that they wanted to establish business relations with the Turkic States of Central Asia.

He said that to this end direct flights between Baku, capital of Azerbaijan and the occupied Tymbou shall fascilitate these relations.

Ertanin said that an exhibition will be opened in Baku between 1-5 May and that the occupied area shall participate. (MY)

[02] KTAMS: INFLATION RATE UP TO 76.25%

According to KIBRIS (21.11.95) the so-called State Planning Organization of the pseudostate has declared that the rate of inflation in the pseudostate is around 67.20%.

On the other hand studies carried out by the Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants Union, KTAMS, the inflation rate in the occupied area is 76.25%. (MY)

[03] GREEK CYPRIOT YOUTH TO BE DETAINED 8 MORE DAYS

According to illegal Bayrak (20.11.95) the Greek Cypriot refugee youth, who crossed into the occupied area to see his vil- lage Karavas, has been remanded in custody for another eight days. The 22-year-old Greek Cypriot youth named Ioannis Aposto- lidhes was brought before a so-called court today, as his three- day remand expired. It is reported that Apostolidhes will be referred to "court" after the investigation started against him is concluded.

Meanwhile, Georghios Karotsakis, the Greek Cypriot national guard who was illegally captured on 3 November, is still in cus- tody pending his court hearing.

[04] HUSEYIN MUMTAZ: DENKTASH AGREED TO GIVE MORFOU BACK

Huseyin Mumtaz writing in YENI GUNAYDIN (13.11.95) under the title "Eroglu's Suicide" says: "Denktash, who on 1 January, 1994, forced the dogmatic Marxists and the Free Masons to establish a coalition which was historically, legally and politically against nature, put an end to this coalition with a showpiece excuse. And Denktash's `yes man' Hakki Atun was unable to resist further.

Well, what is the urgent issue that forced Denktash to look for a new government?

In Jerusalem Ciller had whispered to the journalists that, Turkey, which was rejecting the Confidence of Building Measures CBM since the middle of '93, is accepting them now.

This was nothing but to unmask in a diplomatic manner Denktash who always tried to play the hawk by declaring that `I am not making any concessions'.

One also has to ask why Turkey which until recently was rejecting the CBM, now it has decided to accept them. However, if we do not remember wrongly, in 1993 during the New York talks, after conferring with Ciller, Denktash had agreed to hand over Morfou, but when he had returned to the island he had come face to face with a strong opposition from Eroglu, thus the political paths of Eroglu departed from that of Denktash and Ciller.

Eroglu was saying not an inch of land should be ceded to the Greek Cypriots. As a result of this he became persona non grata, but Denktash and Ciller who face difficulties in their domestic and foreign policy issues, before taking any forced radical steps they have absolutly needed the support of the majority of the Turkish Cypriots, and this was impossible by considering Eroglu non-existing, since he represents 60% of the public opinion.

What is Denktash's problem? The Marxist-Masonic coalition established by Denktash, was unable to solve the problems Denktash promised to solve that is;

a) Enacting of Ombudsman Law

b) Enacting of the Title deeds Law

c) The solution of the Electricity problem

The coalition was unable to solve these problems. For two years it was unable to solve the problems facing the community. And worst, a) as of 1 January 1996 drastic economic measures sim- ilar to 5 April decisions in Turkey, shall be taken. b) Conces- sions shall be made in Cyprus in relation to the Customs Union Agreement.

Here is the problem; They want Eroglu to be an accomplice of this `crime', otherwise, it is just an excuse the obscene text book issue, to break the present coalition.

It appears that the country is heading speedly to NUP-DP coalition. However, accepting this will be the end of Eroglu's political carrier. Eroglu should first secure the right of establishing a government, grabbed from him by 93 elections. And this can only be realized through holding early elections.

So, Eroglu should take part in a new coalition government on the condition that early elections will take place. And during this period (coalition) the NUP should have equal representation in the cabinet with the DP as party leader Eroglu should remain outside of the coalition.

Alternating post of prime minister to that of Assembly between Atun and Eroglu, is aimed at grabbing the NUP's leader- ship from Eroglu's hand, since the Assembly chairmanship is not a functional duty but related to protocol and they want to assign first Eroglu to the Assembly Chairmanship post.

Alternating the prime minister's post can be functional in countries like former Yugoslavia where more than one ethnic group exist.

Early elections will stop the concessions to be made regard- ing the Customs Union". (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] "IS IT REALLY A CHILDREN'S PARK?"

Hasan Kahvecioglu, writing in ORTAM (21.11.95) wonders why the occupation regime built a so-called children's park on the Rocco's Bastion near the Paphos gate and asks whether it is really a children's park. Kahvecioglu says "It is really diffi- cult to understand the way we go about ... What do we want to do by building a children's park on the Rocco's Bastion, organizing conquest celebrations by raising flags with three crescents?"

He then strongly criticizes those who conceived the idea of building a so-called "Children's Park" on the bastion and ques- tions their aim and the purpose in building this "park".

He goes on and says "We are turning a place where the chil- dren would play in hapiness with feelings of friendship and love, into a tool of danger, tension and a place for intercommunal conflict. What will be the use of a park where parents, with security fears will not send their children there?"

He then refers to the Turkish Cypriot youth who on last Sat- urday climbing on the top of the bastion had stoned the Greek Cypriots and the vehicles passing by. The Greek Cypriots are exploiting this against us. Of course they will do so. We are also unsuccessful in convincing the UN officials regarding this `Children's Park' and with our actions we are only strengthening their doubts.

Well, do we need to do all these? Why are we doing all these? What's the use of this park which creates concern to our people as well.

And if our intentions are `good' then why we are unable to explain it?" asks Kahvecioglu. (MY)

[06] AKINCI CRITICAL OF THE SO-CALLED CHILDREN'S PARK

The Leader of the Communal Liberation Party CLP Mustafa Akinci, writing in ORTAM (21.11.95) refers to the so-called Children's park built by the occupation regime on the Rocco's bastion near the Paphos Gate and stone throwing by fanatic Turks on last Saturday and warns that escalating provocative activities might lead to serious explosions.

He concludes by saying that both communities living on the island had suffered enough and they do not need new tensions and new wars.

"This island is enough for both communities to live in peace, prosperity and tranquility" concludes Akinci.