TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-01-04

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@Glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.3/96 4.1.96

NEWS ITEMS

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash airs views on economic situation

According to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 3.1.96) Rauf Denktash has said that salaries cannot be paid on time because the necessary measures were not taken on time. He stressed that this situation should not be exacerbated into a political crisis. He said: "At this most critical stage of the Cyprus cause, the TRNC should not have been led to a situation where salaries cannot be paid. This is not good either for motherland Turkey or for the TRNC. Therefore, urgent measures must be taken."

Denktash met with Hakki Atun yesterday. It was a routine weekly meeting where they discussed mainly the situation that emerged following the problems of the Turkish lira.

In a statement after the meeting Denktash said: "Everyone should be relieved that the government did not decide to declare a ban on the transfer of money from Turkey given the difficulties the transfer of money is causing because of the high rate of interest in Turkey."

Denktash warned that the situation should not be exacerbated and turned into a political crisis. He charged that for years the people had gotten used to living without working, and that past "governments" refrained from taking economic measures in order to be liked by the people. He recalled that for years every sector of the pseudostate demanded a stable accounting system to offset inflation, that economists explained their views on the matter to the "governments", but that nothing was done. He said that when he asked why a transition was being made to an immediate payment system in the "public sector", the concerned "officials" told him that it was done for the elections.

Denktash said: "Unless a determined government that will take drastic measures comes to power and unless the other parties help that government, then we will naturally find ourselves in a situation that is far worse."

Denktash said that he had another telephone conversation with Turkish President Demirel who said that everything will be taken care of quickly, and that the Turkish Cypriots should not worry. Denktash said he extended his gratitude on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots. He went on to say that he believes Prime Minister Ciller is not approaching this issue because it is temporary.

Denktash said: "At this most critical stage of the Cyprus cause, the TRNC should not have been led to a situation where salaries cannot be paid. This is not good either for motherland Turkey or for the TRNC. I cannot accept such a situation. It is not that we are losing anything, but the diplomats who come here lie to us and say that our economy will improve once it joins the EU."

Denktash alleged that in order to join the EU, the Turkish Cypriot economy must be raised to the level of the Greek Cypriot economy. There is no other way, he claimed, adding that this can be achieved not only with Turkey's aid and domestic measures, but with the efforts of those states that have been helping those who have been implementing an embargo on the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktash went on to say that if they want peace in Cyprus, these states can help by lifting the embargo. Only then can they say that the Cypriot economy is good enough to join the EU, he claimed.

[02] Turkey increases arms, troops in Cyprus

According to Turkish daily HURRIYET (31.12.95) Turkey has significantly increased the number of its troops and fire power in Cyprus. It has been reported that Turkey reacted to the Greek Cypriot arms purchases by dispatching reinforcements and arms to Cyprus to strengthen its military presence on the island during the past six months. Meanwhile, it has been learned that Turkey has modernized arms and military units based on the island. New rader systems have been installed along the "Green Line".

Meanwhile, Turkey and the "TRNC" signed a declaration last December. It said in part: "The necessary measures will be taken against the initiatives made by the Greek-Greek Cypriot front to strengthen its military position in the island". It has been reported that Ankara wanted to convey the following message through the declaration: "Turkish troops will be significantly reinforced if the Greek Cypriots continue to buy arms."

[03] Spokesman explains Italian official's visit on Cyprus

According to TRT Television Network (13:00 hours, 3.1.96) Turkey has announced that there are no plans to launch a process in connection with the Cyprus problem other than under the auspices of the United Nations.

In his weekly news conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel, regarding the visit of Italian deputy foreign minister to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, noted that the Italian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on this subject, noting that the visit, which will be conducted on 4-6 January, is aimed at reaching an agreement on how the EU can directly contribute to the efforts for a Cyprus solution.

Akbel remarked that an exchange of views on the Cyprus issue will be conducted during the talks with the Italian official.

"As you know, efforts are continuing to find a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's goodwill mission. There are no plans to launch a process other than under the auspices of the United Nations", Akbel said.

Akbel added that bilateral relations and the relations with the EU in the aftermath of the Customs Union will also be discussed during the talks to be conducted at the under secretaries level.

[04] Denktash meets German MP

According to KIBRIS (4.1.96) Rauf Denktash had a meeting with German MP Mrs Schulte, in the presence of Mrs Hildegard Dunkl, Counsellor at the German Embassy in Cyprus.