[01] Erbakan criticizes Yilmaz's overtures to Greece.

[02] Meeting to discuss introduction of V.A.T.

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[01] Erbakan criticizes Yilmaz's overtures to Greece

According to Ankara TRT Television (26.3.96) Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan has said that a darkroom policy is being implemented in Turkey, which will come to an end when the RP comes to power.

Addressing his party's assembly group meeting, Erbakan said that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's news conference held on 24 March involved many concessions to Greece. Erbakan noted that the views expressed at the news conference were proposed in a rush without being discussed at the Assembly or the Council of Ministers.

Erbakan said that what Yilmaz did was most untimely. "It was most uncalculated. It is against our national interests from whichever angle you look at it", he added.

Erbakan further said that a mild policy is being adopted toward Greece prior to the financial aid talks to be held with the EU. He also said that concessions are being made in Cyprus and in the Aegean, and that Cyprus is, step by step, being brought to Enosis. Pointing out that the Cyprus issue is a national cause, Erbakan added that no one can make concessions regarding Turkey's rights over the island. Recalling that the mandate of Poised Hammer will be discussed at the Assembly on 28.3.96, Erbakan added that only his party is opposed to this mandate.

[02] Meeting to discuss introduction of V.A.T.

According to KIBRIS (28.3.96) the so-called cabinet met yesterday under the chairmanship of Hakki Atun to discuss the introduction of Value Added Tax in the occupied area. After the meeting the so-called spokesman and the Economy and Finance Minister of the pseudostate, Salih Cosar, said:

"We have to enter into common Customs Tariffs. The agenda on this issue with Turkey is ready. A delegation headed by the Foreign Trade Under Secretariat will be arriving either at the end of this month or in the beginning of April. We will study this agenda and accept it."

Cosar went on saying that customs legislation would be harmonized with that of the EU thus declaring a unilateral Customs Union. With the agreement to be signed with Turkey all Turkish ports such as the Mersin Port would be opened to the "TRNC" goods with zero customs and no formalities and levies.

"Doing this is extremely important for us given the European Court decision. We are unable to reach the Arab countries so the strong Turkish market of 60 million should definitely be opened", stressed Cosar, adding that once customs tariffs are reduced the VAT will be needed. (MY)