[01] So-called Assembly discusses "government" program.

[02] Denktash claims EU membership is against democracy.

[03] Ciller said to have given money to the Grey Wolves Idealists who came to Cyprus.

[04] Pseudostate represented at Izmir Fair.

[01] So-called Assembly discusses "government" program

According to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hour, 26.8.96) the program of the "coalition government" formed by the National Unity Party (NUP) and the Democratic Party (DP) was discussed at the so-called Assembly yesterday. The vote of confidence will be held on 28 August.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, secretary general of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), expressing the views of his party on the "government" program said that a policy through discussions and a communal conciliation should be determined regarding the Cyprus question. Soyer added that any other approach to the issue would be wrong.

Soyer stated that a mutually acceptable bicommunal and bizonal solution with Turkish guarantees within the framework of the 1977 and 1979 agreements should be sought to the Cyprus problem. Criticizing the recent "border" incidents, Soyer stressed that war will be detrimental to both sides.

Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Mustafa Akinci, addressing the afternoon session, said that since the "government" program refers to a solution within a UN framework it means that it can be bizonal and bicommunal and recalled that the program implies that membership in the EU without Turkey is out of the question. Akinci noted that this is an erroneous policy and that it will constitute a historic mistake. He said that Cyprus will be a member of the EU in the years 2000 and that missing this opportunity would constitute a second historic mistake.. Akinci stressed that a "TRNC" that has a healthy dialogue with Turkey but that can stand on its own feet should be created. Pointing out that the former "government" could not deal with the student incidents in the "Eastern Mediterranean University" and the St. Barnabas incident, Akinci added that his party expects the current "government" to effectively deal with the unresolved cases and especially with the murder of Kutlu Adali. Alleging that the recent incidents were the result of the provocations of the Cyprus Government and the Church, Akinci said that, however, the stand adopted by Turkish Cypriot side vis-a-vis these incidents was wrong. He concluded by announcing that his party will not cast a vote of confidence for the "government".

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, Hakki Atun said that all the problems of the pseudostate will be studied together with Turkey and tackled soon. Atun said that the DP does not approve of the situation concerning the illegal workers.

DP "deputy" Mustafa Gokmen delivered the first personal speech. He criticized the "government" for not including religious education in its program. He claimed that "religious citizens" have recently been insulted, and that many of them want to have religious education courses.

Dervis Eroglu, NUP leader and "prime minister", then replied to the criticism leveled at the program.

Eroglu said that the "government" will work with all its might to resolve the problems particularly the economic problems, and to raise the people's standard of living.

On the economic issues, Eroglu said that the "government" will revive private enterprise in order to eliminate the difficulties in the "public administration", will encourage private investments, and create new job opportunities.

Eroglu said that the NUP did not place a condition for taking money from Turkey in return for joining the "government". However, he said, the "government" will cooperate with Turkey just as the RTP asked for Turkey's help when in "government". Eroglu said that the "government" will implement the agreement with Turkey regarding the illegal workers and thus solve the problem.

He added that the Cyprus problem is at a critical stage, claimed that the Greek Cypriots are carrying out provocative acts and that "it is natural for the Turkish Cypriots who are faced with these provocations to go to the borders at times."

After Eroglu's speech, the "deputies" were given the right to express their personal views, whereupon RTP leader Akinci criticized Eroglu's remarks about the "border" incidents.

[02] Denktash claims EU membership is against democracy

According to KIBRIS (27.8.96) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, commenting on the criticism launched against him by the Cyprus government that he has toughenend his stance regarding the Cyprus problem, repeated his known allegations and claimed that the Turkish side has not toughened its Cyprus policy but was forced to take "protective" measures in the face of, as he put it, "injustice rendered against it."

He said that Cyprus' application for EU membership was against democracy and humanity and it was unjust.

Asked to comment on reports that the Greek Cypriot side is getting ready to bring the culprits of the recent events in Dherinia before justice, Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriot side should look for the guilty among themselves.

He accused the Church of being the main instigator and financier of the events in Dherinia. (MY)

[03] Ciller said to have given money to the Grey Wolves Idealists who came to Cyprus

HURRIYET (27.8.96) reports that the deputy secretary general of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey, Istanbul deputy Mehmet Sevigen, has disclosed that Turkish deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has paid 65 billion TL (Tr. note 1 Cyprus Pound = 170,000 TL) to the fascist Grey Wolves Idealists who went to Cyprus to face the Greek Cypriot demonstrators.

Sevigen said that while Prime Minister Erbakan was abroad for his 10-day Far East tour, Ciller was acting prime minister and during that time she took away control of the Enlightenment Fund from the Prosperity Party Minister and placed it under State Minister Ufuk Soylemez of the True Path Party. She gave back control of the fund to the Prosperity Party Minister on the eve of Erbakan's return to Turkey. Ciller's rightwing True Path Party (DYP) and Erbakan's fundamentalist Prosperity Party (RP) have established a coalition government in Turkey. Wondering why for ten days Ciller took control of this fund, Sevigen yesterday submitted a motion to the Turkish Grand National Assembly to be answered by Prime Minister Erbakan.

In his motion, Sevigen asks whether Ciller had withdrawn 65 billion TL either from the Enlightment Fund or from the Sectional Head Office of the Administrative and Financial Department of the Prime Minister's office, during her 10 days as acting Prime Minister. Sevigen said that there are claims that part of this money was given to the supporters of a political party that went to Cyprus, and part of it was spent during Ciller's visit to Mus and Adana. (MY)

[04] Pseudostate represented at Izmir Fair

According to KIBRIS (27.8.96) the pseudostate is being represented at the 65th International Izmir Fair, with its own pavilion where 40 Turkish Cypriot "firms" are taking part.

KIBRIS says that the pseudostate's pavilion covers an area of 400 m2 and is one of the biggest pavilions at the fair. Textile products, alcoholic beverages, ready made garments, dairy produce, local products, kitchen ware, tobacco products and sweets are exhibited at the stands.

KIBRIS reports that so-called universities in the occupied area have also opened a stand and are handing over leaflets and advising people regarding the "universities". (MY)