[01] Etkin issues statement on Greek Cypriot `provocations'.

[02] Ciller claims Greek lobby behind European accusations.

[03] Turkish Assembly Speaker criticizes Australian resolution on Cyprus.

[04] Turkish minister: Turkey does not tolerate any harm coming to any of its kinsmen.

[05] Ciller's statement after talks with UN Cyprus envoy.

[06] British Court does not recognize "TRNC diplomats".

[07] Durduran re-elected party leader.

[08] Projects for bringing water from Turkey to the pseudostate.

[09] Ciller leaves for US to attend UNGA opening.

[10] "TRNC" leads the way... in inflation rates.

No.171/96 20-21-22-23.9.96

[01] Etkin issues statement on Greek Cypriot `provocations'

Illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 21.9.96) has claimed that Suleyman Parildak, a shepherd who was grazing his cattle in occupied Louroudjina, was threatened by two armed Greek Cypriots last Friday and an attempt was made to abduct him.

In a statement on the incident, Taner Etkin, "foreign affairs and defense minister", declared that the pseudostate will respond instantly to any attack against its "borders".

Etkin protested the Greek Cypriot "provocations" to UNFICYP. He summoned the political adviser of UNFICYP to the "ministry" and drew the latter's attention to the latest Greek Cypriot "provocations", as he claimed.

In a written statement the issued, Etkin claimed that the Greek Cypriot side must sit at the negotiating table as soon as possible if the tension on the island is to be defused. Etkin also claimed that the Greek Cypriot leadership is maintaining the high level of tension "in a preplanned manner by means of concocted reports."

Etkin also alleged that a Greek Cypriot person was arrested and a Greek general is being sought in connection with the Akheritou incident and that the Greek Cypriot leadership is trying to cover up this issue.

Etkin alleged that it has been observed that Greek Cypriot soldiers have been firing shots and behaving "suspiciously" along the cease-fire line, especially at night.

[02] Ciller claims Greek lobby behind European accusations

According to TRT (17:00 hours, 20.9.96) Tansu Ciller, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, has said that she expects the European friends who accuse her of not keeping her promises to keep their promises as well. Ciller stated that "she sees the influence of the Greek lobby" behind these accusations.

Ciller held a meeting with the Turkish Exporters Assembly members in Istanbul and replying to reporters' questions before the meeting, she recalled that the European Parliament does not have the power to impose any sanctions. She noted that Turkey will make its own choices regarding human rights issues and it will protect its own citizens, and she stressed that this is the only conceivable way.

The foreign minister said that for the past two and a half years, Turkey has been trying to explain especially to the north European countries that the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] is a terrorist organization.

Stating that it was not easy to achieve these things, Ciller claimed: "Turkey believes in democracy and human rights. We want to hope once again that the Europeans will not be deceived by the Greek lobby or by Greek tactics. If they are deceived, the loss is theirs."

Ciller alleged that a biased group appears to be behind the criticism levelled against her. She claimed: "We observe the influence of the Greek lobby on this biased group."

[03] Turkish Assembly Speaker criticizes Australian resolution on Cyprus

According to TRT (17:00 hours, 19.9.96) Mustafa Kalemli, speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and the parliamentary delegation with him went to Sidney on the third day of their visit to Australia. There, Kalemli attended a luncheon given in his honour by Max Willis, chairman of the New South Wales Parliament's legislative council; and John Murray, chairman of the legislative assembly.

In a speech at the luncheon, Kalemli said that he strongly condemns the latest resolution passed by the Australian Federal Parliament on the Cyprus issue. He said that he was pleased with the remarks made by Australian parliamentarians and government officials on the good relations and friendship between Turkey and Australia. However, he stressed, mere words are not enough and should be turned into action.

Kalemli is expected to send a letter to the Australian Federal Parliament condemning the resolution.

The resolution refers to the 1974 Turkish military intervention in Cyprus as an invasion, and says that the status quo on the island, the division, and the Turkish military presence are unacceptable. It also says that a solution has not been reached in the 22 years since the invasion. The resolution refers to the Cyprus Government as the only legitimate government in Cyprus, and says that Australia supports UN Security Council Resolution 989, which envisions a bizonal and bicommunal independent Cyprus, as well as the UN Secretary-General's efforts for a solution.

[04] Turkish minister: Turkey does not tolerate any harm coming to any of its kinsmen

According to TRT (17:00 hours, 20.9.96) Turkey's National Defense Minister Turhan Tayan has claimed that the Turks living in the Balkans and especially in Western Thrace and Cyprus are facing many problems and that the Turkish State "will not allow even one of its kinsmen to be hurt."

Tayan received Taner Mustafaoglu, president of the Western Thrace Turks Solidarity Association, and an accompanying delegation. In a statement during the meeting, Tayan claimed that Greece's stand is threatening even the most fundamental right of the Turks living in Western Thrace, namely their security of life and property.

He said that Turkey "does not tolerate any harm coming to any of its kinsmen, and it does not tolerate any injustice."

[05] Ciller's statement after talks with UN Cyprus envoy

According to TRT (17:00 hours, 18.9.96) Han Sung-chu, the UN Secretary General's special envoy to Cyprus, was received Wednesday by Tansu Ciller, Turkish foreign minister and deputy prime minister. Foreign Ministry under secretary, Onur Oymen, was also present at the meeting.

In a written statement, Tansu Ciller said that at her meeting with Han Sung-chu, she claimed that the Greek-Greek Cypriot side is trying to disrupt, "through a provocative and aggressive stand", the peace and tranquility reigning in Cyprus for the past 22 years. Ciller said that a solution in Cyprus can be reached after mutual trust is established between the two communities, adding that Turkey will continue to support efforts in this direction. She said that Turkey welcomes the offers being made to deduce the tension on the island.

In her statement, Ciller claimed: "We have been in favour of a Cyprus solution through negotiations. We have the political will and determination necessary for that. We expect the Greek-Greek Cypriot side to display the same will. With this objective in mind, we continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary General."

[06] British Court does not recognize "TRNC diplomats"

KIBRIS (23.9.96) reports that people working at the so-called "TRNC" representation in London are not considered as "diplomats" by the British government, and as a result of this they cannot benefit from the rights enjoyed by foreign diplomats, including tax exemption.

KIBRIS says that people working at the so-called London mission of the pseudostate have been ordered by the British internal revenue department to pay their tax arrears, otherwise they will face criminal changes.

The paper says that the appeal by the people working at the so-called mission for tax exemption has been turned down by the court.

The basis for the court ruling was that the British government does not recognize the pseudostate. (MY)

[07] Durduran re-elected party leader

KIBRIS (23.9.96) reports that the New Cyprus Party of Alpay Durduran held its annual general congress yesterday and re-elected Mr Durduran as its party leader.

Durduran was the sole candidate for the party leadership. (MY)

[08] Projects for bringing water from Turkey to the pseudostate

KIBRIS (23.9.96) reports that the project to bring water from Turkey to the occupied area is gaining momentum and that now there are three projects under study.

KIBRIS says that two of these project envisage bringing water through flexible pipes laid down under the sea bed. The third one envisages the transferring of the water by large tankers.

KIBRIS says that it will be a public company and not the Turkish state that will undertake the whole work.

The most liable project is to bring water from the Dragon river in Anamur, southern Turkey, to Kormakitis, through flexible pipes. (MY)

[09] Ciller leaves for US to attend UNGA opening

According to TRT (10:00 hours, 21.9.96) Tansu Ciller, Turkish foreign minister and deputy prime minister, has left for the United States to participate in the opening session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

[10] "TRNC" leads the way... in inflation rates

According to CYPRUS TODAY (21-27.9.96) the "TRNC" has become a world leader... in the inflation rate stakes.

Data issue by the "State Planning Organization (SPO)" has revealed the dubious honour, showing the occupied area with a monthly inflation rate far higher than many European countries' annual rise.

The figures, published last week, show an average month's inflation of 7.6 per cent, compared with a Europe-wide yearly average of 2.5 per cent.

Latest figures issued this week, meanwhile, showed a major discrepancy between the "TRNC's" "official government-calculated" rate of inflation and sums worked out by "civil service" trade union KTAMS.

The "SPO's" figure put inflation at 6.19 per cent during the month to September 10, while the union's figure was more than twice that amount, at 12.58 per cent.

During the first nine months of this year, the "SPO" said inflation had been running at 67 per cent, compared to a KTAMS-calculated figure of 74.6 per cent.