Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-10-15

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TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.185/96 15.10.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments after the fatal shooting, calls it a lesson for the Greek Cypriots.

[02] Soyer calls both sides to the negotiation table.

[03] Turkey's reaction to the shooting.

[04] The fascist Idealists issue more threats.

[05] Turkey's eight-month budget deficit totals 660 trillion lira.

[06] Denktash chairs "evaluation" meeting.

[07] Turkey donates cars to the pseudostate's "police".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments after the fatal shooting, calls it a lesson for the Greek Cypriots

Rauf Denktash claimed that the latest death was caused by the tension the Greek Cypriots have been creating along the "border" for several months. In a statement to the press in connection with the incident, Denktash said: "Regrettable as it is, the incident ought to be a lesson for the Greek Cypriots."

He added: "If through this tension the Greek Cypriots want to sent a message to the world that Cyprus is theirs and that the Turkish side is preventing them from going to their homes and workplaces, this message is false."

Denktash alleged that "Cyprus is owned by both communities", and that "since they are not integrated, they must live side by side".

He further claimed that the Greek Cypriots are resorting to lies and trying to politically gain from the latest incidents. "They cannot make the world forget their barbarism by resorting to lies and by portraying us as barbarians", he charged.

Denktash also claimed that the island was divided in two "because of the barbaric acts carried out by the Greek Cypriots". He stated that any death is bitter and unnecessary, be it the death of a Turkish Cypriot or a Greek Cypriot, and that it should not happen.

[02] Soyer calls both sides to the negotiation table

Explaining in a written statement that the events of the past two months had not been experienced in 22 years, RTP secretary general Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that "these incidents, which were prompted by fanatical Turkish Cypriot and Greek nationalism, were leading Cyprus into a catastrophe."

Expressing deep regret, as the RTP, over a Greek Cypriot losing his life, Soyer added: "The Turkish Cypriot side particularly should be more careful so that such incidents will not recur."

Noting that those circles who sought to engage in propaganda were provided with more material at a time when European parliamentarians were visiting the island, Soyer stressed the importance of training the so-called security forces in taking measures on the "border" region that will not result in deaths.

In his statement, Soyer said that the RTP once again called on the sides to sit at the negotiating table as soon as possible and to avoid holding military exercises, to avoid staging "border" demonstrations and to undertake pragmatic measures.

[03] Turkey's reaction to the shooting

In reply to reporters' questions on the latest incident in Cyprus Gul claimed that there are two "states" in Cyprus and added that the violations of the "TRNC borders" cannot be allowed.

"Along these lines, we call on the world public, the EU, and other organizations that inciting Greece in this way will undermine world peace. For this reason, the current actions are mistaken. I assume that nobody will remain a mere spectator in the face of their flag being brought down from the pole. In the same way, the necessary reaction was displayed when a stranger violates your borders", he stated.

Gul described this event as a very dangerous development. Gul outrageously claimed that "they were under the impression that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side sought to systematically escalate the events."

Meanwhile, according to TRT (17:00 hours, 14.10.96) Turkey has alleged that the latest incident, "proves that the Greek Cypriot side prefers to pursue a policy of tension with Greece's support instead of holding negotiations and securing conciliation."

In reply to questions at the meeting held for foreign correspondents, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel alleged that Turkey sought for both sides in Cyprus to engage in directs talks as soon as possible in a bid to pursue a policy of dialogue and conciliation far from tension and provocations.

[04] The fascist Idealists issue more threats

Stating that the Greek Cypriots did not take the necessary lessons taught by the Idealists youth during the events that took place between 11-14 August, 1996, he added that a Greek Cypriot who entered into the "TRNC borders, who did not heed to the warnings of the security forces, has been shot at".

Arslan added that if the Greek Cypriots resort to the same "insolence" during the anniversary of the occupied area's so-called "Independence Day" on 15 November, the Greek Cypriots will witness a new "bucking", as he put it, of the Idealist youths.

He concluded by warning the Greek Cypriots against further "provocations". (MY)

[05] Turkey's eight-month budget deficit totals 660 trillion lira

The Treasury has disclosed that the cash deficit increased fourfold, from 158.3 trillion Turkish lira to 691.2 trillion. Meanwhile, the budget revenues totaled 1.4804 quadrillion Turkish lira and budget spending 2.2404 quadrillion at the end of August.

The amount that was paid in the form of interest totaled 937 trillion, 42 percent of overall spending, and the payment that were effected for internal debts totaled 840.6 trillion Turkish lira, 37 percent of overall spending, in the same period.

The amount paid for foreign debts totaled 96.5 trillion Turkish lira from January to August 1996. Meanwhile, the deposit accounts and advance withdrawals increased the cash deficit to 691.2 trillion. The deficit was removed through the sale of bonds.

The short-term debts that were incurred from January to August totaled 1.016 quadrillion Turkish lira in 1996. The short-term debts that were incurred in the same period totaled 155.5 trillion in 1995.

[06] Denktash chairs "evaluation" meeting

Denktash further alleged that the Greek Cypriots were trying to impose on the Turkish Cypriots to live the period between 1963-1974 and that they have started initiatives to this effect within the EU.

Denktash made this statement during an evaluation meeting attended by the so-called acting assembly chairman of the pseudostate, Olgun Pasalar, Dervish Eroglu, Salih Dayioglu, Serdar Denktash, Taner Etkin, Nejat Konuk, Osman Orek, Atay Rasid, Kenan Atakol, Akin Sait, Zaim Necatigil, Necati Munur Ertegun, Ergun Olgun, Oktay Feridun, Ulfet Emin, leaders of the political parties Ismet Kotak and Aytug Plumer.

The meeting lasted two hours. After the meeting Denktash said that recently voices are being heard from the Greek Cypriot side to the effect that they want a European style federation and not the one envisaged in the Ghali Set of Ideas. "That is, everybody will be free to settle anywhere or free to buy anything from anywhere, each one's property belongs to himself, and nobody could touch it etc. That is, they envisage a settlement by which they will return to the pre 1963 period, and they will repeat the 1963 incidents whenever they want to and this time there will be no Turkish guarantees and Turkey will not have any military presence here.

I have started to wonder from where they draw this courage or from where they got this support. How can they be after something the realization of which is impossible?

During my recent visit to Germany I laid my hands on an evaluation report prepared by one of the important commissions of the EU, when the Greek Cypriot administration applied for EU membership as Cyprus.

As we continue reading this report we become better informed about the game the Greek Cypriots are playing. Together with our friends we have drawn the picture of this game."

Denktash repeated his known views that they will not be taken in by this "Greek Cypriot game". (MY)

[07] Turkey donates cars to the pseudostate's "police"

The donated cars have been handed over to the Turkish Cypriots by Turkish envoy Aydan Karahan.

KIBRIS reports that another 31 cars will be donated by Turkey at a later stage. (MY)