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Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-10-22From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleTURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.190/96 22.10.96CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Denktash threatens to turn back on talksAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (10:30 hours, 21.10.96), Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has threatened the necessary measures will be taken if the Greek Cypriots continue to carry out "border closures" and make false propaganda, as he claimed, in connection with the missing persons.In a statement he made in connection with the blockade of the Ledra Palace check-point by the Greek Cypriots, Denktash claimed that Greek Cypriots who prevent tourists from crossing over to the occupied area do not intend to set up friendship with the Turkish Cypriots. He alleged: "The Greek Cypriots are lying. They cannot cover up their shameful deeds concerning the missing persons through such lies." Denktash stated that the entire world knows about the missing persons issue, saying he "wonders what will happen when the Turkish Cypriots resort to more effective activities to make the truth heard and when they turn their backs on the peace initiatives". He asked: "Is that what the Greek Cypriots want?" Denktash claimed that the foreign diplomats must start to think about these things. Denktash met with "Prime Minister" Dervis Eroglu and with Serdar Denktash, "State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister". Speaking after the routine weekly meeting, Eroglu said that they exchanged views with Denktash in connection with the Greek Cypriot action at the Ledra Palace check point. Eroglu also said that he and Serdar Denktash briefed Denktash on the economic talks being held with Turkey. [02] Turkey's budget deficit for 1997 viewedAccording to YENI YUZYIL (20.10.96) while the REFAHYOL (Welfare Party-True Path Party) government wastes Turkey's time with its balanced budget, the economic bureaucrats have submitted two draft budgets to the IMF. The estimated deficit in one of them totals 1.5 quadrillion Turkish lira and in the other 2.4 quadrillion. The bureaucrats have agreed that the estimates on spending in the two draft budgets are realistic. However, they said that they include optimistic income targets. They asserted: "The budget's balanced section is aimed at motivating bureaucracy, investing establishments, and the markets." The basis of the budget's introduction was as follows:"It was established during the work that was carried out to draw up the budget that the deficit would total 2.2 quadrillion Turkish lira. Turkey has had budget deficits for many years. A very unfavourable situation would have emerged if the budget for 1997 were drawn up with a deficit. The political authorities have not ignored the fact that a deficit will exist. However, keeping it below the estimated level and increasing the revenues will be in Turkey's interest." The economic officials have submitted their latest figures to the IMF experts, who have already begun to draw up their own draft budget. The budget situation can be outlined as follows:
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Deficit in the Real Budget (Million/Dollars)
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Draft Budget for 1997 Draft Budgets Submitted to IMF
Scenario No. 1 Scenario No. 2
Budget Spending: 46.333 55.101 55.429
1. Personnel 12.407 12.408 13.075
2. Other Current
Spending 4.961 4.444 4.250
3. Investments 3.885 3.333 3.333
4. Transfers 25.078 34.916 29.771
Interest 13.807 22.531 18.071
Social Insurance 3.925 4.666 4.100
Other 7.301 7.719 7.600
Budget Revenues 46.333 36.719 38.724
1. Tax 32.355 29.630 31.191
2. Non-Tax Normal
Income 10.703 3.963 4.333
3. Special Income/
Funds 3.148 3.000 3.074
4. Supplementary
Budget 126 126 126
Balance: Balance Budget -18.372 -11.705
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[03] Demirel asks support for the Turkish Cypriots at Summit of Turkic-speaking countriesAccording to KIBRIS (22.10.96) Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to attend the Fourth Summit of Turkic-speaking Countries, has alleged that the Turkish Cypriots, due to the "embargoes" imposed on them, are isolated from the rest of the world.Speaking at the Summit, Demirel, inter alia, referred to the Cyprus problem and asked the summit to extend its hand to the Turkish Cypriots who are "waging" an "honourable struggle". (MY) [04] French Minister discusses Cyprus' EU membership during visit to AnkaraAccording to KIBRIS (22.10.96) France's State Minister responsible for European Affairs, Michel Barnier, who is currently visiting Ankara, has declared that "it will be difficult for the Greek Cypriot administration to become an EU member alone without settling the Cyprus problem."Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, who met Barnier yesterday, declared that France extends great support for Turkey's entry into Customs Unions with the EU. Tansu Ciller further stated that she also discussed the Cyprus problem with Mr. Barnier and said that Mr. Barnier has told her that "unless the Cyprus problem is solved the Greek Cypriot administration's membership to the EU will be difficult". However, Turkish Daily News (21.10.96) reporting on an interview Mr. Barnier gave to the newspaper on the occasion of his visit to Ankara, writes that asked about Greece and Cyprus, the French Minister said that the Union when agreed to open negotiations with Cyprus after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference at the same time gave its agreement to the customs union with Turkey. "This two fold agreement will be kept", he said and added that the membership should be beneficial to the whole of the island and contribute to peace and reconciliation - the very same points he has stressed while he visited the island in the framework of his visits to all candidates for EU. "I remain convinced that the leaders of the two communities will know how to seize this historic opportunity offered to them for a reunified and peaceful Cyprus to join the community." He also expressed the concern of France on the many sided disputes and recurrent crises between Greece and Turkey both engaged in a European adventure. "The disputes jeopardizes security and stability in the southeastern Mediterranean and consequently Europe's stability. It hangs over the operation of the European Union and over the development of its policies, notably its Mediterranean policies", Barnier said. [05] Denktash meets with US Ambassador to CyprusKIBRIS (22.10.96) reports that the US Ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill had a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday, during which the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and Britain's special Cyprus Representative Sir David Hannay's contacts in Cyprus last week were discussed. During the meeting Denktash also raised the issue of the protest meeting during the last weekend at the Ledra Palace, where foreigners were enlightened about the Cyprus problem.Denktash yesterday also met with Egypt's Ambassador to Cyprus Fadel el-Kadi. There was no statement after the meeting. (MY) [06] Bereaved Greek Cypriot father extends his hand of friendshipZeynel Lule, writing in HURRIYET (22.10.96), says that he had met with Spyros Solomou, the father of Solomon Solomou, who was murdered by the Turkish occupation forces on 14.8.96 during the incidents in Dherinia, at the latter's restaurant in Protaras area.Lule says that Mr. Solomou, through HURRIYET, has conveyed to the Turkish Cypriots a message of friendship. He extends a hand of friendship to the Turks. Mr. Solomou said that the incidents are instigated by those who do not want Turkish and Greek Cypriots to live together. "If they leave us alone, we can find peace. Despite my suffering, if a settlement is found to the island's problem I will be the first who will be shaking hands with my Turkish brothers", he said. Believing that a settlement will be found to the Cyprus problem, Spyros Solomou said that for centuries they have lived together with the Turks. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriots are innocent, and that the major part of the responsibility falls on the British. "For hundreds of years we have lived together with Turkish Cypriots in peace. Later on, the British instigated the Turks against us and accused us. The problem started then. If they leave us alone we live together again in peace. Then once again Church and Mosque can stand side by side", stressed Spyros Solomou. Lule further said that Mr. Solomou stressed that once a settlement is reached the Turkish troops should leave the island. Spyros Solomou also talked about his old friend Hasan whom they used to call "Hasanaki", saying that Hasan never wanted to cross to the occupied area, "but he left for the North in order not to be branded as a traitor". (MY) [07] British High Commissioner discusses Cyprus problem with TalatKIBRIS (22.10.96) reports that the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, had a meeting at the British High Commission with the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) chairman Mehmet Ali Talat. During the meeting Mr. Madden briefed Mr. Talat on Sir David Hannay's recent contacts in Cyprus. In turn, Mr. Madden listened to the views of the RTP chairman regarding the settlement of the Cyprus problem. (MY)[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS[08] Enclaved threatened with "deportation"Akay Cemal writing in HALKIN SESI (22.10.96) refers to the protest gathering at the Ledra Palace check-point during the last weekend by Greek Cypriots, accuses the organizers and speaks about retaliatory measures. He adds: "Well, what will happen if the Turkish side as well closes the (Ledra Palace) barricade and does not allow people to cross to the south whether they are invited or not? Moreover, what will happen if it starts deporting the Greek Cypriots living in Karpass?Is this what they want?" (MY) |
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