Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-04-29

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 75/97 -- 25-29.4.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on goodwill measures

[02] Etkin says goodwill measures stress the existence of "TRNC"

[03] Turkish Cypriots comment upon return from COE meeting

[04] Serdar Denktash reacts to comments against him on show TV

[05] Two Turkish Ministers resign from government

[06] Denktash comments on canceled Greek Cypriot visit to Apostolos Andreas

[07] Project by Koc Holding to construct a marina in occupied Kyrenia

[08] German students in the occupied area

[09] High suicide rate in the occupied area

[10] Rauf Denktash in Istanbul

[11] Turkey's Tourism Minister in the occupied area

[12] Water from Manavgat river to be transferred to the occupied area

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on goodwill measures

In his opening address at the Nicosia meeting, Denktash recalled that the representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council will meet in New York to discuss the Cyprus issue. Explaining that Gustave Feissel, UN Secretary General's assistant special envoy, will also go to New York in order to brief the representatives, Denktash added: "In general, the Turkish Cypriot side is blamed at these meetings."

"Such reports usually portray us as the unfavourable side regardless of the goodwill we display. The reasons for this is that those who recognize the Greek Cypirots as the legitimate Cyprus government are trying to cover up for their mistakes by creating excuses to blame us, who do not recognize the Greek Cypriots in the same way. I hope that the situation will be different this time", he claimed.

Denktash called on the Security Council to produce more favourable decisions by investigating the real reasons behind the Cyprus issue instead of, as he claimed, conducting mistaken assessments at its New York meetings.

Denktash also commented on the Turkish Cypriots crossing over into the free areas and the Greek Cypriots crossing over into the occupied areas within the framework of the goodwill measures. Claiming that the issue of the Greek Cypriots living in the Karpass peninsula region was turned into an issue of propaganda, Denktash alleged: "The Turkish Cypriot side is blamed on grounds of not allowing the head of an association to cross over into northern Cyprus". And he further claimed: "Somebody else's model is imposed upon us by force under the name of goodwill. I think it is time everybody accepts that we have our own sensitivities and identities and behave accordingly."

[02] Etkin says goodwill measures stress the existence of "TRNC"

Etkin said that despite warnings that these goodwill measures should not be exploited for propaganda purposes, the recent visit of Turkish Cypriots to the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque was exploited through the use of the media. He claimed: "We have as much right to govern as the Greek Cypriots." Etkin said that if the goodwill measures are implemented in accordance with the agreements and not exploited for propaganda purposes then they might continue in the future as well.

[03] Turkish Cypriots comment upon return from COE meeting

Atun said that Basconi will arrive in the occupied area in May for talks with both sides, adding: "Only in this way can he draw up a report on the situation."

Atun said that even though their contacts on Turkish Cypriot representation did not fully satisfy them, this time the Turkish side must insist on the issue of Turkish Cypriot represetnation.

Atun said that the visit Basconi will pay to the pseudostate is an encouraging step, adding: "The fact that this visit will take place constitutes the most important part of our contacts."

Atun said that on their last day in Strasbourg, they visited the chairman of the COE Parliamentary Assembly and sought his support for Turkish Cypriot representation in the committee.

He added that they also took steps to enable the "TRNC" political parties attending the COE to hold direct contacts with groups that share their views.

[04] Serdar Denktash reacts to comments against him on show TV

During his address to the party members extending him support at the demonstration, Serdar Denktash said that for months his disagreement with Utku was reflected as a personal issue and added: "However, the reaction of the people in the last two days proves that this issue concerns the state and the public".

Denktash continued: "I subjected myself to various insults the other day in order to reveal the true face of Utku. I hope the Turkish government will no longer put Utku right under our nose.

The government, however, is the one to make the final decision since there can always be another Utku. The government should purchase the shares of the Turkish Cypriot Airways."

Commenting on the claims leveled by Utku on the "Objective" program, Denktash noted: "Utku said that I could not be a prime minister. He should realize that the appointment of prime ministers concern our country only.. He cannot teach us about nationalism. He should stop exploiting nationalism."

Denktash added that new documents and information on the "Turkish Cypriot Airways" will be disclosed soon. He concluded his address by saying: We will win this cause.

Hakki Atun, "assembly speaker" and Democratic Party honorary leader, and Enver Emin, Democratic Party secretary general, addressed the demonstration as well. Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots and the "state institutions" were subjected to grave insults the other day, Atun added that it becomes more evident now that nothing can be settled through dialogue with somebody who considers a huge institution as his own property and insults the "state."

[05] Two Turkish Ministers resign from government

Erez had earlier met with Ciller at the Foreign Ministry residence. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Erez recalled that he had earlier made statements to the effect that the continuation of this government would not be beneficial for the country and the regime.

"At our meeting today I told the party leader that the continuation of the government in this current manner cannot be beneficial for the country and democracy. We have differences of views on the issue with the leader. For this reason and for my self-respect and the respect I have for my country I will now go and submit my resignation to the prime minister", he said.

In reply to a question, Erez said that they are friends with Ciller and that this friendship is not connected to the Ministry. In a written statement he issued, Erez said that with the current government Turkey has become a country that raises questions in the outside world and especially in the Western world which is the main goal of the Republic. Noting that this image can in time be rectified, Erez added that, however, errors made with regard to the fundamental characteristics of the democratic secular republic - in other words, the erosion and destruction of the characteristics that constitute the joint denominator in Turkey - are not so easily rectified. He concluded by saying that he will continue to perform his duties as a private soldier within the DYP for the good of Turkey.

In a statement to journalists in Ankara, Aktuna said that he submitted his letter of resignation to Erbakan. Reading his letter of resignation to the journalists Aktuna stressed that he resigned on his own free will.

"Having observed that the 54th government that has been established under your leadership is damaging to Turkey and that it has adopted a stand that is destructive to the fundamental principles of the Republic stipulated in the Constitution, I find that continuing my duty as a member of this government goes against my principles", Aktuna said.

Replying to reporters' questions, Aktuna said that he is resigning from his Ministry but that he will continue to serve as a DYP deputy. He added that in the event an interpellation is submitted to the Assembly, in line with his resignation, it is impossible for him to vote in favour for the continuation of the government. In reply to a question, Aktuna said that the country will attain stability if a broad based election government, instead of early election, is formed and if the center-right and the center- left are united.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Tan

[...]

mental party that has the power to decide on governments. Drawing attention to the fact that there is intense speculation about how long this government will remain in power, Ciller stressed that her party's authorized councils will decide on whether this government will go or stay.

[06] Denktash comments on canceled Greek Cypriot visit to Apostolos Andreas

After the meeting, Denktash claimed that the Cyprus government wanted to influence the UN Security Council (UNSC) by not allowing the Greek Cypriots to cross over into the "TRNC".

Denktash claimed: "This was not our decision. It was their decision. Our government is ready to assist them in the event that they would like to come to the TRNC in the future." Denktash added: "The Greek Cypriots are trying to put the blame on us.

We, however, will never renounce our principles just because we may have to face accusations. We hope the UNSC will understand the real reasons behind this decision and not be taken in by this ploy. Otherwise, the trust we have on the UNSC will decrease".

In a statement he issued after the meeting, Dervis Eroglu, National Unity Party leader and "prime minister", said that Denktash briefed the meeting on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and his contacts with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Feissel. On the Cyprus Government's canceling the visit to Karpass Eroglu claimed:

"The Turkish Cypriot government has a right to express its views on the names of the visitors planning to cross over into the TRNC".

[07] Project by Koc Holding to construct a marina in occupied Kyrenia

The proposal was made by Koc Holdings senior officials.

The project has been submitted after a feasibility study carried out by civil engineers specialized in port construction.

The Setur, a company owned by Koc Holding, has already built and owns marinas in Cesme, Western Turkey, and Antalya South Turkey. It will also own the marina, if built, in occupied Kyrenia. (MY)

[08] German students in the occupied area

The group, headed by the so-called honorary representative of the pseudostate in Germany, Hasan Karabiber, paid a visit to Hakki Atun.

The exchange programme is carried out the last five years. (MY)

[09] High suicide rate in the occupied area

Fifteen out of these cases resulted in death.

KIBRIS reports that according to the World Statistics carried out by WHO in 62 countries, the occupied area is one of the countries having the highest suicide rate. (MY)

[10] Rauf Denktash in Istanbul

Denktash will return to the occupied area on 3 May. (MY)

[11] Turkey's Tourism Minister in the occupied area

Yucel will have contacts on issues related to his Ministry. He will also initial a so-called "Tourism Cooperation Understanding Note" with the pseudostate. (MY)

[12] Water from Manavgat river to be transferred to the occupied area

It reports that water from the Manavgat river in South Turkey will be first purified and then brought to the occupied area with tankers . Loading and unloading facilities shall be constructed at occupied Karavostasi and from there it will be distributed by tankers to other ports in the occupied area.

The Director General of Turkey's State Water Works (DSI) Dogan Altinbilek has said that in May a tender will be opened for the construction of a 2 million US dollars loading and unloading facilities at occupied Karavostasi.

He said that the project will greatly alleviate the occupied area's water shortage problem. The project will be operational early next year.

Water from the Maravgat river will be carried by tankers having each a capacity of 150-250 thousand tons. (MY)

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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