Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-08-27

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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. 157/97 -- 27.8.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atun, Eroglu, Serdar Denktash confer with US congressional delegation.

[02] Turkish Cabinet decides on transfer of drinking water to pseudostate.

[03] Turkish Cypriot party opposes granting of `citizenship'.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atun, Eroglu, Serdar Denktash confer with US congressional delegation

In a statement prior to the meeting, Atun said that the timing of this visit is very important because it coincides with a very critical stage in the Cyprus issue. Pointing out that a political solution to the Cyprus problem can be found between the two equal communities, Atun said: "We favour a solution based on the sovereignty and political equality of the two sides."

In a statement during the meeting, Eroglu expressed his pleasure over visits made by foreign officials to the "TRNC". He alleged that the congressional aides came to the "TRNC" accepting that the "TRNC" is a separate "state" and expressed the conviction that these officials will be relating their observations on their return. He concluded by saying that the time has come to accept the reality that is the "TRNC".

Congressional aide Spiro said that their information on the Cyprus problem is based on reports they have been reading in the press and in books. Noting that they arrived in Cyprus to get first-hand information on the problem, Spiro expressed the belief that obtaining this kind of information on the problem will be more beneficial. Pointing out that the Cyprus problem is important for them, he added that they will find the opportunity to be briefed on the issue during their visit.

At a meeting with the delegation, Serdar Denktash, "State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister", has claimed that the intercommunal talks no longer have any meaning at this current stage of the Cyprus problem and at time when the EU membership of the Cyprus Government in the name of the entire island is on the agenda.

He said that he briefed the delegation on the discussions held and results achieved within the Turkish Cypriot community in the wake of the New York talks, adding that including Cyprus' EU membership on the agenda has reduced the motivation to reach a solution.

Congressional aide Spiro, in a statement on behalf of the delegation, said that the members of delegation are here to observe the Cyprus problem for themselves.

[02] Turkish Cabinet decides on transfer of drinking water to pseudostate

The cabinet met for about two and a half hours under Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday. A statement on the cabinet meeting was issued by Sukru Sina Gurel, state minister and government spokesman.

According to information given by Gurel, the issue of Turkey supplying potable water to the "TRNC" was on the cabinet's agenda. He said that the State Water Works has been authorized to undertake this issue, adding that the "TRNC's" need for potable water will be met by the end of the year.

[03] Turkish Cypriot party opposes granting of `citizenship'

The CTP is getting ready to distribute throughout the pseudostate thousands of leaflets it has prepared on this issue.

The following view is expressed in the leaflets: "Esteemed citizens, two of the major problems of the Turkish Cypriot community have been the illegal workers and the indiscriminate granting of citizenship.

Everybody, regardless of political affiliation, is against this practice. Everybody is against turning our country into a wild inn with as yet unspecified population.

We held a census to discover our population. But, in this age of human travel to Mars, heaven knows why the results of the census have not yet been announced. Just when everybody was hoping that measures would be taken to resolve this issue, the National Unity Party-Democratic Party (UBP-DP) government issued a directive to legalize the illegal workers and open the way for the distribution of citizenship indiscriminately.

Esteemed citizens,

With the directive it has issued, the UBP-DP government wants to grant amnesty for those workers who came to the island six years ago and stayed on and worked in violation of the emigration laws. They are doing it under the pretext of `keeping a record on the illegal workers'. This is not a correct thing to do. For, there are legal means to solve the problem of illegal workers and keep a record on them. This is how the shortage of manpower should be solved. The existing laws should be enforced if the government's aim is not to grant citizenship to illegal workers.

The detection of the illegal workers has long been done and is continuing to be done by relevant state departments. What is lacking is that the police, emigration department, and the other state organs are not carrying out their duties in this direction.

Esteemd citizens,

The gravest side to this matter is the tampering with the citizenship law. As known, accoridng to Article 8 of the law regulating the granting of the TRNC citizenship, anyone who could prove that he has been legally residing in the TRNC for five years obtains the right to apply for citizenship and the authority to pass a decision in such cases rests with the Interior Ministry.

And here lies the greatest danger.

With this directive pardoning the period during which the illegal workers have worked on the island illegally, their right for residence is also being legalized, and thus the ground is being prepared to grant citizenship for veteran workers.

It is a know thing that in the past citizenship was granted to thousands at one stroke at the discretion of the Interior Ministry and Council of Ministers.

Did the UBP administration not grant citizenship to thousands of people prior to 1990 and 1993 elections?

Those who collected, and are still thinking of collecting, unjust votes during the elections by granting citizenship must also be prepared to give an account for the harm this has caused and will cause to our community.

Esteemed citizens,

This country's potential and land and water conditions are obvious to all. No one has the right to tamper with citizenship for the sake of securing cheap labour, or for fraudulently winning elections by diluting the popular will, or to be dragged along by the nationalistic illusions of a so-called integration.

To do that is tantamount to undermining the democratic will of the community, to damaging this community's self-reliance, to striking a blow to the community's political and social identity.

Regardless whether they are followers of UBP, DP, CTP, TKP (Communal Liberation Party), or YKP (New Cyprus Party), all those who say `I want to stay on these lands with my own existence, identity, and will' should come out against this practice. Our streets are full of illegal workers.

Our own workers are restive. Our streets are full of vendors and illegal traders. Our traders and artisans are uneasy. The crime rate is on the increase.

Our people are restless. The results of the census should be announced. Measures should be taken against illegal workers. We do not want amnesty but enforcement of the laws. No to indiscriminate distribution of citizenship. This directive must be revoked immediately. We invite every citizen, no matter his political convictions, to make his reaction known." EF/SK

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

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