Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-10-24

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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. 198/97 -- 24.10.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash issues threats regarding Varosha, missiles, EU talks.

[02] Greek, Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions meeting.

[03] Private Tempo TV stopped broadcasting.

[04] "Fiscal 1998 budget Draft Bill"

[05] KIBRIS: Holbrooke is disillusioned and he is uneasy".

[06] Turkish Cypriots ask Greek Cypriots for barley.

[07] KTOS trade union: 70,000 Turkish Cypriots have emigrated since 1974.

[08] Cem claims Turkish Cypriots must be recognized as equal party.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash issues threats regarding Varosha, missiles, EU talks

"Therefore, let us not turn Maras into a Cyprus problem. This is what we have been saying, and what we must continue to say: The necessary measures will be adopted against the missiles, and they are being adopted. If the missiles are brought to the island, there will no longer be any reason to hold talks in connection with Cyprus or with the Greek Cypriots. The two states will continue on their separate paths, and the matter will stop there.

I would like to point out once again, however, that the missiles are physical obstacles, and according to what they have been saying, they may reach the island in the summer of 1988, if they actually engage in such madness and bring them to Cyprus.

There is a greater danger before that: the latest blow of the international attack and international injustice, namely the EU move to launch negotiations with the Greek Cypriots. In my opinion, that is a greater danger. We have thought of a measure against that as well. It is the same one. Regardless of what comes first, the measure consists of severing the talks with the Greek Cypriots, presenting the principle of two states to the whole world, talking to those who accept this, refusing to talk to those who do not accept this, and ending the matter right here."

[02] Greek, Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions meeting

Gulle thanked for the thoughtful invitation and indicated that, beside the decisions pertaining to the members, decisions that contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and to bringing the two communities closer to each other will also be taken during the 23rd congress. While stressing that the longtime relations between Dev-Is and PEO aim at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and at bringing the two communities closer to each other, Gulle said the actions of the unions will add great benefits to the ones the two communities have already achieved.

Indicating that they will try to develop their cooperation with PEO and its unions and thus become a good example to other organizations, Gulle thanked for the sensitivity shown by S.E.V.E.T.T.Y.K and wished the 23rd congress productivity and success.

The 12th resolution bill has been accepted by a decision of the delegates and the new organs determined during the congress. The congress has also discussed the Cyprus problem and the economic and democratic problems of those working on the Cyprus problem and has introduced its new targets.

[03] Private Tempo TV stopped broadcasting

In this way, Tempo TV, which is the first private TV station in the pseudostate, also became the first private TV station to be closed down.

[04] "Fiscal 1998 budget Draft Bill"

Pointing out that a considerably large "budget" was envisaged for 1998, Cosar added that the investment and defense expenditures incorporated in this "budget" were three times more than last year. Explaining that the investments and the defense expenses increased considerably in the 1998 "budget", Cosar said:

"In this way, security will be established in the best manner, the problems in infrastructure will be surmounted, and a structural reform will be implemented in the economy. In addition, 1998 will be the year in which an economic thrust will be secured."

Cosar continued: "Some 20.3 trillion of the 93.8 trillion budget is earmarked for investments and 11 trillion to defense. The remaining amount will be used for personnel, transfer, and (word indistinct) expenses."

In reply to a question, he said that a 70-80 percent rate of inflation is envisaged for 1998.

Cosar added: "Motherland Turkey has taken some serious measures and is exerting efforts to lower the inflation to 50 percent. The steps taken in motherland Turkey in a bid to curb the inflation to 50 percent will reflect at the TRNC as well."

In reply to another question, Cosar said that 52 trillion of the "budget" will be secured from domestic resources and the remaining amount from aids and debts.

[05] KIBRIS: Holbrooke is disillusioned and he is uneasy"

Quoting Holbrooke's statement regarding the Turkish warplane's harassment of the plane carrying Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tzohatzopoulos to and from Cyprus, KIBRIS says that US officials confirmed Holbrooke's statement, but added that Holbrooke "looks into the issue from the human point of view".

The US officials further added that they have concrete proof that Turkish jets flew very close to the Minister's plane.

However, adds KIBRIS, various experts who follow the issue closely in Washington, say that Richard Holbrooke, who is considered the main architect of the "Dayton peace accord", made wrong calculations and especially he was disillusioned in Ankara.

KIBRIS reports that the experts have said that Holbrooke has returned "empty-handed" from Turkey. One of the political observers said: "Ankara's stance is well known and very clear.

Holbrooke once more listened to these in Ankara. Holbrooke was unable to do 99.9 percent of the things he wanted to do in Ankara. He heard the things that 100% he did not want to hear".

"Holbrooke is at unease. Before he left Ankara, military exercises and dog- fights started in the Aegean. As a matter of fact Holbrooke made a huge effort for the moratorium" another expert observed.

The same observers point out that Holbrooke has realized that he is unable to make people listen to him and that his last hope is Denktash. They say that Holbrooke will not hear anything different from Denktash than what he had heard in Ankara.

"Holbrooke the magician is not doing well because he does not have that magician's hat from where he can pull out the bunny", they say.

Quoting unnamed sources, KIBRIS says that Holbrooke wants to return and have a government job but, it adds, under these conditions, as an "unsuccessful" person, he does not want to return to Washington and this makes him more uneasy.

(MY)

[06] Turkish Cypriots ask Greek Cypriots for barley

TCFU Secretary General Alican Kabakci confirmed that they have asked for 100 tons of seed barley from the Greek Cypriot farmers organization (EKA) to meet the seed needs for the next year.

Noting that they have been in contact with EKA for the last nine months through the World Farmers Union, Alican Kabakci said that 100 tons of barley will not solve any problem but could be of benefit for the next year.

In a statement to KIBRIS Kabakci said that the "government" of the pseudostate is aware of the contact with EKA, adding: "We will wait and see the decision of the Greek Cypriot Council of Ministers."

Arguing that the barley purchase will bring a rapprochement between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots and prepare the ground for the peace initiatives, Kabakci said: "No matter what the present status quo, both communities need peace and dialogue."

[07] KTOS trade union: 70,000 Turkish Cypriots have emigrated since 1974

In a written statement the union says that "due to the policy that is being followed for years, the Turkish Cypriots are forced to emigrate and while the number of Turkish Cypriots who emigrated during the intercommunal conflict was barely 7,000 after 1974 it raised to 70,000."

(EF)

[08] Cem: Turkish Cypriots must be recognized as equal party

Replying to questions on the relations with Greece, Cem pointed out that relations with Greece can improve, but that there exist very important problems regarding Cyprus. He alleged that the EU's decision to start accession talks with the Cyprus Government and the latter's attempt to buy S-300 missiles from Russia negatively affect the possibility of a solution.

Ismail Cem noted that a federation is a state model established by equal parties, adding: "There must be equality first."

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

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