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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-08-07
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA
No. 142/98 -- 7/8/98
[A] NEWS ITEMS
[01] Denktash meets British High Commissioner
[02] Denktash interferes in military promotions
[A] NEWS ITEMS
[01] Denktash meets British High Commissioner
According to Yeni Demokrat (7/8/98) the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf
Denktash yesterday had a meeting with the British High Commissioner Mr.
David Madden.
The newspaper says that the issues discussed were the S-300 missiles and
latest developments in the Cyprus problem.
[02] Denktash interferes in military promotions
According to Aydinlik Magazine (2/8/98) the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf
Denktash put pressure on President Suleyman Demirel to obstruct the
promotion of Lt. Gen. Ali Yalcin, Commander of the occupied Turkish Force
in Cyprus, to the rank of full general.
Aydinlik has been informed ``by very reliable sources in north Cyprus''
that Denktash brought up the matter when Demirel visited the ``TRNC'' on 24
July. It is common knowledge that Denktash can put significant pressure
onTurkey by warning that he may withdraw from the intercommunal
negotiations. No information has been received on how Demirel reacted to
Denktash. Lt. Gen. Ali Yalcin has not condoned the Denktash family´s effort
to promote its interests by exploiting politics. It has also been reported
that the many opportunities Denktash created for the supporters of
Fethullah Gulen in occupied Cyprus seriously affected his relations with
the military forces.
It has been reported that Denktash interference in the promotion of the
Turkish commanders and ``ambassadors in the TRNC'' has made the Foreign
Ministry and the General Staff very uneasy.
A Foreign Ministry official, who served in the occupied area for a long
time, informed Aydinlik as follows: ``Denktash converted the TRNC into a
farm. He intends to place the commander of the peace force, commander of
the security forces, and the Turkish ambassador in the TRNC under his
control. He almost seems like the registrar of the Turkish commanders and
ambassadors on the island. Many generals and Foreign Ministry officials
serve in the TRNC before they are promoted. Denktash wants to exploit that
in his favor. So, he tries to influence the bureaucrats who want to be
promoted. He tries to obstruct the promotion of those who oppose him.
Denktash drew strength from Demirel when he established the political
structure in the TRNC, which is similar to that in Turkey''.
The Aydlink report says that ``the tarikats (religious orders) have
maintained their activities and significantly strengthened in the TRNC.
Denktash is their strongest supporter. The island´s aging leader has
condoned the reactionary activities in order to be able to maintain his
rule. It has been established that the reactionary circles have become very
effective in the TRNC particularly during the past three years''. Meanwhile,
Kibris (6/8/98) writes that Rauf Denktash replying to a question on the
matter during a radio interview, said that a report published in the
newspaper Avrupa quoting from the magazine Aydinlik regarding Ali Yalcin
``is fabrication and a lie''.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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