Compact version |
|
Sunday, 17 November 2024 | ||
|
Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-08-13Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 146/98 -- 13.8.98[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkish Cypriot economy suffers from gangreneKIBRIS daily (12.8.98) publishes a report about the problems of the Turkish Cypriot economy, which was prepared by the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) and the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association (ISAD).The report, entitled ``The `TRNC´ economy: Questions and proposals for solution'', notes that the populist policies, frequently carried out to rapidly raise the living standards in the occupied area, have failed to secure a stable growth in the medium term and adds that such policies have in time created a bottleneck in the social security system, overstuffing in the ``public sector'', and rigidity in the labour market. Indicating that no restructuring measures have been taken despite the growing problems, something that has set in motion a vicious circle, the report says: ``The continuation of the current policies could only entrench the stagnation in the Turkish Cypriot economy, a situation that might weaken the joint policy of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey on the international level. It is impossible for the Turkish Cypriots or Turkey to allow such a thing to happen. It is highly difficult for the Turkish Cypriot leadership to extricate itself from this spiral with its own means. Important duties befall on Turkey in this regard.'' Noting that the reduction in the ``public'' spending is the best way to reduce the ``public'' deficit in the occupied area, the report says, however, that the withdrawal of the ``public sector'' from the economy, in which it has a huge share, will create a serious vacuum, adding: ``Under the existing conditions, it is highly unlikely that the private sector could fill in that vacuum.'' The report goes on to add that the private sector could be strengthened by lifting such impediments before business as taxation and social security. It also stresses that the privatization process in the occupied area must be very different from the one implemented in Turkey, its aim being to enhance economic productivity. The TUSIAD report also examines in detail such issues as savings and investments, the money sector, the industrial sector, social security, agriculture, energy, international trade, and tourism. The report, which puts forward some proposals for speeding up investments and economic development, notes that the Turkish Cypriot leadership must introduce a series of reforms to restructure the economy. At the top of these proposals comes the smooth operation of the free market economy. a reduction of the ``public sector´s'' burden on the economy, and an increase in economic productivity. [02] Albanian Parliamentarians in the occupied areaAccording to the Turkish News Agency ``Anatolia'' (11.8.98) a six-member Albanian Parliamentary delegation arrived in the occupied area on Monday (10.8.98) as the guest of the Turkish Cypriot ``Parliament''.The so-called ``Speaker of the Parliament'' Mr. Hakki Atun received the delegation on Tuesday (11.8.98). The delegation had also meetings with the leader of the RTP Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat and the leader of the CLP Mr. Mustafa Akinci. Both Turkish Cypriot party leaders in their statements after the meetings tried to link the Cyprus question with the Kosovo issue. The head of the Albanian delegation Mr. Vili Minarolli said that they have mutual points with the Cyprus question, adding that the incidents experienced in Kosovo should be stopped by the UN and NATO. The Albanian delegation had also meetings with Mr. Denktash Mr. Eroglu and Mr. Etkin . (Bayrak 12.8.98). Commenting on the Cyprus issue during the meeting with the delegation, Mr. Denktash declared that the events in places like Kosovo and Bosnia- Herzegovina stem from the fact that these countries do not have a guarantor like Turkey or a guarantee agreement. In a statement Mr. Minarolli said: ``We came here to understand the Cyprus problem. We, in turn, have the Kosovo problem. We will convey to you the problems we are experiencing in Kosovo.'' [03] Meeting at the Turkish Foreign Ministry about the missilesColumnist Metehan Demir in his article in Turkish daily HURRIYET (8.8.98) writes that General Staff and Foreign Ministry officials held a comprehensive meeting yesterday evening to discuss the recently growing missile threat in the region, its effects on Turkey and the countermeasures that need to be taken. During the four-hour meeting, the Shahab-3 missile that was recently tested by Iran, Russian assistance to Tehran on missile technology, work by Syria and Iraq in this field, the S-300 missiles bought by the Greek Cypriots, and Greece´s purchase of Stinger missiles were discussed. It was decided that the measures Turkey must take against this growing threat must include the procurement of defensive missiles and efforts to make the international aware of the missile threat. Meanwhile, the Turkish Embassy in Washington has begun an official campaign to stop the sale of Stinger missiles to Greece by the United States.[04] Problems in the supply of water in the occupied areaAccording to the Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak radio (11.8.98) the 10,000 tone water balloon that arrived in the Syrianokhori installations on 7 August as part of the project to transport water from Turkey to the occupied area via balloons, is expected to return to Turkey today. The fact that the tow boats of the Mediterranean Water Distribution Firm, with whom an agreement has been signed for the transport of water, are not yet operational is creating a problem.According to information obtained by ``Water Works Director'' Mustafa Can, the 9,470 cubic meters of water inside the balloon, which is on its second trip, was pumped into the system on 8 August and the salty water discarded. Can said that the tow boat belonging to the Mediterranean Water Distribution Firm in the Tuzla stream is not yet operational, because pulleys are being mounted on the boat, adding that he has been informed by the firm´s officials that the tow boat will be operational on 15 August. Can noted that the second balloon of 20,000 tones has arrived in the Soguksu installations in Turkey, adding that once the tow boat becomes operational the transport of water will be facilitated. [05] CHP supports German SPDIn an editorial in the Turkish daily MILLIYET (9.8.98) by Derya Sazak, the writer refers to the good relations between the German Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Turkish Republican People´s Party (CHP) .Noting that the message sent by the leader of the SPD, Mr. Gerhard Schroder, from the United States that ``Europe´s door must be held open for the Turks'', constitutes a serious step toward the normalization of the German- Turkish relations that emerged during the Kohl-Yilmaz period, he says that the election of the Social Democrats to office in Germany, at the end of September, will open a new page in the relations between the two countries. Then the columnist referred to the strong foundations which were laid in the relations between the two parties. The CHP, he adds, wanted to play a role in the building of the post-Kohl era by using its power and influence on Turkish citizens in Germany. In June a CHP delegation led by Onur Kumbaracibasi visited the SPD. It was decided that the CHP should exercise its influence over the 220,000 Turkish voters in Germany in favour of the SPD. A concrete example of this solidarity is a letter sent by the leader of the CHP Mr. Baykal to Turkish citizens in Germany. The CHP wants the SPD to be supported in the 27 September elections. In his letter Mr. Baykal says, inter alia: ``The SPD and the CHP share a common perspective. Within this framework I hope that Germany and Turks who live there will stand up for their own future by supporting the SPD in the coming elections and contribute to the historical transformation in Europe.'' It is worth noting that at about the same time Baykal was calling upon Turkish citizens in Germany to support the SPD, Schroder was making pledges on dual citizenship (to Turks in Germany and (Turkish accession to) the EU during his visit to the United States. [06] Turkish population is 62,870,030According to Anatolia News Agency (12.8.98) the final results of the general census which was held by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) on 30 November 1997 were specified. According to the final results, the Turkish population is determined to be 62,870,30 people.Meanwhile according to the results of the DIE, the population of Several large cities is as follows: Istanbul 9,198,800 Ankara 3,693,200 Izmir 3,114,800 Bursa 1,957,000 [07] New Turkish Army commander seen as staunch secularistThe new commander in chief of the Turkish Army General Kivrikoglu is characterised by his colleagues and staff officers, who have worked with him as superiors and subordinates, as ``a tireless guardian of the secular republic.''This was pointed out in an article by Ismet Solak in the Turkish daily HURRIYET (8.8.98). (MY/Chr.L) [08] Turkish-Made CN-235 joins Turkish air forceAccording to TRT TV (10.8.98) the light weight CN-235 transport plane manufactured by TAI, the Turkish Aviation and Space Industry, has joined the Turkish Air Forces (TAF) fleet.General Ilhan Kilic, commander of the TAF, speaking at a ceremony to mark the occasion, said that the TAF is the strongest force in the region. TAI under Secretary Yalcin Burcak said that the CN-235 aircraft will be reorganized and made into naval control aircraft. He added that talks are in progress in connection with nine planes to be used for that purpose. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |