Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-11-30

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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. 220/98 -- 28-29-30.11.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Demirel hints he is trying to delay polls, overrule Parliament.

[02] Tugrul Turkes registers new party.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Demirel hints he is trying to delay polls, overrule Parliament

The president speaking to journalists during a visit to the provincial center of Bolu said there are ``people'' in Turkey who are talking about the delay of the elections and said he wants to know the goals and the duration of a proposed government before he names a new prime minister.

Demirel said that he needs time in his search for a new government after the collapse of the minority coalition under Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz last Wednesday.

``I am going to think for three or four days before I give the mandate to a leader for the formation of a new government'', Demirel said.

The President justified his decision on the fact that he has received varied opinions from political leaders on the possible postponement of early elections scheduled for next spring, introducing two-round local polls and restricting political immunity.

Political leaders´ attitude on these three issues, which were currently being discussed by the public, were vital as to the duration of the new government, Demirel added.

``I am carrying out research, the subject of which is not who will set up the government but why this government will be established. Will it strive to go to elections as soon as possible or will it prove long-lasting and carry out services for the country?'' he said.

Analysts said it was strange for Demirel to make such a justification that political leaders had varying views about the date of the polls because the Parliament which is supposed to be the supreme power in Turkey has already decided on the early elections date as April 18. They also said Demirel may well be waiting for the National Security Council meeting next week to feel the pulse of the military before making an appointment for prime minister.

Demirel had been meeting Turkey´s political party leaders for the last three days immediately after the Yilmaz government was ousted in a no- confidence vote in Parliament over claims of mafia links. Demirel has asked Yilmaz to remain in office until a new government has been established.

[02] Tugrul Turkes registers new party

The Anatolia news agency reported that Turkes handed the petition to Interior Ministry General Secretary Ali Bilir on Friday, thus making the party a legal entity.

Turkes founded the ATP shortly after he resigned from the MHP after he had lost a bitterly contested fight for the chairmanship of the party, a post that was vacant following the death of his father.

Halime Nuray Turcan, one of the other founders of the ATP, said on Friday they had established the party for a ``clean society, clean politics and for enlightened days in Turkey.'' Noting that the political situation at the moment was chaotic, Turcan said the ATP would put its stamp on Turkish politics in the 21st century.

Turcan said the symbol of the party would be a silhouette of a man and a woman in front of the sun and sixteen rays, symbolizing the sixteen Turkic states in history.

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

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