Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-03-02

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash sees need to build mosques in every village.

[02] Demirel on PKK, Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash sees need to build mosques in every village

Denktash met with officials of the so-called Famagusta Association for the Building of the Osman Fazil Polat Pasa Mosque. At the meeting, Denktash alleged that the Greek Cypriot efforts to obliterate Turkish and Islamic traces from Cyprus are not new and have been going on for years. He noted that beginning in 1957, the Turkish Cypriots had added minarets to at least 10 village mosques every year in order to show that these were Turkish Cypriot villages. He pointed out that the 1963 incidents prevented that. It is gratifying, he added,that mosques are now being built with Turkey´s contributions. He added that the Ersin Pasa mosque being built in occupied Kyrenia is his greatest dream.

Denktash stressed that he wants young, dynamic, and pro-Ataturk imams to serve in the mosques. He pointed out that muftis have not been appointed for years.

Denktash said that the Greek Cypriots constantly complain to international organizations that the pseudostate turns churches into mosques. ``In this way'', he claimed, ``churches that are God´s home continue to be God´s home (word indistinct''.

[02] Demirel on PKK, Cyprus

To a question on the PKK, Demirel inter alia said: ``There are experienced hands behind this terrorist movement. In other words, it should be accepted that this was not just an ordinary movement. It was very well organized and the groundwork was very good as well. The movement was better organized outside Turkey than inside and procured most of its financial resources from abroad. If this movement was limited to Turkey, we would have eliminated it long ago. Our security forces have to reinstate the same measures every summer. It was decided, therefore, that this terrorist movement´s foreign resources and links should be stopped. It was impossible to put an end to this movement without severing its connections abroad. I would like to point out that the state has control over every inch of territory in Turkey. There are no places in Turkey that cannot be reached, and roads that cannot be traveled upon.''

In reply to another question on the Kurdish issue, Demirel replied, inter alia: ``We say that we have no Kurdish minority. We have no Kurdish problem. We explain that these people are first-class citizens in Turkey and that they are free to live and work wherever they want, that there is no discrimination. We say that they should not try and turn us into another Yugoslavia. We say that if the target is to destabilize Turkey, that is to disrupt its stability, will not allow it''.

In reply to a question on the Cyprus problem, Demirel said: ``The Cyprus issue is as follows: The agreements signed between Cyprus and Turkey in the last two years will lead to Cyprus´ economic integration with Turkey. We will continue to transport water to Cyprus. The water pipeline is being constructed. We shall also supply electricity to Cyprus through cables. Roads are being constructed on the island, universities are being developed. We shall also develop the industry there. As for the political solution, that is clear for Turkey. There is the TRNC. This republic should be recognized by the world. Later, the state in the south and the one in the north should think about their coexistence on the island''.

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

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