Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-04-27

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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. 68/99 -- 27.4.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit meets Eroglu, technical teams discuss economy.

[02] Ecevit sees more economically developed ``TRNC''.

[03] Med TV shut down.

[04] Cem meets Albright, discuss NATO, Cyprus, US relations.

[05] Twining of occupied towns with towns in FYROM.

[06] Ancient tomb.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkey´s MHP urged to clarify foreign policy stand.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit meets Eroglu, technical teams discuss economy

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Eroglu stressed that they exchanged opinions on further improvement of the pseudostate economy.

Eroglu pointed out that economic consultations at technical level between the Turkish delegation accompanying Ecevit and the pseudostate so-called officials continue within the framework of the ``Joint Economic Council.''

[02] Ecevit sees more economically developed ``TRNC''

Speaking to journalists, Ecevit noted that he talked with President Suleyman Demirel on the phone the day before and that they did not discuss the domestic policy issues.

When recalled that his visit to the occupied area led to reactions in the free areas of Cyprus, he said that the Greek Cypriots are very angry and that ``they cannot understand and accept that the TRNC is an independent state.''

Responding a question, Ecevit reiterated that he is determined not to say anything about the formation of the government before President Suleyman Demirel gives the mandate to somebody.

Responding another question, Ecevit stressed that he sees the pseudostate economically more developed every time he comes and that the touristic and some infrastructural plants gradually improve by the contributions of Turkey.

[03] Med TV shut down

The Med TV license was suspended on March 22 by the ITC under Section 45/A of the 1990 Broadcasting Act, ``following four broadcasts which included inflammatory statements encouraging acts of violence in Turkey and elsewhere''. The programs were judged by the ITC as ``likely to encourage or incite to crime or lead to disorder''.

[04] Cem meets Albright, discuss NATO, Cyprus, US relations

Cem said that Thomas Miller, US special envoy in Cyprus, and Richard Morningstar, Bill Clinton´s representative on issues concerning the Caspian region, were also present at the meeting.

Noting that the issue of international terrorism was also raised at the meeting, Cem said that both sides agreed that ``considerable distance has been covered on the issue and that cooperation produced results.''

Explaining that the Turkish-Greek relations and the Cyprus issue were also taken up at the meeting, Cem said that Turkey pursues a very clear and straightforward stand on Cyprus and that the United States understands this stand more and more as time goes by. Indicating that the methods put forward for a Cyprus solution yielded no results and that only Turkey came forward with a concrete proposal such as confederation, Cem added: ``The United States gave serious consideration to the confederation proposal and is one of the few countries which thinks that it can be developed.''

Cem continued: ``The United Nations says one Cyprus. It says a Cyprus where there are no wars. It talks about a solution acceptable to both sides. Others do not abide by the previous modality like we do. Our proposal is a change of method. Let us give up the method which did not yield any solutions for 10 years. Confederation is our way of changing the method''. What is happening in Bosnia and Kosovo will not happen in Cyprus, added Cem.

In reply to a question on whether Albright voiced a US view that the Kosovo issue may trigger a Turkish-Greek war, Cem said that the United States realizes that the Kosovo issue cannot lead to a Turkish-Greek dispute.

Recounting that the human rights issue was not discussed to a great extent at the meeting with Albright, Cem said: The US reports, however, may not be totally false but they certainly blow the facts out of proportion.

Cem said that the issue of northern Iraq was not raised with Albright. Explaining that the United States and Turkey have a fundamental difference on this issue, Cem said that ``the United States seeks a change of regime primarily. We, however, seek a continuation of Iraq´s political unity and territorial integrity.''

Noting that the 18 April elections was also discussed with Albright, Cem added: ``According to my opinion, the United States also thought that another picture would have emerged. I was under the impression that they expected the sensitivity to faith to increase considerably. They made a wrong calculation in that respect''.

Explaining that the elections were democratic, Cem said that he more or less guessed the results except those for the Nationalist Action Party.

In reply to a question on the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, Cem said: ``We are asked whether the trial will be `open and fair´. What right do they have? The second-in-command of the terrorist organization has been on trial for the past two years. Nobody thought to ask anything about it. This is how it should be. We are asked whether observers will be present at the trial. On what title, on what authority? Turkey´s laws are one of the best among Western European countries. There is no title of observer. It will be a normal trial''.

Cem continued: ``Our doors are open to everybody. The ambassadors, however, will not receive special treatment. The time when those who considered themselves governors of colonies like in the Ottoman Empire´s reorganization period are over.''

[05] Twining of occupied towns with towns in FYROM

KIBRIS also reports that the town of Gorce Petrov in the FYROM and occupied Kyrenia have been twined as well.

KIBRIS declares that the ``twining'' of these two towns is an important step in establishing relations with third countries besides Turkey.

The so-called mayor of occupied Famagusta Oktay Kayalp said that Struga`s population is made up of mainly ethnic Turks and Albanians and the town´s mayor Rade Kutanuvic is a real friend of Cyprus who is well versed in Turkish. (MY)

[06] Ancient tomb

The antique implements were found in a family tomb of a Roman family.

The remains of four people were also found.

KIBRIS reports that the area behind the Ayios Sergios primary school was cordoned off and placed under protection.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkey´s MHP urged to clarify foreign policy stand

The priorities and direction of Turkey´s foreign policy will basically remain the same.

The MHP´s nationalist and activist trends may make their weight felt in the new coalition. The MHP will try to assume a policy-shaping role when sensitive issues are on the agenda.

Democratic Left Party leader Bulent Ecevit displayed a nationalist and rigid stance on a number of foreign policy issues when the 55th and 56th governments were in power. With the MHP becoming a partner in a government to be formed by him, the same stance will be maintained. As a European diplomat said, `There was some prospect for a movement toward flexibility and compromise. Now this prospective partnership destroys the expectation´.

Kohen continues by saying that a very interesting reaction to the election results has been displayed by diplomats and analysts from various countries who have assessed the results from the standpoint of their possible effects on Turkey´s foreign policy.

The EU circles, who claim that when the new government is formed there will be two parties instead of one that are unsympathetic toward Turkey´s accession to the organization, say, ``What slim chances there were for a dialogue are even slimmer now.'' Although some EU officials believe ``a new government means a fresh start,'' they feel that Ankara will not take the initiative. It is not likely either that the EU will open its doors unconditionally to Turkey.

And Kohen adds: ``Ankara is expected to adopt an even stricter stance on Cyprus and the relations between Turkey and Greece. The anxiety that has been created in Athens and the Greek Cypriot side by the success the MHP has achieved in the elections is quite clear. The officials in Washington and London are convinced that under the present circumstances the chances of resuming the talks on Cyprus are even weaker than in the past.

A concern that has been voiced in the United States and Europe is that the expected amelioration of the human rights problem will not be forthcoming. The `problem´ to some means the question of `freedom of speech´ and to others it means the Kurdish issue. Meanwhile, it is feared that the trial of Workers Party of Kurdistan leader Abdullah Ocalan and the outcome of the legal action against him will have negative effects on Turkey´s foreign relations.

Russia seems to be worried because of a number of reasons. What concerns the Russian officials is the MHP views and intentions vis-à-vis the Caucasus and Central Asia. Their concern stems from the activities of some of the `idealists´ [MHP´s nationalist supporters] in Azerbaijan and Chechenya.

A possible reaction from the MHP grass roots is also a cause of concern. Recalling the role played by some of the MHP supporters in the protest demonstrations against Italy in 1998, a European diplomat has asked: `What will the party leaders and the coalition do if a similar behaviour is displayed in the future?´

The diplomats in Ankara, who are considering the question of what the foreign policy of a government in which the MHP will participate will be are now trying to get to know the MHP and its views better. Their problem is the lack of written material that may bring to light the party´s views on foreign policy.

Nor can the Turkish public opinion be said to have a clear idea on the MHP approach on foreign policy. The leaders of the prospective partner of the new government would be well-advised to clarify their approach.''

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

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