Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-07-26

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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. 130/99 -- 24-25-26

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Military service in Turkey and pseudostate to be reduced.

[02] Ecevit: ``Minimum condition is confederation''.

[03] Talat criticizes accords with Turkey, Denktash´s stand.

[04] NBC discusses domestic, foreign events, Cyprus.

[05] Turkish Cypriots appoint new so-called envoy to Ankara.

[06] Forged US dollars. B, COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Columnist views Cohen´s visit, Ecevit´s Cyprus policy.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Military service in Turkey and pseudostate to be reduced

The so-called Security Forces Command gave the final shape to the ``Bill on Amendment to the TRNC Military Service Law'' and sent it to the so-called government last week.

On the other hand, Turkey´s national news channel NTV reported that the Turkish Parliament has empowered the Council of Ministers to reduce the military service from 18 months to 12. Specifically, the Turkish Parliament has adopted a law empowering the Council of Ministers to reduce the service period for privates and non commissioned officers from 18 to 15 months initially and up to 12 months subsequently.

The opinion of the Turkish Cypriot so-called Judicial Department has also been asked regarding the ``Bill on the Amendment to the Military Service Law'' aimed at curtailing the period of ``mandatory military service''. The so-called Security Forces Command studied the bill and sent it to the so- called government who is expected to announce the ``law'' in the coming days.

According to the ``bill'', the shortage of servicemen to arise from the reduction of military service will be filled in by ``professional soldiers''. The ``professional soldiering'' will be widely applied and the soldiers ``will only undergo military training''.

[02] Ecevit: ``Minimum condition is confederation''

Responding to questions of journalists at Turkish Radio and Television Broadcast´s (TRT) INT TV channel due to commencement of official broadcast of this channel also in Australia, Ecevit reiterated his claim that the invasion brought peace to Greece and Cyprus.

Noting that he will visit the US in September, Ecevit said that he sent a message to the US saying that ``Turkey can´t give any concessions regarding the Cyprus issue.''

``The thing that is important in Cyprus is recognition of the existence of two states there. States which don´t recognize TRNC diplomatically can´t ignore a reality which exists for 25 years. For that reason, even if they mention or don´t mention the name of confederation, I suppose they accept the fact that another solution can´t be found in the island'', he added.

``If there is not an agreement on confederation, the integration process that has already started between Turkey and TRNC will further increase'', Ecevit added.

Ecevit said that ``as long as Turkey is not accepted to the European Union (EU) as a full member, it is not possible for us to accept a political proposal or pressure coming from the EU''.

[03] Talat criticizes accords with Turkey, Denktash´s stand

In a statement he issued, Talat criticised Rauf Denktash, saying ``As always, Denktash is seeking the reasons for his mistakes in the Greek Cypriot leaders.'' Talat remarked that Denktash is trying to justify himself and the steps taken toward attaching the pseudostate to Turkey by using the pretext of President Clerides´s ``pride in leading the Greek Cypriot side to full integration with Greece'', as he put it.

Talat pointed out that his party participated in the ``Partnership Council'', whose establishment it had opposed, because of its responsibility to the people. Talat added, however, that the ``Council'' is conducting its work in an angry reaction to events, just as it was established in an angry reaction to EU-Greek Cypriot talks. Talat also criticized the fact that the sides were not notified about the agenda of the meeting 15 days in advance.

[04] NSC discusses domestic, foreign events, Cyprus

The NSC Secretariat General issued a statement at the end of the meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of President Suleyman Demirel at the War Academies Command in Istanbul. Attending the meeting were Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, chief of the General Staff; ministers who are members of the NSC; force commanders; the Gendarmerie general commander; and the NSC secretary general.

The statement inter alia said: ``The NSC reviewed the reports drawn up in connection with the Maritime Oil Transportation and Meric River Flood Protection projects, and discussed the measures that must be taken on these issues.

The NSC also reviewed foreign political events that concern Turkey in the world and in the region, and assessed the developments pertaining to Cyprus in this connection''.

[05] Turkish Cypriots appoint new so-called envoy to Ankara

[06] Forged US dollars

KIBRIS says that operations were carried out in the occupied Famagusta and Rizokarpasso areas.

The paper reports that the eight persons arrested have ``Turkish and TRNC citizenship and it is believed that the forged dollars belong to the PKK.'' (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist views Cohen´s visit, Ecevit´s Cyprus policy

On the 25th anniversary of the Peace Operation, Prime Minister Ecevit is still at negotiations with the United States over the Cyprus problem.

There is no such example anywhere else in the world. Yesterday again went down in history as a day full of glaring contradictions. While US Secretary of Defense Cohen was visiting Ecevit on the Cyprus problem, Ankara was celebrating Cyprus with impressive ceremonies. Certain remarks from among various messages conveyed during the contacts must be signalled out. Ecevit yesterday told Cohen: `The world does not consist of the West alone´.

This defiance by Ecevit reminds one of the famous words of Ismet Pasha (Ismet Inonu): `Turkey could always create a new world order and take its place in it´. These words, spoken by Ismet Inonu following the 1960´s tension with the United States, are similar to those of Ecevit. This can be interpreted in two ways:

[30] Turkey is never able to solve its problems. They always remain in abeyance.

[32] The world wants to solve Turkey´s problems one way and we another.

Webs of Fate (subhead)

It must be Ecevit´s historic fate that after 25 years he is still facing the United States over Cyprus.

At the Peace Operation in 1974 Ecevit opposed the United States. Just like today, he acted defiantly and landed on the island. The ensuing US embargo brought on first the big economic crisis and the 24 January austerity measures and then the 12 September (1980) military coup. Even when it was lifted the economic effects of the embargo lingered on for years.

Today a more serious situation exists. Now Ecevit is not only defying the United States but Europe as well. And this is not something that developed just yesterday.

Already, one can see the traces of the new foreign policy in the government programme. Suffice it to say that Ecevit´s remarks to Cohen about Turkey `opening out to Eurasia, Central Asia, and China´ is direct quote from the programme.

Cohen´s manner was soft. He attentively listened to these ideas already voiced in public statements. But we should not be fooled by his manner. Turkey still has to pass the IMF test that it has not yet passed. And, there is that old notorious embargo and its repercussions to remember.

Again in the words of Ismet Pasha, `Friendship with big powers is like getting into bed with a ferocious animal´. And Ecevit should know this better than anyone! Both from his own experiences and from those of his mentor Ismet Pasha.''

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

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