Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-08-27

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish quake seen hurting pseudostate´s economy.

[02] New so-called ambassador to Turkey.

[03] Clinton urges sides to sit at negotiation table.

[04] ``Kyrenia American University'' schools to become members of the European Council of International Schools.

[05] Denktash meets Israeli ambassador.

[06] Fire in occupied Karavas.

[07] Ancient tomb.

[08] New prices for petroleum products.

[09] Pseudo-government criticized.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish quake seen hurting pseudostate´s economy

Economists are saying that a serious crisis will hit the pseudostate in the coming days. The crisis has already dealt a heavy blow to tourism on the island.

Another worry is that the universities too will be affected by the earthquake in Turkey, because various projects financed by Turkey will now slow down.

The casino-operating hotels in particular have been heavily hit by the Turkish earthquake. There has been a 15-90 percent fall in the occupancy rate of these hotels.

Noting that reservations were cancelled from the first day of the earthquake, hotel officials said that ``the cancellations continued today (yesterday) as well. Most of the tourists from Turkey come in groups.''

University ``officials'' in the pseudostate said that the dimension of the crisis will become clearer once the registration period starts after the announcement of the OSS (Student Placement Exams) results.

Eren Ertan, president of the Chamber of Industry, said that the earthquake has created hardship in Turkey, adding: ``Because of this Turkish investments in the TRNC will be seriously curtailed.''

Noting that even under normal conditions Turkish investments were hard to come by in the pseudostate, Ertan said that ``funds should be established in the banks to avert a further crunch''.

Recalling a recent statement by so-called economy and finance minister Mehmet Bayram that there is a reserve of $700-800 million in the banks, Ertan said: ``Even Turkey sends in aid to us after pooling some funds in the banks. This is so everywhere in the world. We too could set up similar funds and secure enough resources to subsidise interests.''

Ertan said he believes, however, that despite the catastrophe Turkey will continue to provide the assistance needed for defense and infrastructure projects.

Turan Beydagli, head of the Hoteliers Union, said: ``Because of the earthquake, the Turkish tour operators cannot collect dues and as a result cannot also pay the hotels in our country. If nothing else, TRNC tourism will suffer only because of that''.

Noting that the casino-operating hotels are particularly hard hit, Beydagli added: ``Because of the earthquake in Turkey the short-term reservations have been cancelled. But this crisis will come to an end when the foreign tourists start coming here in September.''

[02] New so-called ambassador to Turkey

[03] Clinton urges sides to sit at negotiation table

In the reply letter, it is also mentioned that US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Weston will pay his first official visit to Cyprus in the beginning of September.

In the letter it is also noted that soon a Presidential Special Cyprus Representative will be appointed to take the post vacated after Richard Holbrooke´s appointment to the post of US Permanent Representative at the UN.

KIBRIS, quoting diplomatic sources in Washington, says that former US ambassador to Romania, Alfred Moses, may be appointed as US Presidential Special Cyprus Representative.

(MY)

[04] ``Kyrenia American University'' schools to become members of the European Council of International Schools

According to an announcement of the coordinator of the group of ``GAU'' schools, Munur Muhtaroglu, the schools will become member in the academic year 1999-2000.

(DP)

[05] Denktash meets Israeli ambassador

Tzur conveyed his sympathy and worries for Turkey because of the earthquake, reminding that Israel was one of the first countries to send aid to Turkey.

(DP)

[06] Fire in occupied Karavas

The cause of the fire is not mentioned.

(MY)

[07] Ancient tomb

The tomb was found as a result of investigations of the so-called police against antiques smugglers.

In the tomb some 100 pieces of artefacts have also been found. (DP)

[08] New prices for petroleum products

(DP)

[09] Pseudo-government criticized

AVRUPA says that if the ``bill'' is approved, from now on the rich will not be drafted into the army and in case of war the poor will defend the rich.

It says that the paper received thousands of phone calls from concerned families who express their anger and fury about the ``bill''.

AVRUPA adds that people think that exodus from the occupied area will increase and Turkish Cypriots living abroad will never return to the occupied area.

Moreover, KIBRIS reports that opposition parties, guilds, civil organizations reacted to the so-called coalition government´s new decisions and urged the ``government'' to resign.

The Republican Turkish Party (RTP) has declared that with the latest price hikes the ``government'' wants the people to ``become crazy''. In his written statement, RTP leader Talat called on the people ``to raise their voice against this policy.''

Talat also criticized the new ``bill'' regulating military service in the occupied area, saying that with this ``bill'', the pseudo-government is discriminating between the rich and the poor. ``With this bill people are classified us first, second and third class citizens''.

In his turn Democrat Party General Secretary Hursit Eminer, criticized the recent price hikes and called on the ``government to resign''.

The Chamber of Small Businessmen and Artisans also criticized the price hikes and urged the ``government'' to abrogate them.

(MY)

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

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