Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-02-11

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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. 29/00 -- 11.2.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey to set up energy transfer link to pseudostate.

[02] Turks with forged dollars arrested.

[03] Public relations company officials visit pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Mehmet Ali Birand: Our Aegean and Cyprus policies have to change.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey to set up energy transfer link to pseudostate

They started a project of 4 million dollars, said Ersumer and added that it is the turn of two other projects which are worth of 7 and 4 million dollars respectively. Ersumer said that he will come to ``TRNC'' to participate in the opening ceremony of these installations after eight months.

The electricity need of ``TRNC'' increases by 8,9 percent every year, said Ersumer and added that making further investments is needed in parallel with these increases. ``TRNC/s'' energy need will be solved in short and middle terms by small powerhouses, said Ersumer and added that a long term solution to this energy need is the establishment of a powerhouse of at least 120 megawatts. ``In fact a permanent solution to the problem is to connect TRNC to Turkey by an energy transfer link. This is an investment of 110 million dollars, but we will realize it'', he said.

Referring to the water problem of ``TRNC'', Ersumer said that the target couldn/t still be reached in the project of bringing water to ``TRNC'' by balloons, adding water will be brought to ``TRNC'' by tankers from Manavgat brook at the end of May or beginning of June. The final solution of the water issue is to connect ``TRNC'' to Anatolia by water pipelines, said Ersumer and added that they plan to bring 75 million cubic meters of water from Turkey.

[02] Turks with forged dollars arrested

[03] Public relations company officials visit pseudostate

The company, working closely with clubs whose members are engaged in parachuting, proposes to these club members countries where they can have their holiday and at the same time exercise parachute jumping.

The company officials have said that the clubs that they cooperate with are in Germany, Austria and the Scandinavian countries, with members totalling 3000.

The so-called prime minister/s office announced that Frank Dohm officials visited the occupied area in the past as well and they liked the natural beauty of the occupied area and said that it is an ideal place for parachutists.

Frank Dohm officials said that they will suggest the occupied Famagusta area to the parachutist clubs. They will organize a press conference on 14 February, at the Dome Hotel.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Mehmet Ali Birand: Our Aegean and Cyprus policies have to change

``Although some of us are still not aware of it, a solution in the Aegean and in Cyprus is drawing close.

Certain developments are taking place. Certain steps are being taken. And, as a result, we are being pushed in that direction whether we like it or not.

The Turkish public seems to be more flexible on the issue of attaining a solution.

The Greek public has a harder position and they have higher expectations. However, neither the Turkish public nor the Greek public is aware of the mutual concessions or the sacrifices that have to be made.

Both the Turkish and Greek politicians, soldiers and media must alter the views they have harboured to date.

I admit that this is a very difficult task.

This is because a succession of governments brainwashed the public for 40 years. The positions on issues such as the continental shelf, 12-miles, rock croppings and Cyprus, have become ossified. Now the same governments will forget about the past and come up with a new rhetoric. That will reduce their credibility. But we have to do that.

We will inevitably have to review our positions on the continental shelf, the 12-miles in the sea and the 6/10 miles in the air, the patriarchate, Thrace and Cyprus issues.

Turkey will go to the International Court of Justice, abandon its ``Gray Zone'' rhetoric in the Aegean, move its Aegean Army to Konya and its landing crafts to other places, stop making statements about `casus belli/, permit the patriarchate to reopen the seminary in Heybeliada and, finally, review its Cyprus policy.

Greece will abandon the 6/10 miles in the air oddity, change its 12-miles policy, lift its veto in the European Union, correct its approach to the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and agree to the splitting of Cyprus between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Both sides have to swallow this `bitter pill/. Even crying and wailing, we will make sacrifices.

Cyprus is the key problem (subhead)

Although Prime Minister Ecevit says, `The Cyprus problem was solved in 1974/, the Cyprus problem has not been solved. Even worse is the fact that the pressure being exerted for a solution, especially on the Turkish side, is intensifying.

There are great expectations.

After defending the federation thesis for 25 years we now want a confederation. And we cannot explain to the world our `we will not sit down for talks before the TRNC is not recognized officially/, approach.

We must do something. We must get out of this impasse. We cannot watch the developments idly.

In short, we must know that we cannot get anywhere with the `not even a single pebble is to be sacrificed/, litany; and we must prepare ourselves.'' EF/SK ------------------------------------------------------

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

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