Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-03-01

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] "Election" campaign.

[02] Akinci warns `government/ break up.

[03] Denktash notes `sunk economy, faults government/.

[04] Turkish Cypriot paper reprots US plan on Cyprus.

[05] KIBRIS on President Clerides statement that "Cyprus problem will be solved in 2003".

[06] Denktash repeats: "No concessions on our state".

[07] British diplomat on visa requirements for Turkish Cypriots. 1.3.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] "Election" campaign

KIBRIS further reports that during the so-called general elections held on 6 December 1998 there were 121758 voters, and today this number has increased by 5833.

In the occupied area, the voting age is 18.

For the so-called pseudo-elections, the occupation regime envisages to spend around half a billion TL.

KIBRIS further reports that the so-called election campaign will start on 20 March.

(MY)

[02] Akinci warns `Government/ breakup

Speaking at the pseudo-assembly Akinci replied to the opposition "deputies" criticism of the minimum wage.

Mustafa Akinci said that the minimum wage was low but would improve after the "elections". Noting that the differences between the "coalition" parties on the minimum wage was a common knowledge, Akinci said that the "government" is resolved to raise the minimum wage.

Akinci also said that not everything is rosy inside the "government", and that problems exist but the TKP has no intention of creating a new crisis under the circumstances. However, he added, if the problems become insurmountable they could, as civilized parties, put an end to the partnership.

[03] Denktash notes `sunk economy, faults government/

Denktash described as unfair the comments appearing in party newspapers saying that by calling for a comprehensive meeting with the participation of economics professors, he made election propaganda. Denktash said: "While the livestock breeders, the farmers, manufacturers, industrialists, and banking circles are wailing, the government is saying that there is no economic crisis. If it is true, I congratulate this government".

Denktash pointed out that every sector in the society is saying that the economy has sunk. He stressed that certain urgent measures must be taken, reiterating his proposal that the economy be studied at an economic summit to be attended by economists and economics professors as well.

[04] Turkish Cypriot paper reports US plan on Cyprus

A name has also been found to the model that evokes the United States of America, thus creating a "United States of Cyprus"(USC). The paper adds that the "USC", which is based on two equal and sovereign states enjoying reciprocal recognition and on equal responsibility and obligations, will have jurisdictions over citizenship, passport, emigration issues, foreign relations, defense of the island, internal security, coastal security and fishing, customs, Central Bank and exchange rates, financial and economic policies, budget and taxes, environmental issues, energy and natural resources, telecommunications, maritime affairs, aviation, and archives.

The new model, which has been formulated with meticulous thought to every detail, also provides a structure for the "USC".

Accordingly, the President of the "USC" will have a "representational" status and serve for six-month rotational periods just like in the EU. The representational presidency will be assumed by the Presidents of the states constituting the "USC".

The Parliament will replace the Presidents every five years and the proposals it puts forward could be submitted to islandwide referendum.

The President, who will represent the country, will also conduct all the diplomatic contacts. Furthermore, the President will have the jurisdiction to appoint the Prime Minister at the recommendation of the House of Representatives. Among the President/s duties will also be the appointment of the Central Bank director, judges, and ambassadors "in line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister".

The paper goes on to say that the model, produced after extensive studies, provides for the selection of the Prime Minister by the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister, who would be responsible for the administration and the running of the "USC", will be replaced every two years together with the "ethnic roots and mother tongue" that he, or she, represents. The Prime Minister will appoint the Cabinet and will be responsible for the performance of the Central Bank, judges, and ambassadors.

The model provides for a Parliament and a House of Representatives. The members in both chambers are to be elected separately by the citizens in their own states. The Parliament will be made up of 25 Greek Cypriots and 25 Turks. Whereas, the ratio is 70 to 30 in the House of Representatives. Each chamber will have a Speaker serving on a yearly rotation.

The duties of the 50-seat Parliament will be to ratify the bills coming from the House of Representatives. It can veto bills only twice in one convocation. It cannot veto a bill submitted for a third time. Another of its task is to confirm the appointment of Central Bank officials and judges.

Whereas, the House of Representatives would be responsible for the drafting and endorsement of all the bills.

[05] KIBRIS on President Clerides statement that "Cyprus problem will be solved in 2003"

When asked whether he and Denktash are fed up with meeting each other, President Clerides reportedly replied: "If by your question you refer to esteemed Denktash, the answer is no... I do know Denktash for a long time. He was my cousin/s classmate at the English School. That is we know each other from those days. However, if your question refers to the negotiations, I am not fed up as regards this either. We are holding negotiations in order to settle the problem, and we continue to negotiate".

When asked weather he is hopeful of settling the problem President Clerides reportedly said: "I can solve this problem. The solution will be neither to my nor Mr. Denktash/s liking. That is, if we think about the demands of both sides, we can not solve this problem. We have to find a middle-of-the- road settlement. On certain issues both communities should make sacrifices. If we insist on our views, and if we do not work to meet at a common point, then a settlement will be very difficult. I do believe that we will solve it. There exists a common point where we could meet".

President Clerides further said that from time to time he is calling Denktash and talks with him.

When he was reminded his alleged statement to Mr. Denktash in Glion, Switzerland, that "he is not the Turkish Cypriots government", President Clerides said: "Of course I do not represent the Turkish Cypriots. Had it been so, I would not have been meeting with Denktash. I would have been holding meetings with myself. Communities elect their representatives. Rauf Denktash represents the Turkish Cypriots. I am the representative of the state of Cyprus that includes Greek and Turkish Cypriots".

Regarding the forthcoming so-called presidential elections in the occupied area President Clerides said that Denktash will win.

(MY)

[06] Denktash repeats: "No concessions on our state"

Denktash further alleged that some foreign diplomats have told him that President Clerides will not refrain from signing an agreement based on the state basis.

Speaking during the AKIS (ECHO) programme, Denktash insisting on his intransigence, said: "We will definitely not make concessions on our state. We will maintain our state. Our objective is to find a sound and lasting agreement in Cyprus".

He went on and said: "In New York, unless our sovereignty is accepted, we will not discuss the territorial and the map issue. The map can be taken up only after accepting our sovereignty and then discussion could be held on how will the borders be".

When ask about the EU issue Denktash said: "A new period has started following Turkey/s candidacy. Making use of the small window opened by the EU to Turkey we have found the opportunity to explain ourselves. Our aim is to turn this window into a door".

Referring to the issue of not meeting with the EU representative in Cyprus, Denktash said: "We say that we accept meeting senior EU officials. Its representative here is with a mandate, so for this reason we do not want to meet him. We want the authority and powers of this representative to be changed and we want a decision that envisages equal treatment meted to us. When Verhaugen visits us, this representative as well will come and we will explain to him what we want. We do not have a stance against the EU. We are against the mandate given to this representative. We want them to change this. Let them do this and we are ready to establish contact. In the meantime we will continue our contacts in Europe".

(MY)

[07] British diplomat on visa requirements for Turkish Cypriots

Mr. Hill spoke about the "Legal development of the EU".

(MY)

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article