Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-24

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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] RTP APPLIES FOR CANCELLATION OF 15 APRIL ``ELECTIONS''

[02] TURKISH CYPRIOTS ON DENKTASH/S CALL FOR EROGLU/S RESIGNATION, ``ELECTIONS''

[03] EROGLU REITERATES HE WILL REMAIN IN POWER

[04] TURKEY BESTOWS ATATURK PEACE PRIZE ON DENKTASH

[05] ``ASSEMBLY SPEAKER'' VISITS ANKARA

[06] CHINESE SPOKESMAN ON CYPRUS PROBLEM

[07] TURKISH CYPRIOT CAUGHT ON DRUG CLAIMS

[08] UNKNOWN CHURCH

[09] DENKTASH SWORN ``PRESIDENT''

[10] KAZAKHSTAN-PSEUDOSTATE CULTURAL RELATIONS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] RTP APPLIES FOR CANCELLATION OF 15 APRIL ``ELECTIONS''

as follows:

``the anti-constitutional nature of the declaration of Rauf Denktash as president, the mutually accusatory speeches delivered by candidates Rauf Denktash and Dervis Eroglu on Bayrak Radio and Television, the biased coverage of the Turkish media in favor of one of the candidates, and the statement made by Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel - who is responsible for Cyprus affairs - in favor of independent candidate Rauf Denktash on the day of the election.''

Anisav recalled ``Article 99'' of the so-called Constitution and ``Article 139'' of the ``Law on Elections and Referendums'' which pertain to the ``elections''. These ``articles'' say: ``For a candidate to be elected president, the number of valid votes must reach the simple majority. If none of the candidates can receive the simple majority of the votes, the elections must be renewed seven days later between the two canidates who got most of the votes. In the second round, the candidate who gets most of the votes is elected president.''

The RTP charged that these articles were not implemented, explaining that the pertinent ``''Constitutional article'' says that the winner must receive the simple majority of the votes both in the first round and in the second round. The RTP asserted that the ``Constitution'' does not talk about a different method of electing the ``president''.

Regarding the second reason for the request to cancel the ``election'', the mutually accusatory speeches made by Eroglu and Denktash, the RTP charged that in these speeches, the two repeatedly accused each other of using ``public funds'' for ``election'' purposes, of exerting pressure on the voters, of carrying out partisanly acts, of using money from unclear sources, of listening to each other/s telephone conversations, of buying votes, and of issuing threats. In the letter, the RTP listed the times and dates of these speeches.

The RTP then referred to the biased madia coverage in Turkey in favor of one of the candidates from the day the ``election'' campaign began until 20 April 2000. It also pointed to the speech delivered by Turkish State Minister Gurel on 15 April 2000 in favor of Rauf Denktash.

In light of all this, the RTP said, it requests the cancellation of the ``official declaration'' that Rauf Denktash is ``president'' and the taking of the appropriate steps to renew the ``elections.''

[02] TURKISH CYPRIOTS ON DENKTASH/S CALL FOR EROGLU/S RESIGNATION,

At 1030 hours on 21 April, illegal Bayrak Radio carries a report on a news conference staged by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

In the news conference, Talat announced that he will seek the abolition of the ``elections'' on legal grounds. Talat stressed that to be elected ``president'', a candidate must receive over 50 percent of the votes.

Talat also criticized Denktash for asking the resignation of the ``prime minister'' and the ``foreign minister''. He said: ``Just like a king, President Rauf Denktash asked for these persons/ heads.'' Talat charged that during the ``election'' campaign, Denktash underlined the duty of ensuring the unity of the community, ``but following the declaration of his sultanate, he reverted to his policy of dividing the community into camps.''

``There was intervention in the elections, and everyone was witness to this intervention'', Talat declared, adding: ``No one is in a position to say that Turkey did not intervene.'' Talat also criticized Eroglu for withdrawing from the race without citing the reasons. ``This gave rise to suspicion'', Talat remarked, asking that the truth be revealed if pressure was applied. He pledged the support of the RTP if Eroglu reveals this pressure.

Talat explained that Denktash is viewed as the community leader at the United Nations and participates in the talks together with his colleagues, recalling that the so-called Republican Assembly grants authorities to the ``foreign minister'' with regard to the Cyprus problem and foreign affairs. Talat also issued a warning against any attempt to create chaos in the upcoming negotiating process.

In reply to a question, Talat remarked that the Turkish media was guided, it clearly expressed the wish for Denktash/s vistory, and it ignored the ``election'' bans.

According to the same illegal Bayrak Radio newscast, in a news conference on 21 April, National Resistance Party leader Enver Emin called for early ``general elections.'' He said that his party contributed significantly to the votes cast for Denktash and congratulated Denktash on his ``election.'' He suggested that the ``public administration'' and the ``public institutions'' sustained heavy wounds in the ``elections'', adding that partisan methods and pressure was also utilized.

Emin explained that he met with Eroglu one day before the latter withdrew from the race. He said that Eroglu proposed a merger between the parties and offered him ``any position'' in the party. Emin stated that he rejected this proposal.

At 1530 hours on 20 April, illegal Bayrak Radio carries reports on the statements of Vehbi Zeki Serter, National Unity Party (UBP) secretary general, and Mustafa Akinci, Communal Liberation Party (TKP) leader and ``deputy prime minister''.

Serter stressed that ``the UBP grass roots and leadership will continue the service race for the prosperity of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, having closed ranks as an inseparable whole around Dervis Eroglu, party leader and prime minister.''

Serter declared that ``despite this clear stand adopted by the party council, the statement made by the president today in violation of the principle of impartiality is viewed as unacceptable and regrettable by the UBP. The relevant party/s authorized organs decide on who the prime minister will be, and these organs consist of the party congress and the people.'' Serter adds that he expects Denktash to realize this fact and ``display the necessary impartiality as soon as possible and thus contribute to the unity and integrity of the society.''

According to the same newscast, Akinci on his part ``criticized the president/s attitude toward the government and called on him to act independently and impartially.'' In a news conference Akinci declared that there is no crisis in the UBP-TKP ``coalition government'', adding that ``the government is standing upright.''

Akinci said: ``I told Eroglu that if his decision to withdraw from the race is based on the belief that the TKP deceived him, we are ready to leave the coalition and allow him to establish another government''. Akinci added that Eroglu denied any such linkage. Akinci remarked: ``The president/s election on the basis of the votes he received in the first round is as legitimate as Eroglu/s serving as prime minister in his capacity as leader of the largest party that received 40 percent of the votes.''

Akinci stated: ``Tough negotiations will begin in New York on 23 May. Mr. Denktash will conduct these negotiations together with the government. Therefore, I expect him to amend his stand as soon as possible.''

[03] EROGLU REITERATES HE WILL REMAIN IN POWER

Addressing supporters, Eroglu added: ``I was not appointed to this post. I came to this post with the people/s votes. I will only leave it with your votes. When I leave this post, rest assured that my successor will also come with your votes, with the votes of the party congress.''

[04] TURKEY BESTOWS ATATURK PEACE PRIZE ON DENKTASH

The statement which was read out by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli says that Denktash ``never strayed from the process of international law and diplomacy, and exerted intensive efforts for lasting peace in Cyprus ever since 1974''. The statement says: ``We have decided to bestow the 2000 UABO to President Rauf Denktash of the TRNC because, through his continuous calls for peace, he has served world peace and international friendship, understanding, and goodwill in line with the great leader Ataturk/s motto of peace at home and peace in the world, and consequently because there are close links between Ataturk/s said principle and Mr. Denktash/s policies. This decision was approved by our honorable president on 13 April 2000.''

[05] ``ASSEMBLY SPEAKER'' VISITS ANKARA

In a statement at Ankara Esenboga Airport, Hasipoglu said that during his visit he will find the opportunity to meet various foreign parliamentary speaks and officials who are in Turkey within the framework of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

[06] CHINESE SPOKESMAN ON CYPRUS PROBLEM

He noted that the People/s Republic of China was in favor of solution of all problems between Turkey and Greece through dialogue.

Expressing satisfaction over the new dialogue process between Turkey and Greece, Zhu stressed that they supported the United Nations/approach towards the Cyprus question and its relevant resolutions.

[07] TURKISH CYPRIOT CAUGHT ON DRUG CLAIMS

[08] UNKNOWN CHURCH

The small church is kept clean and there is an ``interesting'' sign outside of the church that reads: ``Don/t touch the house of Allah''.

[09] DENKTASH SWORN ``PRESIDENT''

[10] KAZAKHSTAN-PSEUDOSTATE CULTURAL RELATIONS

In a report prepared by the Press Centre of the Kazakhstani Foreign Affairs Ministry, it is said that although Turkey took several initiatives, Kazakhstan does not consider it suitable or appropriate to have official relations in anyway with the ``TRNC''. But that doesn/t mean that it cannot have cultural and humanitarian relations with the pseudostate.

In the report it is stressed that they took this decision in view of the fact that the ``TRNC'' is not officially recognized by the UN and that the solution of the Cyprus problem has not been settled yet by international law.

Finally, Kazakhstan calls that the solution be based on the interests of both communities.

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

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