Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-05-18

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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. 93/00 -- 18.5.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on Eroglu to resign.

[02] Hasipoglu assures crisis to pass with Turkey/s aid.

[03] Turkey, Greece maintain stands on Aegean issue.

[04] Eroglu held responsible for banking crisis, Turkish Cypriots/ existence under threat.

[05] Military Attaches will be posted abroad.

[06] First Women Congress.

[07] Denktash in Ankara.

[08] Historical monuments neglected.

[09] Wild donkeys poisoned.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on Eroglu to resign

Talat stated that if the economic crisis in the occupied area is to be surmounted, first and foremost the ``government'' should resign and pave the way for a new ``government''. Pointing out that the Turkish Central Bank, which controls the injection of money, is also responsible for the banking and economic crises, Talat proposed that, for the short-term solution of the crisis, the Turkish Central Bank contribute money, the assets acquired by the bank owners using the banks/ resources be confiscated, and the $100 million deposits that have been transferred abroad be brought back into the country.

The long-term solution of the economic and social crisis, Talat claimed, lies in joining the EU accession process and implementing EU norms. Charging that the ``National Unity Party (UBP)-Communal Liberation Party government'' is the most unsuccessful ``government'' of the Turkish Cypriot community, Talat said that the organizations (NGO/s) he visited with the aim of exchanging views on economic matters for the most part also expressed a lack of trust in the ``government''. Talat added that ``it will be impossible to implement an economic measures package to be drafted without incorporating the views and support of non-governmental organizations (NGO/s)''.

Referring to press reports on Kemal Saracoglu, the Turkish Cypriot child who is suffering from leukaemia, Talat accused the ``Health and Environment Ministry'' of trying to obstruct the blood donation campaign launched by NGO/s.

Talat explained that following Eroglu/s candidacy for president, his relations with ``President'' Rauf Denktash and Turkey have deteriorated. He added: The people are being forced to pay the price for the attempts to end Eroglu/s political life. The people are sad. Sensitivity must be displayed in this regard.

Pointing out that Turkey/s intervention in the will of the Turkish Cypriots in all fields, ranging from the economy to the elections, has created a rift between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people, Talat noted that even the banks are being supervised by delegations from Turkey. Talat remarked that many initiative areas such as the Turkish Cypriot Airlines, the Maritime Administration, the Tobacco Industry Corporation, and the GSM system are not under the control of the Turkish Cypriot community, adding:

``President''Denktash was also elected with Turkey/s intervention. These moves undertaken within the framework of integration are eroding the Turkish Cypriot community. ``The government does not object to anything as long as Turkey gives money'', Talat declared.

[02] Hasipoglu assures crisis to pass with Turkey/s aid

Hasipoglu asked people not to fall into despair and asserted that no alternative is better than parliamentary democracy.

Hasipoglu stressed that Turkey gave all kinds of support to the occupied area and added that ``Turkish soldiers watch TRNC/s borders''.

Speaking about the Cyprus problem, Hasipoglu claimed that the Turkish side had good intentions. However, he alleged that the Greek Cypriot side tries to keep the Turks under political and economic pressure which blocks the resolution of the problem.

``It is impossible to live together with Greek Cypriots'', Hasipoglu declared and noted that ``sovereignty, political equality and Turkey/s guarantee cannot be debated''.

Hasipoglu was speaking in occupied Lefka on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the ``Lefka municipality''.

[03] Turkey, Greece maintain stands on Aegean issue

Addressing the weekly news conference, Atacanli evaluated the developments in Turkish-Greek relations, and noted that developments recorded in the recent months were satisfactory.

Pointing out that they attributed importance to the deepening of carrying joint work, Atacanli said that the controversial Aegean issue has not yet been included in the joint work, adding that the concerned sides maintain their own attitudes in this respect.

When recalled the three note of protests lodged to Greece on the Aegean issue recently, he said, ``we have covered the news reports in Greek media that there were constructions in several geographical formations in the Aegean. Upon several news reports appeared in Greek media, with an initiative made on May 10, 2000, we had to bring our views, which have been reiterated many times, to the attention of the Greek Embassy''.

Noting that negative statements and expressions toward the media would not help the improvement of confidence atmosphere in the Aegean, Atacanli underlined that the joint work should be carried out cautiously, patiently, and carefully.

Responding to another question, Atacanli said it is out of question to give flight plan to Greek officials for the flights of Turkish planes, which will take place in international air space.

Recalling that it is normal for military planes to get flight permission for the flights over the air spaces of other countries, Atacanli said it is pleasing that Greece gave permission for the flights of Turkish planes which went to Western Europe for NATO assignments after a long time.

Atacanli said it was not necessary for the Turkish planes to give flight plan to Greece for the manoeuvres and training flights which Turkish planes had in the international air space.

[04] Eroglu held responsible for banking crisis, Turkish Cypriots/ existence under threat

A statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce yesterday noted that the so- called Economy and Finance Minister Mehmet Bayram and his under secretaries are also responsible in the first degree, adding: ``They should display the attitude called for by political ethics''.

Pointing out that lessons should be learned from mistakes and the necessary measures implemented without any further loss of time, the statement remarked that it is essential that this is undertaken in a creative and courageous manner after consulting all the sectors in the economy.

The statement warned that unless necessary measures are adopted ``our communal existence is under threat''.

[05] Military Attaches will be posted abroad

[06] First Women Congress

Out of a total population of 200,000 in the occupied areas, 95,000 are women. Yet only 27% of the women work. Out of this amount the majority works in the so-called public services.

87% of the women know how to read and write and only 10% did not graduate from any school.

[07] Denktash in Ankara

Meanwhile, Denktash will fly to Ankara again on 19th May to receive the ``Ataturk International Peace Prize'' and will return the same day.

[08] Historical monuments neglected

According to the article, there are complaints all the time that not many tourists visit the occupied areas but at the same time the ``authorities'' cannot provide the proper services to the tourists who are interested in the archaeological monuments.

The author gives the ``Makaria houses'' as an example. These chambers are located 3,5km north west of the occupied village of Ay. Ambrosios. This historical monument is in a really bad condition due to the lack of care.

According to the article, the Makaria houses were built by digging and cutting the rocks underground and it was done chamber by chamber during the 10th century in Byzantine times. They were used for protection during raids by Arab pirates.

But the ``relevant authorities'' did not show any interest in these houses.

[09] Wild donkeys poisoned

This matter is covered by all the Turkish Cypriot media.

In the last few days wild donkeys have been found dead and there is no doubt that they have been poisoned.

The chairman of the Animals Protection Association, Tomris Guven, said that after an autopsy which was carried out by the ``veterinary department'', it was found out that the reasons for the deaths of wild donkeys were poisoning or shooting.

Guven expressed his sorrow, pointing out that ``this situation is unbelievable and will influence tourism in a negative way''.

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

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