Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-05-19

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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. 94/00 -- 19.5.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] RTP to assess DP proposal if "government" resigns Talat: Turkey wants to do away with Eroglu

[02] Turkish Cypriot party holds contacts in free areas.

[03] Eroglu in good health, says "government" to continue.

[04] Turkey: Greek-Cypriot military exercise escalating tension.

[05] Denktash flies to Ankara.

[06] Economic packet to be announced.

[07] Ferry links between Kyrenia and Turkey.

[08] Arab tourism delegation in occupied areas.

[09] German Ambassador holds reception in occupied area.

[10] Ataturk Memorial Day celebrations.

[11] Visit to Kokkina.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] AVRUPA says the responsibility lies on Ankara.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] RTP to assess DP proposal if "government" resigns

According to local papers (19.5.00), the Democratic Party (DP) has proposed that the so-called National Unity Party (NUP) - Communal Liberation Party (CLP) coalition "government" resign and a new "government" to incorporate the four parties represented in the Assembly be established with a view to overcoming the current economic crisis in the country.

NUP Secretary General Vehbi Zeki Serter has rejected this proposal, while RTP (Republican Turkish Party) leader Mehmet Ali Talat has said that if the "government" resigns then this proposal can be assessed.

After their visit to the NUP yesterday, the DP officials headed by Serdar Denktash went to the RTP headquarters and discussed the current economic situation with Talat and the other officials.

In a statement after the hour-long meeting, Serdar Denktash said that the so-called government, which has been in power for the last 16 months, is incapable of solving the economic crisis, adding that the people including the nongovernmental organizations no longer trust it. Noting that the purpose of their visits to the NUP and the RTP was to convey to the parties their proposal to establish a four-party coalition for the duration of only six months in a bid to overcome the economic crisis and to seek their support. Pointing out that the many aspects of the current "government" that deserve criticism, Denktash continued: "Many aspects of the government invite criticism, but we are not levelling much criticism. If they cannot overcome the current economic crisis, then we, as a party, will increase our criticisms". Charging that the country is going through its worst economic crisis since 1974, Denktash said that none of the opposition parties are considering of coming to power, but that given the current economic crisis they want to assume power with the aim of finding logical solutions to the existing problems".

Talat said that they are considering the DP proposal but that they cannot give a reply at the moment since the NUP has rejected the proposal. He further noted that at the moment he does not have the authority to reply to such a proposal. Talat said that if the so-called government resigns then they might assess the proposal. Talat stated that he did not understand why Akinci, CLP leader and so-called deputy prime minister, is against the resignation of the "government" and claims that it will damage democracy now that six banks have gone bankrupt while he was the one who said that it should resign in the initial stage of the banking crisis in which only four banks had gone bankrupt. Talat concluded by saying that this "government", which inspires no confidence in any sector of the community, should reveal its intentions as soon as possible and should generate alternatives.

Meanwhile, YENIDUZEN (19.5.00) reports that RTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in an exclusive interview to a local radio said that: It is officially conveyed to Eroglu that Turkey wants Denktash to be elected as president. Despite this Eroglu put forward his candidacy. As a result of this they said that after the elections Eroglu/s political life will be finished. Eroglu as well knows this and the economic crisis has direct relations with this. Turkey wants to do away with Eroglu".

Talat further said that the most critical installations in the occupied area are either handed over to Turkey or to the Turkish private sector. As an example Talat cited: Air and Maritime lines, Petroleum, tobacco factories etc. He said this is the result of the integration policies.

[02] Turkish Cypriot party holds contacts in free areas

According to a statement issued by the YBH, Izcan met with Vassos Lyssarides, president of the Social-Democrats Movement (KISOS) and exchanged views with him on the solution of the Cyprus problem and the rapprochement between the two communities. A decision was also made during the meeting for a KISOS party delegation to go to the occupied area on 20 June as the guest of the YBH. Izcan also delivered a lecture in Limassol on the past, present and future of the Cyprus problem. Answering questions from the floor, Izcan declared that a federation is the only solution for the island, that the two communities should act together, and that if the aim is to join the EU, it is necessary above all to comply with the Copenhagen criteria.

[03] Eroglu in good health, says "government" to continue

Eroglu also noted that he is in very good health, adding that he is still resting this week at the recommendation of his doctor. He said that he will begin taking walks as of tomorrow, and he is planning to return to work in three weeks.

Pointing out that "states" occasionally encounter economic problems and measures are adopted to eliminate them, Eroglu declared that they are determined to implement certain measures needed for the sake of the country/s future, with no consideration for populist policies and after seeking the consensus of nongovernmental organizations and political parties.

Eroglu also underlined that the calls for the dissolution of the pseudo parliament run counter to the notion of democracy, adding that those who express such views are damaging certain institutions.

[04] Turkey: Greek-Cypriot military exercise escalating tension

The ministry statement said, "it is clear that the military exercise will not contribute to the third round of proximity talks, planned to take place at the beginning of July".

[05] Denktash flies to Ankara

[06] Economic packet to be announced

[07] Ferry links between Kyrenia and Turkey

The express belongs to the fleet of Fergun Denizcilik (Navigation) firm. There will be two return trips between Kyrenia to Alanya weekly.

Moreover, it is reported that as from the 2nd of June there will also be a sea-link between Kyrenia and Anamur.

[08] Arab tourism delegation in occupied areas

The Arab delegation, which comes from Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, was informed on the "TRNC/S" tourism.

The director of Mercan tourism and travel agency, Guneyt Mengu, said that within the framework of religious tourism, they can contribute to organize charter flights to the "TRNC".

[09] German Ambassador holds reception in occupied area

The reception was attended by the "TRNC Assembly Speaker" Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the leader of DP Serdar Denktash, the leader of RTP Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called foreign affairs and defence undersecretary minister Osman Ertus, the "undersecretary of the Turkish Embassy to Nicosia" Bulent Tulun, the "Ombudsman" Nail Atalay, Denktash/s advisor Necati Munir Ertekun and representatives of civil organizations, businessmen, and professors.

[10] Ataturk Memorial Day celebrations

Within the framework of these celebrations a Turkish Parliamentary soccer team (21MPs) arrived yesterday to the occupied areas in order to have a friendly game with the "TRNC Assembly" team.

[11] Visit to Kokkina

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] AVRUPA says the responsibility lies on Ankara

Text:

This path will be covered...

This struggle will be waged...

Neither Fuat (the lawyer who secured a warrant of distraint for AVRUPA/s equipment) nor Rauf Denktash will be able to stop the waging of this struggle.

If the Turkish Cypriots today come to the annihilation point, it is Ankara that is responsible for that...

And Ankara is at a cross-road. It will either lend an ear to the Turkish Cypriot cries and issue new orders to its representatives here...

Or, under Denktash/s leadership, it will give the last blow to finish us off and whatever is left behind. If the coffers of the Central Bank have been emptied before the Governor of the Central Bank Demirhass Sayiner, it is Ankara that is responsible which continues to keep him at that post.

If our banks one after another go bankrupt and billions of savings flow to the banks having Turkish capital, the responsibility falls upon Ankara, which does not even move a hair to do something.

If our economy is totally gone bankrupt, it is Ankara/s responsibility that does not allow us to adopt another monetary unit, other than the Turkish Lira.

If there is a wide economic gap between us and the Greek Cypriots, the responsibility of this as well lies more on Ankara/s useless bitter prescriptions sent all the time here rather than on the governments here.

If in one day 75 lawsuits are opened against "AVRUPA" and hearings will start on 26 May, the responsibility lies more on the Government in Ankara and the Chief of Staff which turn a blind eye to all these rather than on General Ali Nihat Ozeyranli.

Ankara is responsible for what its representatives are doing here, as well as for our bankrupt economy, bankrupt banks and for the accusations that we (Turkish Cypriots, Tr: note) are lazy, parasites and clumsy.

It is responsible as our Motherland.

It is responsible as a guarantor power.

It is responsible in accordance with the provisional Article 10 of our Constitution.

It is responsible because of the presence and existence of its representatives at the Coordination Committee which is responsible for even a flying bird in this country.

If Ankara continues to shrug off the responsibility and continues behind the scene to incite Turkish Cypriots against each other...

And most important... If Ankara is carried away with Denktash/s policies and creates a new consultative assembly, it gives the green light to Denktash to introduce the presidential system...

And if it gives the last blow to our democracy it is like our economy is in the throes of death...

The responsibility for this will be very serious. We were producers, and they made us become consumers... we kept silent. They have taken our Cyprus pound and in its place gave us the Turkish Lira... we kept silent.

They prohibited us to export our raki (ouzo) to Turkey... we kept silent.

For the unfair competition meted out to our banks by Turkish banks from Turkey, we did not say anything.

We kept silent, when they decided for us whom we should elect or not.

We kept silent, when they told us you cannot put the police under the interior ministry/s order.

We kept silent when they told us - put into practice these bitter prescriptions.

And now our life remains to be given...

So let them either take our lives or be afraid of our wrath.

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

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