Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-05-25

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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] Denktash, NGO/s disappointed with economic package.

[02] Turkish, Greek Foreign Ministers meet, issue statement.

[03] Akinci and Bayram meet Ecevit and Gurel in Ankara.

[04] Inal Batu: Turkey must solve Cyprus problem to enter EU.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, NGO/s disappointed with economic package

At 10:30 hours on 24 May, the radio reports that replying to correspondent/s question, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said that he is disappointed with the package. Denktash says: "A fire is raging in the country. I would have expected the fire brigade to extinguish the fire and to announce what is to be done after the fire is put out. Even though the package was drawn up with goodwill, it is full of promises similar to the ones made during the general elections, and contains very few measures to put out the fire". Denktash also says that he does not understand why political and constitutional issues were included in the economic package, adding: "The package talks about civilianizing the police force. We are trying to eliminate partisanly practices in the civilian organizations. We are thinking of new measures. It would not be right to place the police force in the hands of circles that are the champions of partisanly behaviour". Later, Denktash points out that "deputy prime minister" Akinci and "economy and finance minister" Mehmet Bayram went to Ankara to exchange views with Turkish officials on the economy. Denktash says that this consultation should have been conducted before the package was disclosed. He charges that "the package was placed before us as a fait accompli".

The same news cast reports that earlier, 11 unions and the Chamber of Engineers and Architects returned the package to the "minister of economy and finance", saying that "they do not believe that it will contribute to the country/s economy". The unions maintain that the package will bring down the economic standards of the Turkish Cypriots and will not enable the Turkish Cypriot economy to stand on its own feet. Mehmet Bayram reportedly says that he hoped the unions would have expressed their own constructive views. He says returning the package undermines social peace and is antidemocratic. He then points out that he and Akinci are going to Ankara on Turkey/s invitation and that all the problems will be discussed there. He adds: "Sometimes we reach a point where we cannot solve our problems on our own. All the countries in the world consult each other to solve their problems."

Illegal Bayrak Radio at 10:30 hours on 23 May reports that Ali Seylani, leader of the Turkish Cypriot "Civil Servants Union", describes the package as one of "price hikes and destruction", and charges that it lacks goals and solutions.

Illegal Bayrak Radio in Turkish at 10:30 hours on 24 May reports on the reaction of another "civil servants union", Kamu-Sen, which refers to the package as "a tangle of promises, price hikes, taxes, and usurpation of rights".

At 15:30 hours on 23 May illegal Bayrak reports on the reaction of the Democratic Struggle Platform (DMP) which is comprised of 22 NGO/s. The DMP says that the package is "far from meeting the expectations".

Moreover, according to HALKIN SESI (25.5.00) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, commenting on the so-called new economic package prepared by the pseudo-government, said that it is not appropriate to raise the issue of attaching the police force to the "interior ministry".

In a written statement Denktash said that he is studying the economic package prepared by the so-called government.

Referring specifically to the proposal in the package to "attach the police force to the interior ministry, thus providing for the police force to be under civilian control," Denktash said: "What drew my attention is that issues are included in the Economic Package which have no relation with the economy and which need political decision. Specifically I want to focus on the Police Organization. On this issue what we think in principle is not important. What is important is the time factor and the lack of holding the necessary consultations. Authorities which have a saying on the subject and all the interested parties have yet to agree on this issue.

Today we are discussing how we will do away with the political oppression, nepotism and partisan actions in several administrative councils and establishments. I am of the opinion that it will not be proper to raise the issue of placing the Police Organization under civilian administration - an organization which is being kept away from political oppression and partisan activities, and consequently it has won the trust and respect of the people- without getting rid of this political oppression and partisan activities, and without taking the necessary measures against them."

Denktash concludes: "It is necessary to discuss this issue among us and - in these crease fire years we are living - especially as regards the question of timing, first we have to meet all the interested people and reach a mutual agreement".

[02] Turkish, Greek Foreign Ministers meet, issue statement

"We will instruct the political directors to study the ways of further deepening the recent rapprochement between Turkey and Greece. Our aim is to strengthen the neighbourly relations between the two countries."

The Cem-Papandreou meeting was assessed in various ways behind the scenes. Certain circles said that the efforts to increase confidence will not be restricted to the military field but to fields that were omitted in past accords reached between the two countries.

It is reported that the deputy undersecretaries of the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministries will hold their first meeting in June. They will try to advance the existing projects.

[03] Akinci and Bayram meet Ecevit and Gurel in Ankara

Akinci and Bayram first had a meeting with Sukru S. Gurel and then with Bulent Ecevit.

After the meeting Gurel said "Turkey considers TRNC as an independent state and within the framework of political developments, we have never stopped the assessments. But we have not seen any difference from the economic and social point of view in the pseudostate. We will continue our observation".

On the bank crisis issue, Gurel said: "We have been supporting the TRNC until now in every field and we will continue to give this support".

[04] Inal Batu: Turkey must solve Cyprus problem to enter EU

Speaking at a conference at the Cultural Centre of the "CUMHURIYET University" on "Turkey/s Foreign Policies in the 21st century" Batu said that Turkey/s accession to the EU carries major importance. He went on and added: "In case we enter the EU, we will neither have the Putin danger from Russia nor Iran could committee acts of terror in Turkey, nor a state could be established in northern Iraq that harbours animosity towards Turkey, nor this (unfair) distribution of income and poverty could continue.

Years ago our politicians missed major opportunities for EU membership. At that time the industrialists as well refused EU membership. And now in order we become a full EU member, it is necessary to solve the Cyprus problem and overcome the Greco-Turkish problems by the year 2004".

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

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