Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-06-05

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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] Turkish Finance Minister Oral illegally visits occupied area.

[02] Denktash meets Turkish Finance Minister.

[03] Denktash: Solution should precede EU membership.

[04] Denktash warns against preconditions at talks.

[05] Denktash wants separate accord with UNFICYP.

[06] Denktash expecting nothing from Geneva talks.

[07] Denktash calls for extraordinary economic measures.

[08] Turk-Sen rejects economic package.

[09] Eroglu to assume duties on 5 June.

[10] Turkey´s Gurel: Equal basis needed for direct Cyprus talks.

[11] British diplomat meets Talat.

[12] British Europarliamentarian visits pseudostate.

[13] Breeders Union criticizes Turkey´s imposing of embargo on goods from pseudostate.

[14] Journalists Union elects committee.

[15] British computer company to cooperate with "EMU".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Finance Minister Oral illegally visits occupied area

Oral stated that Turkish State Minister Recept Onal and experts on economy will come to "TRNC" on June 6 and that thus the economic problems can be discussed in detail.

Mehmet Bayram, so-called economy and finance minister, said that they will request the assistance of Oral in overcoming the economic problems of "TRNC".

Upon a question, Bayram said that news saying that some "TRNC citizens" withdrew their money from the banks in "TRNC" and deposited them to the banks in the Greek Cypriot side and that some "TRNC citizens" took credits from Greek Cypriot banks, are all speculative news.

This issue is exaggerated, Bayram added.

[02] Denktash meets Turkish Finance Minister

Pointing to the difficulties "TRNC" is facing in economy, Denktash said "touch our economy with your magical stick and save us from this disaster".

"Cyprus is an issue of national honour and Turkey cannot give up Cyprus for geopolitical purposes", Denktash added and said Turkey would not want all its coasts surrounded by Greek islands.

[03] Denktash: Solution should precede EU membership

"Presidential under secretary" Ergun Olgun, "presidential advisers" Necati Munir Ertegun and Taner Etkin, and "political affairs director" Mustafa Evran were also present at the meeting. According to illegal Bayrak Radio (10:30 hours, 2.6.00), in a statement at the meeting, Denktash claimed that the actions of the Greek Cypriots are not aimed at a solution, adding that they are encouraging and giving priority to EU membership over a solution. Denktash said: "They believe that they will succeed in their goal. Everything has a price. If they will continue to act in this manner, then that means that they will have to pay the price". Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots side has not renounced the thesis that a solution should precede EU membership, Denktash stressed that becoming a EU member before a solution is out of the question.

Noting that priority should be given to forming a government that represents the whole of Cyprus, Denktash said that "if priority is given to joining the EU without establishing a government, then our path will be blocked. This grieves us".

Bandler said that the United States attaches great importance to the third round proximity talks, adding that they aim at sharing the views of the sides prior to the talks. He stressed that the United States is ready to make contributions in a bid to ensure that the Cyprus talks turn out to be as beneficial, constructive, and positive as possible. In reply to a reporter´s question, Bandler said that Alfred Moses, the special Cyprus envoy of US President Clinton, will arrive in Cyprus toward the end of June but that the exact date has not yet been determined.

[04] Denktash warns against preconditions at talks

"They clearly know that this will be possible with the consent of the two peoples".

Furthermore, illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (15:30 hours, 2.6.00) reports that Denktash has also said that the proximity talks have no preconditions and are not linked to the UN resolutions. He said: "The Cyprus issue will be resolved based on the realities and the free will of the two equal and sovereign peoples. We do not accept any preconditions".

In a written statement he issued, Denktash criticized the fact that the Greek Cypriot-Greek side is seeking a reference to the UN resolutions in every statement issued on the Cyprus issue. Denktash stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side rejects most of the UN resolutions because they accept the Cyprus Government as the legitimate Cyprus Government.

[05] Denktash wants separate accord with UNFICYP

Denktash said that efforts are underway for this agreement.

Some developments have been marked in their initiatives regarding the separate agreement, Denktash noted. He added that if the Greek Cypriot side want UNFICYP to leave the island if there is separate agreement with the Turkish Cypriots, Denktash said "we will not object this. We insist on our rights and want to have the agreement with the UN".

[06] Denktash expecting nothing from Geneva talks

In a statement at the meeting, Denktash referred to the Cyprus issue and said that he does expect anything from the third round proximity talks to begin in Geneva on 5 June, adding: "Some, however, have certain expectations".

Denktash stated that during their phone conversation Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary General´s special Cyprus envoy, told him: "Be ready to hold talks throughout the month of July". Denktash noted that he told him that "it might be possible" without taking into consideration the 20 July "celebrations" and then he conveyed to de Soto that he has to be in the "TRNC" between 14 and 22 July.

Furthermore, illegal Nicosia Bayrak Radio 1 (15:30 hours, 3.6.00) reports that Rauf Denktash has said that Turkish Cypriots are not against the EU, but against its use as a trap.

Speaking at the meeting with members of the Foreign Press Union Denktash claimed that in order to eliminate Turkey´s guarantor rights over Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots have been trying to bring an international police force to Cyprus. He reiterated that it is impossible to reach an agreement without Turkey´s guarantees.

Denktash said: "We have not been taken in by the ploy of joining the EU. We will not join the EU unless sour state and our status are recognized." Denktash warned that if the Greek Cypriots advance their recourse to the EU, "they get the answer they deserve".

[07] Denktash calls for extraordinary economic measures

Denktash had a meeting with the representatives of the Kibris Kredi Bankasi and Kibris Turk Endustri Bankasi depositors and conferred with them for some time. Speaking on behalf of the depositors, Abdurrahman Seref said that there is a crisis of confidence in the "state", adding that the depositors should be paid their interest rates as well as their savings if this crisis is to be overcome.

Pointing out that he has begun to receive criticisms to the effect that the "state" affiliated banks are sending bailiffs to debtors´ doors, Denktash said that debts to banks cannot be paid because of the crisis and that it is wrong to sent bailiffs to debtors pretending that there is no crisis. Denktash stated that while extraordinary measures are called for, action is being taken as though the economic crisis were nothing but a banking crisis. He noted that no one is satisfied with the economic package that has been prepared. Pointing out that the "government" should establish a confidence inspiring formation, Denktash said: "At least those in certain positions can be replaced. I am not saying that the government should change. Let us be able to tell Turkey that we have taken the necessary steps and that their trust in us should be restored."

[08] Turk-Sen rejects economic package

Turk-Sen leader Onder Konuloglu and the Federation´s administrative council members, accompanied by a large group composed of the leaders and the representatives of the unions affiliated with the Federation, called on Bayram.

Turk-Sen returned the socio-economic package to Bayram on grounds that "it cannot meet the needs of the TRNC and that it comprises unacceptable provisions".

[09] Eroglu to assume duties on 5 June

[10] Turkey´s Gurel: Equal basis needed for direct Cyprus talks

Gurel replied to correspondent´s questions regarding the proximity talks and the socio-economic package drafted by the "government". Pointing out that direct talks cannot be held without first preparing an equal and common ground, Gurel claimed: "The Greek Cypriot side is trying to create an impasse by diverting the proximity talks into another direction. With the help of the related third parties, the Greek Cypriots should come closer to the reality of the Cyprus issue, equalize the foundation, and eliminated the embargo imposed on the Turkish Cypriots with a view to demonstrating their intention to reach a conciliation".

In reply to a question on Turkish-Greek relations, Gurel noted that it is wrong to index these relations to the Cyprus issue. The Turkish minister added: "There are serious problems between Turkey and Greece. If we can begin discussing the Aegean problem, the obstacles in front of Turkish- Greek friendship can be eliminated. What must be done is to begin discussion on the Aegean problems between Turkey and Greece, rather than present issues such as Cyprus as an obstacle to the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece and to the advancement of the relations between Turkey and the EU."

Answering a question on EU-Cyprus-Turkey relations, Gurel underlined the importance of the "TRNC´s" beginning to establish its own relations with the EU as well as with all the other world countries. Gurel remarked that despite Turkey´s warnings, the EU embarked upon a difficult process. He stressed that the EU can register progress with regard to the Cyprus issue only if a political solution is reached that is acceptable to both sides.

Asked to comment on the "government´s" socio-economic package, Gurel said that he does not wish to say anything concrete on this matter. Noting that this is the affair of the "TRNC government" Gurel said: "We do not regard the Turkish Cypriot people as separate from us. We are trying to overcome all the problems together. Therefore, the support we have provided until now will continue in the future as well. Difficulties have been encountered in the TRNC economy. These difficulties must be surmounted and communal mobilization is needed. Moreover, certain concepts should change. It is necessary to turn into a productive community that sells the products it produces and that realizes investments".

[11] British diplomat meets Talat

Buck and Talat exchanged views on the third round of the indirect Cyprus talks, Cyprus EU relations and the economic problems of the pseudostate.

[12] British Europarliamentarian visits pseudostate

Richard Balfe said that the aim of his visit to the occupied area is to show the world that "there are some friends of the TRNC".

Balfe met yesterday with the so-called state minister and deputy prime minister Mustafa Akinci.

In a statement prior to the meeting, Balfe said that he is interested in the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and is going to have "official" contacts. He added: "I am going to ask what can I do to contribute more for the TRNC and I am here to help TRNC in its national policy, which I support".

In a short statement Akinci said that Balfe is one of the closest friends of "TRNC."

Balfe before his arrival on the island had carried out contacts in Ankara. He will depart on Monday.

[13] Breeders Union criticizes Turkey´s imposing of embargo on goods from pseudostate

Yucener also said that around 100 tons of "halloumi cheese" loaded on five lorries, were waiting at the Mersin Customs, South Turkey, for the last five days. Yucener said that Turkish officials excuse themselves for the delay at the Mersin Customs, saying that the reason is the new amendments introduced to the Customs Laws in Turkey.

Yucener said: "We are of the opinion that following citrus fruits and the Raki (Ouzo), the Republic of Turkey has started imposing an embargo on the dairy products from Cyprus".

[14] Journalists Union elects committee

During the meeting the nine member executive committee was elected.

The committee then elected Ozer Hatay as its new chairman. The other members of the Committee are:

- Kemal Darbaz - deputy chairman - Eftal Keser - general secretary - Cenk Mutluyakali - organizational secretary - Eralp Adanir - education and social affair - Sadettin Celalettinoglu - financial affairs - Fezil Atuf - foreign relations - Ismet Ozgonen - press and public relations - Huseyin Ekmekci - press and public relations

[15] British computer company to cooperate with "EMU"

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