Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-07-27

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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. 142/00 -- 27.7.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot organizaitons issue statement on recent incidents in pseudostate.

[02] Turkish Cypriot ``civil servants'' criticize Hasipoglu stand on depositors/ demonstration.

[03] Bank victims coordination committee chairman arrested.

[04] Important report on Cyprus at Turkey/s National Security Council.

[05] Ecevit says necessary initiatives launched regarding ``TRNC'' problems.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry: ``TRNC'' has political maturity to solve own problems.

[07] Differences between Turkish, Greek Cypriot proposals reported.

[08] ``Police Chief'' comments on AVRUPA case.

[09] Pseudo-government to go to Ankara to secure funds.

[10] Silent protest.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot organizations issue statement on recent incidents in pseudostate

In a statement he made on behalf of the 44 organizations, KTOEOS (Secondary School Teachers/ Union) Chairman Ahmet Barcin has said that the Denktash regime is preparing a coup. Here is the joint statement prepared by the 44 organizations:

``Our democracy received another wound on 24 July when the Rapid Reaction Forces shot plastic bullets and hurled tear gas bombs at thousands of our depositors (who lost their deposits in Turkish Cypriot banks) who were demonstrating under democratic conditions. The Rapid Reaction Forces wounded a large number of press members and civilians including men, women, elderly, and young people. A number of the wounded citizens were taken to hospital for treatment.

Our people have frightened the sovereign rulers with the meeting named `This is Our Country/ that they have held on 18 July. Those who have panicked from our endeavour to claim the ownerships of our country are trying to revenge against our people.

The Denktash regime, which seeks to fish in murky waters, is preparing a coup under the guise of the `presidential system/. GKK (Turkish Cypriot Security Forces) commander Brigadier-General Nihat Ozeyranli, the Parliament Speaker, and the General Director of the Police have played a role in this provocation that aims at staging a coup.

These attacks are directed against the will of the Turkish Cypriot people, who have condemned Denktash in their conscience. The regime has already gone bankrupt.

Brigadier-General Nihat Ozeyranli and Director of the Police Department Erdem Demirbag, who have been appointed as the heads of the security forces, must be immediately dismissed from their jobs. Those who have shot at the citizens with plastic bullets, those who have hurled tear gas bombs at the people, and those who have given the order to have these attacks carried out against the people must be brought to justice. The government/s endeavour to turn a blind eye to these events is not acceptable.

The fact that the UBP (National Unity Party) - TKP (Communal Liberation Party) coalition government is not an excellent government must be made known publicly. More than a hundred individuals have been arrested during these incidents. Scores of citizens have been transferred to the hospital after being wounded during these incidents. Some of these citizens have received their wounds after being beaten up by truncheons, while others have been wounded by plastic bullets or from the explosion of tear gas bombs. The fact that eight members of the press were among the wounded citizens is a proof of the existence of a planned operation against the press members.

Those who have received their powers from Provisional Article 10 of the Constitution are continuing their attacks against our people. Our organizations, which are defending the existence of the Turkish Cypriot community and the right of this community to govern itself, is intent on continuing this struggle.

Neither bombs nor truncheons can stop us from waging our struggle. Our struggle will continue until the Turkish Cypriot people reach a stage where they can govern themselves. Provisional Article 10 must be annulled immediately. This is our country and we will govern it on our own. Our people will give the necessary reply to these attacks and provocative incidents. The arrested citizens must be released immediately. Those responsible for the latest incidents must be penalized.

(Signed) CTP, YBH, KTOS, KTOEOS, DEV-IS, Devrimci Genel Is, Emek-Is, BES, Turk-Sen, KTAMS, KTMMOH, El-Sen, Tel-Sen, Basin-Sen, Bel-Sen, TUP-Is, YON- Sen, KOOP-Sen, GUC-Sen, DAU-Sen, PEY-Sen, Kamu-Is, Kamu-Sen, Hur-Is, Famagusta Turk-Is Union, Turkish Cypriot Artisans and Artists Chamber, the Consumer Association, Union of Turkish Cypriot Animal Farmers, YKB, Union of Turkish Cypriot Artists and Writers, the Association of Peoples and Freedoms, the Association of Kyrenia Public Arts, Socialist Reality in Cyprus, EKIM Association of Cultures and Arts, the Cyprus Arts Association, the Peace Association, the Peace and Democracy Initiative, KIB-YAY, Naci Talat Foundation, Kutlu Adali Foundation, the Women/s Movement for Peace and Federal Solution, the Women/s Center of Research, KIBES (Cypriot Association of Sciences, Education, Health, and Solidarity), the Cooperation Committee of Bank Victims''.

[02] Turkish Cypriot ``civil servants'' criticize Hasipoglu stand on depositors/ demonstration

In a written statement he issued, union leader Ali Seylani said that at a time when those who caused the suffering of tens of thousands of people are walking around free, Hasipoglu should have embraced all the people and those who lost their savings earmarked for their childlren/s education, wedding, medicine, or bread and who staged an action in order to express their reaction to being deceived by the ``government'' in addition to the bank owners; but, instead, with his statements he caused new explosions among the community.

[03] Bank victims coordination committee chairman arrested

Gorgun, whom ``officials'' said was wanted by the ``police'', surrendered after holding a press conference.

[04] Important report on Cyprus at Turkey/s National Security Council

The NSC met under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Istanbul yesterday. The meeting lasted approximately four hours. The following statement was issued by the NSC Secretariat General in connection with the Cyprus issue:

``The meeting also reviewed the significant foreign events of the month, especially the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue, and made assessments in this regard.

Moreover, the NSC stressed the need to meticulously conduct and conclude the work that must be undertaken in the EU membership process in accordance with our state/s long-term interests''.

Attending the NSC meeting were Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, chief of the General Staff; NSC member ministers; the force commanders; the Gendarmerie general commander; and the NSC secretary general. Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Husamettin Ozkan, and Mesut Yilmaz also participated in the meeting. State Minister Sukru Gurel also attended part of the meeting because of his connection with some of the agenda items.

Furthermore, according to HURRIYET (27.7.00) Turkey/s National Security Council met yesterday and discussed the ``spy case'' and the banking crisis in the occupied area.

HURRIYET reports that Council members requested that Sukru Sina Gurel, State Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs, attend the meeting.

``Following the recent events in the TRNC a comprehensive `Cyprus Report/ has been submitted to the National Security Council (NSC). In the report it is mentioned that the government/s wrong policies have played a major role in the events that took place recently,'' HURRIYET says.

In the report there are various allegations against ``prime minister'' Dervish Eroglu and ``finance and trade minister'' Mehmet Bayram.

Speaking to HURRIYET, Turkish State Minister Gurel said: ``Everybody should come to their senses. No one should ask things from Turkey that Turkey cannot fulfill. One has to put their house in order before trying to change anything.''

HURRIYET claims that the ``Cyprus Report'' was the top item on the NSC/s agenda.

HURRIYET also publishes certain headings of the report.

Regarding so-called prime minister Dervish Eroglu, the report says: ``The newspaper AVRUPA receives financial support from the Greek Cypriot side as well as from some European countries. Prior to elections, prime minister Dervish Eroglu secretly extended a helping hand to this paper. The only reason for this support was the paper/s opposition to Denktash. Ankara has expressed its worries because Eroglu was refusing to listen to Turkey. However, following the breaking in of the Assembly, Eroglu contacted Ankara and demanded assistance from Turkey.

This demand from Eroglu was not received warmly in Ankara, because for a long time now Eroglu has refused to pay attention to the warnings coming from Turkey. Despite this, Ankara has informed Eroglu by saying `we will do everything within our power. However, first you have to put your house into order/. Following this, Eroglu told the Turkish Cypriots that he had discussed the issue with Turkey, and that as of August they will resume the payments to the effected depositors.

Ankara has expressed its dislike regarding Eroglu/s easy - going stance.

Subtitle: Mehmet Bayram

The Finance and Trade Minister Mehmet Bayram is also responsible for customs. He also acts as distributor of the German Volkswagen cars. Regarding this issue an investigation should be opened as soon as possible.

Certain western countries headed by Greece, under the cover of social activities, organize gatherings at the Ledra Palace where people opposing the TRNC come together.

The money spent by the Western countries to organize the opposition has amounted to 10 million dollars.

Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs, has made the following statement to HURRIYET prior to the NSC critical meeting:

There was a delay in putting into practice the necessary economic measures for the TRNC. In order to overcome this we are ready to extend our help to the Turkish Cypriot people as a whole, and not to certain people.

Turkey cannot, and will not consider her own security separate from that of the TRNC/s security. Cyprus is an island that dominates all the southern parts of Turkey. Turkey will never permit the island to fall into the hands of a power that might be an antagonist to Turkey in case of a crisis and preclude the use of Turkey/s southern ports.

Turkey will not allow the tilting of the Greco-Turkish balance''.

[05] Ecevit says necessary initiatives launched regarding ``TRNC'' problems

When asked of his comment about Bahceli/s statement to newspapers saying that the document which was brought onto agenda of a meeting with Verheugen, and the report prepared by the Prime Ministry Human Rights Coordination Higher Board were not given to himself, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ``as far as I know, Bahceli could not meet with Verheugen due to his busy schedule. If they had had the opportunity of holding talks, the necessary information would have been provided on time''.

When asked of the latest developments in the occupied area of Cyprus, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ``recently the TRNC has encountered some economic difficulties because of the unjust embargo imposed on the TRNC. State Ministers Recept Onal and Sukru Sina Gurel have launched the necessary initiatives. The Central Bank is also interested in the TRNC/s economic problems. In fact, the TRNC has a dynamic economy as a result of Turkey/s contributions. I believe that the TRNC would overcome these distressing difficulties''.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry: ``TRNC'' has political maturity to solve own problems

Addressing a weekly press conference, Dirios claimed that the ``TRNC'' was an independent and sovereign ``state''.

Referring to Monday/s demonstration by the Turkish Cypriot depositors, Dirioz said that the issue was a domestic affair of the ``TRNC''.

He said, ``the TRNC will celebrate the 17th anniversary of its independence on November. It means that TRNC has reached an adequate political maturity to solve its problems. We wish that the TRNC would overcome these problems soon''.

[07] Differences between Turkish, Greek Cypriot proposals reported

According to Lule, the pspeudostate/s proposals in the indirect talks under UN auspices call for the establishment of a confederation are:

``1. The confederation be made up of two states. Each state should have its own people, territory, and democratic institutions. A joint committee be established to solve territorial problems. A buffer zone be created between the two states until the territorial problem is solved.

[02] The people of each state be represented by their own constitution. In other words, each state should draw up and put into effect its own

[03] The military forces on the island be reduced in stages.

[04] Accession to EU be realized after the Confederal Republic of Cyprus is established.

[05] The states be authorized to issue their own passports. An additional agreement be reached on immigrants who settled in Cyprus after 1974.

[06] The agreement to be reached be amended through a referendum the two communities will separately hold once every five years''.

``1. We will agree to the existence of two zones in a federal structure. However, a fair distribution of land, the return of the refugees to their homes, and the return of the property of the refugees must be guaranteed.

[02] We will agree to each side having the right to establish its own internal order and security, provided that the unity of the state is

[03] All the Turkish troops on the island be quickly withdrawn, not in stages.

[04] Cyprus/ accession to the EU is not linked with the solution of the island/s problem. Nor is it linked with the talks that are held under UN

[05] The federal state should have a single citizenship and single passport. An institution, in which the two sides will be equally represented, be

[06] We disagree with the proposal that the agreement to be reached be reconsidered once every five years''.

[08] ``Police Chief'' comments on Avrupa case

Demirbag, who made no statement since the ``police'' operation on 7 July during which a number of arrests were made, finally spoke. AVRUPA says Demirbag kissed the paper/s journalist Harun Denizkan on both cheeks when he came across him a Mare Monte Hotel. Upon which Denizkan asked him: ``Did you not know that we were not spies?'' Demirbag replied: ``The order came from high up, this issue transcends us''.

He also told Denizkan that he had so far remained silent over the issue and had even cancelled a news conference he was thinking to hold.

[09] Pseudo-government to go to Ankara to secure funds

According to the article, the pseudo-government a waits an invitation from the Turkish government to go to Ankara in order to ask for money for the thousands of bankrupt depositors and to submit the latest socio-economic package.

On the other hand, the front page of YENIDUZEN (27.7.00) under the title ``There is no money from Ankara'' refers to the message of Turkish State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Sukru Sina Gurel, who said ``we do not plan to foot the bill of the TRNC''.

In a written statement published yesterday in SABAH and YENIBINYIL, Gurel pointed out that ``Cyprus must use more carefully its resources in this vicious circle''.

[10] Silent protest

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

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