Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-08-09

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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. 151/00 -- 9.8.2000

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Depositors 'Dissatisfied' with Eroglu meeting, Bank owners to stand trial

[02] Reports that Greek Cypriot coast guard 'Harassed' Turkish Cypriot ships

[03] Hurriyet claims it has the details of dialogue which angered the Greek Cypriots in Geneva talks

[04] Ankara imposes tight conditions on economic aid for ``TRNC'', suggests Greek model technocrat administration

[05] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots cannot be free without Turkey

[06] Galip Mendi to replace Ozeyranli as commander in occupied areas

[07] Icons stolen from church in Rizokarpaso

[08] Akinci meets Australian High Commissioner

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Columnist urges pseudostate to solve its woes

[11] Columnist warns Ankara is playing into Greek hands by mismanaging the ``TRNC''

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Depositors 'Dissatisfied' with Eroglu meeting, Bank owners to stand trial

Asked if the depositors will set a certain period of time for the new payments, Eroglu replied: ``This is an issue that involves a lot of money. Do not expect the problem to be resolved in a few hours.'' Asked to comment on press reports that Turkey is not looking too warmly to the idea of sending money to pay the depositors, Eroglu replied that such reports usually appear in the press, but technical teams are working on the issue in Turkey, and that he knows that Ankara is always trying to help. The coordination committee members gave Eroglu a letter containing their demands. The depositors expect payments to be made in line with the earlier protocol signed with the depositors at the Finansbank, Yurthbank, Everestbank and Hurbank. Or, they say, they expect a new proposal that will not cause any loss of rights or waste of time for them. They also want the ``government'' to set the conditions for the resumption of activities by Industry Bank and the Cyprus Credit Bank.

The depositors called for the annulment of the cases filed against those detained during the demonstrations. They also want the owners and managers of the said banks to stand trial.

Moreover, according to Ankara Anatolia (13:58 hours, 8.8.00) bank depositors were ``displeased'' with their meeting with Eroglu. Ali Riza Gorgun, head of the coordination committee, said: ``We were not satisfied with the meeting. The only thing we were satisfied with was the announcement that the bank owners and managers will stand trial.'' Gorgun also said that Eroglu told them efforts were being made to pay them but ``did not give any sign'' of when and how. Eroglu did not make a statement after the meeting.

[02] Reports that Greek Cypriot coast guard 'Harassed' Turkish Cypriot ships According to Ankara Anatolia (16:26 hours, 8.8.00) the Turkish ships which

Meanwhile, nearly 800 Turks went to Kokkina by ship as Greek Cypriots didn't permit them to go there by land. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who participated in the ceremony, went to Kokkina by helicopter.

[03] Hurriyet claims it has the details of dialogue which angered the Greek Cypriots in Geneva talks

HURRIYET reports that the Turkish delegation for the first time put the confederation thesis on the negotiation table during its meeting with the UN delegation.

It claims that the UN's readiness to listen to the Turkish side's confederation proposal ``made the Greek Cypriot side mad''.

HURRIYET further claims that when the Greek Cypriot side learned that the UN is discussing confederation with the Turkish side, it warned the UN that it might not attend the fourth round of talks to be resumed in New York on 12 Sept. ``It is said that this reality lies behind the statement made by Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides that they might not attend the fourth round of talks''.

HURRIYET reports that the Greek Cypriot side which opposes the confederation thesis reproached de Soto for ``getting closer to the Turkish side's thesis''.

When the Greek Cypriot side continuously reminded de Soto that soon Cyprus will be an EU member, reports HURRIYET, de Soto replied: ``Your being in the negotiation process with the EU is something else. Here we have to listen to both sides. You are objecting to almost everything, whereas, we are trying in a serious manner to find a lasting solution to the problem''. Subtitle: Here are the historic minutes

(of the meeting) The dialogue, acquired by HURRIYET, that made the Greek Cypriot side angry is as follows:

UN: We do listen to the Turkish side's confederation thesis.

Greek side: But we are on the verge of entering the EU: We are a state. UN: The EU issue is another thing. We have to consider the Turkish side's thesis.

Greek side: Your meeting with the Turkish side lasted three and a half hours. You are not sparing even one hour to us.

UN: But the Turkish side has serious proposals.

Greek side: You are not only listening to them but you are siding with them. You are under the influence of their arguments included in the files they have given you.

UN: We have received, from the Turks two files regarding the confederation, one 22 and the other 25 pages long. Here they are explaining their thesis in full detail.

Greek side: You started getting closer to the Turks.

UN: Do not destroy the positive atmosphere. We are trying to settle the Cyprus knot which is one of the major problems in the world.

Greek side: If things progress this way we will seriously consider whether to attend the fourth round or not.

UN: We are trying to do something whereas you are objecting to everything.

[04] Ankara imposes tight conditions on economic aid for ``TRNC'', suggests Greek model technocrat administration

It has been learned that when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash returned from Geneva, he attended a meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel at which they reached a common viewpoint as regards a ``technocrat government'' as the answer to ``TRNC's'' economic and political woes. A technocrat government model has been in effect in Cyprus for many years now. When Members of Parliament become Ministers they relinquish their MP status and this prevents them from being partisan thus enabling a stable and efficient administration.

Ankara says the aid package is not just for Eroglu, but for the people of the ``TRNC'' and believes that a ``middle road'' can be found if Eroglu changes his attitude and gives assurances. The aid package will come with some very serious strings attached due to the ``TRNC'' regime's ``flexible'' use of former aid packages. Turkey's first condition is that the so-called Ministries running the economy be staffed by technocrats.

The paper adds that Ankara has laid down a whole series of terms so that the aid can be monitored more closely. Among these are the attachment of a calendar to the aid, structural reform and measures such as giving the aid gradually as reforms are implemented. As a matter of priority, Turkey aims to find a solution to the losses incurred by over 40,000 depositors when (several) banks collapsed. There are people who have lost out in almost all walks of life in the occupied areas and a general sense of dissatisfaction and the worry is that this could lead to problems that will be unable to be kept in check. A high level official summed up the current crisis in the ``TRNC'' and said, ``The public do not care whom the police is subordinate to, they just want their money back,'' and went on to say Turkey thought the losses incurred by the depositors could be made good by linking them to a timetable in parallel with the aid package.

Political observers believe that Eroglu has no choice but to accept Ankara's terms on the aid package seeing the corner he is in. Observers also signal that the next ``elections'' in the pseudostate will be held in 2003 and that Eroglu might use them as an opportunity to repair his unsuccessful image.

[05] Denktash: Turkish Cypriots cannot be free without Turkey According to KIBRIS (9.8.00) Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has said

In a speech at the ceremony, Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot people know the value of their freedom well and that he believes the spirit of 36 years ago lives on today. He stressed that the trust between the ``TRNC'' and motherland Turkey cannot be destroyed. He added: There were people who wanted to destroy it then and there are people who want to do it now. At the time there was no economy, but 40 people used to divide a loaf of bread among themselves and be happy. That kind of spirit reigned then. Denktash said that those who try to pollute the atmosphere by exploiting the economic problems will be frustrated. He added: If the ``TRNC'' is a fortress of security for Turkey, then motherland Turkey is a fortress of life for the ``TRNC''. Without Turkey, the Turkish Cypriots cannot be free, he said. Denktash stressed that the reasons for the economic problems must be investigated and a solution must be sought with motherland Turkey. He said:

We are now calculating what we took from Turkey and what we gave to it. We are not taking into consideration the money that was already sent. Nobody is thinking of what we are selling to other countries and what we are getting in return.

Denktash pointed out that the Turkish soldiers and the Security Forces Command are working day and night for the security of the Turkish Cypriot people. He said: However, certain worthless people are swearing at the Turkish soldiers and the Assembly and certain political circles are silent in the face of that.

Denktash charged that the ones who swear at the Turkish army are after their petty interests. He went on to say that certain circles are attacking Turkey which is risking all for the Turkish Cypriots and which is confronting the world for the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people. The time has come, Denktash said, to say stop to these circles.

Denktash noted that the Greek Cypriots were unable to destroy the trust between Turkey and the ``TRNC'', but certain circles are doing all they can to achieve that. He said: Some are saying that there is no freedom of press. If there is not, then how come such lowly reports are being printed? Freedom prevails within the law. Nothing can be achieved by publishing false reports. Today, on 8 August, we draw the line: whatever is written about the state will be investigated and the necessary steps will be taken. The occupation leader stressed that those who do all they can to offend Turkey must feel ashamed before the martyrs.

[06] Galip Mendi to replace Ozeyranli as commander in occupied areas Avrupa (5.8.00) reports that the rank of major-general has been conferred on

Ozeyranli has now been appointed as chief of staff of the 2nd Army in Malatya.

There is yet another surprise for the Turkish Cypriot people in the new appointments, the paper reports. Brig. Gen. Galip Mendi will now be the commander of the Security Forces. Galip Mendi served as head of the Civil Defense Organization during the infamous St. Barnabas raid and the assassination of Kutlu Adali (Turkish Cypriot journalist who wrote critical articles against Turkey). Mendi is said to have been appointed as commander of the Security Forces at the insistence of Mr. Denktash. (Istanbul Hurriyet Kibris supplement reports in its 5 August issue that Mendi is currently serving as Turkey's military attache in Azerbaijan).

[07] Icons stolen from church in Rizokarpaso KIBRIS (9.8.00), reports that six icons and two candle stands have been

According to an announcement by the pseudostate police, the items must have been stolen between 28 July and 7 August.

[08] Akinci meets Australian High Commissioner Ortam (9.8.00) reports that the so-called state minister and deputy prime

In a statement after the meeting, Akinci said that the meeting was within the framework of a courtesy visit. He added also that he briefed Ingruber on the situation in the occupied areas and on developments of the Cyprus problem, pointing out that the economic suffering they go through in the occupied areas is only natural.

Akinci stressed to him that they will surpass their economic problems with the support of Turkey.

Akinci also explained to him that the Greek Cypriots make use of their economic standards and give the wrong image.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Columnist urges pseudostate to solve its woes Turkish Daily News (8.8.00) in a main editorial by Ilnur Cevik urges the

Under the title the ``TRNC has to solve its domestic woes'', Ilnur Cevit says that in view of the new round of talks in New York in September, the Turkish Cypriots have to work hard for proper preparation.

``We see that the domestic picture in the ``TRNC'' is becoming very hazy, with heightened tensions as Denktash openly campaigns for the ousting of the coalition government of Dervis Eroglu,'' he says.

``Denktash and the Ankara government both accuse Eroglu of gross economic mismanagement and say the system in northern Cyprus should be changed to a presidential arrangement.'' The columnist goes on to write that in ``northern Cyprus'' there has been corruption and mismanagement of ``state funds'' which have been provided by Turkey for nearly one-and-a-half decades.

``It is no secret that about one dozen families have managed to plunder the wealth of northern Cyprus and have become the privileged few. The ordinary people have had to suffer under high costs, and thus the cost of living is much higher in northern Cyprus than in mainland Turkey. Thus peoples' wages and pensions are also relatively high compared to those in Turkey,'' Ilnur Cevik says.

``The Turkish Cypriots simply want to earn a decent living. Yet, under current conditions this is becoming a challenge. Thus there is frustration and anger.

This is the time for the Turkish Cypriot leaders and the Ankara government to get together and find urgent solutions. You cannot expect people to stay on the island and suffer these deprivations when they can always emigrate to places such as Britain. Quite a few people have been forced to do this in the past and we feel we should not force more to do the same.'' Denktash and Eroglu have ``to contribute to a normalization process in northern Cyprus. They simply cannot bicker and hope to forge a united front when the Greek Cypriots can see their deficiencies so openly,'' the columnist says.

Concluding, Ilnur Cevik writes: ``This means everyone has to listen to the voice of the people on northern Cyprus. They have to address their problems and find practical solutions. Or else some people (especially the younger generation) will forget the past sufferings and feel it is much better to accept Greek domination under European Union rules than to live under the current arrangements...''

[57] Columnist warns Ankara is playing into Greek hands by mismanaging the ``TRNC''

He says: ``Those who own the ``sacred trusts'' of course. They are many. A long chain stretching from the foremost of Turkey's institutions and concerned Ministries through to the office of the ``TRNC President''. For this reason, there is no point in seeing the issue as a clash between Eroglu and Denktash and forcing people to make a choice. It is not right, nor is it true. Everybody concerned with the island knows that all the ``TRNC politicians'', with the exception of the leftists, owe their legality to Denktash. Were it not for Denktash, Eroglu could not have existed. If it is now a case of the apprentice becoming the master, then there is no point in thinking of the situation as ``good cop, bad cop'' like in the movies.

Nobody is in any doubt as to Turkey being the source of Denktash's legality, be it at ``state or public level''. This is what Denktash wants in any case. Denktash constantly refers to Turkey as the ``motherland'' and has never once got comfortable with the idea of representing an ``independent Turkish Cypriot identity''.

The characteristics and developments of the latest period have begun to line up along this axis. The time we refer to when we say the characteristics of the latest period starts with the EU membership process. As is well known, the Greek Cypriot administration does have international recognition and is obstructing Turkey's path to the EU and while the Helsinki decisions recognized Turkey's candidate status, it removed the prerequisite of a solution to the Cyprus issue in order for the Republic of Cyprus represented by the Greeks to join Europe'', the columnist writes.

This situation is the reason why the horizons opening up before the Turkish Cypriots are different from those for Turkey proper. If the ``TRNC'' was to run like clockwork, if it were to have a sound economy and if there were to be justice on the island, then the Turkish Cypriots could have imagined joining Europe in coordination with Turkey. But if Turkey begins to be seen more and more as the cause for all the problems in the ``TRNC'', and the community, which is traditionally very tolerant and flexible, begins to feel itself stuck in an antidemocratic vice that is worse than the situation in Turkey and the economy continues to go from bad to worse, especially after the latest bank scandal, then the Turkish Cypriots will become more inclined to see themselves as a people with their own identity separate from Turkey, whether you like it or not.

In this respect, terms such as ``national traitor'' will lose their value because if ``patriotism'' begins to become equated with ``tyranny'' and ``bribe taking'', then these terms will lose their deterrent or attraction value, Cengiz Candar writes.

Threats to cut off the money supply from Turkey to the ``TRNC'', on the pretext of ``complying with the IMF'' or with the intention of bringing the Turkish Cypriots ``to their senses'' or ``ousting'' people Turkey did not want elected, will do no good either. It is true that the ``TRNC'' has become a community of parasites, but the lion's share of this goes to Ankara for exporting and applying its own economic model for the past quarter of a century.

The road to bringing order to the ``TRNC'' and ``avoid playing into the Greeks' hands'' passes such milestones as ``establishing democratic liaisons'', ridding the ``TRNC'' of the corruption springing from Turkey, eliminating a banking system that serves as a laundry for black money, giving the inclinations of the Turkish Cypriots the respect it deserves and developing relations that respect the bodies formed following honest elections. Failing this, Ankara will be ``playing into the Greek's hands'', Cengiz Candar says.

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

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