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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-06Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>No.: 169/00 Date: 05/09/2000 TURKISH MASS MEDIA BULLETIN c o n t e n t s[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] DENKTASH: GREEK NATIONAL COUNCIL'S GOING TO N.Y. ``KIND OF THREAT'' BEFORETALKS KIBRIS (5/9/00) reports that Rauf Denktash said on 4.9.00 that the statement of Glafcos Clerides, who said that he will bring the National Council to New York, is a kind of threat before the proximity talks.Speaking to reporters, Denktash said that ``the Greek Cypriots will bring their National Council to New York and take decisions there. They threaten us in a way''. Denktash noted that the opposition parties also applied to him to go to New York, adding the decision will be given by the ``government''. Denktash noted that the opposition leaders should also go to New York as this will be good in such circumstances. Denktash noted that the talks started between the ``sides'' and without any precondition as the agreement reached with the U.N. Secretary General. The Greek Cypriot side ``blackmails'' to take the talks to the status of ``intercommunal talks'' again, said Denktash and noted that ``we are not obliged to unite with these people again after the things they did to us. If we say that we can unite but adding that we must do this upon the principle of two states, this is a big concession and it is the last of the steps that can be taken for reunification of Cyprus. If they don't evaluate this in that way and if they say that they are still the government of Cyprus, this means that they don't have the intention to unite''. Stressing that as long as the claims of the Greek Cypriots saying that they are the ``legitimate Cyprus government'' continue, face to face talks can't start, Denktash said and noted that ``they should accept our state, our existence and the fact that they are not the government of us. We don't meet face to face with Clerides as long as he says that he is the president of us and as he introduces us as a minority and Turkey as the invader''. Denktash noted that Clerides uses the National Council as a shield and the Greek Cypriots don't have the intention to make an agreement with the ``TRNC'', adding that the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU without determining the status of the Turkish side and bring the EU face to face with Turkey. Denktash stressed that the confederation proposal he offered for a solution has been appreciated by the world, but the Greek Cypriots didn't take any step in the path to compromise. [02] DENKTASH COMMENTS ON GREEK-TURKISH CYPRIOT BUSINESSMEN CO-OPERATIONAccording to Yeni Demokrat (5/9/00) the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, has said in order to establish an atmosphere of co-operation between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen the embargo imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted first.In a statement he issued at a meeting with Turkish businessmen, who belong to the ``Brussels Group'' composed of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot embargo on the Turkish Cypriots began 37 years ago. Denktash called on the international community to tell the Greek Cypriot leadership that the embargo imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is illegal and that it should be lifted immediately. Noting that President Clerides maintains his stand that the ``embargo will not be lifted if there is no agreement'', Denktash added that the Greek Cypriots are continuing to use the embargo as a weapon against the Turkish Cypriots, who have not submitted. Businessman Vedat Celik, in turn, said that the ``Brussels Group'' paid a visit to Denktash and Clerides last week and explained that he sought to conduct an assessment of the meetings- [03] ECONOMIC PACKAGE SAID PART OF EFFORT TO MAKE ``TRNC'' TURKEY'S PROVINCEAccording to Yeni Duzen (5/9/00) the Patriotic Unity Movement [YBH] has said that efforts are being made to turn the occupied areas into a province of Turkey and that the economic package is part of those efforts.In a written statement, the YBH Executive Council said that the package was drawn up by the Turkish Republic and that it aims at totally destroying the Turkish Cypriot community which has already been condemned to a life in a prisoner of war camp. The YBH criticised the National Unity Party-Communal Liberation Party coalition for having started to implement the socio- economic package, and called on the opposition parties to give up their duty of covering up the true face and bankruptcy of the regime. [04] LEUKAEMIA BOY'S FUNERAL BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHERAll of today's Turkish Cypriot newspapers (5/9/00) refer to yesterday's funeral service of 13-year-old Turkish Cypriot, Kemal Saracoglu, who died last week in a London hospital. Kemal suffered from leukaemia and Kemal's fatal illness had been on the public agenda in both the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots for some time, when a public campaign was launched to save him and a Greek Cypriot child, seven-year-old Andreas Vassiliou, who was suffering from the same disease.The father of Andreas Vassiliou and members of the Greek-Cypriot Press also attended the funeral service. The fathers of the two boys stood side-by-side before Kemal's coffin at a Moslem funeral service in the Ayia Sofia mosque in the divided capital Nicosia. Vassos Vassiliou told the reporters, ``Kemal and Andreas have become the symbol of humanity. They have brought the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot people together. ``I felt I had to come and say goodbye. Kemal has become my son''. Kemal's father thanked more than 60,000 Cypriots who came forward in the search of suitable marrow bone donors. Sua Saracoslu said ``Thank you to all of those who ignored race and religion and helped Kemal. But I know for a fact that more could have been done for Kemal''. He also extended his best wished for the recovery of Andreas Vassiliou, who is undergoing treatment in the United States. [05] ANOTHER TRAGEDY BRINGS GREEK AND TURKISH FAMILIES TOGETHERHURRIYET (5.9.2000) reports under banner headlines, ``Friendship that came with losing a child'' and tells the story of the Greek Cypriot couple Evlogimenos and the Turkish Kocaman couple, whose children Sophia and Duhan became friends while receiving cancer treatment in Houston, Texas. HURRIYET reports that consequently Duhan died on 27 April 1999 and Sophia died two months later on 17 June 1999.Duhan and Sophia became close friends while receiving cancer treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Centre and through them, their families established a close relation. As a result of this close brotherly relation, reports HURRIYET, Sophia's parents Pavlos and Androulla Evlogimenos invited Duhan's parents Lutfu and Ayten Kocaman to visit Cyprus. HURRIYET goes on to say that when the Kocamans had visited Limassol, where the Evlogimenos couple live they really felt at home, with the hospitality they had received there. Following this visit, reports HURRIYET, the Kocamans in return invited Pavlos and Androulla Evlogimenos to visit Istanbul. Sophia's parents accepted the invitation and with special permission from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, they are currently visiting Turkey. Both families share their grief and try to console each other. [06] TURKISH CYPRIOT OFFICIAL TO AGRICULTURAL FAIRAccording to BIRLIK (5/9/00) the so-called Agriculture and Forestry Minister Irsen Kuyuk flies today to Ankara in order to participate at the ``4th Agriculture Fair Agrotek 2000'', which will be held between 6-9 of September. Kuyuk will have contacts in Ankara with Turkish ministers on the banking issue. He will return on 8th of September.[07] MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BICOMMUNAL FESTIVALYeni Duzen (5.9.00) reports that 7 Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political leaders are to give a press conference today (5.9.00) at the Ledra Palace to give information about the bicommunal ``Mutual understanding Festival'' which will be held on 10th of September at the Ledra Palace.[08] ``CONFLICT RESOLUTION'' GROUPS CRITICISEDKIBRISLI (5.9.2000) quoting AYDINLIK magazin, published in Turkey, reports that it is the EU which creates problems and discord in the occupied area. KIBRISLI says that AYDINLIK reports this view as the Turkish National Security Council's view.The report says that both the USA and the EU by creating working groups under this name of ``Conflict Resolution'' groups, have created elite groups that serve their own interests. KIBRISLI expresses strong criticism against the groups. TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 170/00 -- 6.9.00[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Akinci on need to solve problems together with Turkey.[02] Denktash on territorial issue.[03] Talat favours early "elections".[04] Raki exports to Turkey.[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Akinci on need to solve problems together with TurkeyORTAM (6.9.2000) reports that Eroglu and Akinci held their weekly meetings with "chief prosecutor" Akin Sait and "police general director" Erdem Demirbag, making statements about the economic problems in the pseudostate, the economic package that is being prepared in that regard, and pensioners/ bonuses.Akinci stated that the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) executive council met and discussed the economic package. Akinci explained that his party is trying to make a contribution with the help of an applicable package compatible with the conditions in the occupied area. Noting that the existing economic situation is not sustainable, Akinci said: "As a result of the various problems that have been accumulating for 26 years, we are now facing a financial picture which necessitates structural corrections and measures. Occasionally, we even encounter problems in paying salaries. It is clear that over the years we did not spend according to our means. We do not want to blame anyone, because whatever we did until now, we did it together. The governments did everything together with the president and with the government of Turkey. The solution will also be found together". Akinci stated that there are certain measures that must be adopted if the difficulties experienced are to be overcome, and added: "These measures are usually not pleasant in such difficult periods, but we must face up to certain hardships now in order to avoid much worse situations in the future. We must also carefully assess the conditions in the country. There are distinct differences between the conditions in the country and Turkey. Our gasoline and electricity prices are higher than in Turkey. Clothing and food is also slightly cheaper in Turkey. A serious program is being implemented in Turkey to curb inflation. It is difficult to explain the rising inflation in the TRNC, at a time when inflation is receding in Turkey, given that both countries use the same currency unit. Therefore, we must discuss all this with Turkish officials and together find a solution". Asked if the date of the meeting with Turkish officials has been set, Akinci said: "Turkey has not yet responded to a written request from Eroglu in this regard. We find it beneficial to hold such a meeting. It is an overdue meeting, but if we want to resolve our problems, we can do this by talking - the sooner the better. This would also avoid giving wrong messages to the outside. We share the responsibility for the developments in this country with Turkey". [02] Denktash on territorial issueTurkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash evaluated the fourth round of talks in New York to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper HALKIN SESI (6.9.00).Denktash referred to four issues: The "border adjustments", the territorial and map issue, the direct talks and his claim that Greek Cypriots don/t have good will intentions. "They will not make my people move again. Therefore, the borders must be defined first in order to have efficiency, productivity and security of our sovereignty. It must be accepted that on both sides the territory is the territory of the sovereign people", Denktash said. Referring to the Titina Loizidou case, Denktash claimed "it is an unfair and one-sided case," adding that "the side that wants to apply this decision does not want to follow the procedure through the negotiations. The Greek Cypriot side must assess this very well. And if they really want reconciliation, they must begin to accept the realities". Moreover, Denktash stressed that "in case the territorial issue comes up, then the negotiations can focus on that issue. The territorial issue is an issue based on our sovereignty. The acceptance of our sovereignty is the condition. After that, a border agreement will be made". Denktash concluded: "Consequently, we can say that we will go to New York with good will intentions, we will go with our eyes open. We will go to defend the realities. We are ready to have face to face talks in case they accept the existence of our state, that they are not our government and that they don/t have the right to talk on our behalf". [03] Talat favours early "elections"The front page article of YENIDUZEN (6.9.00) under the title "They cannot forcefully poison the people" refers to the leader of the Turkish Republican Party Mehmet Ali Talat/s statement that the economic package is not the solution to their problems.Talat said that he shares the opinion of so-called state minister and deputy prime minister Mustafa Akinci that "general elections" should be held in the occupied area. [04] Raki exports to TurkeyThe front page article of KIBRIS (16.9.00) under the title "We will open the doors" refers to the statement Turkish State Minister Responsible for the Customs Affairs Mehmet Kececiler made in Mersin, Turkey, that "we will try and do whatever is necessary so that the TRNC products be exported to Turkey".He alleged that he did not know that raki is being produced in the occupied area. He promised that he will take the necessary initiatives to open Turkey/s doors to "TRNC/s" raki. On 25 September 1997, a protocol on alcoholic beverages exports from "TRNC" to Turkey was signed between Turkey and pseudostate, but it was never put in force. 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 |