Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-09-29

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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. 187/00 -- 29.9.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SAYS TURKISH CYPRIOTS 'RETURNED STRONGER FROM NEW YORK'.

[02] DENKTASH SAYS CYPRUS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TURKISH CYPRIOT RECOGNITION.

[03] YBH CALLS ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO FEDERAL AGREEMENT.

[04] GUREL ACCUSES TURKISH CYPRIOTS OF MISMANAGEMENT.

[05] TURKISH BANK REGULATION BODY BANS TURKISH CYPRIOT BANK'S ISTANBUL ACTIVITIES.

[06] ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT US CONGRESS COMMITTEE.

[07] INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS PERSISTENT FOR PROGRESS ON CYPRUS TALKS.

[08] OZKER OZGUR TO SPEAK AT THE ENGLISH SCHOOL TODAY.

[09] PSEUDOSTATE AT MARITIME CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL.

[10] FRENCH SPORTS CLUB IN OCCUPIED AREAS.

[11] CONFERENCE ON EU AT EAST MEDITERRANEAN "UNIVERSITY".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] TURKEY: ASSETS OF DENKTASH' IN-LAW FROZEN.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SAYS TURKISH CYPRIOTS `RETURNED STRONGER FROM NEW YORK/

Denktash and his delegation returned to Cyprus last night. In a statement at Tymbou Airport on his arrival, Denktash recalled that the proximity talks were held to pave the ground for direct negotiations. He said: Nobody should expect results from the fifth round of talks that will start on 1 November in New York.

He pointed out that the principles posited by UN Secretary General Annan on 12 September constitute a very important step for paving the ground for direct talks but are still insufficient. Denktash asserted that he brought very good examples from New York to those who claim that Turkey and Denktash are intransigent. He noted that the Greek Cypriots reacted even to Annan/s statement that the two sides in Cyprus are plitically equal, and that they played games by threatening to leave New York and keeping the Turkish Cypriots waiting for two days.

Denktash said that on the request of the Turkish Cypriots before they left, Annan said: Everything is on the table, everything can be discussed, there are no preconditions, and preconditions are unacceptable. If there are any acceptable or valid UN Security Council resolutions, they are not to be considered the basis of the negotiations, but are simply to be taken into consideration.

Denktash said that this position indicates a great amelioration.

Referring to the Greek Cypriots, Denktash asked: Are they saying yes to two equal states of equal status in the future? Are they accepting the equality of the Turkish Cypriots in all respects? If they are not, they should say so now. They cannot achieve anything by playing games for the world. If they are not willing to accept our equality, what do they want to negotiate with us?

He noted that the Turkish Cypriot delegation returned stronger from New York and did not concede any of its principles. He asserted that the fanaticism of the Greek Cypriots emerged in New York for everyone to see and that the world could now see their true faces. The Greek Cypriots/ attitude surprised even the diplomats who supported them, he added.

Denktash went on to say that the way to EU membership passes through a balanced agreement based on the sovereignty of the two sides and on the principle that one of the sides cannot represent the other, and through the protection of the Turkish-Greek balance over Cyprus. Having gone through various experiences, he said, we will do all we can to go to Geneva stronger. To become stronger, we must quickly take measures that will eliminate the domestic restlessness within the TRNC".

Asked if direct negotiations will be held in January, Denktash said that for direct negotiations to start, the Greek Cypriot side must accept the sovereignty of the "TRNC". He said: As the UN Secretary General stated, any agreement must involve two establishments of equal status that do not and cannot represent each other, what we call a confederation.

Denktash recalled that on the administrative issues discussed with the two sides in New York, Glafcos Clerides said: This is even more complicated than in 1960 and is unacceptable.

Denktash said that he has reliable information that certain Greek Cypriot politicians are saying: What do we lose if we accept a two-state establishment, let us negotiate that. He added: This shows that we must continue to advance along our national cause with determination and to protect our justified position.

He pointed out that certain circles are trying to divide the people into those who want a federation and those who want a confederation. He said:

We want a sound, intelligent, reasonable, and peaceful agreement in order to protect our sovereignty, rights, and our sovereignty and freedom which Turkey guarantees. That is not a crime. It is something to be proud of. It is an outcome our people deserve.

[02] DENKTASH SAYS CYPRUS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TURKISH CYPRIOT RECOGNITION

Denktash, who participated in the fourth round proximity talks organized by the United Nations, went to Turkey. In a statement at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Denktash said that the fourth round was conducted in a better atmosphere when compared with the previous rounds. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot side had earlier said that no definite results would be achieved in the fourth round. Noting that the Greek Cypriots have not reached an understanding and a position conducive to holding direct talks with the Turkish Cypriot side, Denktash said: The issue is to hold direct talks under equal conditions, talks that will be held in the event our equality and sovereignty are accepted. The proximity talks are being held in a bid to prepare the ground for those direct talks.

Noting that in the statement he issued on 12 September, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan took a significant step toward preparing the ground for direct talks, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriots, showing this as an excuse, refused to participate in the talks for two days.

Stressing that so long as the Turkish Cypriot side does not recognize what he called the Greek Cypriot administration, its recognition by the world means nothing, Denktash said that no one should expect the "TRNC" to disappear or to conclude an agreement as though the republic does not exist. Noting that it is too early to say that the fifth round will yield definite results, Denktash said that the fifth round proximity talks will also be held in a bid to prepare the ground for direct talks.

[03] YBH CALLS ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO FEDERAL AGREEMENT

The YBH Executive Council issued a written statement today saying that the proximity talks were conducted without the knowledge of the people, adding that reports leaked to the press indicate that many issues, including constitutional and territorial ones, were discussed at the proximity talks. Recalling UN Secretary General Kofi Annan/s statement to the effect that progress was made at the talks, the YBH statement described Rauf Denktash/s statement that progress was not made as a propaganda tool directed toward domestic politics. The YBH statement further noted that Denktash did not give the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus people the chance of a federal agreement and of EU membership. The statement concluded by stressing that we are living in an era of peace and friendship in which borders are being obliterated.

[04] GUREL ACCUSES TURKISH CYPRIOTS OF MISMANAGEMENT

Gurel said that as soon as Turkey and `TRNC/ begin to put in practice the stability economic package, the economic crisis, which was caused by the non payment of workers/ salaries, and the banks/ bankruptcy, will be overcome.

[05] TURKISH BANK REGULATION BODY BANS TURKISH CYPRIOT BANK/S ISTANBUL

The decision of the board which was published in the Official Gazette on Thursday said that the bank did not take the necessary measures required for eliminating its financial problems in accordance with the Banking Law. The Banking Regulation and Audit Board said that the bank could not afford its expenses, did not have the means to provide the necessary sources, could not meet the expenditures.

To this end, the Board took this decision.

Meanwhile, the Banking Regulation and Audit Board issued a written statement in which it said that the transactions of the banks in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had either been suspended or limited due to various financial restraints.

The statement noted that the Cyprus Credit Bank, which also has a branch in Turkey, was one of these banks.

The statement stressed that the Istanbul-Turkey central branch of the bank has been supervised since June 3, 1997 in accordance with the Banking Law. "Some measures were taken to improve the financial structure of the bank. But, the financial problems could not be solved because the centre did not provide sufficient sources", the statement said.

The amount of money deposited in this bank is around 75 billion Turkish Liras.

[06] ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT US CONGRESS COMMITTEE

A total of 26 people including Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman from the committee of 49 members participated in Thursday/s voting.

Noting that US Foreign Services Personnel Director Marc Grossman earlier stated that the US Department of State already has an educational programme concerning the incidents which took place in 1915, Radanovich asked the committee members to remove the section on education from the resolution. With the removal of this section from the resolution, the resolution will go directly to the full House without being discussed by another House committee.

Republicans are working to pass the resolution before the House of Representatives recesses in mid-October.

"Despite all of Turkey/s threats regarding the US military bases in Turkey, US military equipment bids and other matters, this resolution is not an insult to the Turkish government", Radanovich said.

New US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson also spoke at the committee meeting, saying that if the resolution were passed it would cause a very strong reaction in Turkey.

Pearson pointed that the United States has a military base in Turkey which is instrumental in the continued execution of Operation Northern Watch. Turkey is collaborating with the United States to find a solution to the Cyprus and Upper Karabagh issues, Peason said, and added that Turkey has started improving its relations with Greece.

Pearson also stated that Turkey which is accused of committing genocide has played an active role in the fight against ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. He also reminded the committee members about the agreements between Turkey and the United States on oil and natural gas pipelines and asked them not to pass the resolution.

When Republican Party New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, a supporter of the resolution, asked Peason if he "agreed with the resolution", Pearson said that the perspective he gained from his contacts in Ankara was that he should not be in favour of the resolution. He also added that one Turkish official whom he spoke on Wednesday told him that Turkey/s major concern was damaging of Turkey-United States relations.

Meanwhile, images reflecting Armenian genocide were shown to committee members which were earlier broadcast by ABC television channel.

[07] INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS PERSISTENT FOR PROGRESS ON

KIBRIS's (29.9.2000) New York correspondent Jema Emiroglu, gives the impressions she got from brief conversations during a reception given by Kofi Annan in his residence after the proximity talks.

She says that the UN Secretary General is satisfied with the course of the talks and that the developments create hope for the 5th round. Emiroglu, also gives her impressions from Sir Kieran Prendergast, former British Ambassador to Turkey and currently assistant to the UN Secretary General on Political Affairs, who is an expert on Cyprus problem. Sir Kieran also expressed satisfaction regarding the talks and said that this process needs patience.

She concludes by saying: "In short, despite the fact that for an outside observer the views of the sides could appear for apart, international diplomats are determined to continue these rounds until progress is secured" .

[08] OZKER OZGUR TO SPEAK AT THE ENGLISH SCHOOL TODAY

He will be accompanied by Huseyin Yasar Yacarcan and other YBH party officials.

[09] PSEUDOSTATE AT MARITIME CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

Miroslu pointed out that Turkey and the pseudostate cooperate in every field such as the maritime sector, noting that they signed a cooperation protocol with the Turkish State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu. According to this protocol, two SAR (Research) stations will be established on the coasts of the occupied areas by the end of this year. He explained that during the year 2001, they will have a total of 37 SAR stations on the occupied coasts.

[10] FRENCH SPORTS CLUB IN OCCUPIED AREAS

Doratli also said that an International Taekwondo-Judo-Karate tournament will be organised in the occupied areas very soon.

[11] CONFERENCE ON EU AT EAST MEDITERRANEAN "UNIVERSITY"

The Dean of the Management Faculty of Bahcesehir University Prof. Dr Eser Karakas will address the conference.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[12] TURKEY: ASSETS OF DENKTASH/ IN-LAW FROZEN

Cyprus gives Turkey the perfect opportunity to see the results of certain brave steps. Like a laboratory .

Six banks that went under in "North Cyprus" destroyed the lives of 65,000 depositors and the economy of this small country.

The owner of Everest Bank, Elmas Guzelyurtlu, fled to "South Cyprus", then to Romania. He accuses North Cyprus "Prime Minister" Eroglu of political revenge.

Meanwhile, an injunction has been imposed on all assets and property of Denktash/s in-law, Salih Boyaci, the owner of Cyprus Credit Bank. Boyaci/s passport has been confiscated and he is not allowed to leave the country. Now he also claims that this is a "political decision."

This claim is worth discussing, but nobody can deny that Boyaci multiplied his fortune by many times after his daughter married Denktash son, Democrat Party leader Serdar Denktash.

Eroglu says, "45 trillion Turkish lira have disappeared. There is not political revenge. We are after the lost money."

It was actually found out by inspectors from Turkey that the "in-law" transferred $8.5 million from his bank to his companies as of 1 December 1999.

To save the bank, the in-law was provided with 4 trillion Turkish lira from North Cyprus, and 7 trillion Turkish lira from the funds sent from Turkey.

However, these funds also disappeared.

Here is the real question that should be asked:

Why were not the others who robbedtheir banks just like the in-law did treated in the same way the in-law was?

Does the culprit have to be related with political leaders in office for the laws that bring public order and protect the society/s rights to be implemented?

Unfortunately, the reality is this simple and this disgusting.

Turkey has a "nephew problem."

Suleyman Demirel/s nephew, Murat Demirel, is also accused of robbing his own bank, just like the "in-law".

But he is not treated the same way. Why?

Is it because Demirel and Ecevit have forgotten about the old hostilities and have become friends?

Does not the public say, "If we will pay the price, we do not want this peace"?

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

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