Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-10-20

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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. 202/00 -- 20.10.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash accuses Akinci of trying to break away from Turkey

[02] Talat says time has come for Turks to participate in EU negotiations

[03] ``Deputy'' resigns, bringing DP ``seats'' down to 12

[04] 2.45 percent increase in cost of living

[05] MHP /s Izgi elected Turkish Parliament speaker

[06] Akinci criticizes Denktash

[07] Shop owners and artisans protest

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash accuses Akinci of trying to break away from Turkey According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (15:30 hours, 19.10.00), Turkish Cypriot

``Today I see that one wing of the government has interpreted this rally as a message conveyed for self-administration and has adopted an understanding that calls for claiming the state and getting rid of Turkey. This has grieved us all. What do they mean? Does this mean that we do not govern our country? Of course we do , and this is the stage we have reached. No one interferes, no one questions anything we do. When the issue, however, is money, the side that provides the funds is saying that this money should be better administered. It is calling for an end to this waste and this indifference. It calls for some order and it makes certain preparations to install that order. This preparation is being jointly planned. When a package emerged, this wing said that this package is going to (word indistinct) us.''

Denktash recalled so-called economy and finance minister Mehmet Bayram/s statement to the effect that ``this package is ours'' adding that the ``government'', inspite of the rally, claimed this package and said that it would implement it. Denktash noted that using these developments as a tool to get rid of Turkey will convey the wrong message to the world and to the people. He continued: ``My government is governing this country. It is again my government, and not Turkey, that is causing this outcry on the part of all the sectors. It is again my government, and not Turkey, which is responsible for creating the current economic situation. They are saying that we should be in charge of the administration. The administration is in the hands of the government. If, however, you need economic aid, then certain conditions are being posed. This does not mean that the administration is being transferred to someone else. There is an establishment instituted in line with your laws and you constitution. You are sharing certain rights with this establishment. What does this claim that the administration is not in your hands mean? How come a government member makes such a declaration to the world?''

Noting that all efforts are being exerted to safeguard the ``state'' and that a struggle is being waged against the entire world in a bid to protect the ``state'' and democracy, Denktash added that, however, half of the ``government'' is declaring to the world that it is not responsible for the ``state''. Pointing out that he is obliged to say this because the Turkish Cypriots are trying to defend a ``national cause'', Denktash underlined that this ``national cause'' can only be defended in cooperation with Turkey. Denktash stated that there are attempts to attribute to the people this struggle against Turkey initiated by a small minority, adding: ``Had those who attended the rally been aware that this action would be interpreted as such, not even 15 persons would have attended that rally. This is our people. I know my people very well. They are claiming that this rally was aimed at breaking away from and turning one/s back to Turkey. This is what we can interpret from what Akinci had to say. In his daily, it was said:

We did not prepare this package. Turkey imposed this package on us. Denktash is supporting this rally being organized against Turkey. What does this mean? This rally is against Turkey and Denktash is supporting it. No, this is not true. This rally is against you, in other words against the government. It is a disgrace and a shame. This does not befit government members''.

Denktash said that various establishments should together announce their joint views and recalled that ``protocols'' of some 400 pages were signed with Turkey, adding that he is examining why these ``protocols'' were not implemented.

Denktash also replied to accusations made against him. He said: ``It is being claimed that I called those who participated in the rally traitors. They have developed the habit of saying that I accuse everyone of treason. I have not called anyone a traitor. If there is one person whom I know to be a traitor, then let them allow me to disclose it''. Noting that it is not beneficial to lie to the people, Denktash said that the people are facing many difficulties. ``The people, under the false impression that these difficulties will disappear, can, at times, follow the wrong leaders. It is, however, evident that the people also closely monitor the policies of the individuals they are following. The people are vigilant. It is essential to trust the people. What I want is for my people to trust the government. I will follow with curiosity what the people will do given the fact that half of the government, which is openly pursuing this policy of breaking away from Turkey, is still in power. It is a pity''.

[02] Talat says time has come for Turks to participate in EU negotiations Illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (10:30 hours, 19.10.00) reports that Republican

At the meeting, Talat said that the EU is very important for the Turkish Cypriots, adding that Turkey/s full membership in the EU will pave the way to the solution of the Cyprus problem. The ambassador, in turn, referred to the talks he held with both Turkish and Greek Cypriot party representatives saying that he received positive messages regarding the solution of the problem.

Referring to the proximity talks, Talat compared the fifth round, which is expected to begin on 1 November, to the initiation of a new step. He stressed that the stage reached so far is one of a document that is actually a nondocument. Reiterating that the stage reached at the proximity talks is a vital one, Talat expressed the belief that views and proposals will begin to be discussed in future talks. Pointing out that he is quite hopeful regarding the proximity talks, Talat said that when other factors that effect the process are taken into consideration, the Geneva talks are very important. Noting that both sides in Cyprus should accept the fact that a lasting solution will be beneficial to all, Talat said that especially the Turkish Cypriots are living under very difficult conditions and that, therefore, he should contribute to the solution process.

Commenting on the negotiations the Greek Cypriot side is holding with the EU, Talat assessed the developments as ``unjust''. Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots should also take part in the negotiations, Talat added: The time has come for us to participate in the negotiations.

The Italian ambassador, referring to the social events Italy has been organizing in the free areas of Cyprus, said that if progress is made in the solution process of the Cyprus problem then he would be pleased to organize activities with the participation of both sides.

[03] ``Deputy'' resigns, bringing DP ``seats'' down to 12 Illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (10:30 hours, 18.10.00) reports that Ahmet Elbasan,

With Elbasan/s resignation, the number of Democratic Party ``seats'' in the pseudo-assembly went down to 12 and the number of independent ``deputies'' increased to three. The following is the distribution of ``seats'' at the ``assembly'': The National Unity Party has 22 ``seats''; the Communal Liberation Party has seven; and the Republican Turkish Party has six ``seats''.

[04] 2.45 percent increase in cost of living According to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (10:30 hours, 18.10.00) an increase of

The statement further said that the index, which was 42.92 percent on 11 September 2000, increased to 46.41 percent on 10 October.

According to the statement, an increase of 53.72 percent was registered in the food sector; 33.59 percent in the clothing sector; 31percent in home appliances; 39.08 percent in the health sector; 37.60 percent in the transportation and communication sector; 53.01 in culture, education, and entertainment; 64.64 percent in housing expenditures; and 38.20 percent in cigarettes.

[05] MHP /s Izgi elected Turkish Parliament speaker TRT 1 Television (14:07 hours, 18.10.00) reports on the results of the

According to the above results, Konya Deputy Izgi has been elected Turkish Assembly speaker after receiving the majority of the votes.

[06] Akinci criticizes Denktash ORTAM (20.10.00) reports about the long press conference of Mustafa Akinci,

Akinci strongly criticized Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for his stance towards the pseudo-government. Akinci accused Denktash of acting like an opposition leader.

He also answered questions put to him about the new economic package imposed on the occupied area by Turkey.

The 90 minute long press conference dealt entirely with domestic issues. Nothing was said about the Cyprus problem.

[07] Shop owners and artisans protest According to KIBRIS (20.10.00) small shop owners and artisans in the

The protesters closed down their shops yesterday and held a meeting in front of the regional office of the so-called inland revenue department in occupied Moprhou. They handed over a petition criticizing the inspectors visit.

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

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