Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-03-13

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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. 49/01 -- 13.3.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu and Akinci assessed George Papandreou/s visit to Cyprus.

[02] HURRIYET on George Papandreou/s visit to Cyprus.

[03] Rally of extremism to be organized in occupied Nicosia.

[04] Denktash met with a University professor from Kazakhstan.

[05] Denktash in favour of Customs Union of the occupied areas with Turkey.

[06] Talat criticizes the so-called government.

[07] Turkish Cypriot newspaper speaks of US plan on Turkey with provisions for Cyprus.

[08] Leader of a small political party of the occupied areas does not accept our apology.

[09] Seven young people were arrested in occupied Kyrenia for insulting the Turkish flag.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] The Cyprus question to be addressed in a sober manner.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash, Eroglu and Akinci assessed George Papandreou/s visit to Cyprus According to HALKIN SESI, (13.3.01) and other Turkish Cypriot newspapers,

Alleging that the Cyprus Government applied for EU membership not to solve the Cyprus issue but rather to solve the Greek Cypriot cause, Denktash emphasized that the Greek Cypriots have no right to apply to the EU on behalf of Cyprus and that the Turkish Cypriots also have rights over the island. Noting that the Turkish Cypriots will continue to insist on their rights over the island, Denktash said that they have no other choice. He continued: If the Greek Cypriots are under the impression that they will achieve anything by portraying me as intransigent, then I will do all in my power to prevent my people from being deceived.

In reply to a question on whether Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is expected to arrive in the occupied areas in the coming days, Denktash said that it is always possible for Cem to visit the TRNC, adding that such a visit might be expected. He continued: His arrival would be very good for us. We hope that he will.

On his part in a statement to the media after the half-hour meeting, Eroglu said that economic and foreign policy issues were discussed at the meeting. Noting that they exchanged views on foreign policy issues, Eroglu said that they assessed the statements made yesterday by both the Greek and Greek Cypriot foreign ministers. Pointing out that they also briefed Denktash on economic issues, Eroglu said that payment to bank depositors and the situation of PEYAK [Personnel Mutual Aid Cooperatives Corporation] depositors were also discussed. Eroglu said that the country's revenues were down because of the economic crisis and the holiday and that, therefore, payments to depositors were postponed. He added, however, that payments will be made within the framework of a program. Noting that activities concerning PEYAK were almost completed, Eroglu said that this is an issue of resources and that the difficulties of the PEYAK depositors will be resolved as soon as possible, though it is too early to set a date.

Drawing attention to the economic meetings being held in Turkey, Eroglu stressed that the developments taking place and the measures being taken there will be assessed in Cyprus. Upon being reminded that a new economic program will be implemented in Turkey, Eroglu said: We are using the same monetary unit with Turkey. This is the reason why we are also experiencing the problems being encountered there. We will try and take measures that are parallel to those being taken in Turkey.

[02] HURRIYET on George Papandreou/s visit to Cyprus Huseyin Alkan, HURRIYET/s correspondent in occupied Cyprus, who covered the

Replying to HURRIYET/s questions during his three-day visit to Cyprus, Papandreou said that the Helsinki Summit decisions are binding on Turkey and noted that Cyprus/ accession to the EU cannot be obstructed.

Asked to comment on how Turkey/s possible reaction to Cyprus/ accession to the EU in accordance with the Greek Cypriot side/s unilateral application might affect the relations between the two countries, he said: ``The talks on Cyprus/ accession will end early in 2002. The Turkish Cypriots must join the Greek Cypriots in their talks with the organization. Our preference is the solution of the problem before accession is realized. However, the Helsinki Summit decisions will be applied if a solution cannot be found. So, the island/s accession will be realized. An important process has begun between Greece and Turkey. We have made progress toward a positive direction, regardless of the claims that the initiatives for a rapprochement have not yielded a satisfactory result thus far. The multilateral relations between the two countries are improving. I hope that Cyprus/ accession to the EU will not create a problem between Greece and Turkey. Ankara must assess that as a new and positive factor. Cyprus has caused serious pain between the two countries. The burden the island placed on the shoulders of Greece and Turkey will be removed. We will be like a family''.

Stressing that Cyprus will determine the future of the relations between the two countries, Papandreou said, ``Cyprus will either unite or divide us. We want it to unite us. We want to cooperate with Ankara''.

[03] Rally of extremism to be organized in occupied Nicosia According to KIBRIS (13.2.01) and other Turkish Cypriot newspapers, a

During the rally it will be stressed that ``the Turkish Cypriot nation is an indispensable part of Turkey and they will never give up Turkey/s guarantorship''.

The rally will be organized by 71 non-governmental organizations under the leadership of the so-called Lefkosha Municipality.

The so-called Lefkosha Mayor Semi Bora said on Monday that as the ``municipality'', they would take every necessary measure to hold the rally in peaceful atmosphere.

Bora stressed that the Turkish Cypriots would never make concessions from their motherland, flag and freedom.

On the other hand AVRUPA (13.3.01) notes that the meeting is organizied by the regime/s and the status quo/s supporters, adding: ``People is being bombarded with morale''.

ORTAM (13.3.01) on its part, writes that the meeting is ``a good way of hiding the consequences of the economic crisis''.

[04] Denktash met with a University professor from Kazakhstan KIBRIS (13.3.01) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met

The ``Dean of Kyrenia American University'' Serhat Akpinar was also present at the meeting.

Stressing that the university in Kazakhstan was opened last December in cooperation with the ``Kyrenia American University'' Dr. Kacbek said that they want to strengthen in every aspect the relations with the pseudostate.

Prof. Kacbek also added that it is the second time that he is in the occupied areas.

Denktash offered a scholarship to a student from Kazakhstan who will make a research on Cyprus history.

[05] Denktash in favour of Customs Union of the occupied areas with Turkey According to ``YENI DEMOKRAT'' (13.3.01), the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf

The paper reports that Denktash said the demand of the shopkeepers was fair and added: ``I also fully agree with this. All custom barriers between us and Turkey must be lifted. Something must be done about the tariffs which make life more expensive. Our people must be salvaged from this shirt made of fire''.

[06] Talat criticizes the so-called government According to YENIDUZEN (13.3.01), the leader of the Republican Turkish Party

In a written statement published yesterday, Mr. Talat supports that it is time for the NUP-CLP coalition ``government'' to go.

``At this stage when the economic crisis reached a critical point, a policy has gone bankrupt'', says Mr. Talat adding that while the Turkish Cypriots expect things to improve, their savings are taken out of Cyprus at a fast rate.

[07] Turkish Cypriot newspaper speaks of US plan on Turkey with provisions for Cyprus

KIBRISLI claims that since Turkey is going through a major shake up because of the current economic crisis, the Americans are drawing up big plans on Turkey.

KIBRISLI does not mention when and how it acquired this report and by whom the report is submitted to the White House, it only limits itself by saying ``experts who submitted the report to the White House''.

From the report, notes KIBRISLI, it is understood that ``the US Administration is not going to give up bothering Turkey on Kurdish issue, on Cyprus problem, on Religious sects and on Turkey/s space research issue.

KIBRISLI claims that the report was submitted to the White House by the Middle East, the Caucasus and Turkey Desk Chiefs. The report on the Cyprus problem envisages ``the creation of public opinion on finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of a single state and equal rights''.

[08] Leader of a small political party of the occupied areas does not accept our apology

Commenting on the proposal by the Foreign Minister Mr. Kasoulides for a mutual apology between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, for mistakes of the past, made during the joined press conference with Mr. Papandreou on Sunday.

Arif Salih Kirdag said that it is impossible to accept the apology of the Greek Cypriots, ``who do their best to deny the human rights of the Turkish Cypriots''.

[09] Seven young people were arrested in occupied Kyrenia for insulting the Turkish flag

AVRUPA says that the seven young people were interrogated for several hours at the occupied Kyrenia police station, and they were repeatedly asked whether they were members of an underground organization, and who were behind them or were directing them.

AVRUPA further reports that, Denktash/s police denied the young people permission to inform their parents.

The incident happened when a group of young people passing by the Ataturk monument in the occupied Kyrenia, were instrumental in lowering the Turkish flag, the young people immediately realized it and raised the flag again. However, adds AVRUPA, a retired Turkish officer, intervened and insulted them and scored them while his wife started throwing stones on them.

With a view to avoiding escalation of tension the young people did not retaliate and continued their walk, but after a short time ``police came and arrested them''.

Two of seven young people were university students and the rest were going to Lyceum.

The seven youngsters were kept in the cell and after accusing them of ``insulting the flag'' were set free the following day.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] The Cyprus question to be addressed in a sober manner Writing in the column ``Editorial'' of Turkish Daily News (12.3.01) with the

We feel that new and serious steps are needed to counter growing domestic and foreign problems.

Some of these problems are closely linked with the economic crisis. It is no secret that in times of trouble the enemies of Turkey both at home and abroad try to capitalize on the weakness of the country.

We have to be extremely alert.

There are important developments all around us which needs Turkey/s active attention.

Iranian President Khatami is visiting Moscow today and we are told that he will concentrate on energy issues during this trip with special emphasis on the proposed Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline to which both the Russians and the Iranians oppose.

Beyond that we see with great discomfort growing between Armenia, Iran and Greece.

Referring of the Cyprus problem, Ilnur Cevik, writes: Also there is the Cyprus question which has to be addressed in a sober manner. The economic crisis in Turkey is hurting our Turkish Cypriot brothers and some are now thinking that linking the Turkish Cypriot economy to the EU, rather than to Turkey, may be a much better idea.

All these need the attention of a strong government with national backing. We feel Turkish leaders have to get together and set an agenda.

A national unity government that will take on the growing domestic and international challenges as well as the economic crisis may eventually become a must.

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

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