Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-03-15

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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. 51/01 -- 15.3.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish President/s views on Cyprus problem.

[02] Negative reaction by the occupation regime to George Papandreou/s proposals

[03] Denktash met with Sir David Hannay and Keith Vaz.

[04] The economic crisis forces the Turkish army to cut spending

[05] Inflation in the occupied areas up by 3.3% in February.

[06] Ayios Theodoros Church and mosque in occupied Lapithos in urgent need of restoration.

[07] EU Commission Researcher is giving a lecture in the occupied areas.

[08] British Rescue Unit is providing First Aid courses in the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Turkish Armed Forces in Ombudsman Position.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish President/s views on the Cyprus problem According to Ankara Anatolia (14.3.01) President Ahmet Necdet Sezer

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Sezder said that the Turkish Cypriots would not make concessions on their legal rights, and Turkey will not terminate its guarantee on the ``TRNC''. A confederation based on the political equality of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides could bring a solution on the island.

``We recently saw that the Greek Cypriot administration, instead of trying to find a solution, have been working to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority. Unfortunately, United Nations Secretary General/s efforts failed to ease the worries of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. It is clear that making a link between the Cyprus issue and the EU would not contribute to the problem/s solution. We/re hoping that the EU would act calmly and refrain from taking any step that might disrupt the balances in the Eastern Mediterranean and worsen the situation on the island'', said the President of Turkey.

[02] Negative reaction by the occupation regime to George Papandreou/s proposals

The statement alleges that during his three-day visit to Cyprus Mr. George Papandreou displayed an intransigent and inconsistent attitude.

The statement repeats the views expressed by Denktash and Turkey on Cyprus/ EU accession course and concludes:

``Greek and Greek Cypriot officials who are trying to give advice to Turkey and to the Turkish Cypriots should be well aware of the fact that the Turkish Cypriots who did not yield to the pressures of the Greek Cypriots during 1963-1974 period, who founded the ``TRNC'' in 1983 by using their self-determination rights, and who live freely under Turkey/s guarantee on their own land, will never be a tool to the Greeks and Greek Cypriots. They will continue to defend and develop the ``TRNC''.

[03] Denktash met with Sir David Hannay and Keith Vaz According to KIBRIS (15.3.01), the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash

Speaking after the meeting Denktash said he explained to the British government officials why he did not attend the proximity talks on Cyprus and the British officials told him that ``the Turkish Cypriot side could enter the EU with the Greek Cypriots if they continue the proximity talks''.

Denktash told reporters that he explained to the British officials that if the EU includes the Greek Cypriots in its military wing, the Cyprus conflict would become even more complicated and the solution will become impossible.

Regarding the Cyprus Government/s initiative to give a base to the EU army, Denktash claimed that it was an effort to create a confrontation between Turkey and the EU. He said if the Greek Cypriots join the EU as the Cyprus government, the Greek Cypriots will start saying that ``Turkey invaded the EU land''.

Responding to a question on the possible effects of the economic crisis in Turkey on foreign diplomacy, Denktash said: ``They think that we would yield to their demands when we have economic troubles, but they are wrong. The Turkish Cypriots would never yield to such pressures''.

[04] The economic crisis forces the Turkish army to cut spending ``The Turkish military may scrap its plans for arms purchases after four

The devastating August 17 earthquake in 1999, which dealt a serious blow to the economy, and then two serious economic crises - in November 2000 and in February 2001 - has prompted the army to become more sensitive to the rational use of economic resources while maintaining its determination not to allow any weaknesses in the strength of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Turkey, which has the second biggest army in NATO after the United States, planned to spend billions of dollars on attack helicopters and tanks despite a three-year IMF-backed disinflation program.

But the government is now working to cut spending, including military expenditures, as part of a plan to stabilize the economy.

``The Turkish lira has lost 30 percent of its value. The priorities of some projects will be re-evaluated'', Kivrikoglu said.

[05] Inflation in the occupied areas up by 3.3% in February HALKIN SESI (15.3.01) reports that according to information supplied by the

[06] Ayios Theodoros Church and mosque in occupied Lapithos in urgent need of restoration

The report specifically mentions the name of Ayios Theodoros Church and the Mosque in the village. It says that both buildings need major restoration.

Locals complained that a month ago the belfry of Ayios Theodoros Church was hit by lightning and was damaged and stones were falling from the damaged belfry. The locals said that children were playing near the building and falling stones pose a real danger for them.

Locals also complained about the mosque, which was originally a church and was turned into a mosque, and demanded its restoration.

[07] EU Commission Researcher is giving a lecture in the occupied areas KIBRIS (15.3.01) reports that Sir Leslie Fielding who works as researcher

The conference is organized by the European Union Research and Documentation Centre of the NEU.

It will start at 18:30 and will be open to everybody.

[08] British Rescue Unit is providing First Aid courses in the occupied areas KIBRIS (15.3.01) reports that the British-Thames Valley and Rescue Unit

The experts in the team Terence J. Carter, Sue Williams, Elaine Blanchard and Kevin Gallow, took part in the demonstration.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIAS

[09] Turkish Armed Forces in Ombudsman position In his regular column OPINION of Turkish Daily News (14.3.01) and with the

Certain circles know Professor Hikmet Ozdemir very well. He is one of our rare specialists who has written nine books analyzing army-civilian relations, who has researched not only in Turkey but in the state archives of Great Britain and the United States, who has great knowledge on the army/s position in Western countries and who has commented on army- political relations after serious archive studies. He is a man who has gained faith with his serious and scientific studies.

He was the guest of CNN-Turk/s Manset program on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the March 12 struggle.

``The position of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in our political life, ``was not discussed scientifically and calmly for years apart from several severe debates between TSK defenders and the anti-TSK front. Ozdemir, with his approach to democracy and his intellect which can criticize the TSK when needed, increased the weight of his statements.

According to Ozdemir, the TSK is not like other countries/ armed forces. It has a different characteristic in that it always draws Turkey back to democracy although it has the opportunity to stay in power as long as it wants.

Ozdemir made an interesting comparison: In the eyes of the public the TSK is an ``Ombudsman''

No matter whether we like it or not, this statement is being made by a scientific researcher.

Moreover, it is correct.

Turkish public opinion views the TSK as a part of democracy.

Why? -- The insufficiency of political figures and the shortcomings that emerge under their administration.

I am supporting the idea of Ozdemir that says, ``The TSK didn/t move with the urging of exterior powers''. They must have considered positive signals that came from foreign countries while carrying out certain operations, but they didn/t base their decisions on the wishes of the United States.

What will happen next?

Ozdemir believes that the TSK is a part of the Turkish democratic system and it will maintain this role for years.

His judgement is highly realistic.

Politicians including the Prime Minister accept the status of the TSK and the functions of the National Security Council (MGK) as an institution. Turkish people view the TSK is a ``guarantee'' of the system.

Then what should be done?

The TSK should not overuse its power and should keep watch on the pulse of the country. And the MGK should fine tune the administration.

Let/s leave discussions of the Cold War era aside.

Let/s not waste time with the TSK-civilian struggle.

In contrast, let/s discuss the TSK in a healthy way.

Like Professor Ozdemir said, the TSK will maintain its prominent position if non-governmental organizations (NGO/s) cannot gain power in order to fulfill its real functions and politicians continue to cause gaps.

The rest is just a waste of time.

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

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