Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-03-27

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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. 59/01 -- 27.3.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS The impact of the Economic crisis in Turkey on the Economy

[01] Cyprus.

[02] Report on underground exploration of water and mineral resources in occupied Cyprus.

[03] Turkish Cypriot sportsmen can compete by wearing Turkish National Uniforms.

[04] Communal Liberation Party to stick to ``coalition''.

[05] Two ancient tombs unearthed near occupied Akanthou.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Impact of the Economic Crisis in Turkey on the Economy of occupied Cyprus

"Turkish Economic Crisis Hit North Cyprus As Well". In the report it is stressed that the recent economic crisis in Turkey has begun to have an unfavourable impact on investments in occupied Cyprus in the same way that it had on investments in Turkey. The uncertainties regarding the exchange rates of the Turkish lira has forced Turkey to "temporarily" suspend the transfer to occupied Cyprus of the first $105-million portion of the $350- million credits earmarked for Cyprus for a period of three years.

Great importance was earlier attached to the idea of extending credits worth $350 million to occupied Cyprus following the developments indicating that the EU accession of the Cyprus will become clear in 2002. However, Turkey has been obliged to suspend the transfer of these funds until such time as the uncertainties regarding the exchange rates of the lira subsides.

The allocations in the Turkish budget to the credits earmarked for occupied Cyprus have been made in lira. Consequently, the credits earmarked for Cyprus are expected to decrease as a result of the fall in the value of the lira.

According to information obtained regarding the matter, a crisis desk has been set up for the economy of occupied Cyprus in the same way that a crisis desk was earlier set up for the Turkish economy. While State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel has claimed that the occupied areas will not be affected by the economic crisis in Turkey, economic bureaucrats having close links to the Cyprus economy have begun to search for new measures regarding the matter.

Within this framework, economy bureaucrats have decided to wait for the fluctuations in the exchange rates to subside before revising the figures on the amount of financial aid earmarked for occupied Cyprus. The credits earmarked for Cyprus will be activated after the process of revising these figures is concluded.

While trying to offset the deficits in its own economy, Turkey is at the same time trying to offset the deficits emerging in the economy of occupied Cyprus. Economy bureaucrats have stressed during talks with occupied Cyprus following the economic crisis that occupied Cyprus must without fail enact the ``Law on Social Security''. They have also reminded ``pseudo officials'' that there would be no meaning in the transfer of financial aid to Cyprus if the pseudo-government fails to enact this ``law''.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government has stepped up its work on the project to carry water to occupied Cyprus via pipelines. Turkey has earlier carried water to occupied Cyprus in balloons. Water is now carried from Turkey to occupied Cyprus in tankers.

It has been learned that the Turkish government will soon overcome the financing problem of the project on carrying water to occupied Cyprus via pipelines and that a detailed briefing will be given on the matter at the Prime Ministry in the coming days. Should the aforementioned project be completed, Turkey will be able to sell water to Middle Eastern countries, foremost among them Israel.

[02] Report on Underground Exploration of Water and Mineral Resources in occupied Cyprus

A report prepared by the Turkish Metal Detecting and Exploration Company [MTA] in this regard was submitted to the pseudostate during a high-level meeting held at Denktash/s office.

MTA Deputy General Director Oguzhan Eren has briefed the participants in the meeting, which has been held under Rauf Denktash, on the details of the project. Explaining that the work that started in 1996 on the exploration of the underground resources in occupied Cyprus was completed in 1999, MTA Deputy Director Eren has said that he has come to Cyprus in order to present to pseudostate officials the report that he has prepared after a rigorous study.

Pointing out that 56 holes have been drilled over 17,000 square meters within the framework of solving occupied Cyprus/s water problem, Eren has said: "We believe that this report will make a great contribution to the efforts for finding the necessary water resources that meet ``TRNC's'' need for water."

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktash has explained that the project, which has so far cost a total amount of two million US dollars, aims at determining the underground and ground water and mineral resources in occupied Cyprus and at drawing the geological map of the ``country''. Denktash has stressed that this study will constitute a major step for economic planning and for the future outlook.

Indicating that the work has also been concluded on the analysis of soil for agricultural purposes with the help of Turkey, Denktash thanked Turkey for the significant amount of contributions it has made to the occupation regime.

[03] Turkish Cypriot Sportsmen Can Compete by Wearing Turkish National Uniforms

Under the protocol signed on providing additional facilities to citizens of both countries, sportsmen and sportswomen who are ``citizens'' of ``TRNC'', can wear Turkish national uniforms by getting Turkish passport.

The Turkish Cypriots could only wear national uniform earlier if they had to reside in Turkey. According to the recent document sent from the Foreign Ministry, the sportsmen residing in ``TRNC'' have the chance now to wear Turkish national uniform.

[04] Communal Liberation Party to stick to ``coalition'' According to ORTAM (27.3.01) the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) Party

Mustafa Akinci, CLP leader, held a news conference at the end of the meeting last night. Announcing that the decision made by the party assembly is to continue serving in the pseudo-government, Akinci remarked that the problems in the occupied areas were discussed and the party assembly underlined the importance of the CLP/s participation in the ``government'' in order to solve the problems. If the CLP abandons the pseudo-government, Akinci explained, a ``coalition'' could be established between the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party, and the pseudostate would be dragged into worse conditions. Akinci stressed that the party assembly took all these into consideration and decided to remain in the pseudo-government in order not to provide an opportunity for those who are waiting for just such a development.

Pointing out that the CLP will not cease to voice its opinion with regard to the ties with the EU in connection with the solution of the Cyprus problem, Akinci added that a solution can be reached by means of negotiations. Akinci said: When we decide to continue serving in the ``coalition'', we are not making concessions from our democratic concept and we are not concerned over what will happen to the pseudo-government. He added that in coalitions there may be issues of disagreement, but it is wrong to apply censorship because this is being voiced.

[05] Two ancient tombs unearthed near occupied Akanthou KIBRIS (27.3.01) reports that two ancient tombs were found at the ancient

Inside the tombs were several artefacts like amphorae and a wine cup. The tombs are estimated to be 2,700 years old.

According to the ``responsible for the Antiquities and Museums Department in Famagusta'' Hasan Tekel, an ancient town must lie under the ground.

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

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