Mr. Cokun 'zg'nel-member of the Language, History and Geography School of Ankara University- with 13 archaeologists of Ankara University, East Mediterranean University and Middle East Technical University continue their archaeological excavations and restorations at the Salamis Ruins. The excavations, which have begun on 25 June, brought to light a Liman Hamam (Tr. note: as described by the paper) which was ruined during the Byzantine Times and later from the earthquakes.

Cokun 'zg'nel, who has been carrying out excavations at the Salamis Ruins for four years now, said that a work of 250 years is needed in order to bring to light all the archaeological structures that are in the area of the Ruins and are estimated to belong to the period of 1100 B.C.

The excavation work will end on 29 July, of this year and the Turkish Professor added that they will continue the restoration work of Sun Mosaic which is in Campana Petra Basilica, of whose major part of restoration work was completed together with the restoration of the flooring of the Gymnasium. The excavations on the Roman Agora and Roman Villas will also continue.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Columnist in Sabah calls on Turkey and Denktash to listen to opposing views regarding the Cyprus problem.

We have yet another example confirming my previous assertion that we have successfully transferred all the diseases in our country to the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus].

Here are some passages from a typewritten letter I have received from one of my readers, whose name I will not disclose:

"Mr. Sertoglu, I would like to assure you that I have sent letters to all judicial, government and civil institutions as well as all newspapers and committees in the KKTC as part of the struggle I had personally waged before writing this letter to you, which was extremely difficult and worrying for me. However, as a social democrat and a man of law I feel ashamed because social housing constructed by using funds paid by taxpayers in Turkey and transferred by the Turkish Mass Housing Administration and/or Turkish banks in order to enable KKTC citizens, who are in the low-income category and own no house, to buy these housing units, are being plundered by Turkish Cypriot and Turkish rentiers and narrow-minded so-called Cypriot politicians who use unimaginable methods. This scandalous phenomenon has been continuing with an increasing greed and impudence since 1978."

My reader asked me not to disclose his name in order to avoid a possible harassment by KKTC government authorities. "Could not this theft be prevented in a very small country like the KKTC, where everybody knows what other people are up to? Indeed, it can be prevented if there is enough determination."

"There is an extremely corrupt system in the KKTC. It is a complete shambles. Furthermore, the latest plot against KKTC President Rauf Denktas was totally unbelievable. Those who want to be enlightened about this conspiracy can speak with his son, Serdar Denktas. I and Mr. Denktas totally disagree on how the Cyprus question could be solved, but I would never permit any attempt designed to slander him and defend him against any ill-founded accusation. Everybody, especially the present KKTC government should be aware of this fact.

Now, let me draw your attention to some figures. We know that more and more KKTC citizens are obtaining Greek Cypriot passports as the corrupt system in the KKTC continues unabated. The question is how many people have obtained Greek Cypriot passports so far. A total of 400 KKTC citizens obtained Greek Cypriot passports in 2000. The corresponding figure for the first four months of this year is 250 and it is expected to reach 750 by the end of the year. These figures show that the annual increase is 88 percent as compared to increases ranging between 10 and 15 percent in previous years. Any person can obtain a Greek Cypriot passport even he or she was not born in Cyprus. In other words, people, who have migrated from Turkey to KKTC and received a KKTC citizenship certificate, could easily obtain a passport issued by Greek Cypriots. A majority of applications are received by Greek Cypriot embassies in the United Kingdom and Germany."

These remarks provide a true picture of how things have evolved in KKTC since 1974.

And, this bitter and naked fact is facing us.

We have spent years by brainwashing ourselves. We only paid heed to what we said and applauded each other. For example, a university in the KKTC organized a conference on the Cyprus issue and only invited the government's mouthpieces. Naturally, it did not help its plans to gain international recognition.

Both Turkey and the TRNC need to pay attention to opinions different from the official rhetoric. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem listened to these views in a meeting held behind closed doors in Istanbul a couple of months ago.

These opposing views were voiced by individuals who cherish Turkey and the KKTC not less than those who formulate the official policy. With a firm conviction that there was a pressing need for finding a solution to the problem, they were trying to create new chances and to take advantage of opportunities brought about by the globalization process.

The Military Academies are ahead of others in this regard. They have started to listen to opposing opinions.

Can you imagine a country wherein the military pays attention to and try to understand conflicting opinions whereas the politicians turn a deaf ear to those views and simply keep waiting? How long will they remain idle? The answer is until the very last moment as we have witnessed in the past.

I wish a good week to all of my readers although it seems highly unlikely under the present circumstances.

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