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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-07-31

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA 144/01 31.7.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

  • [01] The Turkish Cypriot leader insists on absolute equality.
  • [02] The General Secretary of KTOS: «It is not possible to find a solution with Denktas».
  • [03] CUMHURIYET on the economic situation in the occupied areas.
  • [04] CUMHURIYET on the resumption of talks.
  • [05] Another bank has gone bankrupt in the occupied Cyprus.
  • [06] The occupation regime thinks of privatising the illegal airlines.
  • [07] Solomos Solomou/s murderer Erdal Emanet got a promotion.
  • [B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

  • [08] Crime committed with orders from above.

  • [A] NEWS ITEMS

    [01] The Turkish Cypriot leader insists on absolute equality

    KIBRIS (31.7.01) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash has said that a possible agreement in Cyprus passes through the absolute equality. He also stressed that the domestic and external balances created by the 1960 Agreements should be maintained as well. Denktash said: We are struggling for a sound agreement based on equality, because our people won it with martyrs' price we cannot make concessions, regarding limiting the three freedoms, Turkey's guarantorship rights and Greco-Turkish equality».

    Saying that hiding behind the Cyprus Government title the South Cyprus Greek Cypriot Administration wants to usurp the rights and the freedom of the Turkish Cypriots, through the EU which it was unable to destroy with the force of arms and coupe, Denktash said: «The way to stop it is to show to the EU countries and the world that we will not bow to this forgery and lawlessness. It is not the right approach. Instead of exposing Greek Cypriot intransigence, we are trying to demonstrate that our people are intransigent. It is not also a proper approach to give the impression that we will bow to this lie, forgery and lawlessness because of the economic difficulties.»

    Denktash said that evaluating his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, as «negotiations are resuming» has in advance undermined the contacts.

    In a written statement yesterday Denktash made an evaluation of the latest developments. Especially referring to his forthcoming meeting with Kofi Annan and commenting on this issue Denktash said that his statement in Malaysia that he will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General was by chance and it was wrongly evaluated.

    Denktash further that his meeting with Annan gained clarity following his several telephone conversations with the UN Secretary-General's Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro de Soto, prior to his visit to Malaysia, who contacted him, following his (Denktash) statements that he is ready to meet the Secretary-General.

    Denktash noted that he had proposed to de Soto that «the UN Secretary-General will be in Europe in August and, due to health reasons, it will not be a right thing, returning from Malaysia to go to New York again, and if possible to meet in Europe.»

    Denktash also stated that the Special Representative called him at the Istanbul airport and proposed him to fly from Malaysia to New York but he turned down this invitation by saying: «It is not possible before contacting my government». Denktash said that he is ready to meet Annan in Europe.

    Denktash went on and said: «As the case is, it is not my duty to find out the motives of those who draw the conclusion that I have made the announcement regarding meeting the Secretary-General, not here but in Malaysia. Especially I do not understand what's the benefit of undermining in advance the contacts that we will hold for the resumption of the talks, by interpreting this contact as 'talks are resuming'.

    KIBRIS also reports that Rauf Denktash also evaluated criticisms directed against him. Denktash said: «It is not only my duty to secure national unity, to maintain internal peace, and to preclude polarization, it is a duty for all of us. I have no fight with the opposition parties and there cannot be. Those party leaders who strongly criticize me and even they misinform their grass roots and they consider this their right, then they should put up with my criticisms as well. Those who lay black wreaths at the Presidential door, those who spread the news that the President does not want reconciliation, but they made it a practice to criticize, organize rallies and demonstrations, release statements and pay visits that approve of the President's actions. I am a person who saw and experienced those who are applauding me today. They can throw stones at me tomorrow. My work is neither for applause nor for being stoned. Since 1955 our people is waging his struggle for rights and freedom. The struggle given against the bloody attacks that started to take away our rights and freedom won in 1960, successfully came to an end in 1974 with honour and dignity.

    As the elected President of my people, I am trying to fulfill, working very hard day and night, the duty entrusted to me by my people. I do my duty as a President. It is not possible for me to stay silent for ever, against the attempts that are aimed at weakening us at the negotiation table by creating the atmosphere and giving the impression to our people that the Greek Cypriot side wants to make peace with us but it is me or Turkey that are an obstacle to it».

    Denktash has evaluated Cyprus/ application for membership to the EU as «an attempt to exclude the Turkish Cypriots, whom they were unable to annihilate by attacks and blows». Denktash said the following: «The Greek Cypriot leadership with the determination of sending all its refugees to north and not to accept our people's sovereignty and equality, continues its road. And we are being invited to follow this road. This is not our road.

    The internal and external balance created by the 1960 agreements should be maintained. Through the road of the EU they want to destroy this balance. We are struggling for a sound agreement based on sovereignty that will not destroy this balance».

    [02] The General Secretary of KTOS: "It is not possible to find a solution with Denktas"

    According to Yeniduzen (31/7/01) the Turkish Cypriot Teachers Trade Union (KTOS) held a press conference yesterday to explain the facts regarding the prohibition to students to visit Greece. The General Secretary of KTOS Varol Oztug stressed that the statements, which were announced to the public, were lies and wrong. He said, "They produce totally false scenarios. They also pronounce the names of some teachers who have nothing to do with the issue."

    Varol pointed out that children from twelve countries participated in the "Children's Peace Olympics". There was no official participation from the Greek Cypriot side and only one teacher with four students took part as individuals. Varol criticized illegal BRT and TAK agency, which instead of treating equally all the organizations they behave in a racist manner.

    Varol continued: "We want to wake up our people. There is an urgent need for a solution to the Cyprus problem and peace to Cyprus. But with Denktas a solution is not possible. It is impossible with Denktas. We do not want Mr Denktas to go to the negotiations. As a matter of fact at the last elections he only took 30% of the votes and with the thought that the people do not share his thoughts, Denktas does not and cannot represent the Turkish Cypriots. Instead of attending the negotiations it will be more beneficial for him and for the people, to withdraw for a rest and to deal with his grandchildren."

    Replying to reporters' questions Varol said that they have begun a legal struggle: "We will open a case to our courts and to the European Court of Human Rights for what the children went through at the airport surrounded by 50 policemen."

    [03] CUMHURIYET on the economic situation in the occupied areas

    Leyla Tavsanoglu, writing in CUMHURIYET (31.7.01) reports about the socio-economic situation currently existing in the occupied area, especially in the face of the economic bottleneck that Turkey currently is going through.

    She says that when Turkey's economy hit the rock, the economy in the occupied area almost reached on the verge of collapse.

    She has discussed the existing economic situation with Salih Cosar, the so-called State Minister Responsible for economy of the pseudostate.

    Cosar said that «in order to overcome the Banking crisis first the issue of the depositors affected must be solved». Cosar went on and said: «We are transferring the bankrupt banks to a fund that has no money. The affected depositors/ money was not paid. We have decided to liquidate the banks, but we don't have resources. Turkey is giving every month five trillion TL for the affected depositors. This means that we will be paying forever debts to the affected depositors. Turkey should stop paying us every month five trillion TL. Instead Turkey should give us a paper against the total money that banks owe to the affected depositors for one year. In turn we will make these people depositors of powerful banks here. The Banks will accept this arrangement».

    When asked to comment on people's preference to work in the public sector as «civil servants» in the occupied area Cosar said: «People consider working in the public sector, as a security because of the existing economic situation. We have also an early retirement scheme. However, we experienced periods where working in the private sector was advantageous. But, with the EU Court of Justice decision that too was finished. It is difficult to live in Cyprus. It is not a rich country. It was not rich during the British era. In the 30/s and 40/s both Greeks and Turks, the majority of this country's people, because of the unemployment, they were serving in the British Army as muleteers. At a time citrus was like a gold in this country, because Asil Nadir's Polly Peck company was marketing the citrus fruit. At that time everybody was looking after their citrus groves. Now they have stopped because there is no market for the citrus fruit».

    She then reports about the meeting she had with the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Tavsanoglu says that she discussed with Talat for holding a referendum regarding EU membership, Talat said: «If Denktash does not recourse to cheating the percentage that wants EU membership will be very high.

    This gained further importance because of the economic crisis. I believe that if the Cyprus problem is solved most of the problems existing here will be mainly settled. But, there will be no EU membership if the problem is not solved. In that case emigration of the Turkish Cypriots will gain speed. Denktash, does not care, but I do».

    As regards the bombing of AVRUPA newspaper, because of the criticism the paper directs against Denktash, Talat said: «This is (bombing) the work of the organizations of whom Denktash is the spiritual leader. He is the man who ordered the bombing of the office of the Turkish News Agency in Nicosia in order to draw Turkey's intervention. I am not saying this, he confessed it».

    [04] CUMHURIYET on the resumption of talks

    According to CUMHURIYET (31.7.01) the news that Denktash might meet the UN Secretary-General instead of September-October earlier in August has created interest.

    It is understood that Denktash will tell the UN Secretary-General that it is possible to start talks not on the old basis but on a new basis. It is claimed that by going to New York, Denktash will exhibit his goodwill. Prior to this visit, with a view to conveying Ankara's views and to contributing to the preparatory work Turkish Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Faruk Logoglu will visit the occupied area during the coming week. In the meantime, Denktash will make a stopover in Ankara upon his return from New York, CUMHURIEYT reports.

    [05] Another bank has gone bankrupt in the occupied Cyprus

    Halkin Sesi (31.07.01) reports that another bank has gone bankrupt in the occupied areas of Cyprus. The paper writes that «Tilmo Bank» had been facing difficulties for some time now and in the end it stopped its work.

    According to Halkin Sesi, the clients of the «Tilmo» have been left destitute and cannot use the cheques given to them by the bank. The people have criticized the pseudogovenrment for not making any statement on the issue.

    [06] The occupation regime thinks of privatising the illegal airlines

    According to KIBRIS (31.07.01), the so-called minister of tourism and environment, Serdar Denktas, has said that the pseudostate is thinking of privatising the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines («TCA»).

    Mr. Denktas, who was speaking yesterday in Ankara during a meeting with the Turkish State Minister responsible for the privatisation, Yilmaz Karakoyunlu, noted that within the next few days they are going to discuss the course of the privatisation of the airlines.

    Mr. Denktas said also that they will try to benefit form Turkey`s experience in the transfer of the illegal Tymbou airport to the «TCA».

    Referring to the privatisation of the «TCA» Mr. Karakoyunlu, assured Mr. Denktas that his Ministry will do whatever is necessary «to help» the pseudostate and to increase the number of tourists who visit the occupied areas of Cyprus.

    [07] Solomos Solomou's murderer Erdal Emanet got a promotion

    According to Yeniduzen (31/7/01) Erdal Emanet, the murderer of Solomos Solomou during the incidents of August 1996, got a promotion to the so-called police headquarters. He became a "Police Deputy Director". The Cyprus Republic has issued an international warrant against Emanet for the shooting and killing the Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou.

    [B] COMMENTS AND ETITORIALS

    [08] Crime committed with orders from above

    Sener Levent, writing in his «Angle» column in «AVRUPA» (31.7.01) criticizes the situation existing in the occupied area and how things happen when «ordered from above».

    Sener Levent says that a lot of people today feel the pang of conscience for what they have done because the «order came from above».

    The chief editor of AVRUPA cites the following example: «Such as the man who came to the paper's (AVRUPA) office yesterday and in despair and suffering said that in the war he had thrown out two Greek Cypriot children from the balcony.

    Now he says: I wish I could have killed the one who ordered me to throw the children, and not to kill the children/.

    He shows repentance, but it is too late, isn't it?» Sener Levent concludes.

    KV/SK


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