Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-01

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/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader expressed opposition to the UN preparing a package for Cyprus.

[02] According to ORTAM Turkey is doing everything possible to block the negotiations procedure for Cyprus.

[03] TMT/s foundation day is being celebrated in the occupied areas.

[04] The new minimum salary will be 300 million TL.

[05] The compensation for the Turkish soldiers who serve in the occupied areas will be increased.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Turkey tries to Turkicize occupied Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader expressed opposition to the UN preparing a package for Cyprus

Denktas today met a delegation from the Antierosion and Forestation Fund. In reply to a question by a reporter on whether the date and venue of his meeting with the UN Secretary-General has been determined, Denktas said that two days prior to his departure for Malaysia he told Turkish journalist Yusuf Kanli that he would be meeting with the Secretary-General but that this should not be construed as the continuation of the proximity talks. He noted that there are ulterior motives to interpreting the written statement he issued to illegal TAK as having been issued in Malaysia on purpose, adding: «What is the difference of issuing a statement in Malaysia or in Ireland? There is no importance. Some, however, are creating an issue saying that the statement was issued in Malaysia». Denktas said that the date and venue of his meeting with the Secretary-General has not yet been determined, adding that they are waiting for it to be finalized.

In reply to a question on his assessment of Greek Cypriot press reports to the effect that the United Nations is preparing a plan on the solution of the Cyprus issue, Denktas said: «We see and hear from the Greek Cypriot media that the Americans, the British, and the Secretary-General have prepared a master plan. It is being said that this master plan will not be presented to us as a whole. It will be presented in fragments». Denktas said that, for example, the courts might change depending on a unitary, federal, or a confederal state structure. Noting that the talks cannot be held in fragments, Denktas continued: «For example, Clerides might want to manufacture Volvo cars, whereas Denktas might want to construct an aircraft. The parts are put forth, but when you want to assemble them you cannot even come up with a tractor».

Denktas said that they requested to discuss these issues with Mr Alvaro de Soto, the UN special Cyprus envoy, and that in the phone conversation they held with de Soto he was told that they might hold a meeting in the aftermath of his meeting with Annan. Denktas continued: «Therefore, we are against the preparation of package. Clerides and I should first agree on the principles». Alleging that the bizonal and bicommunal federal solution, which certain circles still support, was destroyed with the unilateral Greek Cypriot application to the EU, Denktas said that for bizonality to be viable the three freedoms should be curtailed.

Denktas then recalled the statement made by Mr Clerides to the effect that when they join the EU the importance of the guarantee agreement will be eliminated, the restriction of the three freedoms which has been promised to the Turkish Cypriots and the principle of bizonality will contravene the EU laws, all refugees will gain the right of return, and Hellenism will triumph. Denktas said that this is the aim of the Greek Cypriots in acceding to the EU. Noting that states can join the EU and that the Greek Cypriots want to drag the Turkish Cypriots to the EU with the status of a minority, Denktas said that the court decisions the Greek Cypriot side had adopted within the framework of the EU reveal that they have no intention of reaching a conciliation. He continued: «An agreement on principles should be reached with Clerides. What is the goal? How will the equal sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriot partner appear in this new partnership, within the framework of this goal? How will the bridges of cooperation be established between these two states? The issue of acceding to the EU can be discussed in detail between the two sides while these bridges are being built. Only then can the Turkish Cypriots avoid being condemned according to the European norms, only then can our people avoid becoming refugees once again». Denktas stressed that the issue cannot be resolved in any other way.

[02] According to Ortam Turkey is doing everything possible to block the negotiations procedure for Cyprus

The paper reports that the economic crisis is being felt more everyday in the life of the Turkish Cypriots and adds that the Turkish lira has lost 100 % of its value since February, while the salaries remain the same. People became poorer and cannot pay their debts, notes Ortam, adding that students who come from Turkey to study in the so-called universities of the pseudostate are returning back, because they cannot pay their rent or their school fees.

«The people of the TRNC, which is excessively integrated to Turkey under the administration of politicians who have built their political future on the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, are searching for ways to get out of this difficult situation», writes Ortam.

[03] TMT's foundation day is being celebrated in the occupied areas

The so-called governmental officials and the political party leaders sent messages on this occasion.

Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the so-called TRNC Assembly speaker, said that the aims and targets of TMT have been fulfilled in 1974.

The so-called Prime Minister Dervish Eroglu alleged that "TRNC" is the last most important accomplishment that the Turkish Cypriot struggle for sovereignty and existence in the island has achieved.

The leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and so-called state minister and deputy prime minister responsible for Economic Affairs Salih Cosar stated that they could easily reach peace in the island when the EU and UN do not treat Greek Cypriots as the government of the Cyprus Republic.

The chairman of TMT, Yilmaz Bora, said that they will continue their struggle and added that it will be an illusion if they expect the Turkish Cypriots to make any concession to the Cyprus problem due to their economic difficulties. He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots know how to overcome the difficult days and for this reason they will overcome with the same ideals the current difficult days as well.

[04] The new minimum salary will be 300 million TL

According to the newspaper 20,000 workers are being paid with the minimum salary in the occupied areas.

[05] The compensation for the Turkish soldiers who serve in the occupied areas will be increased

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Turkey tries to Turkicize occupied Cyprus

«This is the name of the policy which the administrators in Ankara apply towards the Turkish Cypriots after 1974 and this policy is applied in all fields... The aim is to condemn the Turkish Cypriots to this sheep - pen life as a minority in their own country! Those who in fact control all the establishments and institutions are the bureaucrats and the employees who come from Turkey! Shall I give examples? The Central Bank, the Command of the Security Forces, the Civil Defence, the Civil Affairs Ministry...And we continue...The General Command of the Security and many other institutions.

Who administrates this country? The employees of Ankara who are here. ...I always say and write that the police is our police. We respect them and we shall continue to respect them. However our duty is to criticize and inform the public opinion about some events in the police force. ...When we say solve the problems, they call us enemies of the police. . Very well. Tell me then, how many of those who recently began to work in the police are Turkish Cypriots? And how many people from Turkey were promoted despite the fact that they had not been able to pass the exams?...

We are strongly against the Turkicizing of the northern Cyprus. However, we are definitely not against the peoples of Turkey and those who have chosen this place to be their country. ...»

KV/SK

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