Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-12-19

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] Mesurt Yilmaz says the current Turkish coalition government will stay in office until 2004.

[02] Illegal Bayrak Radio Television banned every term implying Cypriot identity.

[03] So-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister to attend Crans Montana Forum.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz says the current Turkish coalition government will stay in office until 2004

Asked to comment on the Laeken summit and Turkish-EU relations, Yilmaz said:

From the viewpoint of Turkish-EU relations, we are going through our most positive period. Various developments have led to this positive turn. One of these developments was the commencement of a new dialogue process in Cyprus upon the initiative of the Turkish Cypriot side. Then there was the conciliation reached in the two-year old conflict regarding the European Security and Defense Policy. Moreover, Turkey, within the framework of the national program, has implemented a very serious reform package which includes constitutional amendments. This has also helped our relations with the EU. As a result, from the viewpoint of Turkish-EU relations extremely positive decisions were adopted at the Laeken summit. Now that so many positive conditions have converged, our duty is to courageously implement the goals of the national program.

Asked about his approach to holding early elections, Yilmaz said:

I have already expressed my view. I believe that Mr Bahceli expressed the same view yesterday. Our agreement, as coalition partners, is to continue with this government until 2004. As you know, according to our Constitution, elections are held every five years in Turkey. No government has, however, lasted over four years. We have always held early elections. For the first time, this government intends to complete its full term. Holding elections before April 2004 will not be beneficial for Turkey. On the contrary, it m

ight endanger this atmosphere of stability we have achieved. Therefore, we intend to fully implement the economic program and then to hold elections.

[02] Illegal Bayrak Radio Television banned every term implying Cypriot identity

"A Ban Has Been Placed on Terms Implying 'Cypriotism'... The 'Jargon' Has Been Changed at BRTK":

In a directive he has distributed among the BRTK [Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation] deputy coordinators and supervisors, BRTK Director Huseyin Cobanoglu has instructed these officials to change a number of terminologies... The use of terms such as "the Cypriot nation, the Cypriots, Cypriot citizens, and Magosa" has been banned. According to these instructions, terms such as "the people living in Cyprus" and "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus citizens" must be used instead of the banned words.

Thus, expressions about "Cypriotism" [Kibrislilik] have now been banned at BRTK, the official broadcasting agency of the state. These instructions have been issued on 9 October 2001 in a directive with reference number "M-090/091-286/2001" signed by BRTK Director Huseyin Cobanoglu. The letter contains a text that specifies the banned terms and the terms that must be used instead of these banned terms.

The letter in question notes the following: "I kindly ask you to be sensitive with regard to the adherence of the employees working on all the television programs and newscasts to the necessary terminology examples.

*** "The people living in Cyprus" instead of "the Cypriot nation."

*** "The two communities living in Cyprus" instead of "the Cypriot nation or the Cypriots."

*** "The Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces" instead of "the Turkish Forces."

*** "The border line [ara bolge]" instead of buffer zone [tampon bolge]."

*** "The two communities living in Cyprus" instead of "the Cypriot nation or the Cypriots."

*** "The KKTC citizens" instead of "the Cypriot citizens."

*** "Gazi Magosa" instead of "Magosa [Famagusta]."

Note: The Turkish Republic and TRNC should be pronounced clearly and loudly.

[03] So-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister to attend Crans Montana Forum

The paper writes that the pseudostate is participating in the Forum since 1997 and as every year various heads of state and government will attend the Forum.

The paper concludes that the Forum is one of the worlds top level meetings, this year it is taking place between 19-21 December at Monaco and Mr Ertugruloglu will represent the so-called TRNC at the Forum.

KV/SK

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