Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-01-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash Says May Meet President Clerides on Missing Persons Issue Before 16 Jan

[02] Yilmaz: "EU's Attitude in Cyprus Is Important"

[03] Yilmaz Stresses Urgency of Structural Reform Efforts

[04] Police Detain Two Persons Fleeing Cyprus in Operation Against PKK

[05] Bahceli says that "insensitivity is not acceptable" on the Cyprus issue

[06] Talat says that a Cyprus solution is a necessity within 2002

[07] Cosar says the pseudostate faces "the worst crisis in its history"; Trade unions demand 60 % raise on wages for 2002

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash Says May Meet President Clerides on Missing Persons Issue Before 16 Jan

Denktash met with retired Generals Necdet Oztorun and Haydar Saltik yesterday. In reply to a reporter's question on Greek Cypriot press reports that he will meet with Clerides, Denktash said that such a meeting may be held. He pointed out that the issue was raised during the dinner hosted by Clerides and that they had decided to meet to discuss the issue before 16 January, if necessary. Denktash said that if Clerides makes the necessary contacts and then asks to meet with him, they may do so.

In reply to another question, Denktas said that he did not receive an invitation to the new year reception to be held at the Ledra Palace by certain Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties on 5 January, and that consequently he will not attend it.

[02] Yilmaz: "EU's Attitude in Cyprus Is Important"

[03] Yilmaz Stresses Urgency of Structural Reform Efforts

For us, as a nation, to find lasting solutions for the problems that we have suffered from for some time, and to remove the word "crisis" entirely from our economic and social life, will be possible through completing the structural change efforts within the year 2002.

WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED OUR WILL

The year 2002 is also a very vital year from the standpoint of our relations with the European Union. Although the things we accomplished in the year 2001 in terms of fulfilling the commitments that we laid out in the Accession Partnership Document were in fact not sufficient, they were still from our standpoint, very significant. The amendment of the Constitution was a real step forward in the path of Turkey's transition from being an authoritarian democracy to a liberal-minded democracy based on the supremacy of the law.

Through this change, Turkey has demonstrated its will to emerge from the status quo of the Cold War period and take its place among the developed nations of the globalised world.

OUR GOAL IS NEGOTIATIONS

Turkey's goal is to become ready for negotiations with the EU on full membership by the end of 2002. The developments in terms of the ESDP [European Security and Defense Policy] and regarding Cyprus have removed two very significant obstacles in our relations with the EU. What we have to do from this point on is to fulfill, during 2002, all of the short-term commitments included in our National Program, in other words, quickly implement the implementation laws and other similar arrangements. If the year 2002 isn't used wisely, or if there should be any divergence or delay in either our economic program or our National Program, then we will face the danger of our ties with the EU breaking off entirely. For what will be decisive in every discussion and evaluation regarding the EU expansion process will be the progress that Turkey has achieved in terms of its membership candidacy.

DUTY OF THE PARLIAMENT

Great responsibility falls upon both the government and the National Assembly in terms of fulfilling both the economic program and the National Program. If Turkey should be able to successfully complete both within the year 2002, then it will be the country which reaches the fastest growth in the world in 2003. Even today, we have reason to look to the future with hope, as long as we are able to successfully complete the structural change work in 2002. For the macro-economic balances have been improving for a while now.

All the serious crises that societies encounter in the course of life provide the basis either for collapse and dissolution, or for new initiatives that lead to greater strength. The crisis experienced in 2001 has been the means to the initiation of a great transformation in the economy.

Steps have begun to be taken which amount to a radical reshaping of the relations between politics and the economy.

Stabilization programs cannot succeed merely through economic recipes. In order for society as a whole to give its support to the program, there is a need for confidence and respect towards the politicians who will implement the program.

THERE IS LACK OF CONFIDENCE

In Turkey, people do lack confidence, not only in terms of the government, the parliament, and the politicians, but also with regard to the state and the administration in general. In order for this problem of lack of confidence to be solved, transparency has to be achieved on a priority basis in all areas of decision-making and implementation, from the parliament to the administrative organs.

Reforms which do not comprise all areas, and which are not applied at the same time, cannot be successful. Consequently, we propound the need for a total restructuring, not only in the economy, the administration, or in politics, but in a form that will encompass all these areas at the same time, and will meet the criteria of the EU, which we are currently seeking to join. And for the sake of this restructuring, we are obliged to achieve the necessary political and social support for this as soon as possible, and then to initiate and carry through the process without delay.

I believe that Turkey's heritage will be sufficient to overcome this crisis.

[04] Police Detain Two Persons Fleeing Cyprus in Operation Against PKK

Demirer is to be charged with aiding the PKK and recruiting members from the rural areas while employed at the illegal Tymbou Airport in the occupied area.

The prosecutor ordered Demirer's arrest and released Uygun, Demirer's friend, pending trial.

[05] Bahceli says that "insensitivity is not acceptable" on the Cyprus issue

Talking yesterday at his party's parliamentary group, Mr Bahceli alleged that the EU "must quickly reexamine and concretize" its policy regarding the struggle against terrorism and Turkey. "This way, this element, which shadows the commercial and political relations between Turkey and the EU will cease to exist" he noted.

Furthermore, Mr Bahceli claimed that the EU gives refuge to terrorist organizations, which act against Turkey and argued that "the EU countries confuse especially the human rights and terrorist movements, and so they follow such politics that create an eligible ground for terrorists".

[06] Talat says that a Cyprus solution is a necessity within 2002

Mr Talat, who was talking yesterday during his visit to GUC - SEN trade union, is conducting visits to various organizations and trade unions in order to exchange views on the negotiations procedure to begin in Cyprus on 16 January. In his statements Mr Talat argued also that it is natural people, who think that their interests are harmed when there is peace, to become aggressive and called on everybody to be wakeful.

[07] Cosar says the pseudostate faces "the worst crisis in its history"; Trade unions demand 60 % raise on wages for 2002

Talking yesterday at a symposium at the illegal "Eastern Mediterranean University", Mr Cosar said that during 2001 the imports of the pseudostate decreased from 450 million US dollars to 200 million, while its exports fell from 55 million to 30 million dollars.

Mr. Cosar noted also that the inflation rate which had reached 80 %, of the net real income of the employees in dollars, has been reduced by approximately 50 % and the economy is expected to become 4 % smaller in 2001.

Meanwhile, KIBRIS (04.01.02) writes that for overcoming the losses from the economic crisis, the Turkish Cypriot trade unions demand a raise of about 60 % to the wages of the so-called "public" servants. The demand of the trade unions is based on facts given by the so-called "State Planning Organization", according to which the cost of life increased by 74 % within eleven months.

It is noted that the pseudostate pays the wages of 5.094 "public" servants, 2.739 teachers, 1.800 "policemen", 3.500 workers and 4.000 "municipal" and other employees.

/MP

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