Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-03-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader addressed a conference in Istanbul.

[03] Statements by Sukru Sina Gurel before visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[04] Sukru Sina Gurel is in the occupied areas to announce the incentives program

[05] The Turkish Press on Ecevit/s health.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides

Prior to the meeting, Denktas replied to reporters' questions and said that he wished the meetings to be auspicious. In reply to a question on the issues on the agenda, Denktas said that the work under way will be scrutinized in detail and added: "We will review everything we did until now."

Upon being recalled that EU Commissioner Gunter Verheugen will arrive on the island on 7 March and in reply to a question on whether he will meet with Verheugen, Denktas said: "Certainly, certainly. He is welcome." Denktas will receive Verheugen on 8 March at 12:00.

In reply to a question after the meeting, Denktas said that a general assessment was conducted at the meeting, adding that the meeting was beneficial.

Upon being recalled that the Attorney-General of the Republic, Mr Alecos Markides, described the first round of meetings as a disappointment, Denktas added that the meetings should be assessed as a whole. Denktas continued: "There can be no agreement unless there is agreement on all the issues. Therefore, all the meetings will have to end first".

The meetings, which were recessed because of the Feast of Sacrifice, will be held twice a week on Tuesdays at 16:00 and Fridays at 10:00.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader addressed a conference in Istanbul

Addressing a conference organized by the Turkish Young Businessmen/s Association, Denktas appealed to the EU member countries. He said: "Please do not intervene. Do not tell these people you are the best island. Tell them to resolve the Cyprus problem and then to come to the EU." Pointing out that they are working with goodwill in order to solve the Cyprus issue, Denktas expressed the hope that the second round of the bilateral talks will be concluded by June.

Denktas' most interesting message was directed toward Turkey. Noting that he has become the symbol of the intransigent man, Denktas said that there are those who believe that Cyprus constitutes an obstacle to Turkey's accession to the EU. He said: "If the Assembly casts Cyprus aside, if one day it is told to leave Cyprus alone, then other solutions can be sought".

Illegal Bayrak Radio (3.3.02) broadcast that Rauf Denktas returned to the occupied areas after attending the conference organized by the Turkish Young Businessmen/s Association in Istanbul. Denktas made important statements in connection with the direct talks and the Istanbul conference upon arriving at occupied Tymbou Airport.

Explaining that the conference was very comprehensive, Denktas said that it is out of the question to give information on the direct talks because they are still under way. Noting that the hitches and obstacles against a solution to the Cyprus issue were discussed in detail at the conference, Denktas said that the main issue is that remedies are being sought without first diagnosing the problem, and continued: "One of the sides claims that the problem started in 1974 when the other claims it all started in 1963. The joint Cyprus partnership office is under occupation through terrorism, war, and arms. This occupation poses a constant threat to us. This is the malady that has to be diagnosed and a remedy found. This is the framework of the Cyprus issue".

Recounting that he will be going to Turkey again next week in order to deliver two more lectures, Denktas said he will explain the dangers of becoming an EU member before the status of Cyprus crystallizes and an agreement signed between Turkey and the EU on the basis of 1960 agreements.

[03] Statements by Sukru Sina Gurel before visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus

Noting that the first round of the direct talks being conducted on the island did not create a very hopeful atmosphere, Gurel expressed the hope for a rapprochement in the second round, adding that, however, there are many reasons to the contrary. Gurel continued: "If there are those who want a solution in the shortest possible time, then they, and primarily the EU, should help bring about that solution."

Criticizing the EU and other third parties for determining a timetable for the talks, Gurel said that time tables set by others can only put unnecessary pressure on the sides. Stressing that no attention should be paid to these timetables, Gurel continued: "If a joint solution acceptable to all is to be found in Cyprus, then this is to be found by the leaders representing the two sides who will sign that agreement on behalf of their peoples. Otherwise, a timetable set by others will only put unnecessary pressure on them and will not lead to a positive solution".

Criticizing the fact that the EU is declaring at every opportunity that it will accept Cyprus as a member irrespective of a solution, Gurel said that this cannot constitute an encouragement toward a solution via-a-vis the Greek Cypriot side.

Gurel further referred to economic issues. Noting that the new incentive model to be implemented aims at preparing the ground for investors arriving from Turkey and other countries to exploit the investment opportunities in the occupied areas, Gurel said that the sum of $160 million over 5 years has been allocated for this purpose and that part of this sum will be available as of this year. He noted that as a first step various projects will be studied, and a decision will be made on which ones to finance.

Referring to the developments in the educational sector, which is one of the investment sectors within the new model, Gurel said that while investments in this field will be mobilized, the principle of education for the benefit of the public will not be ignored. He added that the size of the cake is as important as its taste. Expressing the hope that Turkey will overcome the economic crisis and will enter an economic growth process this year, Gurel said that this will be reflected in the occupied areas as well. He concluded by calling on youths not to heed those who want to create a defeatist atmosphere within the community.

[04] Sukru Sina Gurel is in the occupied areas to announce the incentives program

In a statement to the press at occupied Tymbou airport, Sukru Sina Gurel said that 2002 will be a year when Turkey resumes growth adding: "In the same way, 2002 will be a positive economic year for the `TRNC/ as well." Gurel said he believes that "Turkish entrepreneurs will contribute to the economic growth of the `TRNC/ with their capability, with their capital, and with all their hearts." He pointed out that the investment-encouragement program will be announced and go into force on 4 March.

Minister Gurel then visited Rauf Denktas. In a speech here, Gurel said that the investment-encouragement program will be able to break the embargoes imposed on the pseudostate "embargoes that should have been lifted as a sign of goodwill during the political talks being held on the Cyprus issue." He stressed that the program will encourage investments from the rest of the world as well.

On his part Denktas said that each time Gurel comes to the island, he brings hope to the Turkish Cypriot people, and added: "This time too, you came with very good news."

Gurel and his delegation later met with Eroglu who said that with Turkey's help the problems in the occupied areas would be solved in 2002. He went on to say: "We are not despairing. However, I am always concerned that the citizens may despair when the economic problems grow."

Gurel said in a speech here: "If a political solution is going to be reached in Cyprus, it will not deny the Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality and it will not hurt the unshakable ties between Turkey and the `TRNC/." The minister stressed that "Turkey has never separated its future, security, and prosperity from that of the `TRNC/," and promised to help the Turkish Cypriot economy as much as possible.

Gurel alleged that the pseudostate is now a country that does not lack any infrastructure, that it now needs new investment and employment fields for economic progress.

[05] The Turkish Press on Ecevit/s health

The health situation of the veteran politician has been an issue of discussion since the forming of the three-way coalition after the 1999 elections. But the rumours were not heard for some time. Most recently, mass circulation newspapers have focused on the health of the prime minister.

Newspapers quoted professor Turgut Zileli and professor Okay Saribas as saying that Ecevit/s health had recovered. According to newspapers, Ecevit, suffering from Myastenia, a disease that involves a weakening of the connection between the nerve ends and the muscles, has been diagnosed and treated successfully with cortisone.

Myastenia is a disease which causes muscle irregularities, but reportedly has no adverse effects on the brain.

Ecevit and his Democratic Left Party (DLP) members were harshly rejecting any allegations about the state of his health, but the recent news reports quoting Ecevit/s doctor confirmed the earlier allegations.

According to MILLIYET, Zileli told reporters that Ecevit could comfortably take part in the next elections.

It was interesting that the newspapers were covering this opportunity, as the next elections are not due to be held until 2004.

According to Turkish law, elections are held every five years, but in practice, the country mostly goes to snap polls.

Turkey/s current three way coalition, between Ecevit/s DLP, the Nationalist Action Party (NAP) and the Motherland Party (MP), has been trying to recover Turkey from the biggest crisis of its history.

NAP and MP are often involved in spats causing rumours that this may bring the end of the coalition.

Despite all this, the coalition partners continue. Some political experts said that the public opinion polls, which had revealed that none of the coalition partners would be able to exceed the 10 percent national threshold, were the reason behind the continuation of the coalition government. Recently, the emphasis on a possible snap poll raised questions as to whether the coalition partners are still willing to carry on their partnership".

KV/SK

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