Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-07-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Civilian initiative by the National People's Movement in reaction to AFRIKA/s Alternative Declaration.

[02] The Turkish National Security Council discussed Iraq.

[03] Greek Cypriot will be exchanged with a prisoner who fled to the free areas.

[04] The minimum wage in the occupied areas is miserable.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] All eyes on Kemal Dervis.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Civilian Initiative by the National People/s Movement in reaction to AFRIKA/s Alternative Declaration

NPM general coordinator Taner Etkin today held a news conference in occupied Nicosia announcing that a civilian initiative communique has been prepared based on the views of the NPM in reply to the statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce. He added that as of today this communique will be opened to the signatures and views of all civilian organizations. The views and approaches adopted with regard to the solution to the Cyprus problem and the EU accession issue and expressed in the communique were opened to the signatures of the Turkish Cypriots.

The communique, which comprises of six articles, alleges that the Cyprus Government is not the Cyprus Republic and that it does not represent the Turkish Cypriots. It goes on to stress that the Greek Cypriots cannot generate solutions that are binding on the Turkish Cypriots. Pointing out that only the pseudostate can represent the Turkish Cypriots, the communique adds that the authority that has the right to speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots is Rauf Denktas, the pseudo-Assembly and the so-called government. The communique explains that the only solution that can safeguard the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots and ensure their security is the establishment of a new partnership based on two equal and sovereign states and the simultaneous accession of this partnership and guarantor Turkey to the EU in line with international law and agreements. The communique points out that thus the Turkish-Greek balance can be preserved.

The communique goes on to state that in the new partnership to be formed based on two equal and sovereign states neither state can dominate over or claim to represent the other. The communique adds that no state or people can claim sovereignty, rights, or authority over the entire island.

The communique asks that Turkey's effective and de facto guarantees be maintained in an agreement to be reached and extends support to Rauf Denktas' efforts to attain a just and lasting solution.

AFRIKA newspaper on 23.07.02 started a campaign gathering signatures for the "Alternative Declaration".

[02] The Turkish National Security Council discussed Iraq

The paper notes that, according to a written statement released after the meeting, the issues discussed were the developments in foreign politics and the possible operation by the USA against Iraq to overthrow Saddam Husseyin/s regime and its effects on Turkey and the region.

Reporting on the same issue, MILLIYET (26.07.02) reports that the NSC July regular monthly meeting was held at Maslak, Istanbul, at the War Academies Commandership.

[03] Greek Cypriot will be exchanged with a prisoner who fled to the free areas

The Press Office of the pseudopolice announced that the second prisoner, Mustafa Gomulu, will be sent today to Istanbul via Athens, where he will be exchanged with the Greek Cypriot, Vassos Ilias, who was arrested by the occupation authorities when he crossed to the occupied areas at the invitation of his Turkish Cypriot employee. The pseudopolice spokesman, Ahmet Gokyali, confirmed this news and added that the final decision will be taken this morning.

[04] The minimum wage in the occupied areas is miserable

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] All eyes on Kemal Dervis

"When he first came to Turkey he was the man selected to save the economy from disaster. But, today Kemal Dervis, the former vice president of the World Bank, has emerged as a king maker in politics whose presence may make all the difference for a left-wing party in the upcoming elections.

Dervis has always said he sympathizes with left-wing political movements. He revealed he was close to the Republican People's Party (RPP) in the 1970s.

That is why soon after he arrived in Turkey and entered the coalition as the state minister in charge of the economy, Dervis received an offer from Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to join his ruling Democratic Left Party (DLP), then the senior partner of the coalition. Dervis declined the offer... Now, with the defections in Turkey it was speculated that he was one of the plotters in the cabinet to have Ecevit removed from office and install Ismail Cem as prime minister. Former Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan was said to be the third plotter. However, Ecevit allegedly spoilt the game and thus Ozkan and Cem had to leave the party and set up the "New Turkey Party" along with other DLP defectors.

Dervis resigned from the cabinet to join the new party but in the last minute his resignation was stalled and the president asked him to remain in office. This allegedly was done with the urgings of the Turkish military. Both the president and the military leaders felt the departure of Dervis would create havoc for the economy...

So, Dervis stayed in the cabinet while declaring his loyalty to the new party. But it seems, as time went by and Dervis left for the U.S. to do some deep thinking, he realized that the new party may not be as successful as initially blown out of proportion by the mainstream media...

The RPP wants Dervis to join its ranks. Even the DLP feels if Dervis joins the party it may be the kiss of life that Ecevit desperately wants for his party... So Dervis has to make a crucial choice when he returns to Turkey at the weekend.

The RPP is a favourite to win at least 16 to 18 percent of the votes in the next elections. If Dervis joins the RPP he may well make an important impact and help the party win more than 20 percent of the votes and thus become a major political force in the new Parliament if elections are held on the 3rd of November.

That would mean the RPP would be a good balancing force against the conservative Justice and Development Party (JDP) of Tayyip Erdogan in the next Parliament. Public opinion polls say JDP may well win more than 20 percent of the votes and enter the new Parliament in style.

In the event of a RPP-JDP coalition, Dervis could again be in charge of the economy and thus the economic program would remain in his safekeeping much to the comfort of the West.

But if Dervis fails to do this he would enter an adventure with the New Turkey Party and probably face an uncertain future. The DLP should never be a consideration for him..."

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