Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-10-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that Ankara fully supports Denktas.

[02] Denktas says he would resign in case he disagrees with the Cyprus policy of the ^Ógovernment^Ô elected after 14 December.

[03] The Deputy Chairman of SEUP says the Turkish settlers will become EU citizens after a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan.

[04] Measures by the occupation regime to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from buying goods in the free areas of Cyprus.

[05] Sukru Sina Gurel became member of the teaching staff of the illegal Near East University.

[06] The so-called officials of the occupation regime argue over the donations offered by the Greek Cypriots who visit Apostle Andreas Monastery.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in VOLKAN newspaper threatens journalists of AFRIKA.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that Ankara fully supports Denktas

The paper publishes statements made yesterday by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who alleged that Mr Denktas and Turkey had made ^Óthe necessary steps^Ô in Cyprus and did whatever they could by opening the barricades.

Talking at a cocktail party for the beginning of the new legislative year of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Mr Erdogan said they expected Europe to make ^Ópositive steps on this issue and not use double standards^Ô. ^ÓIf we accept the existence of two separate parts and if Cyprus is going to be accepted into the EU, then the reality is that only southern Cyprus will be accepted^Ô, claimed Mr Erdogan.

VOLKAN publishes also statements by general Aytac Yalman, commander of the Land Forces of the Turkish army, who speaking at the same cocktail party, said: ^ÓThe Cyprus issue is vital for us. ^ÅWe are always by the side of Mr Denktas. As a state we have always supported him and we shall always do. I want especially to underline this. The national policy of the ^ÑTRNC^Ò is our national cause. We support it today and we shall be supporting it tomorrow, without any conditions^Ô.

Meanwhile, the paper reminds statements made by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who addressing Assembly, said that Turkey appreciated the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and Rauf Denktas ^Ófor preserving their rights and equal sovereignty^Ô. The Turkish President alleged, inter alia, the following: ^ÓLasting solution could not be reached on the island by ignoring the existence of the ^ÑTRNC^Ò. We expect this fact to be accepted soon by the international community, mainly the EU. We hope that the constructive proposals of Mr Denktas and the openings of the ^ÑTRNC^Ò will contribute to overcoming the confidence crisis on the island, to normalize the relations and facilitate the efforts towards a just and lasting solution^Ô.

[02] Denktas says he would resign in case he disagrees with the Cyprus policy of the ^Ógovernment^Ô elected after 14 December

In statements during a meeting yesterday with German journalists, Mr Denktas supported that the opposition parties had no chance of winning the ^Óelections^Ô, because the Turkish Cypriots have begun seeing the realities.

[03] The Deputy Chairman of SEUP says the Turkish settlers will become EU citizens after a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan

In a written statement issued yesterday Mr Damdelen criticizes the way the illegal Bayrak television and other Turkish Cypriot Media are willingly misinterpreting the Annan Plan and especially its provisions regarding the settlers.

Mr Damdelen argues that all Turkish settlers will stay in Cyprus in case the Cyprus problem is solved on the basis of the Annan Plan and that in case of the non-solution the settlers are those who will be harmed the most because they will both not become EU citizens and not have the opportunity to work in the free areas of Cyprus with higher wages.

[04] Measures by the occupation regime to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from buying goods in the free areas of Cyprus

Invoking reliable sources close to the so-called government the paper writes that ^Óno prohibitions are imposed on trade with south Cyprus but preventive trading measures are taken. The `government´ has placed under scrutiny what the citizens buy from south Cyprus since 23 April 2003 when crossings were left free, and has specified item chapters of what is generally being bought during this period. At first it was decided that personal items worth upto 50 Euro could be bought. But it was noticed that among these purchases some persons included foodstuffs, fruit and vegetables and products for babies and it was decided to place obstacles by imposing a wall of customs duties^Ô.

The paper reports that the issue was discussed during a meeting of the so-called council of ministers the day before yesterday and that a decision to impose 30% customs duties on products bought by Turkish Cypriots in the free areas of Cyprus will be taken in its next meeting.

The paper also reports that the 50-Euro limit on purchases will be abolished and adds:

^ÓInstead of efforts being exerted towards lifting the obstacles to the free trade between north and south one difficulty is added on top of the other^Ô.

Finally, the paper quotes statements made by the so-called Minister of Finance, Mr Mehmet Bayram, who said that food products like meat and milk are sold subject to permission and that the imposition of customs duties was natural. He also alleged that the measure was intended to put an order by preparing a list of what the Turkish Cypriots could buy from the free areas and thus not create problem to them.

[05] Sukru Sina Gurel became member of the teaching staff of the illegal Near East University

According to information given by the Public Information Office of NEU, Mr Gurel will teach the classes of Foreign Policy and International Law in the Faculty of Law of the illegal University. In addition, he will also work at the Faculty of Economics and Management and the Department of International Relations. As the paper writes Mr Gurel stated to KIBRIS that he will not abandon politics.

(Tr.Note: Universities in occupied Cyprus operate under Turkey´s Supreme Education Council, which was established after the 12 September 1980 military coup in Turkey).

[06] The so-called officials of the occupation regime argue over the donations offered by the Greek Cypriots who visit Apostle Andreas Monastery

The paper writes that once the donation box is filled with money, a committee consisting of the Trikomo ^Ódistrict office^Ô, the ^Ópolice^Ô and Greek Cypriots collect the money and deposit it in ^ÓMerkez Bankasi^Ô and ^ÓTurk Bankasi^Ô. The money is then used for the various needs of the region.

However, the Municipality of occupied Rizokarpaso demanded a share of this money, but its demand was rejected. Speaking about the issue, Arif Ozbayrak, the ^ÓMayor^Ô of Rizokarpaso stated that the money donated must be used for the needs of the Monastery and its environment and stressed that the money needed for the cleaning of the Monastery is paid by the occupied municipality and the ^ÓMinistry of Tourism^Ô. The so-called mayor said that UNOPS pay the money for the renovation of the Monastery and that the donations are not needed for this.

Mr Ozbayrak also alleged that the priest of the church and some persons who work there receive money from the visitors of the Monastery but it is not clear where this amount is used.

Speaking on behalf of the Trikomo ^Ódistrict office^Ô, Mr Mustafa Tamer stated that the money which is deposited in the bank are blocked and added that until now the donations were used for repairing Greek Cypriot graves.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in VOLKAN newspaper threatens journalists of AFRIKA

^ÓWe have put aside everything and we are dealing with the obsessions of others. I say that I am not the address. The proper respondents are psychiatrists. Only the psychiatrists could treat you. However, they are chanting in chorus: ^ÓYou are our medicine, only you could cure us^Ô.

After saying this let us come to the real issue. If we promise something we keep our promise. We back that promise over our dead body.

As for the promises and words that we did not say, they change according to the circumstances. What they have said about me, or accusations leveled against me, I only laughed and did not pay any attention. Also, they have written a lot of things about me. Once I have tried to clip and file these writings and in two-years time six box-files were filled.

Had I answered them, or, more correctly, had I considered worth to reply to them, I would have spent 24 hours everyday. However, this time it is not the same. Things have gone too far. The supporters of AFRIKA newspaper are counting the days and hours. They have laid the trap very well, so well that there is no way out. They have involved the ^ÓIdealist Hearth^Ô organization. (Tr. Note: The Grey Wolves).

Now there is no chance to let go.

AFRIKA is intentionally playing a dangerous game. The cameras got ready and pressmen are prepared and waiting. They are up in attention.

They are playing the game of both the oppressed and the hero. They want a date as well as a day to be fixed. They say Tuesday. As the developments reached to this stage it is useless to argue whether we have said or not, let us this time take all the risks, for something that we did not say.

So, instead of making Sener and his gang feel sorry, we will bear the responsibility.

In that case^Å I am coming. I am coming by giving the date, the day, the hour as well as the place.

If seeing us will make this 5th column so happy, why not? I wanted to go alone, my close brother Tahir Ercebi ^Ö ^ÓNo, elder brother (Agabey) you have no right, (to go alone) we are indivisible, you have to (take me with you) since they have involved the Idealist Hearth Organization^Ô. He is right!^Å So I am coming with the Chairman of the Hearth Organization Tahir Ercebi.

I did not brag the expression ^Ófive days^Ô. It is the Afrikanists. Boasting about it. ^ÔTuesday^Ô as well is binding on the supporters of AFRIKA^Å

I have a single rest day: Sunday. So, for this reason this thing will be done on Sunday 5th October 2003, at 14:00 hours we shall be at the AFRIKA´s (office) both Tahir and me.

I hope we can find both Sener, Ali Osman and others of AFRIKA at their places.

I hope that seeing Tahir chief and me will have a curing effect on those of AFRIKA. Thus, they could get rid of their obsessions and fears, because if they continue this way there is a great possibility they will lose their heads. (Tr. Note: the author uses the expression meaning they will eat their heads).

Anyway.. Grey Wolves are coming^Å^Ô

/SK

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