Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-10-22

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu was given 15 days to form a so-called government in the occupied areas.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot political parties are mobilized in view of Talat's resignation; Ferdi Sabit Soyer says RTP's door is closed for a coalition with NUP; Serdar Denktas is going on holidays.

[03] Erdogan: "We will not withdraw troops from Cyprus"

[04] The Civil Defence Exercise 2004 will take place at the occupied Famagusta area.

[05] The former leader of Nationalist Justice Party is tried today for accusing Erdogan.

[06] Tourism income up by 8.9% during the third quarter of 2004.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in AFRIKA describes the resignation of the so-called Prime Minister as the "eighteenth theatrical production".

[08] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses the resignation by Talat.

[09] Columnist in YENI SAFAK analyses the consequences from the resignation of Talat.

[10] Important data on what the occupation of Cyprus is costing Turkey from a column in VOLKAN.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu was given 15 days to form a so-called government in the occupied areas

Denktas said during a meeting with Eroglu that the "government" has resigned and, therefore, he held consultations as required by the "constitution" and gave the task of forming the "government" to Eroglu.

"You have a period of 15 days, but you do not have to wait for 15 days. Nevertheless you have a period of 15 days. Hold the necessary contacts and then come and tell me if you will be able to form a government. I will then think about the next step.

Taking this opportunity, I want to reiterate that the crisis of the last nine months -- problems like whether the government was legitimate and able to adopt decisions and whether the Republican Assembly was convening and functioning properly -- has again placed one issue on the national agenda. And that issue is the system. We chose the parliamentary regime in goodwill. We had presidential system but we opted for the parliamentary system thinking that it would be more democratic. I think that, by looking at the institution in the south and elsewhere in the world, we should admit that the presidential system is not a dictatorship, rather it is as democratic as the parliamentary regime. We should start a debate at least in the press and on the television on whether to return to this system in order to establish a more effective administration and render appropriate service to the people. Let our people debate these issues. Let the specialists debate these in detail. Let there be a debate on what should be the best administrative system for a small state. Though this issue is not related to the present designation and possible elections, the time has come for our politicians to think about these issues," he said.

On his part Eroglu thanked Rauf Denktas for tasking him with the formation of the "government", adding that he will try to form a "coalition government" within 15 days.

"First of all, I thank our honorable president. I will try to establish a coalition government. But, of course, this does not depend on our wish alone. It could be possible if the parties we will contact also show goodwill, partnership, and unity out of concern for the critical situation faced by the country and future developments. We will contact all the parties with goodwill and will inform our president about the result of the contacts," he said.

When reminded by a journalist about his statement that he would designate Eroglu only if the latter gathers the support of 26 "deputies" and asked if he has received any signals that Eroglu has garnered this number, Denktas said that 26 is a critical number.

"The 26 is a necessary number for him to establish a government. But it has also been demonstrated that 26 is a troublesome number. It will be a painful process, as there would always be a concern whether the government would collapse or get impaired at any moment. That is why we hope that he would find a bigger number. That is what our hope and expectation is", concludes Mr Rauf Denktas.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot political parties are mobilized in view of Talat's resignation; Ferdi Sabit Soyer says RTP's door is closed for a coalition with NUP; Serdar Denktas is going on holidays

Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party - New Forces (RTP-NF) pointed out that they have declared a long time ago that their door is closed for a coalition with the NUP and added:

"Especially the statement that Mr Eroglu made today (yesterday) to HURRIYET newspaper, that he would follow the policy of 'the recognition of the TRNC', is a proof that he is still following the policy that 'the non-solution is a solution'".

Furthermore, Mr Mustafa Akinci, leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM) noted that the important thing for his party is the solution of the Cyprus problem and that the name of this solution is "Annan Plan". He said that they supported a formation that will do what is necessary according to the results of the 24 April referendum. "NUP does not have such a vision", he pointed out.

Mr Huseyin Angolemli, leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) said that they are not thinking of a coalition with the NUP and noted that the will expressed by the Turkish Cypriots at the 24 April referendum should be reflected in the "assembly".

Mr Izzet Izcan, General Secretary of the United Cyprus Party (UCP) said that a coalition of his party with the NUP is out of the question. Mr Izcan noted that if the NUP wishes to visit their party they will meet with them, but added that establishing a "government" is "something different".

Meanwhile, Mr Mustafa Arabacioglu, General Secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) said that if a proposal comes from the NUP for a coalition, they will discuss it at their party organs. However, the tendency among party committee members which met a week ago was the holding of early "elections", he added.

According to the paper, Mr Serdar Denktas, the leader of the DP, is going on holiday today. Mr Denktas is leaving with his family and he is expected to return to Cyprus after spending a few days abroad.

Mr Nuri Cevikel, the Turkish settler leader of the New Party (NP), said that "as a person who supported the 'yes' vote" at the referendum he wanted to see some changes In the attitude of the NUP and added that they would evaluate any proposal made by Mr Eroglu's party.

Mr Salih Cosar, leader of the Free Thought Party (FTP), noted that as a party which supports the solution of the Cyprus problem and the EU they consider as very important the vision of possible "government". "We shall have a positive approach to a good protocol in case it comes with a vision in harmony with the conjuncture", he said.

[03] Erdogan: "We will not withdraw troops from Cyprus"

"Turkey will not withdraw troops from Cyprus, because with the demand of Europe the Turkish side voted positively at the referendum that took place in April. Despite the fact that the 'north' Cyprus said 'no', became member of EU. Don't you think that it is a contradiction when the one that said 'no' became member of the EU?", said Mr Erdogan and alleged that Turkey, is no loner responsible after this development.

[04] The Civil Defence Exercise 2004 will take place at the occupied Famagusta area

[05] The former leader of Nationalist Justice Party is tried today for accusing Erdogan

[06] Tourism income up by 8.9% during the third quarter of 2004

Turkey earned $7.6 billion from tourism in July to September quarter of 2004 period, of which $5.5 billion came from foreign visitors, with Turkish citizens living abroad accounting for the remaining $2.2 billion while visiting Turkey, the study showed. The total income increase was 8.9 percent when compared to the third quarter of 2003.

During the same period, $734.3 million was spent by the tourism industry in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 5.7 percent over the same quarter of 2003.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in AFRIKA describes the resignation of the so-called Prime Minister as the "eighteenth theatrical production"

"Northern Cyprus is death on governments... We have gone through 18 governments in 30 years... We sent the 18th off yesterday... Now number 19 is on the way... So many ministers...So many undersecretaries... So many directors... So many advisors...

They have all, in their turn, sat on those velvet seats... The only one who has not gotten up from his seat is Denktas... Even though he is approaching ninety years of age, he is still in the palace... And he is still the main actor in this play... Yesterday, he got the reins into his hands yet again...

Both the meat and the cleaver... He holds them both once again...We will see what piece he moves this time on the chessboard... Check or checkmate?

What do you think? Who will go into the bridal chamber this time around?

We are like Istanbul, which the poet Tevfik Fikret once called "a wizened old whore who has outlasted a thousand husbands"... Both Talat and Serdar have made eyes at the NUP [National Unity Party]...

And what is most attractive to Turkey? A national coalition? A partnership between the NUP and the RTP [Republican Turkish Party]? If it is to be a NUP-RTP partnership, then will a place at the table be offered to Serdar as well?

If Serdar is the winner of the latest round, then his father must certainly have played a major role in this... Let us give Ceasar his due... He knows better than anyone what piece to play when... For years now, Serdar has brought to naught all our parties known as leftist. He has over and over again brought into line those who grumbled "We can't get anywhere with Denktas"... One after another, he reined them in... No one was left who didn't call for a partnership with the DP [Democratic Party]... He took away from them any right to go out into the public squares after this and put on airs by saying "We can't get anywhere with Denktas".

An effort was made to get the community to swallow the idea that partnership with Serdar was not a partnership with [Rauf] Denktas. It was considered that one could get somewhere with Denktas, but not with the NUP...

But just look at the irony of fate... Now they have withdrawn into a corner and are all making eyes at the NUP. Talat from one direction... Serdar from another...

And what about Izzet Izcan? Has he now gotten what he wanted?

How pleasant it must be to see the flirting between the old "status-quoists" and the new "status quoists"! The poor victim of the mentality that "Let there be no election, whatever the consequences may be"... What had he said?: "If this government goes, the supporters of the status quo will come back..." Now let us see... Who will come?.. Let's see how Talat's authorized bodies will assess a partnership with the NUP... Necessary, or not? And what will become of [Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan's secret wish? What if his instruction to Talat should be: "Join together with the NUP, and bring in Serdar as well"?

Who knows?..

And perhaps this is not Erdogan's real desire... Perhaps he has some other devious idea in his head, in order to frighten the Greek Cypriots... Could it not be that he would like to convey to the Greek Cypriots the message "Look, Denktas is standing tall... and Talat, whom you find so attractive, is finished... Now, either behave, or else I won't intervene"? We will soon see...

Northern Cyprus is death on governments... Turkey has found its path... Eighteen theatrical productions in 30 years... Has any other community in the world ever been seen in which everyone, from seven to seventy, competes to play walk-on roles"?

[08] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses the resignation by Talat

"TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat's presentation yesterday to `President´ Rauf Denktas of the resignation of the RTP-DP [Republican Turkish Party -- Democratic Party] coalition government he heads was no surprise to those who follow domestic political developments here. In the words of one observer, "This resignation was in fact rather late in coming"...

The interesting aspect was that this resignation derived not from any disagreement between Talat and his coalition partner Serdar Denktas, but rather from disagreements between the government and the other parties represented within the National Assembly, and from the fact that the government in power had fallen into a minority situation.

In the 50-seat assembly, this government currently holds only 24 seats, consisting of 19 by the RTP and 5 by the DP. The government, which has been unable recently to pass a number of laws, has not even been able to present a 2004 budget.

The impasse in the Assembly, and its inability to convene, has caused the government to seek a broader majority to base itself on. Indeed, in the last few days, Talat has met with various parties, large and small, and has even brought up the formula of a "broad, five-party coalition".

But having been unable to get results from these efforts, Talat, supported by his partner Serdar Denktas, was obliged to hand in the resignation. The truth of the statement, repeated by the RTP leader at every opportunity, that "No stable government can come out of the arithmetic of this Assembly", was thus proved.

And this statement is still valid. In other words, the establishment of a new coalition to replace the government that has resigned is, if not impossible, at least very difficult. And even if, despite the difficulties, a new government should be formed, the likelihood of the Assembly, with its current structure, being "stable and sustainable", appears to be very slim...

`President´ Denktas is now beginning his contacts with the parties that could form the new government. He is expected to have his first meeting with Dervis Eroglu, the leader of the NUP [National Unity Party], which is the biggest party in the Assembly (19 seats).

Various coalition formulas were tried before as well, but no results were obtained. If Serdar Denktas this time around should agree to a partnership with Eroglu (despite the serious ideological differences between them), this would truly be very surprising. As one of my colleagues has said, "Serdar seems to be in the key position in the search for a new government. But it is unclear at this point just how this key is going to function"...

Essentially, with Talat's resignation, the `TRNC´ has entered into a period of uncertainty.

The Cyprus issue, however, is at a very critical stage (and in terms of Turkey's EU accession as well). "Domestic political" developments in the `TRNC´ in the weeks ahead will be followed with great attention by the EU, the USA, and the UN. Because these developments will in the end be reflected in "foreign policy" as well. As one diplomat has said, "For the NUP, for instance, which is known for its stance against a solution, to form the new government, would send negative signals to the outside world"...

Finally, if a new government cannot be formed, an early election will become inevitable. And that would be possible at the earliest in January -- or perhaps with the Presidential election in April -, and this in turn creates concern that the "period of uncertainty" could continue for quite some time... "

[09] Columnist in YENI SAFAK analyses the consequences from the resignation of Talat

"Some issues need constant attention. Cyprus, which had dropped from the agenda some time ago, came to the fore again after the resignation of the government led by Mehmet Ali Talat. Nobody could claim that the Turkish Cypriot side's expectations arising from the Annan plan, as well as various promises that embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots would be lifted and some international overtures would be made, have been met. The Turkish Cypriot people have not been rewarded for the step they had taken in order to reach a settlement. There is no sign indicating that obstacles facing the Turkish Cypriots would be removed while the Greek Cypriots, who overwhelmingly said "no" to the proposed solution, are making rapid progress within the EU.

Meanwhile, the last juncture reached by Turkey on the road to the EU slowed down that process rather than contributing to the Turkish Cypriot side's efforts to get what it had deserved. Europe agreed to remove the obstacles to the anticipated negotiations with Turkey in return for fulfillment of Turkey's responsibilities regarding Cyprus. It persistently pursued a policy designed to relegate the Cyprus issue to the background and its policy proved successful to a certain extent. The `TRNC´ and the `TRNC government´ could not maintain the impetus provided by the Annan plan. Hopes faded away in parallel with the postponement of expectations.

Meanwhile, the government in the `TRNC´ was already based on an extremely fragile balance. The ruling parties and the opposition won almost an equal number of votes in the last election, which naturally led to the emergence of that delicate balance in the National Assembly. During the intervening period, however, the PDM [Peace and Democracy Movement], which had initially lent external support to the government, decided to withdraw its support, which was followed by resignations in the coalition parties. Eventually, the number of seats controlled by the Republican Turkish Party-Democratic Party [DP] coalition in the National Assembly fell to 23 as against 27 seats controlled by the opposition. Owing to that precarious situation, Talat could not table the budget bill in the National Assembly despite the fact that we are approaching the end of 2004. He could not muster up enough support and he preferred to tender his resignation yesterday instead of running the risk of submitting a budget bill facing certain defeat in Parliament.

His resignation will turn the spotlights on the Cyprus issue once again, because Cyprus will be prone to political instability in the future contrary to the popular opinion that political stability has been achieved.

I spoke with Talat immediately after his decision to resign and asked him why he had made that decision. He replied: "There was no other alternative. The situation virtually turned into a game and the government could not solicit enough support in Parliament in order to pass the budget bill. Under the circumstances, I reached the conclusion that it would not be appropriate to remain in power as the leader of a weak government."

Talat said that there was no need for worry, emphasizing that the situation would return to normal soon.

Clearly, a development that could upset the balance between the opponents and propponents of a solution in Cyprus would not be favorable at a time when Turkey focuses its attention to the crucial EU meeting scheduled for 17 December. Talat said that he had done his best in order to achieve majority in Parliament, but his efforts had eventually failed. His resignation could lead to consequences that could upset the balance and weaken Ankara's determination to find a solution. The opponents of a solution within the framework of the EU, who are led by `President´ Rauf Denktas, could gain strength with possible impacts on the political situation in Turkey. In other words, it could reactivate an issue, which had been brought to an end or only had a minimal effect.

Talat rules out the possibility of formation of a new government on the island. In other words, he does not believe that Dervis Eroglu's NUP [National Unity Party], which has 19 MPs in the National Assembly, could form a coalition, because, he notes, Mustafa Akinci's Peace and Democracy Movement would sign its own death warrant if it joins such a government.

What about Serdar Denktas' DP, the NUP's former ally? Talat said that Denktas would not cooperate with the NUP either. If his predictions come true, an early general election would be held in the `TRNC´ in the next two and a half months. If, however, they prove wrong, it would be difficult to guess what could happen in the future, as politics usually offer more options than expected. Finally, Rauf Denktas, the most skillful figure in Cypriot politics, has not unveiled his plan yet."

[10] Important data on what the occupation of Cyprus is costing Turkey from a column in VOLKAN

"Motherland Turkey sent its children to the island during the 1974 Peace Operation and saved the Turkish Cypriot people from definite genocide. Accomplishing something that the UN could not achieve in 11 years, Turkey brought about an atmosphere of uninterrupted peace, order, and welfare that has continued for 30 years.

Turkey prevented the union of the island with Greece and protected its independence. If the Greek Cypriot administration has become a full member of the EU today as an independent state, it owes this to the Turkish Peace Operation. Had it not been for the Peace Operation, those who staged the 15 July 1974 military coup would have annexed the island to Greece. They would probably have still joined the EU, but as a part of Greece and not as an independent state with a separate right of vote and representation.

Motherland Turkey sacrificed hundreds of its young men to protect the lives and properties of the Turkish Cypriot people and to establish peace.

Despite its weak economy at the time, Turkey had to bear the war expenses worth billions of dollars and the subsequent heavy military embargo that lasted for many years. Since then it has continued to resist against serious economic, diplomatic, and political pressure in its effort to ensure that we enjoy sovereignty, independence, and freedom under the roof of our own state.

Turkey has been maintaining an army corps on the island since then to protect our security and the peace and order on the island, and to force the Greek Cypriot leadership to a just and lasting agreement.

It sends $250-300 million to us every year without any hesitation. Its aid in 30 years totals about 8 to 10 billion dollars, which means that our country has received the highest per capita foreign aid.

Turkey builds our entire economic infrastructure. The highways, roads, dams, and water reservoirs, the modern communication systems, the seaports and airports, the power-generating plants, electricity, water, and irrigation systems, our hospitals and schools that the Greek Cypriots see with surprise and envy when they cross over to the `TRNC´ have all been built by Turkey.

The equipment and expenses of the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces, our pride, our most precious organization, have been met entirely by the motherland. The motherland also met the following: Drought and plant damage compensation, grants in support of producers, expenses in support of increase in production, payments in support of exports and investments, irrigation projects, derivation and drip irrigation projects, payment of the additional customs taxes that the EU imposed on the basis of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rulings, the expenditures of our beloved DAU [Eastern Mediterranean University-EMU] and LAU [Lefka European University-LEU], and the past losses of the KTHY [Cyprus Turkish Airlines-CTA].

The motherland paid off the savings deposits kept in the bankrupt banks that totalled $350 million and which were siphoned off. It thus provided relief to our people, whose savings had vanished into thin air.

Our entire budget and almost more than half of our current budget, which is made up of public officials' salaries and other state expenditures, are met by the motherland.

The increase of the per capita income from $580 in the pre-1974 period to $8,000 today is due to the continued unconditional assistance and the realized projects.

Earlier too, and as from the 1930s, it was motherland Turkey that ensured the education of all our youths through scholarship grants. It was again Turkey that sent its best teachers to the island, paid the salaries of those teachers and the salaries of a significant number of Turkish Cypriot teachers for many years, built our schools, built housing for our 1958 and 1963 refugees, met all the expenses of our national struggle for survival, and took care of the needs of our officers and their needs for arms and equipment, financed the salaries of the entire community in the 1963-1974 period, and took care of the needs for food, drinks, and clothing of our community for 11 years. Our motherland, in this way, made it possible for us to survive.

No other country in the world extends so much assistance to another country without any hesitation. The reason is that we are of the same race, we are brothers, we are like flesh and blood, and we are an inseparable whole.

That is not all. The motherland always sent to Cyprus its most valued commanders, diplomats, and ambassadors. All the assistance that has been given with no interruption and our development were made possible thanks to the projects prepared and promoted by the valued soldiers and diplomats who devoted themselves to the future, welfare, security, development, and peace of the Turkish Cypriot people. No one expected any thanks and praise in return. They worked with a happy feeling for having fulfilled their duty to the Turkish Cypriot people and the `TRNC´. They handed over their duties to their successors with peace of mind, as in a relay race. Every newcomer had no aim other than raising the flag higher than his predecessor.

What I regret most is the fact that the assistance the motherland gave in the past 100 years, and continues to give, is not taken into consideration. However, an effort is being made to praise highly the aid (250 million euro) that the EU will allegedly give, but has not given, the aid it talks about giving after rejecting our state, tearing us apart from within, and reducing us to a simple minority status.

I regret that the EU and the US officials engage in acts of pressure, insult, discrimination, and humiliation against our `president´, `prime minister´, `government´, and all our intellectuals who stand against them and, in general, a major section of our people, our honor, and our one-and-a-half-century-long struggle and state. In the meantime, our motherland and its army are being attacked as "invaders", and its officials in the `TRNC´ as "interventionists."

Although they might be angry at the JDP [Justice and Development Party] government because of the Annan Plan, the Turkish Cypriot people are loyal to the Turkish nation with heart-felt affection, its army that emerged from its bosom, and its representatives in the `TRNC´. It is for this reason that no provocation succeeded in the past, and will not succeed in the future, in creating discord between the motherland and the `TRNC´ and between the Turkish nation and its inseparable part, the Turkish Cypriot people."

/SK

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