Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-06-15

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 102/99 -- 15.6.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pseudostate to request new bank loans from Turkey.

[02] Ertugruloglu comments on G-8 initiative, UN report.

[03] Ecevit will visit US in September.

[04] Turkish Cypriots deny money laundered in off-shore banks.

[05] Idealists in the occupied area mobilized by election success in Turkey.

[06] Yeni Yuzyil newspaper says farewell.

[07] Scandal-hit ``citizenship plan'' is halted.

[08] Campaign against visa restrictions on Turkish Cypriots.

[09] Memphis University Chamber Orchestra in the occupied area.

[10] Hercus meets Ergun Olgun.

[11] Denktash meets commanders of Turkish warships.

[12] Denktash complains of being uninformed of debated ``constitutional amendments''.

[13] On the CMC site at occupied Karavostassi.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pseudostate to request new bank loans from Turkey

Eroglu said, ``I believe that the new government will be a stable government, and I hope that it will maintain paying attention to TRNC�s problems''.

Eroglu noted that the pseudostate is not self-sufficient yet and added that they have no chance to take loans from the third countries. Eroglu said, ``Turkey should extend financial support to the TRNC within her budget opportunities''.

Recalling that works on the ``Customs Union'', and the ``Partnership Council'' are continuing between Turkey and the pseudostate Eroglu said that they will request new bank loans from Turkey.

[02] Ertugruloglu comments on G-8 initiative, UN report

Ertugruloglu alleged: ``The G-8 call to hold negotiations without preconditions is meaningless in a way. The greatest of preconditions remains, and that consists of allowing the Greek Cypriot side to assume the title of government of the whole of Cyprus''. Ertugruloglu stressed that it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to feel the need to sit opposite the Greek Cypriots at the negotiating table.

Referring to Annan�s report, Ertugruloglu claimed that the mistakes made in connection with Cyprus are continuing. He alleged that the report is based on the assumption that there is one central government on the island, adding that the United Nations has added another mistake to those that have been made for years.

[03] Ecevit will visit US in September

Addressing journalists after Prime Minister Ecevit received the Turkish American Associations Assembly (TADA) delegation, Kandemir said, ``Ecevit told the members of the delegation that he will pay a visit to Washington DC in September, and he will bring the issue of promotion of Turkey onto agenda during his contacts in the US capital.''

Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey, had conveyed the US President Bill Clinton�s letter inviting Ecevit to Washington DC on June 11.

Meanwhile, Tolga Cubukcu, the Chairman of the TADA, said that they told Prime Minister Ecevit at the meeting that they encounter with difficulties on the promotion of Turkey.

Cubukcu said that Turkey cannot introduce herself in the US against several other lobbies.

Pointing out that the US public opinion does not know about Turkey�s policies towards actual problems such as the Cyprus question and the Kosovo crisis, Cubukcu noted that they have demanded Ecevit�s support for promotion of Turkey in the US.

[04] Turkish Cypriots deny money laundered in off-shore banks

Bayram said that off-shore banks don`t have any connection with the ``TRNC'', adding ``these banks can`t accept any deposits from TRNC, they can�t transfer money without the permission of the government. Therefore, no transaction can be connected with the country.''

Stressing that the monitoring the money, which is transferred, will be the basis of the ``draft law'' to be prepared about off shore banks, Bayram stated that the limit of the money transfer will be 20,000 dollars.

Bayram said that there are 14 off-shore banks and 25 domestic banks in the occupied area.

Emphasizing that the casinos in the occupied area pay a tax under the name of ``privilege payment'' every year, Bayram said that the income gained from this is directly spent on tourism activities.

Bayram said a new tax will be imposed on casinos within few months, adding they will restrict the entries-exits of the casinos.

Mehmet Bayram said that common customs tariff will be implemented with Turkey and the customs and funds in the goods that are sold to tourists will be decreased.

[05] Idealists in the occupied area mobilized by election success in Turkey

The idealists or grey wolves are known for their notorious criminal activities.

Tore declared that the aim of the reorganization is to promote the party�s ideology. He said that on 21 November 1999 the NJP will hold its general congress.

(MY)

[06] Yeni Yuzyil newspaper says farewell

Editor in Chief Kerem Caliskan said that Yeni Yuzyil, which was liberal and courageous, had been a symbol of ``prestige'' from the day it started publishing until the day it pulled the plugs on their computers. He added that in the midst of a chaotic political atmosphere, the newspaper had changed hands last year and crisis had erupted.

Despite all the problems they continued to work with intensive effort, said Caliskan. He also pointed out that a month ago the team gathered together with new writers and increased the number of pages to 24.

However, due to legal and financial clashes this recent attempt became pointless, Caliskan lamented.

``The Yeni Yuzyil writers, caricaturists and production team are leaving the scene with their heads up. We are not defeated, we are proud. The dynamic team�s adventure will not end here. We still have a lot to say and a lot to write about. Yeni Yuzyil is the hope of a young Turkey that is walking into the 21st century'', he concluded.

Yeni Yuzyil newspaper was sold to businessman Korkmaz Yigit last year.

[07] Scandal-hit ``citizenship plan'' is halted

``Ministers'' agreed to the recommendation of ``prime minister'' Dervis Eroglu and passed a ``motion'' cancelling the programme, under which Chinese people were invited to invest in the occupied area in exchange for ``citizenship''.

According to sources close to KIBRIS newspaper, the ``minister of foreign affairs and defence'', Tahsin Ertugruloglu, is expected to recommend to the so-called Council of Ministers that ``Honorary TRNC Representative to China'' David Yi Zhong Qi be removed from his post because of his involvement in the scandal.

The role of former ``agriculture and forestry minister'' Kenan Akin, the first top name to be publicly linked with the affair, is being investigated by ``parliament.''

The ``Attorney General'' is also looking into allegations by Democrat Party leader Serdar Denktash that Dr. Eroglu , too, was personally involved.

The programme was put into action during the Democrat Party (DP) and Republican Turkish Party (CTP) ``coalition'', and was originally to be conducted via ``TRNC'' firm New Generation Consultancy.

When a National Unity Party-DP ``coalition'' came into power, the programme was switched to the Sino-Cyprus Tourism, Education, Trade & Immigration consultancy firm, despite reported ``warnings'' about the composition and financial arrangements of the second firm.

According to contracts signed with the Chinese investors, a $50,000 deposit was to be paid, 40 per cent of it to be deposited in the ``TRNC Central Bank'' and the rest to be put into real estate in both China and the occupied area.

However, it was revealed that the money destined for the ``central bank'' had, instead, remained in the private offshore Security Bank, a company related to the Sino-Cyprus firm.

An investigation is being carried out into the activities of the Security Bank.

[08] Campaign against visa restrictions on Turkish Cypriots

The campaign initiated by Arif Tahir Erisen, chair of Mehmetcik Philanthropic Association, received support from most of the Turkish organizations in London.

A committee of 16 people was formed including member and non-member organizations from the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (Konsey).

The campaign will include a petition and letters will be sent to MPs, councillors and other governmental and nongovernental bodies.

The Konsey also issued a press release giving full support to the initiative and stressed Mr. Erisen was fully authorized by the organization to initiate the campaign.

Erisen claimed there was no need to continue the visa restrictions because of changes in circumstances since February 1998 when the restrictions were imposed.

Mr. Erisen said ``The British Government has passed new rules after the implementation of the visa to Northern Cyprus. We therefore strongly believe that the grounds of requiring this visa no longer exist. We further wish to point out that this restriction is having serious detrimental effects on our social, cultural and economic relations with Northern Cyprus and our parents, relatives friends and business associates''.

He then stressed the only way to influence the British government is to act altogether in harmony and try to influence all MPs, MEPs, councillors and government institutions. Ten thousand letters were released for the campaign�s first initiative.

Enfield councillor Yasemin Brett and Erol Basarik, the independent candidate for the European Parliament, were present at the launching meeting.

In her short speech, Mrs Brett said she was very happy to see such an initiative and promised to help by taking the message to Pauline Green, Jack Straw and other influential people.

Mr. Basarik also gave support to the campaign and said he will be a close associate and will do whatever�s necessary if he gets into the European Parliament.

[09] Memphis University Chamber Orchestra in the occupied area

The ten-member orchestra under conductor Prof. Kamuran Ince will give two performances, one on 17 June at occupied Bellapais and the other on 18 June at the so-called East Mediterranean University�s Blue Hall.

KIBRIS reports that the orchestra, prior to arriving in the occupied area, performed at the International Istanbul and Aspendos festivals.

The orchestra is in the occupied as the guest of the so-called TRNC assembly. (MY)

[10] Hercus meets Ergun Olgun

There was no statement after the meeting which lasted one hour. (MY)

[11] Denktash meets commanders of Turkish warships

The warships are taking part in the Turkish Seawolf-99 military exercises. The fleet made up of four submarines, two frigates and two assault boats arrived in the occupied area under the command of rear-admiral Mustafa Ozbey. (MY)

[12] Denktash complains of being uninformed of debated ``constitutional amendments''

Denktash further added that the ``President�s Office'' has established an experts delegation that has started working on ``constitutional'' amendments with the aim of extending its help to the ``parliament'' in its work to amend the so-called constitution.

Denktash made this statement when meeting Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci.

(MY)

[13] On the CMC site at occupied Karavostassi

The report suggests that the area should be closed to people and the water at the Karavostassi reservoir should not be used for irrigation purposes. (MY)

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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