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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-10-25Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 205/00 -- 25.10.2000[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Ertugruloglu says Turks to reciprocate to every Greek step Anatolia Agency (14:23 hours, 24/10/00) reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu,so-called foreign affairs and defense minister, has claimed that with the Nikiforos exercises the Cyprus Government ``has taken a dangerous step''. He further called on the Greek Cypriots to renounce their armament efforts. In a statement to illegal Bayrak Television, Ertugruloglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot-Greek side is not in a position to emerge victorious from a military clash in the eastern Mediterranean, adding: ``We are in a position to reciprocate to every step to be taken by the Greek Cypriot side.'' Ertugruloglu continued claiming: ``The Greek Cypriots either do not know what they are doing, or they are built for dangerous adventures. Whichever is the case, we are concerned. We are concerned because neither the Greek Cypriots nor Greece has any chance of emerging victorious from any military clash in the eastern Mediterranean. There is no such possibility. We hope that they will realize this and will not continue this armament which is futile.'' Ertugruloglu said that the balance will, in no way, tip in favor of the Greek Cypriot-Greek duo either in Cyprus or in the region, stressing that this will definitely not be allowed. Commenting on the opening of the Paphos Airbase, Ertugruloglu said:``What are they trying to achieve with this base? Only they can know. They have achieved nothing. We can reciprocate to every step they take. We are not without any alternatives. Turkey, the great motherland, is the leader of the entire region. Turkey has never abandoned us to the mercy of the Greek Cypriot-Greek duo, neither will in the future.'' Commenting on the visit of Alvaro de Soto, the UN secretary general's special Cyprus envoy, Ertugruloglu said that De Soto, who is on a fact-finding mission, will see the ``realities'' on the island and will better understand the logic of the proposals the Turkish Cypriot side has brought to the negotiating table. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot position at the fifth round proximity talks to begin in Geneva on 1 November will continue to be based on the principle of ``two states'', Ertugruloglu clamed that the confederation proposal is the last chance for reaching a conciliation with the Greek Cypriots and that no other formula will be included on the agenda. [02] Turkish Minister says Greek radars locking on to turkish fighters 'unfriendly'Anatolia Agency (8:16 hours, 24/10/00) reports that Turkish State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay, who evaluated the reports saying that the Greek Cypriot missile batteries locked on turkish planes, claimed that the action was not friendly.``One fact has to be known that Turkey will continue its friendship policy with its neighbours in spite of everything. It will not be the turkish side which will disturb he relations,'' claimed Cay. [03] Turkish Air Force admits ``lock in'' of turkish jets MILLIYET (24.10.00) reports that the radars of the National Guard's antiaircraft air defence systems TOR-M-1 were locked on the two Turkish Air Force RF-4 reconnaissance jets that were flying at an attitude of 450 metres six miles off the west coast of Cyprus, in an effort to photograph the air base in Paphos.The Turkish Air Force has confirmed the reports that when the pilots noticed the ``Lock in'' signals, they left the area immediately. [04] Denktash visits 'Our Party' about press reports on reactionary activitiesIllegal Bayrak Radio 1 (10:30 hours, 24/10/00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has said that he regrets the recent press reports that link Our Party with reactionary activities.Denktash visited our Party in connection with this issue. He said: ``If certain circles want to do in our country what they did not manage to do in Turkey they should give it up. This would upset both our people who are already up in arms about the economic situation and our motherland which is on our side with all its means.'' Denktash asserted that Our Party leader Okyay Sadikoglu is the son of a person who is completely loyal to his country and to his motherland, a person who is ready to die for them. Denktash stressed that he does not in any way believe that Our Party is linked to reactionary activities. He called on Sadikoglu to warn the party members not to engage in activities that may be described by certain circles as reactionary. Denktash charged that such provocations were planned a long time ago to create a rift between Turkey and the pseudostate. He alleged that this kind of unrest would give the Greek Cypriots great opportunities. He added: ``If our mosques are our flagpoles, Ataturk is our flag. Let us not use religion as a political tool. We are facing a plot that is being supported from the outside. We must not give it a chance.'' Denktash pointed out that certain foreign newspapers are using the recent economic crisis in order to publish reports that say: Cyprus is tired of the occupation. Denktash said that this is unforgivable, adding that Turkey did not play a role in the economic collapse that occurred in the ``TRNC''. He noted that Turkey made a lot of investments in the ``TRNC''. He asserted that joining the EU in the way the Greek Cypriots want is a trap. ``It is essential that the Turkish Cypriots' rights are recognized'', he said, ``before Cyprus joins the EU.'' He then referred to the Greek Cypriot press reports that say that he is going to Geneva in a weak position because all the political parties are against him because of the economic crisis. He said: ``I focus on the people who elected me. My people are made of good stock. I hope that the Greek Cypriots will not repeat their past mistakes causing more problems for our people.'' Our Party leader Sadikoglu also delivered a speech saying that his party has nothing to do with reactionary activities. ``Our Party's only wish'', he said, ``is to protect the sovereignty and constitution of the TRNC. Establishing an Islamic state as is being alleged is incompatible with our aims. If we see a party member who is involved in reactionary activities, we will be the first to file a complaint against him.'' [05] Cem says ups, downs normal in rapprochement with Greece CNN Turk Television (10:00 hours, 24/10/00) reports that Turkish ForeignMinister Ismail Cem has said that there might be ups and downs in the Turkish-Greek rapprochement process, adding: ``I hope that these developments will not cause a set back.'' Cem further supported the harsh reaction of Rauf Denktash showed to the Greek radar locking on the Turkish fighter planes.``No effort is ever exerted in vain. No work is without result. You are referring to the recent NATO exercise. This issue took place mostly between NATO and Greece. NATO has proposed to Greece not to take certain steps during this exercise. This is the gist of the issue. The Greek government spokesman issued a statement yesterday. In a way, it seemed logical to me. He said that the rapprochement of Turkey and Greece is very important. There will, however, be ups and downs in such a process. This is what I have always maintained. There will be ups and downs. I hope that this will not lead to a reversal of the course'', he said. Referring to the Nikiforos exercise, he said: ``We fully agree with the statement Mr. Denktash issued in Cyprus. The Cyprus issue is a totally different issue. The statement issued by Mr. Denktash was very right and appropriate.'' [06] Netherlands Prime Minister Kok on Cyprus issue, Turkey's EU accession Istanbul Hurriyet (21/10/00) reports on an interview with Netherlands PrimeMinister Wim Kok by columnist Ferai Tinc in the Netherlands Parliament, in view of Mr Kok's forthcoming visit to Turkey.Referring to Turkey's EU accession, Kok said: ``Turkey's accession to the organization will take a long time. We are aware of that. Many steps have to be taken. However, I believe that the steps Turkey will take will be useful for its future. If Turkey wants to become a respected country in the world, it must adopt democracy and respect human rights, including the rights of minorities. It must have a civilized community. We do not want to act like a teacher. Turkey must take the necessary steps for its own sake.'' He further said: ``The EU peoples must get used to the idea of Turkey's accession. That also applies to the people of Turkey. Naturally, that will take time. We are at the beginning of the process. Turkey's accession will take a long time. No one seems to be aware of that. We have to improve mutual respect and the concept of unity and common responsibility. The Muslims must feel themselves at home in Europe. For example, NATO membership has not created a problem at all. It must be noted that the EU is not an organization of countries which share the same religion. It is an organization with many religions. We have to learn to respect and accept each other.'' Asked whether the solution of the Cyprus problem is a condition for the commencement of the talks on Turkey's accession and whether he sees any link between the two issues, Kok said: ``No, I do not. A link has not been officially established or disclosed. According to the decision that was made during the Helsinki summit, we will consider the factors related to the solution of the Cyprus problem when the time comes to discuss the island's accession to the organization. Turkey will be assessed in accordance with the references made to it in the Helsinki final communique. I hope that it will achieve progress in complying with the necessary criteria.'' [B] B. COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS[07] Turkish Cypriot writer on pseudostate's 2001 ``Budget'' Columnist Turgut Afsaroglu, writing in Avrupa (22/10/00) under the title``The Package a Pretext ...'', says: ``The 2001 budget that has been approved by the Council of Ministers has been set at 404 trillion (Turkish) lira. This is equivalent to $600 million. Of this, $450 million comes from local revenues. The remaining $150 million will come from Turkey if the current economic package is implemented.What is the annual per capita income in north Cyprus? Is it $4,000, $5,000, or $6,000? What is the total population in north Cyprus? Is it 150,000, 180,000, or 200,000? What is the amount of our Gross National Income? Is it $600 million, $800 million, or $900,000 million? Most important of all, what is the ratio of our country's budget over the Gross National Income? Is it 66 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent? The ratio of the budget over the Gross National Income is 32 percent in Turkey. This ratio is 25 percent on average in developed countries. In countries like Sweden where the social state understanding is dominant this ratio goes as high as 40 percent. To tell the truth, the budget figures have been added up in an incoherent manner. Thus, a total amount of budget expenses worth $600 million has been set. This means that the government will raise the VAT rates and impose an additional four-percent development tax on everyone. Should the generated revenues prove to be insufficient for the budget, the government will ask Turkey to extend a helping hand in return for the implementation of the economic package. All this is tantamount to hurling insults at our economy and sending all the sectors to the grave! Let us look at the figures more closely. A total amount of funds worth 3.22 trillion lira has been set in the 2001 budget for the President's Office, 1.86 trillion lira for the Assembly Speaker, 4.62 trillion lira for the Prime Minister's Office, and 2.24 trillion lira for the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. All these sum up to about 12 trillion lira, which is equivalent to about $18 million. This is an exorbitant sum of money. These are budget allocations suitable for sultans. This is nothing but wastefulness. These figures show us why those who attain power refuse to leave their offices ... Should these four officials tighten their belts for two years, a total amount of $30 million would be saved in the budget. The artisans would breathe a sigh of relief if the government extends these savings to them with low interests. On the other hand, should these savings be extended to the tourism field or to investors, all these people will be relieved of their debts. Finally, the state hospitals would be rendered operational if these savings were extended to the health sector. The list goes on. However, our officials will never accept to subject themselves to any belt- tightening! A total amount of $5 million has been allocated to the President's Office. This is too much! Meanwhile, a total amount of 126 billion lira has been allocated to the slush fund, 270 billion lira to representation and hosting, 292 billion lira to hosting high-ranking foreign officials, 252 billion lira for foreign missions and transportation expenses, 200 billion lira for social expenses, 105 billion lira for stationary an publications, 45 billion lira for fuel and oil, 61 billion lira for lighting and heating expenses, 124 billion lira for other consumer goods, and 56 billion lira for furniture and fixtures. The list goes on. The actual power of these positions lies in the looting opportunities and not in their wages! The economic package is a pretext. The whole affair is that of a struggle over positions ...'' [71] AVRUPA criticizes Denktash and Ankara over EU policy Writing in AVRUPA (24/10/00) columnist Turgut Afsaroglu looks at theNovember proximity talks and argues that even if the Greek Cypriots accept confederation Denktash would still refuse to conclude any agreement until 2004 to give Turkey the chance to meet the Copenhagen criteria and enter the EU simultaneously with Cyprus. Afsaroglu says that Ecevit and Yilmaz in Turkey are supporting this strategy and the US has also given its consent not to offend Turkey. Afsaroglu says this strategy is also to the liking of the hawks in Turkey who hope to scuttle Turkey's EU plans by then. This also benefits the Greek Cypriots as it increases their chance of joining the EU in 2004, he says. Only the Turkish Cypriots are unhappy with Denktash's strategy, which has wrecked the community's hope for a solution. ``The only thing left for the Turkish Cypriots to do is to take their fate into their own hands and fight those who do not represent them'', Afsaroglu concludes.From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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