Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-19

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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. 50/98 -- 19.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash expects all to appeal for recognition of the pseudostate.

[02] Turkish treasury delegation in the occupied area.

[03] Turkish General Staff to brief Demirel on reactionism.

[04] Yilmaz tells army `to mind its own business'.

[05] Bulgarian Turk settler dies in the occupied area.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash expects all to appeal for recognition of the pseudostate

Denktash declared that he expects all sectors to appeal for the recognition of the "TRNC".

Denktash delivered a lecture on Cyprus and the EU at the "Lefka European University" last Tuesday and replied to students questions on the subject. Starting his speech by declaring that the reasons behind the Cyprus problem must be outlined first, Denktash claimed the world has insistently been misdiagnosing the causes of the problem since 1963. Appealing to the circles that want to see the problem solved, Denktash claimed that ceasing to recognize the Cyprus Government as the legitimate government of Cyprus will constitute a significant step toward the solution of the problem.

Denktash said that the EU is not on the agenda of the "TRNC" and underlined the need to accept the existence of "two equal states" in Cyprus if this situation is to be avoided and said that the Turkish Cypriots will not be manipulated by this EU "scheme", as he called it.

Referring to the pseudo-assembly "resolution", Denktash said: "If the Assembly adopts a resolution, the parties must not undermine it, even if they do not support it. This must be kept in mind particularly during contacts with foreigners."

Answering students questions, Denktash stated that the "struggle" will continue until the existence of the"TRNC" is acknowledged. In reply to a question on recognition, Denktash said: "At the moment, we want to be recognized, but this is only a matter of process."

[02] Turkish treasury delegation in the occupied area

In a statement at illegal Tymbou airport, so-called finance minister Salih Cosar said that the delegation arrived in order to give content to the framework agreement signed in Turkey last month and to eliminate the hitches in this regard. Cosar noted that the aim is to further enhance bilateral economic cooperation and to develop the "TRNC" economy and render it self-sufficient.

Dincmen, in his statement, remarked that a delegation of experts arrived in Cyprus to determine the problems on the spot within the framework of bilateral cooperation and Turkey's efforts to bring about the economic development of the "TRNC".

[03] Turkish General Staff to brief Demirel on reactionism

General Ismail Hakki Karadayi and President Demirel met in private for some time before the briefing began yesterday. It was held at Demirel's request. He was briefed on the realization of the decisions the National Security Council (NSC) made on 28 February to obstruct the reactionary activities, which increased when the former REFAHYOL (Welfare Party-True Path Party) government was in power.

Demirel was to be informed that the government has not adopted an effective policy to realize the NSC decisions, excluding the decision on the adoption of the eight-year uninterrupted education system, and that it has retreated from its position from time to time, as in the case of the struggle that is waged against the use of the headdress. He was to be informed that the Western Work Group has closely followed the developments related to reactionism and that the conclusion drawn from the assessments it has made indicates that reactionism continues to be the most serious threat in the country. Furthermore, that Islamic capital has greatly increased and funds have been channeled to the extreme religious establishments like foundations and associations. Demirel would be asked to agree that the Islamic capital circles should be placed under control and the privileges they have should be withdrawn, the report says.

The General Staff was to inform Demirel that the activities of the Fethullah Gulen community have made the military forces uneasy, that the community has gained significant strength through its television network, publications, schools, and many companies and that it now poses a threat to the secular republic.

The military forces were expected to inform Demirel that they are worried that the government has not taken resolute steps against the reactionary centers because of its political fears, that the coalition partners have not been able to act in harmony on matters related to the struggle against reactionism and that this state of affairs has weakened the effort that has been made to realize the NSC decisions.

According to the report, the messages to be conveyed to Demirel are:

1. Reactionism is still the most serious threat.

2. Reactionary activities decreased when the government was established. However, they began to increase during the past three months.

3. The government has failed to take resolute steps against reactionism because of its political fears.

4. The coalition partners have not been able to act in harmony on matters related to the struggle against the reactionary centers.

5. The government has failed to adopt an effective policy to realize the decisions the NSC adopted on 28 February, excluding the decision related to the eight-year uninterrupted education system. It has retreated from its position from time to time, as in the case of the ban on the Islamic headdress.

6. Islamic capital has greatly increased.

7. Funds have been channeled from the Islamic resources to the extreme religious foundations and associations.

8. The Islamic capital circles, which are supported by many foreign countries, must be placed under control and the privileges recognized to them must be withdrawn.

9. The Fethullah Gulen community has significantly strengthened through its television network, publications, schools, and companies.

10. The Gulen community has become a threat to the secular republic.

[04] Yilmaz tells army `to mind its own business'

Speaking at an ANAP (Motherland Party) group meeting the other day, Yilmaz issued tough messages on the eve of the National Security Council (NSC) meeting scheduled for 27 March to discuss the fight against reactionism. Noting that the expectations of those who try to liken the atmosphere at the upcoming NSC meeting to the one prevailing at the 28 February (1997) meeting are in vain, Yilmaz also called on the Army "to mind its own business."

Yilmaz said: "It is my duty, as the government, to combat reactionism. I have tasked no one to fight reactionism. This struggle is already being waged seriously within the framework of democratic norms. In the struggle against reactionism, there is no place for some military organizations with dubious legality.

On taking office I announced that the Western Working Group should be dissolved."

"After taking office we set up a Civilian Working Group. It is continuing its work. If the civilian forces fail to achieve any success in this struggle then I will naturally give the assignment to them (soldiers). But, for now the soldiers should mind their own business. Their hands are already full in Cyprus, the Aegean, and the southeast. We will not be fighting reactionism by backing down from the principles of a democratic and law-based state. There are circles who try to create the impression that the same atmosphere that had prevailed a year ago will also prevail at the NSC meeting on 27 March. The expectation of these circles will come to naught. I will not fall into a position of a prime minister slammed down with a military warning. If there is going to be any imposition on 27 March, it will be me doing the imposition. If reactionism is going to be crushed, it will be me crushing it," Yilmaz added.

Asserting that the headdress issue in Turkey is being raised by those "who are uncomfortable with the comfort", Yilmaz said that he has phoned Supreme Education Board President Kemal Guruz to tell him that the board's decision to ban the headdress contravenes the constitution, the law enacted in 1990, and the laws of the (Ataturk) revolution. Noting that the government is capable of resolving the headdress issue within the framework of the laws, Yilmaz stressed that the faithful should not be bothered while fighting reactionism.

Also indicating that they have been fighting terrorism within the democratic norms, Yilmaz added: "The fight against terrorism is a state policy. Every government has struggled against terrorism. But our difference is that in waging that struggle we have not been seeking the help of the gangs. And, illegal methods will never be used again."

In his speech, which drew frequent applause, Yilmaz said that "I have no bones to pick with either Ciller, DYP (True Path Party), Virtue Party, or the soldiers". Saying that they have been doing what is right, Yilmaz asked the deputies to give their unanimous backing to him. In telling the group meeting that they will proceed along the path they believe is correct, Yilmaz has reportedly declared that "I am not one who flees at every shooing sound".

The party's enlarged Chairmanship Council session, held prior to the group meeting, decided to back Yilmaz's declaration that there will be no transgressing of the democratic legal norms in fighting reactionism and terrorism.

[05] Bulgarian Turk settler dies in the occupied area

KIBRIS says that the roof of the house gave in and Gunay fell down and hit his head on the refrigerator.

(MY)

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

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