Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-03

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gurel says no concessions to be made in Cyprus.

[02] Ecevit discusses Cyprus with Indian President.

[03] Demirel showing Cyprus map to Bill Clinton.

[04] "TRNC" at Moscow folklore festival.

[05] Turkish journalist criticizes Turkey/s intervention in "TRNC democracy".

[06] Voters at 15 April "elections".

[07] Births and deaths data.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gurel says no concessions to be made in Cyprus

Gurel, who is participating in the 19th conference of the Turkish-US Council in Washington, held a news conference and replied to reporters/ questions.

In reply to a question on the fact that Turkey is expected to open the Greek Orthodox religious school in Heybeliada or to make a gesture in Cyprus to ensure the continuation of the Turkish-Greek rapprochement, Gurel said that he does not share this view, adding: "No concessions will be made in Cyprus for the sake of the solution of the Turkish-Greek problems. It is impossible for Turkey to accept a so-called solution in Cyprus for the sake of the EU membership negotiations".

Gurel said that, in line with the statement Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit made on 11 December 1999, Turkey can accept the EU candidacy status without linking it to the Cyprus process and the Greek issue.

[02] Ecevit discusses Cyprus with Indian President

According to information received by an AA correspondent, this is the summary of the dialogue that took place between Ecevit and Narayanan on Cyprus and Turkish-Greek relations:

"Ecevit: Let me brief you on our relations with Greece. A new climate is being created. The major issues, however, have not yet been discussed. We have never used Turkish-Greek relations as a tool for domestic politics. Concrete steps will be taken between the two countries in the aftermath of the Greek elections. If a solution is to be found in Cyprus, the reality that cannot be denied should be accepted. This reality is the fact that there are two states in Cyprus. I am saying this not as a diplomatic recognition but as a reality that should be accepted.

Narayanan: From your words I infer that slowly many countries are beginning to indirectly recognize the TRNC.

Ecevit: There are many European lecturers in universities in Cyprus. The diplomas of Cypriot schools are recognized in many countries. It would be beneficial to hold educational contacts between India and the TRNC. We are also learning something from your culture of conciliation. Your government has formed a coalition of 22 parties. We are functioning in harmony with a coalition of three parties."

[03] Demirel showing Cyprus map to Bill Clinton

It is not known what was the discussion over the Cyprus map.

[04] "TRNC" at Moscow folklore festival

[05] Turkish journalist criticizes Turkey/s intervention in "TRNC democracy"

"Question: According to your observations what is Turkey/s point of view as regards elections in the TRNC?

Altan: Unfortunately Ankara did not act in a very careful manner. In a way, if the impression is created that Ankara supports one of the candidates, this is wrong from the point of view of Cyprus/ democracy. From the very beginning I have been saying that the internal dynamics of Cyprus should not be damaged. Your gains will be greater if you do not damage the internal dynamics of a community. If you damage the internal dynamics of a community, then you damage the creativity and productivity of this community. That community very quickly peters out, gives up and becomes unable to assert its identity.

Cyprus/ democracy was one of the most developed democracies. It is a sorry event what is happening. I see democracy as the most valuable tool in the development of the communities, for not submitting to the will of others and for not giving in.

In the final analysis, election is the internal affair of the TRNC after all. And this should be held in a transparent manner, under objective conditions. If there is intervention in this, it is a wrong intervention. One should not give the chance for the slightest rumours.

Question: That is, do you mean to say `they should be more careful/ ? Altan: Absolutely. Any intervention, carelessness and superficiality that disrupts the functioning conditions of the democracy is wrong. In the short term, it could give the impression that it will provide the desired result. However, in the long term, this is not possible. Let us see the facts. The per capita income of the TRNC is 3 thousand USD and the per capita income of the Greek Cypriot side is 15 thousand USD. So, instead of talking about politics, intervention or anything else, first of all this gap should be discussed. Why this side could not become rich? Maybe, because there is a lot of intervention in the politics.

Question: Could the Cyprus problem be a bargaining issue for Turkey/s accession to the European Union? According to you, what is the view of Europe towards the Cyprus problem?

Altan: Not only Europe, the world wants peace. The settlement will come, there will be peace in Cyprus. A lot of countries got ready for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. They will not allow (this to fail). The process will be speeded up if both sides in Cyprus sincerely want this. (paragraph omitted). I sincerely believe that in the near future a settlement will be reached in Cyprus".

[06] Voters at 15 April "elections"

The distribution of voters by district is as follows:

Occupied Nicosia: 39,417 Occupied Famagusta 33,269 Occupied Kyrenia 22,760 Occupied Morphou 18,153 Occupied Trikomo 13,110

[07] Births and deaths data

According to the "statistics and research department", there are 2,400 - 2, 600 births in the occupied area every year and only 614 -778 deaths.

Between 1992-1997, there were 14,540 births, while 4,055 persons died.

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

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