Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-02-27

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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] The Turkish Cypriot leader says that no basis for further talks was established at the proximity talks.

[02] Rauf Denktash: UNFICYP activities to end if Cyprus joins EU as full member.

[03] So-called Prime Minister admits that crisis in Turkey felt worse in the occupied areas.

[04] So-called Foreign Affairs Minister leaves for Great Britain.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat: Developments prove integration with Turkey should be renounced.

[06] Rauf Denktash: Disaster unless Turkey extends financial assistance.

[07] A delegation of the occupied areas so-called Assembly is having contacts in Ankara.

[08] Forged US dollars in the occupied areas.

[09] Exports of oranges to Russia and Ukraine from the occupied areas.

[10] Turkish Cypriot newspaper claims that visitors to the Glasgow Tourism Fair asked for direct flights to the occupied areas.

[11] Turkish Cypriot artists are taking part in an exhibition in Salzburg.

[12] Turkish Cypriots to be able to enter the casinos in the occupied areas.

[13] The leader of the Republican Turkish Party discussed Cyprus/ EU accession course with a German Professor.

[14] The Turkish Foreign Minister met with his US counterpart.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader says that no basis for further talks was established at the proximity talks

In a statement to Turkish Cypriot Agency (TAK) regarding statements by Alvaro De Soto, the U.N. Secretary-General/s Special Advisor on Cyprus who said that the concerns of Denktash could be overcome on the negotiating table, Denktash said: ``We sat around a negotiating table without any condition to find a formula that will ease our concerns, but this didn`t come true.``

Denktash pointed out that the fifth round of the proximity talks had pre- conditions, adding that the Turkish Cypriots were asked to accept the norms of the European Union (EU). He added that the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council which recognized the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government was put on the table in that round.

Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriots were considered as ``community,`` again and they faced the ``common election formula`` by going back to 1960 Treaties. Denktash alleged that the exchange of properties were diluted with the idea of ``returning of people.``

``They told us that the frame was drawn, and that nothing can be included to it from outside,`` said Denktash, adding that the old formula of ``a President and his deputy on the Island`` was revived again. ``They insist on multinational force and multinational police. They want us to give a considerable amount of territory. The Greek Cypriots were pleased with this formula and we were brought to the edge of the cliff,`` Denktash said.

[02] Rauf Denktash: UNFICYP Activities To End If Cyprus Joins EU as Full Member

During an interview with Cyprus FM radio station Denktash said that the EU would not like to accept a member which would bring a number of problems to the Union. He asserted that if Cyprus is accepted to the EU the separation on the island will become permanent.

Denktash alleged that an exchange of properties between north and south Cyprus would bring peace to the island like the exchange of population which took place in the past.

[03] So-called Prime Minister admits that crisis in Turkey felt worse in the occupied areas

While confusion continues in occupied Cyprus, the so-called Council of Ministers and ``Prime Minister'' Eroglu assessed these problems and the negative developments in the economy.

Eroglu admitted that in the wake of the floating of the Turkish lira and the subsequent developments, he cannot say that the ``government'' is able to see what is going to happen in the economy. Speaking on the "Third Dimension" program aired on illegal Bayrak Television on 23 February, Eroglu asserted that because the ``TRNC'' uses the same currency as Turkey, and given the fact that it was going through an economic bottleneck anyway, the ``TRNC'' is being much more affected by this crisis. He promised that the ``government'' will take all the necessary measures to minimize the effects of the crisis. He recalled that the ``Council of Ministers'' convened in an extraordinary session on 23 February to assess the situation and that it would meet again on 26.2.01 to discuss measures.

Eroglu stressed that instructions have been given to revoke the license of gas stations that refuse to sell gasoline even though they have it in stock.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia (26.2.01) reports that the so-called Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting on Monday under Eroglu, the so-called Prime Minister

Salih Miroglu, so-called Minister of Public Works and Transportation, announced the decisions of the ``Council of Ministers''.

Miroglu said Turkey`s decision to float the exchange rate created an important change in the economy, noting that this situation directly effected the occupied areas.

Miroglu said the need to revise 2001 fiscal budget appeared, noting that efforts will be underway in this respect. He said savings measures were taken, noting that there would be 20 percent cut in current expenditure apart from the salaries, wages and transfers.

Miroglu said increase in oil prices would not be reflected to the consumers, adding that the economic stability program, which has been put into implementation, will be reviewed under the new financial conditions.

The 2001 fiscal year budget of the occupation regime was 409.047.834.770 trillion TL.

KIBRIS (26.2.01) also reports that the economic crisis that hit Turkey recently had repercussions in the occupied area as well.

It says that the floating of the foreign exchange in Turkey strongly reflected on the fuel prices as well.

Now a 10kg LPG bottle which is sold at around 2.25 million TL in the free areas, it costs three times more in the occupied area that is, it is sold for 6.25 million TL.

In the face of floating the foreign exchange the sale of LPG was stopped as well, in the occupied area.

Meanwhile experts say that the price that the occupied area will pay for the recent economic decisions that were taken by Turkey will be around 200 trillion TL, a figure which will cause a damage to the occupied area/s economy that will not be possible to restore.

[04] So-called Foreign Affairs Minister leaves for Great Britain According to Ankara Anatolia (24.3.01) the so-called Foreign Affairs and

Ertugruloglu will hold talks with British officials on problems faced by Turkish Cypriots living in Britain.

He is scheduled to meet with members of the British-Northern Cyprus Parliamentary Group and representatives of the British press.

Ertugruloglu is expected to return to the occupied areas on March 3.

KIBRIS (27.2.01) reports that the so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who is in London for contacts, is meeting today with journalists from ``The Daily Telegraph'', the ``Financial Times'' and ``Sky News''. He is also going to meet with British MP. John Taylor, who is also chairman of North Cyprus/ Friends Group.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat: Developments Prove Integration With Turkey Should Be Renounced

In a written statement today, CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that the economy collapsed the day the remarks of the ``Prime Minister'' Dervis Eroglu to the effect that the economy did not hit rock bottom appeared in the press. The reason for this, Talat said, is the package which is being implemented despite economic common sense and the realities in the country. Explaining that the northern Cyprus' economy, which is linked to the Turkish money markets, will be adversely affected from the floating foreign exchange in Turkey, Talat added: For this reason, the integration policy should be renounced.

[06] Rauf Denktash: Disaster unless Turkey extends financial assistance KIBRIS, newspaper (27.2.01), reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr.

Speaking to journalists before the meeting Denktash said the economic crisis was an unexpected event, the so-called Central Bank of the pseudostate did not print money and taking this into consideration Turkey should provide the necessary facilities. On the contrary there will be a great disaster, said Denktash.

On his part Eroglu said that Turkey/s decision to float the Turkish Lira affects the occupied areas since the Turkish Lira is in circulation there and the new demands from Turkey will depend on his pseudo-cabinet/s decisions.

[07] A delegation of the occupied areas so-called Assembly is having contacts in Ankara

The so-called speaker of the occupied areas ``Assembly'', Mr. Ertugrul Hasipoglu, yesterday met with Mr. Izgi at the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Mr. Hasipoglu yesterday also met with the Turkish Minister of State Responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Mr. Sukru Sina Gurel. Speaking to journalists before the meeting Mr. Gurel said that the economic crisis in Turkey was affecting the occupied areas and Turkey will help in overcoming the negative effects on the economy of the pseudostate.

[08] Forged US dollars in the occupied areas KIBRIS (24.2.01) reports that a man went to an exchange office in the

The paper did not disclose the full name of the person. It only gave his/her initials as MD, age 26.

After a body search Denktash police discovered 7 forged 100 US dollar bank notes in his/her possession. After further search at the forger/s place of domicile six more bank notes of U.S. dollar 100 were discovered.

Denktash/s police arrested M.D and started investigation.

[09] Exports of oranges to Russia and Ukraine from the occupied areas KIBRIS (24.2.01) reports that the citrus exporting company Cypfruvex in the

KIBRIS reports that the first 1524 tons of ``Valencia'' oranges from the occupied area for Russia and Ukraine are being transported by three different ships.

The so-called director of the Cypfruvex Zafer Niyazi said that the necessary agreements until the end of March were concluded and that their target is to export 12 thousand tons Class A Valencia oranges during this period.

[10] Turkish Cypriot Newspaper claims that visitors to the Glasgow Tourism Fair asked for direct flights to the occupied areas

To this end, the paper says, they asked that airflights between Scotland and the occupied area should begin, and specifically from Glasgow and Edinburg.

The occupied area was represented at the Fair by the so-called North Cyprus Tourism Centre of London and the President Holidays.

[11] Turkish Cypriot artists are taking part in an exhibition in Salzburg KIBRIS (25.2.01) reports that the exhibition opened in Salzburg/s

The exhibition is organized by ``Austria-TRNC Artists Association''. Turkish Cypriot Painters, Asik Mene, Nilgun Guney, Ismet Tatar, Ruzen Atakan, and Osman Keten are taking part in the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open until 9 March.

[12] Turkish Cypriots to be able to enter the casinos in the occupied areas According to KIBRIS (25.2.01) Turkish Cypriots who pay 17 billion TL and

Following an ``amendment'', introduced recently to the so-called gambling law, people will be allowed to enter freely these places.

Those who pay 500 US Dollars will receive free entry card and each time that they enter such places will pay two dollars as entry fee.

Civil servants, students and people working at the Public Enterprises are not allowed to enter the gambling places.

[13] The leader of the Republican Turkish Party discussed Cyprus/ EU accession course with a German Professor

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side must participate in Cyprus/ accession process, Talat said: ``The Greek Cypriot side must submit proposal to the EU in order for the Turkish Cypriots to participate in EU negotiations without further delay, although this will be probably denied. This is our view''.

Informing Prof. Richter on his party/s views on the EU, Talat said: We do not have time. The Greek Cypriot side will be a member of the EU in two years. This is my fear and my concern because the Turkish Cypriot side has not made any movement in that direction''.

He continued: ``The Turkish Cypriot side which says that we are not interested in the EU and that we must wait until the solution and the solution will come within the UN negotiations. Solution first and then the accession into the EU, does not take part in the EU procedure and now it also withdrew from the proximity talks. What kind of business is this?:

There are some contradictions. With such behaviour how can you persuade the international community that you are right and how can you prove that you have good will?''

On his part, Prof. Richter said: ``The Greek Cypriot side will be a member of the EU, but Turkish Cypriot? I am frankly afraid of the results. I will convey this fear us a western foreigner''.

He continued: ``There are various opinions and views in the North Cyprus related to the accession to the EU, but there are no differences between the opposition parties''.

[14] The Turkish Foreign Minister met with his US counterpart According to Ankara Anatolia (27.2.01) the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail

In a statement to the media after the half-hour meeting, Cem said that he thanked the US administration for the serious contributions it has made to Turkey during its recent difficult period.

Noting that during the meeting they dwelt mainly on Turkey/s geographic position and joint interests in the region, Cem said that they also referred to the issue of Iraq, adding that he told Powell that "a new approach was needed" on the issue and "the past approaches had not yielded positive results."

Noting that he also drew attention to the importance the Iraqi issue carries for Turkey as well as to its economic consequences, Cem said that he conveyed "in a diplomatic language" Ankara's unease regarding the recent air operation the United States and Britain launched without informing the other allies.

Pointing out that at the meeting he explained the Cyprus issue in detail, Cem added: "I believe the US approach is a little different. The international approach is not sufficient, and this is the reason why it has been unsuccessful."

Noting that they also assessed the European Security and Defense Identity [ESDI], Cem said that there are serious differences of views between Turkey and the EU on the issue. He added that Turkey, just like the Americans, wants a solution to the problem.

Pointing out that the United States will convey various views and proposals, Cem said that Turkey will do the same and then these views and proposals will be jointly reviewed.

Cem stated that Powell invited him to the United States and that this visit will take place in the second half of March.

Cem later arrived at the North Atlantic alliance headquarters where the foreign ministers of the NATO member countries are expected to meet.

At this meeting in question, Powell will get acquainted with the NATO foreign ministers and will hold a first exchange of views with them.

After the NATO Council meeting, Cem will meet with Gunter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner in charge of expansion, and will hold various bilateral contacts.

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

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