Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-02-28

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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. 40/01 -- 28.2.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Albania cannot recognize the ``TRNC''.

[02] Turkish Cypriot Workers/ Unions call for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[03] Adverse effects on tourism in the occupied areas from the economic crisis in Turkey.

[04] Turkish Cypriot Businessmen call for emergency measures to deal with the economic crisis in the occupied areas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Albania cannot recognize the ``TRNC'' According to Ankara Anatolia (27.2.01) Dashnor Dervishi, Albanian Ambassador

[02] Turkish Cypriot Workers/ Unions call for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

In a written statement issued today, Konuloglu said: Until such time, we should quickly flee from the TL, and we should open the door to the economic assistance that is our due, by using the advantages of the Cyprus Republic which we rejected until now.

In his statement, Konuloglu remarked that there are things that must be done at a time when the Turkish Cypriots' economy has been blocked, when they have been made 40 percent poorer overnight, and when they have been driven to extinction. Konuloglu said that efforts must be launched to introduce a new currency unit immediately and that the destruction packages imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be rejected. He also proposed that, knowing that we are obliged to adopt radical measures within ourselves, the leaders should adopt the necessary measures as a result of a consensus to be reached with the different sectors of society. Konuloglu added that no one can shun their responsibilities by saying the country is on fire and the cash payment to civil servants was an election bribe.

Ali Selyani, Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants/ Union leader, said that the only solution to the economic crisis, which significantly escalated in the wake of the fluctuation of the exchange rate lies in the resignation of Rauf Denktash and the ``government'' and the holding of early elections.

In a written statement issued today, Seylani assessed the recent developments in the economy and harshly criticized the ``government''. Seylani said that until the early ``elections'' all the active sectors in the country should gather around the same table and produce solutions for 2001. Pointing out that the results of the devaluation showed that it is impossible to implement an economic stability program in north Cyprus with the TL, Seylani noted that it has been revealed that the distorted economy, which is based on civil servant salaries rather than production, cannot be set right only by limiting public finances. Seylani said that the Cyprus problem should be solved if economic and social problems are to be overcome. It is also essential to base the relations with Turkey on a balanced foundation, Seylani remarked, adding that the loss is not only 200 trillion TL, all material values have been eroded. Seylani also criticized the fact that the holiday for the upcoming feast has been increased to nine days at a time when the country is in the middle of an economic crisis.

Kamu-Sen [Turkish Cypriot Public Sector Workers/ Union] called on the ``government'' to reassess at this stage the economic stability package together with all the sectors of the population. In a written statement today, Kamu-Sen leader Hasan Kozok said that the picture that emerged in the wake of the fluctuation of the exchange rate clearly demonstrated that the economic stability package will not constitute a solution for the country and the people. Noting that the purchasing power of the people and the working sectors has been totally erased, Kozok said: At this point, the Turkish Cypriot people, who have waged a struggle for existence without losing hope or being defeated under much more difficult conditions for years, have been driven to despair and are about to lose all hope for the future.

[03] Adverse effects on tourism in the occupied areas from the economic crisis in Turkey

KIBRIS reports that because of the crisis, Turkish tourists, who made hotel reservations in the occupied area to spend their ``Kurban Bayram'' holiday, started cancelling their bookings and reservations.

The Turkish Cypriots in the tourism sector who are having high hopes for the ``Bayram tourism'', are anxious about the new situation that is created.

The chairman of the Union of the Turkish Cypriot Tour Operators and Agencies, Hasim Rahvancioglu, said that floating of the foreign exchange in Turkey had adversely affected the purchasing power of the people involved in the tourism sector.

The chairman of the union of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers, Turhan Beydagli in his turn declared that it was impossible to reach the reservations levels of New Year and the Ramazan Bayram, of last December.

[04] Turkish Cypriot Businessmen call for emergency measures to deal with the economic crisis in the occupied areas

The written statement, signed by the Association/s Chairman and General Secretary Salih Celiker and Metin Yalcin respectively, calls on the ``Council of Ministers'' to start working immediately with a ``crisis management'' understanding.

The statement calls on the so-called government to start implementation of the decisions taken on 23 February, at the so-called Prime Minister/s office.

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

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