Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 01-03-06

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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. 44/01 -- 6.3.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The economic crisis in Turkey increases suicides.

[02] So-called Supreme Court President urges for preparations for EU accession.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Turkish Cypriot journalist refutes Scottish author/s allegations.

[A] EWS ITEMS

[01] The economic crisis in Turkey increases suicides In an article in Turkish Daily News (5.3.01) with the title ``Earthquake in

They describe how a businessman and a police officer made arrangements, the one for his business and the other for his family, making loans in dollars.

Everything was going as planned until February 21, when the government decided to float foreign currency and foreign currency prices increased by 40% in one day. Both lost hope and it was impossible for them to overcome their depression and ended their life.

The businessman, Alparslan Buyukkomurcu hung himself and Ebubekir Fenkli, a police officer, shot himself.

And the article goes on: While the economic crisis deepens, the number of people who commit suicide increases day by day. While 11 people committed suicide increases day by day. While 11 people committed suicide in various cities of Turkey, Istanbul is the metropolis where suicides are committed most. According to data provided by the Istanbul Police Department, the number of suicides in police records was 281 in 1999, but this number reached 367 in 2000. The number of people who committed suicide within the last six months reached 495 and broke a record.

The two journalists also say that an increased number of people is facing psychological problems, and conclude:

What do people whose psychological health is damaged by the crisis do? Noting that the victims are not only the people who commit suicide, psychiatrist Ali Hilmi Yazici said that the number of people who asked for treatment for psychological problems had gone up by 50 percent and noted that people who were hard hit by the economic crisis lost their hope in the future.

``Ambiguity is the worst thing in the world. When people are depressed they notice the negative aspect in everything. At the end, if someone cannot cope with these feelings, he starts thinking of suicide'', said Yazici.

``It is an indisputable fact that attempts at suicide will increase as the economic crisis deepens. The only way to fight against the economic earthquake is to take measures and give confidence to the people. While the nine-day long Feast of Sacrifice holiday is a big chance for the government to start working on a new program, it also means that all social sectors will have a respite from the crisis. If permanent measures are not taken for the prevention of the economic crisis during the holiday, Turkey will be facing an impasse whose concrete expression will not only be suicide''.

[02] So-called Supreme Court President urges for preparations for EU accession

In his interview, Salih Dayioglu, inter alia, referred to Cyprus/ accession course to the EU and pointed out that the ``European Union is a constant goal. It is a matter of time when we will be integrated with Europe. We will certainly enter, after 3 years, 5 years or 15 years, we shall wait when the conditions will be appropriate. We shall try so that the appropriate conditions will be created. Otherwise, we must not discuss to enter blindly''.

Replying to a question whether a study was carried out in the occupied areas on the harmonization of the laws with EU as in Turkey, Dayioglu said: To attain this goal we must prepare from now. We have to begin work on harmonizing our laws with the EU. The Greek Cypriot side has already proceeded to the harmonization of its laws. We have to do the same without any delay because when the time comes we shall not be ready and we shall be under pressure''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Turkish Cypriot journalist refutes Scottish author/s allegations In a commentary in the column ``The Voice of Silence'', the editor of AVRUPA

It is not possible for a sleepwalker like Gibbons, who lives in space, to know the real situation, writes Levent.

Levent wonders whether Mr. Gibbons could endure living in the occupied areas even with a salary double the minimum wages of a Turkish Cypriot and in the present social and economic conditions.

Among other things, Levent says the following: ``I do not know which UFO has brought Mr. Gibbons to this land of hardships. I only know this. As if he is lost in a time tunnel 40 years ago or he is stuck in 1963. ``Something has happened to the Turkish Cypriots'' says Gibbons. We have lost our spirit in 1963 and 1974. He did not understand what happened to us! ``TRNC is an independent country,'' he says.! Everybody knows that this is not so, but Gibbons does not know it! ``Noone is dying from hunger'', he says! Look how Gibbons measures life. He says that there is democracy in the country! The way Mr. Gibbons understands democracy could be unique in the world! Our `democracy/ is restricted to following Denktash/s views and tune into his tone! Not to mention the crimes, the unknown criminals, the terrible intrigues and fatal tortures in the dark dungeons. How did you like it Mr. Gibbons?.''

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

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