Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-02

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Armed Forces postponed important projects.

[02] Fears of changing the so-called legal system in the occupied areas.

[03] Threats against those who think differently.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIAS

[04] The Turkish Cypriots constitute the 10% of the total population of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Armed Forces postponed important projects

Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the Higher Military Board (HMB), Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``Internal and external security cannot be abstracted from economic and social problems. The Turkish Armed Forces is aware of this fact. Because of the difficult economic situation in Turkey, the Turkish Armed Forces postponed some of its important projects. The Turkish Armed Forces took this decision without any request from the government. Therefore, this decision has a special value. Our government is aware of the inconvenience of postponing these projects of great importance. Our government will place these projects of the Turkish Armed Forces onto the agenda as soon as we overcome the current economic crisis.``

``Meanwhile, our government reduced expenditures in projects of public sector. Our economy has faced extremely difficult problems. These problems stemmed from long-standing negligence and irresponsibility. But we can revive our economy in a short period of time, and make some structural reforms if we can succeed in putting Turkey`s opportunities and potential to good use. Our making these changes rapidly is a condition for our full membership to the European Union (EU),`` he noted.

Prime Minister Ecevit stressed: ``Our government`s determination to reach the said targets is clear. We have worked so hard day and night, and adopted 327 laws. Most of these laws envisage structural changes and changes in the existing order. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not easily praise countries it has been assisting. But it praised Turkey, and said that such a work has not been seen anywhere.``

Noting that arguments among coalition partners were quite normal in democracies, Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``All that is needed is a compromise in the end. In fact, three political parties forming coalition government in Turkey have reached such compromises on every issue.``

``As you know, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer paid a visit to Turkey last week. I told him that he should get used to our characteristics, and not panic each time there is a small argument. In fact, I got the impression that he became familiar with us. I hope that financial circles and stock exchange will also get used to our democratic characteristics. We have a difficult way in front of us. But, we have begun to take rapid steps along this way. For instance, the drop in the inflation rates in May and June was greater than expected. Budget revenues increased by 47.7 percent. Non-interest surplus rose by 56 percent. While world trade decreased by 4 percent, our exports increased by 10.3 percent in the first six months of the year. Meanwhile, shuttle trade climbed by 18 percent. We have provided necessary support to increase shuttle trade,`` he noted.

Pointing out that there was a sharp increase in tourism revenues in the same period, Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``However, we should not dream yet. A 4 percent shrinkage was recorded in the economy. This shrinkage is a sign of regression in production, investment and employment. High rates of interest have not been reduced yet. There is a serious decrease in salaries. I hope that we will overcome all these negativities as soon as possible.``

``We have to have domestic and foreign resources to overcome the economic difficulties. Therefore, nearly 18 billion U.S. dollars of foreign source provided by IMF and World Bank is of vital importance. These institutions have never made such a generous contribution to any country. Now, it is the turn of the domestic resources. The parliament adopted a law to put Treasury properties to good use. As soon as new legislative year starts, we will adopt another law to increase domestic resources without being a burden to our people. I believe that if we can get positive results from these laws, we will be able to revive our economy and to meet requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces,`` he noted.

Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``Meanwhile, as you know, the decree with the force of law (KHK) was released on July 13, 2001 to remove unfairness in financial and social rights of civil servants and other public servants. The KHK aims at removing unfair distribution of incomes among civil servants and other public servants in five years. At the same time, another draft law was submitted to the parliament on July 31, 2001 to improve salaries of Turkish armed Forces members working in Cyprus. The draft law will come into force as of June 1, 2001. The draft also made necessary changes to remove unfair distribution of income among civil servants working at the National Defense Ministry.``

[02] Fears of changing the so-called legal system in the occupied areas

The main objective of the secret meetings is to change the Anglosaxon legal system, currently applied in the occupied areas, and the introduction of the mainland Turkey system.

The paper stresses that the fact that the so-called supreme court, the law community, scholars, the so-called assembly and the Turkish Cypriots were not informed about the meetings and its objective, is an indication that the changes will be undemocratic.

The actual bargaining for changing the «legal system» started after the bomb explosion outside Eroglu/s residence and prior to the collapse of the National Unity and Communal Liberation Party «coalition» and the agreement to form a new «government» between the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party. And this, the paper writes, was one of the conditions Rauf Denktash put to Eroglu for taking up the post of «Prime Minister».

Political observers stated that the secrecy of the meetings may mean the introduction of more oppressive measures against the labour unions, the freedom of thought and curtail the gatherings and the demonstrations.

The group was consisting of Turkish deputy state minister responsible for Cyprus affairs Salih Zeki Karaca, Sulhi Donmezer, one of the 12 September constitution architects, professor of criminal law Feridun Yenisay, the so-called attorney-general Akin Sait, the National Unity Party (NUP) so-called deputy Savas Atakan and some members of the National People/s Movement.

[03] Threats against those who think differently

Meanwhile, Faik Koyuncuoglu, president of the so-called «Turkish Cypriot Fighters` Association», warned that there are some circles which wish to see the collapse of the pseudostate and called on the so-called «Security Forces» to punish the «traitors».

Commenting on the above mentioned declarations, Avrupa (02.08.01) writes that at the celebrations there was «anger and threats» against those who think differently.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] The Turkish Cypriots constitute the 10 % of the total population of Cyprus

«Two more families have emigrated to England. Our population decreased by 7 people. Four young people and three nice children. According to the Greek Cypriots we were 89 thousand. Now we remained 88 thousand and 993 persons.

The man who was on duty at the airport said to the mother whose eyes were filled with tears: - Do not be sorry, every day at least two families emigrate from this land. Two families a day means a population of 2,500 - 3,000 every year. If during the last 25 years 60 - 65 Turkish Cypriots have emigrated to other countries, it means that the number of 89 thousand given by the Greek Cypriots is fair again.

If they made an account book, they could say that the Turkish Cypriots who have remained are 60 - 65 thousand. That is, only the 10 % of the whole population of Cyprus...Can the 10% of the whole population be called minority? Let's say that it cannot. How many years later shall we become a full minority, if our population continues to decrease this way? Ten, fifteen years later? If within 25 years a solution to the Cyprus problem is not found and if every day not more than two Turkish Cypriot families continue to emigrate, then can you make a rough calculation and find how many Turkish Cypriots will remain in Cyprus by the year 2025? Three, five or may be 10 thousand?

If God gives him life, Denktash will be at the age of 101 after 25 years. And after 25 years, as our eternal President and negotiator he will be sitting at the table and discussing for the last time about our minority rights with the Greek Cypriots. Who knows, perhaps even then, as an fractious old man, he will get up to mischief and leave the (negotiation) table, saying: `I want to make a strong agreement for the minority rights`.

The truth is that time works against us. The Turks who come from Turkey cannot fill the place of the Turkish Cypriots who leave. Because the title-deed of Cyprus is not on those who come, but on the locals. And even if we say that our population has reached 200 thousand, in the end those who will be taken into account are the Turkish Cypriots who have the right to obtain a passport of the Republic of Cyprus.

The local population which at the very end will remain in the island will define the rights on Cyprus of both the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. Declarations of the type that Turkey will not give up her rights on Cyprus, even in case no Turkish Cypriot remains in the island, may worth something today, but tomorrow they will worth nothing.

Ferai Tinc has not said in vain that the land of a country the people of which are offended is also offended.

Two more families emigrated to England. Our population decreased by 7 people. Four young people. And three fine children. While the aeroplane was taking off the inside of the mother whose eyes were filled with tears broke into not one but into a lot of pieces.

- Let them pay to their God, she said referring to those who are at the highest posts...».

KV/SK

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