Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-02

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.22/97 1-2-3.2.97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash-Han talks continue.

[02] Denktash says system of guarantees not negotiable.

[03] Gul on Turkish Cabinet meeting, reported army appeal to Demirel.

[04] Defense Ministry official details Turkish military projects.

[05] Increase in Turkey's trade deficit.

[06] On the St. Barnabas monastery raid, Kutlu Adali's murder.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash-Han talks continue

After the meeting, Denktash replied to questions by Turkish and Greek Cypriot journalists. Noting that the talks on the solution of the Cyprus problem are continuing, Denktash said that "Cyprus belongs to two peoples" and added that "these two peoples can live side by side on the basis of good-neighbour relations". Denktash declared that Turkey's guarantee system cannot be diluted.

In turn, Han announced that he will meet with Denktash again on 3 February. Han declined to react to Greek Cypriot press reports that the UN Secretary General will replace him with a more effective person.

[02] Denktash says system of guarantees not negotiable

In a statement to the so-called Turkish Cypriot News Agency, Denktash replied to statements made by President Clerides in Davos. He claimed that President Clerides was trying to divert the agenda to the issue of demilitarization.

He should accept that the system of guarantees cannot be negotiated, Denktash said and added: "If Clerides carefully reads and assesses the declaration we signed with the Turkish State in Ankara and which has been endorsed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, he will understand that there is no reason why we should make a gift at the negotiating table of our rights and freedoms."

[03] Gul on Turkish Cabinet meeting, reported army appeal to Demirel

Gul also replied to a journalist who asked the following question: National Defense Minister Tayan made a statement to the press saying that his party does not trust the Welfare Party (RP). What is your assessment on the issue? Gul said: "Such issues are not on the agenda of the government or the country. There is a harmonious government in Turkey. There is political stability in Turkey. There is a government that is in charge of the Assembly. There is a government that makes the Assembly endorse the bills expected by the people."

In reply to another question on reports that certain high-ranking Army officials had expressed their uneasiness to President Demirel, Gul said that these reports are all false. He noted that high-ranking Army officials, the president, and the prime minister always hold routine meetings.

[04] Defense Ministry official details Turkish military projects

Stating the projects on the Future Large Airplane (FLA), the Crypto Analysis Center, the ATAC missiles, and various research and improvement projects have reached different stage, Yalcin Burcak said: "Negotiations on joint production of 30 helicopters in Turkey and the direct purchase of four sea helicopters have reached their final stages. With the aim of meeting the demand for a second international airport for Istanbul and considering that an Advanced Technology Industry Park (ITEP) will be opened in the region, a protocol has been signed with the Communication Ministry and efforts are under way to implement the airport's section of the ITEP project that would secure considerable income to the Armed Forces".

[05] Increase in Turkey's trade deficit

Turkey's foreign trade deficit totaled $5.5136 billion from January to June 1995. It increased by 66.6 percent to total $9.188 billion in the same period in 1996.

Exports totaled $1.8041 billion and imports $3.3226 billion in June 1996. Exports totaled $1.8348 billion and imports $3.465 billion in June 1995.

[06] On the St. Barnabas monastery raid, Kutlu Adali's murder

It says that among those who took part in the 14 March, 1996 St. Barnabas raid were the then head of the Civil Defense Organization Galip Mendi and Colonel Cahit Koparir.

During the debate, speakers referred to the assassination of YENIDUZEN journalist Kutlu Adali, saying that a colonel and people serving in the Civil Defense Organization were involved.

It was also mentioned that following the assassination of Kutlu Adali people whose names were mentioned as being involved in the case were sent back to Turkey before their duty period in Cyprus was finished.

ORTAM adds that on the same evening that the St. Barnabas raid had taken place, "other operations" were organized in the occupied area.

Speakers accused the then so-called Prime Minister of the pseudostate Hakki Atun and the so-called Attorney General Akin Sait of withholding information from the so-called "Assembly Committee" and demanded their resignation.

"Deputies", one after the other spoke about the existence of a "gang" in the "TRNC".

Speaking during the debate the Chairman of the so-called Committee, Ozker Ozgur, complained that the Turkish Cypriots are unable to govern themselves and that it was a sham democracy that is existing in the occupied area.

"We are not ruling ourselves. Unfortunately the moment I realized this, I had resigned from the deputy prime minister's office. We are only a figurehead, someone else pulls the strings", said Ozgur and added: "The commander's office gave orders to close the issue and the issue was closed. The question is whether we will govern ourselves or not. There is an authority here, in this country, which listens neither the legislative nor the executive. This is the reality. Our Democracy, unfortunately, is a sham-democracy".

In his turn the Communal Liberation Party CLP "deputy" Huseyin Angolemli said that the so-called Police should be under the "Interior Ministry". "In this country we are not masters of ourselves, we have no sovereignty. We are not sovereign, but we demand that the world recognizes our sovereignty", declared Angolemli and asked: "Do you know what it means when a commander takes a squad of soldiers and goes and disarms the guards?"

Angolemli went on and said that the police lied to the "deputies" regarding the incidents at the East Mediterranean University. "Police is not listening to us. We have to solve this issue", concluded Angolemli. (MY)