Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-10-16

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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. 192/98 -- 16.10.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DTP Deputy resignation changes parliamentary situation.

[02] Turkish Ambassador to Rome returns to post after consultations.

[03] Joint statement signed on Turkey-France economic relations.

[04] Turkish paper reports confusion in MILLIYET.

[05] Turkish-EU business development project launched.

[06] Denktash notes importance of `Mutual Confidence´ in Cyprus.

[07] ``Turkish Cypriot Airlines'' fined by British authorities.

[08] On extension of sewage treatment facilities.

[09] ``Blue tongue'' disease among sheep in the occupied area.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Columnist links Syrian tension to N. Iraq Kurdish pact.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DTP Deputy resignation changes parliamentary situation

With Zeydan´s resignation, DTP seats in the parliament have dropped to 19. The DTP has thus lost its right to form a parliamentary group.

Consequently, power balances in the ad hoc and inquiry committees have been altered. DTP seats at the TGNA (Turkish Grand National Assembly) Chairmanship Council and at the ad hoc committees have passed to the DYP, whose parliamentary seats have increased to 96. DTP seats at the investigation committees have passed to the CHP. This has led to the government losing its majority at the ad hoc committees and to the CHP consolidating its position as a ``key party'' at the ad hoc, inquiry, and investigation committees.

Soon after submitting his letter of resignation from the DTP to the TGNA Chairmanship, Zeydan joined his former party, the DYP. He then arrived at parliament with DYP leader Tansu Ciller. Zeydan made his decision to change parties at a meeting with the DYP officials. Zeydan told them that he originally resigned from the DYP because the party had dissolved its provincial organization in Hakkari and that he now wants to revive the party´s provincial administration. He has been assured that he would be allowed to do that.

The latest situation in Parliament

FP (Virtue Party 145 ANAP (Motherland Party 13 DYP 96 DSP (Democratic Left Party) 61 CHP 55 DTP 19 BBP (Great Unity Party) 8 MHP (Nationalist Action Party) 3 DP (Democratic Party) 1 DEPAR (Changing Turkey Party) 1 Independents 13 Vacant 10 162

[02] Turkish Ambassador to Rome returns to post after consultations

The meeting at the Italian Parliament last month, with the permission of the Italian authorities, had triggered a harsh reaction on the part of the Turkish Government, and Batu had been recalled to Ankara for consultations.

[03] Joint statement signed on Turkey-France economic relations

The joint statement was prepared and disclosed following the interdelegational talks led by Isin Celebi, Minister of State, and Jacques Dondoux, French State Secretary responsible for Foreign Trade.

Isin Celebi, Minister of State, said the joint statement reflected the determination of the two countries to increase cooperation in the fields of trade and economy.

Celebi said that ``Turkey, the only country which participated in customs union, was determined on the issue of full membership to European Union'', adding that the support which France expended and will expend for Turkey´s full membership will contribute to this process.

Dondoux, French State Secretary Responsible for Foreign Trade, said his visit to Turkey was very beneficial adding that he witnessed the success of the Gec-Alstheom company who the won Can Thermic Power Plant tender, adding that they wanted French companies to make more business in Turkey.

Dondoux said they held deep contacts in the fields of telecommunication, railways, dams and energy power plants to this end.

Dondoux said France was planning to stage ``Turkey activity'' next year to increase cooperation between Turkish and French committees.

The French official pointed out that implementation of euro, joint money unit of Europe, next year will accelerate improvement of EU and Turkey.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, also met with Jacques Dondoux.

Speaking to the reporters following the meeting, Cumhur Ersumer said that in the meeting, they reviewed the cooperation studies between Turkey and France in the field of energy.

Pointing out that the French minister and he evaluated the continuing joint investments between the two countries, Ersumer said, ``we mutually stated that Turkey and France have to specify and develop further targets for cooperation.''

Responding to a question, Cumbur Ersumer said that there wasn´t any problem concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

French State Secretary Jacques Dondoux said that they were pleased with French Alstom firm´s winning the tender for the construction of the Can Thermic Power Plant.

``A 370 million US dollars of project is a brilliant project which proves that the Turkish-French cooperation is based upon very important relations.''

Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, said on Wednesday that they can´t put forward the tenders related to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications as the matter of bargaining, emphasizing they should be careful in these issues as for the security of the country.

Denizolgun met with Jacques Dondoux, the French State Secretary responsible for the Foreign Trade, and the accompanying delegation.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Denizolgun said, ``I conveyed to the guest French Minister Dondoux our sensitivities about the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians, which will be brought to the French Senate, and about the separatist terrorist PKK (Workers Party of Kurdistan) organization´s television channel, the MED TV´s broadcasting via the French Telecom.''

Pointing out that the French companies were willing about the tender for the Turkish-Telekom, GSM 3rd licence, 100 thousand electronic telephone boxes and State Railway´s 60 locomotives, Denizolgun said, ``we don´t bargain in this issue. However, I emphasized that they should be careful as for the security of the country. Because, every Turkish person is very sensitive in these issues.''

Arif Ahmet Denizolgun said that they were determined to enable the foreign capital to contribute to privatization on the condition of convenience of international affairs.

Jacques Dondoux said that they were interested in those tenders, adding, France has the sufficient experience in these issues.

[04] Turkish paper reports confusion in MILLIYET

The meeting was held in the office that was used by Aydin Dogan, former owner of the newspaper. Korkmaz Yigit, who is the new owner, was informed about the meeting during a telephone conversation he held with Yasar Eroglu, who works as the newspaper´s coordinator. Yigit later said he was ready to transfer the newspaper back to Aydin Dogan.

Meanwhile, Aydin Dogan called Yasar Eroglu and Chief Editor Derya Sazak to ask them to inform him on the developments.

Dogan will reportedly meet Yigit before the weekend to establish how he can buy the newspaper back from him.

[05] Turkish-EU business development project launched

A tender will be opened in November for the election of one domestic company and one foreign company to give counseling services during the establishment process of these centers. The project is expected to start in January 1999.

Prof. Dr. Halil Sariaslan, the TOBB´s Special Consultant responsible for the project, told Anatolia that they obtained a donation of 17.1 million ECUs (20 million US dollars) from the EU Mediterranean Assistance (MEDA) Fund for the EU-Turkish Business Development Centers project.

[06] Denktash notes importance of `Mutual Confidence´ in Cyprus

Addressing a press conference he held in Copenhagen, Denmark, Denktash stated that there is no confidence between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, stressing that providing mutual confidence is an obligatory issue and has a vital importance.

Pointing out that with humanitarian aim, the UN will start a shuttle diplomacy between the sides to provide confidence, Denktash said that within the framework of the UN´s further initiative, he will meet on 20 or 21 October with Ann Hercus, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan´s Deputy Special Representative to Cyprus.

Rauf Denktash said that in order to provide confidence, the military units should withdraw from some regions in the ``Green Line'' and that the measures to prevent possible events that may stem from military movements in the region should be discussed in the talks.

[07] ``Turkish Cypriot Airlines'' fined by British authorities

The British authorities have also asked the (KTHY) to pay 100 thousand sterling for expenses incurred by these illegal passengers.

According to British Law, a person who tries to enter Britain using a forged passport or document or the airline carrying this passenger are fined to pay 2 thousand pounds sterling.

KIBRIS reports that those who wanted to enter Britain illegally used forged Greek and South African passports. (MY)

[08] On extension of sewage treatment facilities

KIBRIS is critical of the slow pace of the occupation regime realizing the extension project.

The paper claims that for the extension work, expropriation of 50 hectars of land is needed and the occupation regime does not take the necessary steps towards this end.

If things continue like this, the UNOP´s will invest the money elsewhere thus depriving the occupied area of an important project and the creation of new jobs for the people.

KIBRIS adds that with the extension the water treatment capacity will increase from 12 to 20 thousand cubic meters per day and the irrigable land for animal fodder will increase.

It says that the cost of one ton of water brought with balloons from Turkey is one US dollar, and the cost for the same amount of water produced through the treatment is 20 cents. (MY)

[09] ``Blue tongue'' disease among sheep in the occupied area

According to the so-called veterinary department of the pseudostate, ``Blue Tongue'' is a respiratory disease found in the Mediterranean basin and in warm countries, and it came to Cyprus through flies coming from Syria.

The so-called veterinary department told the paper that they have taken blood samples from infected animals and sent them to Turkey for tests. (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Columnist links Syrian tension to N. Iraq Kurdish pact

Goal is ``Independent State'' (subhead)

The above statements were made just 48 hours ago in the Belgian city of Leuven. Besides being the spouse of the late French President, Danielle Mitterrand is also the ``president of the French Freedoms Foundation''.

The meeting, also attended by Belgian politicians, was convened under the slogan of ``Kurds, a Stateless People''.

Here is the trap in all its starkness.

With an unequivocal clarity, even with some carelessness, Madame Mitterrand announced that the latest developments ``are the harbinger of a Kurdish state, and the time and conditions for forming a free state have been created.''

The handshake between Barzani and Talabani in Washington (on 17 August 1998) with the US´ prodding and the PKK´s ``cease-fire offer in northern Iraq'' are indications of a process of unification between the conflicting and autonomous Kurdish groups. Ocalan now thinks he is the representative of a large population and is jockeying for its leadership.

International Forum (subhead)

The international repercussions only confirm this dangerous trend.

One example is the Europarliament´s endorsement of a bill on the Kurdish question submitted by the left group. The decision calling for the solution of the Kurdish problem through a dialogue between the Turkish state and the so-called representatives of the Kurdish people is thought-provoking.

There are similar efforts to create a representative Kurdish leadership. A web of intrigue is being woven against Turkey.

Another repercussion came from Russia. Gennadiy A. Zyuganov leader of the ruling Columnist Party, told Syrian news agency SANA: ``We know that the European Parliament is dwelling on the Kurdish problem. We find the Syrian position on this issue to be correct and fully support the Syrian people''.

Just beyond our borders, the Kurdish state has made an important sprint toward its formation.

This development, spurred by that sprint, is fraught with the threat and danger of exerting pressure on the Turkish borders.

Reason (subhead)

All these furnish a reply to those who have been trying to unravel the reasons for Turkey´s posture against Syria in recent weeks by pondering:

``This is so out of the blue. There was nothing new. Why, after waiting for 16 years, should Turkey suddenly show the stick to Syria?''

Indeed, Syria has simply been doing what it had been doing for the past 16 years. But…

What has changed is not Syria´s behaviour, but the recent developments in northern Iraq and the fact that the United States is standing behind those developments.

Example:

Alan Makovski, president of one of the most prestigious US think-tanks, the Washington Institute, noted in his latest report that ``there has been a major shift in the US policy on the Kurds''. He claims that ``Talabani and Barzani have been given assurances similar to the one given to Kuwait.''

These were the real alarm bells for Turkey, even if Talabani and Barzani in northern Iraq are outside our borders and geography. And, Syria is nurturing and bolstering the PKK, which would threaten Turkey´s territorial integrity once Talabani and Barzani unite and move toward the formation of an independent state. The PKK´s head is in Syria, only its tail is in Turkey and northern Iraq.

I think that would explain the reason for Turkey´s resolute posture against Syria.''

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

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