Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-04-04

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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. 63/00 -- 4.4.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on elections, Cyprus issue.

[02] "Protocol" signed.

[03] Tourists from Scandinavian countries.

[04] So-called Baku representative writes about "realities".

[05] Tourist Information offices.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish Cypriot `election/ causes rift with Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on elections, Cyprus issue

"The point reached by the protocols that were signed with Turkey is the national line", Denktash stated.

Denktash stressed that there will not be a backward step from this line.

"Cyprus can integrate with the European Union (EU) after an agreement including the rights of Turkish Cypriots is signed", Denktash said.

[02] "Protocol" signed

According to the "protocol", heart-disease patients and people accompanying them will be sent to the hospital in Ankara that will provide ample facilities and comfort.

[03] Tourists from Scandinavian countries

The so-called director of "Tourism Department" Bulent Kanol said that in the following days another group will arrive in the occupied area, which is interested in bike sports.

Meanwhile, a master plan for tourism is being promoted. The slogan of this master plan is "Few but pure tourists". It will give emphasis on the natural beauties of the occupied area.

[04] So-called Baku representative writes about "realities"

He claims that confederation is the most appropriate model for the solution in Cyprus. He adds that Turkish Cypriots are not a minority and that the population of the "TRNC" is 183,000 and the total population of Turkish Cypriots in the world is 400,000.

[05] Tourist Information offices

There are already six Tourist Information Offices that serve foreigners: at illegal Tymbou airport, the Ledra Palace checkpoint, the Kyrenia Gate, the occupied Kyrenia port and at Yialousa.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Turkish Cypriot `election/ causes rift with Turkey

"All the candidates say the same thing, give or take few differences, at this election campaign, which basically centres around `attacking/ Denktash.

Eroglu: Bring down the taboos and abandon Denktash. I am as much part of the Cyprus cause as he is. If the issue is all about interlocutorship I can also be an interlocutor. People/s will is above everything else. You are not going to elect a leader but a president.

Talat: Denktash and Eroglu are the men of non-solution. Our liberation lies in solution. And I am the only person who can bring this about. Put your trust in the world and Europe rather than Turkey.

Akinci: We have always spoken the truth. And all our predictions have come true. Open up your eyes and elect me.

Tahsin: Up to now we have lived like salves. From now on neither Turkey, nor Denktash, nor Eroglu can make this people live like slaves. Elect me and guarantee a happy future.

The independent candidates are also harping on the same theme.

We see that the opposition, which for years has chalked up points by `attacking Denktash/ is approaching the elections with the same spirit. But this time there is something different.

When Ankara openly came out in support of Denktash, it too became the target of attacks.

But one should not be upset with such attacks if asking Turkey not to interfere is as much a democratic right as asking it to interfere. Yet, even in politics one must be logical. When `upset/ with those who attack Denktash, we have also given the same counsel.

We have still not heard concrete statements from the anti-Denktash candidates, who are now brewing up a political storm by targeting Turkey, what policy they would follow once elected.

Only Mehmet Ali Talat has brought the EU to the forefront and says that he supports the entry of the whole of Cyprus into this club after a solution. It is not important here whether he is consistent or not. He has adopted a political course and is defending it.

Whereas, the other candidates are trying to score points by levelling `hostile/ criticisms against Turkey with the use of vulgar language. This election campaign has degenerated to the point of equating Denktash with Turkey, and as such every barb against Denktash has actually become a barb directed against Turkey.

Denktash reply to all this is: I am also duty bound to defend the interests of Turkey.

Taking the opportunity offered by this campaign, the seething `grievances/ felt towards Turkey up to now are being very openly displayed. And we have been learning many things that we had not known so far! We now know that Turkey is to be blamed for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, that the socio-economic problems exist because Turkey has become a burden on the TRNC (as published) and that our political interests lie not with Turkey but in integration with Europe. This is what they say and what they claim.

And thus the election campaign is fanning the flames of rift between Turkey- TRNC.

Lacking any concrete plan program, and idea on how to use the political will to reach a solution, the opposition has reduced its election campaign to a mere criticism of Denktash and Turkey. It aims at undermining Turkey/s influence in the TRNC. And that frightens us. Because the political scheme aimed at getting rid of Turkey is causing havoc. Are we going to replace Turkey with the Greek Cypriots, or Europe? Bravo to this dogmatic courage, but praise be that all these are being put down to our `childishness/ and forgiven!"

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

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