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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-01-24

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.15/05 22-23-24.01.05

[A] NEWS ITEMS

  • [01] Turkey to transfer to its illegal regime in occupied Cyprus its shares in the so-called Cypriot Turkish Airlines.
  • [02] Turkey is implementing an export policy for the next five years to cover all the world.
  • [03] Ozkan Murat says that letting the suspects for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family free is not easy.
  • [04] Erdogan to meet separately with Eroglu and Akinci.
  • [05] Turkish Cypriot sources confirm a Turkish soldier's injury in the buffer zone.
  • [06] The so-called minister of economy and tourism went to London in order to convince Turkish businessmen who live there to invest in occupied Cyprus.
  • [07] Through seminars and invocations of one version of the many of the UN Secretary-Generals´ plans the occupation regime is trying to persuade foreigners to buy stolen Greek Cypriot properties.
  • [08] They mislead foreigners to buy stolen Greek Cypriot properties alleging that the UN suggest that 30,000 new homes need to be built in the occupied areas.
  • [09] Research by University professor reached the conclusion that the building frenzy in occupied Cyprus will lead to "a lack of water, electricity and breathing space".
  • [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

  • [10] Columnist assesses Erdogan´s decision to invite DISY delegation to Turkey.
  • [11] Basaran Duzgun says that President Papadopoulos is right if he does not want to meet Talat before the "presidential elections" in the occupied areas of Cyprus; New openings from Turkey on Cyprus.
  • [12] A new TMT organization has been founded

  • [A] NEWS ITEMS

    [01] Turkey to transfer to its illegal regime in occupied Cyprus its shares in the so-called Cypriot Turkish Airlines

    Turkish Cypriot HALKIN SESI newspaper (20.01.05) reports that an historical step has been taken in handing over the illegal Cypriot Turkish Airlines [KTHY], which was based on Turkey's partnership with the occupation regime, to the occupation regime complete with all shares and international flight rights. While some of the KTHY shares were transferred over to Island Aviation, which the occupation regime set up in Turkey, at the board meeting held in Istanbul on 18 January, it was written into the main agreement that priority rights in privatization would be given to the partners. Thus, while the most important problem in work that has been going on for a year to transfer the KTHY to the occupation regime was being overcome the so-called Finance Minister Ahmet Uzun called this development "festive cheer".

    The illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines was established immediately after the Turkish invasion and started operating with Turkey having a 50 percent partnership, Cyprus Turkish Airlines secured the right to fly in partnership with Turkish Airlines [THY] on Turkey's behalf. With the eventual privatization of Turkish Airlines the company's shares in KTHY were transferred to the Turkish Privatization Administration.

    Work on transferring Cyprus Turkish Airlines over to the occupation regime complete with all shares has been going on for many years but picked up in the last year under the Republican Turkish Party-Democratic Party coalition. Despite the fact that a consensus was reached with the Turkish government at a political level the threat of flying rights being revoked in the event of transfer emerged because the occupation regime does not have international recognition. At this a formula was developed by which the occupation regime set up the "Island Aviation and Haulage Company" in Turkey in partnership with the state banks and the tourism fund. At the KTHY board meeting in Istanbul the other day 26 of the 50 percent of KTHY shares held by the so-called Finance Ministry's Development Chest on behalf of the occupation regime were transferred to this company. In addition to this a correction was made to the occupation regime´s principal agreement by which priority rights were given to the partners in the event of privatization.

    The KTHY board meeting ended late the other evening. While it constituted an historical step in the transfer of shares to the occupation regime, there are now three partners: Turkey with 50 percent of the shares; the illelgal Finance Ministry Development Fund with 24 percent and Island Aviation with 26 percent.

    The so-called Finance Minister of the occupation regime Ahmet Uzun said that the decisions made at the KTHY board meeting in Istanbul, which ended late the other evening, were "festive cheer" and he thanks all those involved. Summing up the process to date and the intensive initiatives made over the past year Uzun said: "We took on the mission to transfer the KTHY to the `TRNC´ and one of the most important steps in this undertaking was recorded yesterday. We now have control."

    Stating that on the day of the board meeting the occupation regime´s Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat spoke on the telephone several times with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that they also spoke about the matter with Turkey's Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener, Uzun thanked the Turkish government officials as well as everybody who contributed to the process.

    Stating that the process from now on was one of "formalities and bureaucracy" and that the full transfer of KTHY shares to the occupation regime would be completed within two to two-and-a-half months Uzun said in reply to questions about where the necessary money would be found to purchase the Turkish Republic's shares at the contract stage that the cost would not be met by the "state banks" that set up Island Aviation but would instead be met by the "Finance Ministry" resources.

    Refraining from putting a figure to the cost of the tender so-called Finance Minister Uzun noted that once the shares had been purchased by Island Aviation the KTHY would be rapidly privatized. Ahmet Uzun said they had worked out the specific principles for privatization and stated that while the state would hold the "golden share" in the company, even if that were just 1 percent, all other partners would as a matter of principle be Turkish Cypriots. "We are against the shares being held by certain capital groups," said Uzun. "We would prefer to see organizations not individuals as partners." He explained that Turkish Cypriot businessmen were being encouraged to enter partnerships with organizations like the Hoteliers Union and the Union of Travel Agencies. Uzun also said they had spoken with several businessmen who were after company shares and briefed them on the basic principles for privatization.

    [02] Turkey is implementing an export policy for the next five years to cover all the world

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.01.05) reported from Ankara that Turkey aims at increasing its exports to Asia-Pacific countries to 7.5-8 billion U.S. dollars in five years, Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said on Saturday.

    Action plans to enter into markets will be implemented for China and India within the framework of efforts to increase exports to Asia-Pacific countries.

    The strategy covers efforts to increase exports to 40 countries in Asia-Pacific region, including Afghanistan, Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, India, Japan, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and New Zealand.

    Turkey will hold joint economic commission (JEC) meetings with 13 countries in the mentioned region in 2005, and sign commercial and economic cooperation agreements with Nepal and Brunei. It will form joint working groups with six countries.

    Turkish trade delegations will visit China, Singapore, Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, while 14 delegations from China, India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will be invited to Turkey.

    Turkey plans to send delegations comprised of businessmen dealing with construction to India and Vietnam. On the other hand, the projects undertaken by Turkish engineers in Afghanistan are expected to reach 1 billion U.S. dollars.

    Turkish companies will join 12 international fairs in India, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Malaysia, while defense industry delegations will pay visits to Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea.

    Delegations will be invited from Singapore, Vietnam, Pakistan, New Zealand, India and Indonesia to attract investments in Turkey's free zones.

    Turkey aims to increase its share in African markets from 1.5 to 3 percent in three years under its strategy to improve economic and commercial relations with African countries.

    On the other hand, Turkey will continue to implement its strategy to increase commercial and economic relations with neighboring and surrounding countries in 2005.

    Turkey had obtained 18.9 billion U.S. dollars from its exports to neighboring and surrounding countries in 2004.

    [03] Ozkan Murat says that letting the suspects for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family free is not easy

    Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (24.01.05) reports that Ozkan Murat, so-called Minister of Internal Affairs of the occupation regime, has described as "wrong" the approach of those who say that the suspects put under custody for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family will be set free due to lack of evidences.

    Mr Murat said that the help of the police of the Republic of Cyprus is needed so that the findings and the evidence regarding the murder are completed. He added that the efforts of the occupation regime in this direction will continue today through the United Nations.

    The paper writes that the custody of the four suspects is expected to be extended today. It also says that a fifth person named Hikmet Oruc, who is believed to have a connection with the crime, is abroad. However, nothing is known regarding the place he is.

    Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (24.01.05) reports that the families of the suspects are concerned because of the long period of the custody of their relatives. The families have asked the "police" of the occupation regime to hand the suspects over to the police of the Republic of Cyprus so that the investigation is conducted. "The period of the custody is extended by putting forward not existent evidence. If there is evidence in the south let them be handed over to the south", they have reportedly said.

    [04] Erdogan to meet separately with Eroglu and Akinci

    According to KIBRIS (23.01.05) the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will meet today separately with the leader of the National Unity Party, Mr Dervis Eroglu and the leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement, Mr Mustafa Akinci.

    During the meetings Erdogan will brief the Turkish Cypriot politicians on the "openings" Turkey is planning regarding Cyprus.

    [05] Turkish Cypriot sources confirm a Turkish soldier's injury in the buffer zone

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (24.01.05) under the title "Mysterious event upsetting the 'borders'" writes, invoking the Greek Cypriot press, that a Turkish soldier of the occupation army was injured last Friday evening in the buffer zone of the Kaimakli area in Lefkosia. The soldier was injured by a bullet coming from a 'Flober' airgun.

    According to the paper, reliable Turkish Cypriot sources stated to KIBRIS that an event of open fire took place in the 'borders' and confirmed the Turkish soldier's injury. However, they did not give further information about the event.

    [06] The so-called minister of economy and tourism went to London in order to convince Turkish businessmen who live there to invest in occupied Cyprus

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (24.01.05) reports that Mr Dervis Kemal Deniz, so-called minister of economy and tourism of the occupation regime, paid a five-day visit to London UK, in order to meet with international consultanting companies and Turkish businessmen who live in the UK.

    Mr Deniz informed during his visit the Turkish businessmen about the latest developments as regards the economy and the tourism in occupied Cyprus and called on them to make investments in the pseudostate.

    Stating that the economic situation in occupied Cyprus has begun to improve, many things have changed during the last two months, and there is an unbelievable interest as regards tourism, Mr Deniz stated that while previously they run after the investors in order to invest money in occupied Cyprus, now those interested to invest are so many that they have to chose between them.

    In addition, he added that Cyprus has started to become "a centre of investment" and added countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, are getting ready to invest in Cyprus. He also alleged that because of tax advantages many investments from the Republic of Cyprus will be transferred to the occupied areas.

    Mr Deniz stated that the Turkish Cypriots do need the Greek Cypriots economically and added that what they need is "to open to the world and share with the Greek Cypriots the administration of Cyprus". He said that if the Greek Cypriots do not want to share this invitation, the Turkish Cypriots will continue with their own road.

    "The IMF is preparing a report about us, the ambassadors come to the 'ministries' and have contacts, and all these are very important for us. They consider TRNC to be important now", he said.

    [07] Through seminars and invocations of one version of the many of the UN Secretary-Generals´ plans the occupation regime is trying to persuade foreigners to buy stolen Greek Cypriot properties

    Under the title: "Meeting to allay foreigners´ fears `backfired´, Turkish Cypriot "Cyprus Today" (22-28.01.05) reports the following:

    "A SEMINAR last Friday at Girne´s (Kyrenia) Colony hotel, intended to clarify the legal position of foreign purchasers of ex-Greek Cypriot houses and land in the `TRNC´ went off course soon after the first questions were asked.

    The packed audience of several hundred, mostly British expatriates and purchasers of holiday homes, were addressed by Turkish Cypriot lawyers Mert Guclu, a member of the `TRNC´ government´s Technical Committee on Law and a specialist on international property law with particular regard to the Annan plan.

    The event was arranged by Aga Developments in association with Amaranta Estates, and the organisers had advertised that the truth could be found out about the European Arrest Warrant and how the recognition and enforcement of foreign (court) judgements could affect foreign purchasers of property in the `TRNC´.

    Mr Guclu set out the purpose of European Law 44/2201 which concerns the enforcement of court judgements within the boundaries of the European Union (EU) - in essence that a judgement in one EU member state can be transferred for recognition in another member state.

    "Could this happen?" asked Mr Guclu hypothetically, adding: "Yes it could, but it is a road with many barriers". Firstly, came the matter of how the summons issued to defendants to appear in court is served; it must be officially delivered through the post office.

    "We know there was no official delivery of the writ in this case", said Mr Guclu, referring to the action taken against David and Linda Orams, the British couple whose purchase of a property in Lapta (Lapithos) now being claimed by Greek Cypriot Meletis Apostolides prompted the current debate.

    Secondly came the question of "public policy". Mr Guclu offered no explanation of what this meant and no-one in the audience asked the meaning of the phrase. Third was the principle of domicile. Put simply: if the "centre gravity" of your life is in England and you have purchased a property in the `TRNC´ for occasional use as a holiday home, this will not carry as much weight in litigation as having permanent residence in the `TRNC´ would.

    "Tell you relatives you intend to live in North Cyprus permanently, and that you will die here", advised Mr Guclu.

    Ripples through the audience indicated that this was not the kind of advice they had come to take away with them.

    A director of Aga Developments, Glenn Howie, who had opened the evening on behalf of the organisers, asked whether Mr Guclu should go on to explain the implications for foreign property ownership of the Annan plan, or whether the audience would like to ask questions.

    Opting to hear more, they were denied their wish while a Bellapais home-owner, Donald Crawford, a lawyer and barrister, obtained Mr Howie´s consent to take the floor and used the occasion to launch an attack on the LONDON TIMES article which reported the Orams case, citing inaccuracies and misleading statements. Up popped THE TIMES´s Cyprus correspondent, Mike Theodoulou, who vigorously defended his articles´ objectivity.

    A Turkish Cypriot man then stood up and launched a string of expletives against Greek Cypriots, rounded off with a rude gesture, and another member of the audience, quivering with emotion, grabbed the microphone demanding compensation for the sufferings of the Turkish Cypriot people since 1963.

    Mr Howie regained control before handing the floor back to Mr Guclu. But by then the mood of the audience had heightened and the Annan plan was, for them, clearly not the panacea it seemed to be for the young lawyer.

    "What happens if the plan is not accepted?" asked one member of the audience.

    "It will be accepted - sooner or later, there is no other basis for a solution" was Mr Guclu´s reply, which was greeted with protests.

    A British resident with a house in Catalkoy (Ayios Epiktitos) seemed to sum up the feelings of several people when he declared: "What you should be telling us is that we cannot trust the government and should not buy property until the situation is resolved".

    The same resident raised the question of Council of Ministers´ permission to foreigners to purchase in the `TRNC´, referring to statements last July by the `TRNC´ Interior Minister and the Attorney-General warning would-be buyers to act within the law and "resist demands to pay most or all of the purchase amount until ministerial approval is given".

    This question was not addressed by Mr Guclu despite the admission of one woman in the audience that she had not received Council of Ministers´ approval despite being about to hand over a final payment.

    The audience squeezed into the room had expected clear legal guidance but were leaving without it.

    One woman, asked for her reaction, said: "If it was meant to allay people´s fears, then it backfired". Most around her seemed to agree".

    [08] They mislead foreigners to buy stolen Greek Cypriot properties alleging that the UN suggest that 30,000 new homes need to be built in the occupied areas

    The following letter is published in Turkish Cypriot "Cyprus Today" weekly newspaper (22-28.01.05):

    "As a property owner who bought in North Cyprus 10 years ago, I would like to congratulate developers for having achieved, in 18 months, what the last 6,000 years have failed to achieve, namely the total destruction of everything which made the TRNC what it was.

    The last unspoilt corner of the Mediterranean? A corner of earth touched by paradise? Not any more.

    Claims on one developer´s website that the United Nations suggest that at least 30,000 new homes NEED (?) to be built over the next three years are absolute nonsense.

    North Cyprus has neither the infrastructure nor resources to support that level of development over even the next 30 years. Where is the water and electricity, not to mention firewood, going to come from?

    The mess being made around the village of Esentepe (Ayios Amvrosios) makes me want to cry out in despair. No doubt in three years´ time, every "luxury villa" will have its own stagnant, green pond (pool) and I doubt that there will be an olive or carob tree left standing. I can´t help wondering where all the effluent is going to go as well.

    And finally, how are local young people going to afford a home?

    Obviously the mistakes of the South have not been noted, and yet again short-term greed appears to conquer good sense.

    Hugh Croasdale Johnson Folkestone, England and Esentepe"

    [09] Research by University professor reached the conclusion that the building frenzy in occupied Cyprus will lead to "a lack of water, electricity and breathing space"

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (22.01.05) reports that Dr Mustafa Ilkan, Assistant Professor, Deputy Director of the School of Computers and Technology of the illegal East Mediterranean University has issued a warning about the dangers lying ahead for the Turkish Cypriots as a result of the unnatural and uncontrolled development in the construction sector.

    Dr Mustafa Ilkan said that no steps were taken to create the necessary infrastructure parallel to the construction works and the new houses will be without roads, water and electricity leading to a new chaos.

    The University professor outlines the following:

    - Our already insufficient electric energy production will definitely not be enough.

    - The new building sites are destroying both the scenery and natural tissue and in the end will lead to an environmental disaster.

    - The existing infrastructure has already reached its limits and the new buildings will create further pressure on it.

    - The water shortage will reach new dimensions.

    - In the end with an irresponsible approach the lack of water, electricity and breathing space will be unavoidable.

    Dr. Ilkan stresses that even before the construction boom the electricity produced could not meet the energy needs of the Turkish Cypriots which was increasing by 10% annually.

    The University professor calls on other universities to discuss the issue and reach to the necessary conclusions stressing that education is very important and that the Turkish Cypriots care a lot about education.

    Dr Ilkan cites charts on the structure of the population in occupied Cyprus where 35% use the internet.

    As regards the structure of the population the following date are given:

    State officers, workers and retired: 26,932 or 12.414%

    Other retired 4,210 or 1.941%

    Primary School students 18,684 or 8,610%

    Secondary School Students 14,975 or 6,9%

    University Students Total: 27,763 or 12,796%

    (`TRNC´ citizens : 9,028, Turkish :16,283, Foreigners : 2,452)

    Others : 124,375 or 57,337%


    [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

    [10] Columnist assesses Erdogan´s decision to invite DISY delegation to Turkey

    Istanbul RADIKAL newspaper (19.01.05) publishes the following commentary by Murat Yetkin under the title: "The expectations regarding the `TRNC´ are high":

    "Having invited the Greek Cypriot DISY [Democratic Rally Party] to Ankara, Prime Minister Erdogan is planning to take new steps if the `embargo´ is removed.

    Of all foreign policy issues, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has mostly been preoccupied with Cyprus lately. The prime minister sees the non-solution of the Cyprus issue as an obstacle before Turkey's other foreign policy issues. Furthermore, he believes that this obstacle is gradually becoming more and more permanent. The prime minister therefore believes that finding a satisfactory and a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue without any delay will serve Turkey's interests. He also believes that the continuation of the current situation is a waste of time and therefore he lacks patience where his demands for a solution are concerned.

    In addition to foreign policy related reasons, there may be reasons related to domestic policy behind this lack of patience. The existence of a Cyprus lobby in Turkish politics is not a secret. Erdogan and his staff may be thinking that at a time when the relations with the EU are approaching the critical negotiation threshold, the continuation of the existing situation in Cyprus may lead to problems that will gradually intensify in Turkish domestic politics. Regardless of the nature of the reason, it is obvious that Erdogan wants more than anyone else a lasting solution to be found in Cyprus without any delay and that he makes more efforts than anyone else to this end. This goes so far that he tries other moves in order to surmount the Foreign Ministry's warnings that the international political balances (such as the elections that will be held in February and April in the `TRNC´ `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´], the general elections in Britain, and the uncertainties in the United Nations) do not allow a new leap for a solution for the time being.

    The invitation issued to DISY, main opposition party in the Greek Cypriot sector, constitutes an example to this.

    This invitation will be the first of its kind. Evidently, it was Erdogan's idea to invite DISY and the Foreign Ministry bureaucracy was informed on this issue only after the invitation was issued. Some believe this invitation is wrong, some view it as risky, while others view it as courageous. For example, if during this visit the DISY representative announces in front of the JDP [Justice and Development Party] general headquarters or in any other meeting that "Turkey should no longer recognize the `TRNC´ and that the Turkish Army should immediately withdraw from the island," it will be very difficult to respond to this by saying: "This is their view and we do not agree with them." We still remember that Angela Merkel, chairman of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) which, similar to DISY, is the member of the European People Parties Group, demanded in Ankara -- as a matter of fact, during live broadcast -- that Turkey agree to "special relations" with the EU. We also remember that Erdogan refused to fall short and argued with his guest during live broadcast. Regardless of how we look at this, the fact that Erdogan is taking this step by taking all these possibilities into consideration may be seen as an intervention in the existing balances in Cyprus and a declaration that he is not in favor of the continuation of the existing balances.

    With this step and with similar steps that we will witness in the future, Erdogan wants to convey a message to the United States, Britain, Greece, the EU, and even Russia. If you keep your word, Turkey may take other initiatives regarding the Cyprus issue.

    Similar to the way that the EU countries used their publics as shields when questioning Turkey's EU membership process prior to the 17 December summit, the Turkish Government and the `TRNC Government´ need to persuade their publics for taking new steps. By saying "yes" in the referendum that was held on 25 April 2004, the `TRNC´ Government and the `TRNC´ people issued a major and a serious statement that they are in favor of a lasting solution. However, the result of this referendum which was held by the United Nations with the support of the EU was not even put to vote in the UN Security Council with the veto of Russia (the veto stemmed from Russia's brotherhood with the Greek orthodox Greek Cypriot side as well as from Russia's initiates regarding the Russian investment in south Cyprus). Similarly the promises made by the EU and the United States to the effect that "if they vote yes, the economic isolation of the `TRNC´ will be eased" were not kept. On the other hand, however, the Greek Cypriot Republic became an EU member on 1 May. This way, it is able to obstruct the direct support programs that the EU decided to realize in north Cyprus. Certain practical steps taken by the United States, on the other hand, have not yet been implemented. The flights which are of symbolic importance constitute the most important of these steps.

    Nevertheless, `Prime Minister´ Mehmet Ali Talat's Republican Turkish Party and `Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas' Democratic Party need to show substantial examples to their voters prior to the 29 February elections in the `TRNC´. These examples may enable the coalition which is in favor of a solution to strengthen in the elections and they may also affect the results of the presidential elections in April. This will also ease the concerns of the Turkish Government.

    The government wing as well as the EU circles in Ankara hope that one or more steps will be taken regarding easing the economic isolation of the `TRNC´ by 20 February. We have one month to see whether or not this hope will come true."

    [11] Basaran Duzgun says that President Papadopoulos is right if he does not want to meet Talat before the "presidential elections" in the occupied areas of Cyprus; New openings from Turkey on Cyprus

    Writing in his daily column in Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (24.01.05), its editor-in-chief, Basaran Duzgun expresses the opinion that President Papadopoulos is right if he does not want to meet Mehmet Ali Talat before the "presidential elections" in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

    Under the title "The period before new steps", Mr Duzgun refers to the meetings that Dervis Eroglu, leader of the National Unity Party (NUP) and Mustafa Ankinci, leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM) are expected to have today in Istanbul with Prime Minister Erdogan. Reminding that Mr Erdogan had met earlier with Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and Serdar Denktas , leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Mr Duzgun says that Mr Erdogan meeting Turkish Cypriot leaders and making the Turkish side's plans on the Cyprus problem is very natural.

    The columnist of KIBRIS writes, inter alia, the following:

    "'These separate meetings that the parties of the government have realized caused various speculations. Even some have made the assessment, which I believe is conveyed from its own, that 'they go to Turkey, take orders and return'. The Peace and Democracy Movement will feel uncomfortable from these assessments and that is why it stressed in the statement it issued regarding the meeting that 'we shall convey to honourable Prime Minister the views of our party'. That is PDM wanted to indirectly give the message that 'we are not going to take orders'.

    The orders are given to those who take orders and this community knows very well who obeyed orders for years. Abandoning as soon as possible such shallow discussions and quarrelling is the best thing to do for the Turkish Cypriots, because the government of Turkey is prepared to make new openings on the Cyprus problem. The meetings that Erdogan made and will make with the Turkish Cypriot party leaders are within this framework.

    Turkey wants to make significant steps in the direction of the solution of the Cyprus problem until October, when it will begin its accession negotiations with the European Union.

    Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara say the following: 'Now we want to plan these steps. We are discussing towards which direction they will be and what results we want to create, because the EU is expecting us to make steps. There is absolutely no objection because we are the side that wants a solution'. Prime Minister Erdogan meeting Turkish Cypriot leaders and making plans is very natural. The head of the Greek Cypriot administration Tassos Papadopoulos has announced that he had no intention of meeting with the Turkish Cypriot side before the presidential elections to be conducted in April. Such a statement that includes negative elements could be evaluated as negative in the beginning, but it is also justified. Let us suppose that steps are made before April regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem and the sides meet. For example Talat and the head of the Greek Cypriot administration Papadopoulos met and agreed on making steps on any issue. What would be the stance of president Denktas in such a situation? Let whoever want say whatever he wants, but president Denktas has the 'position' of the negotiator that the UN and the whole world accepts now. He might turn over his authority to Prime Minister Talat, but with an objection from his side will the image of 'the existence of two heads in the north' not be created?

    Two elections will be conducted in northern Cyprus that will define the will of the Turkish Cypriots. 'Waiting these elections is more logical. There is no need to create new discussions and chaos".

    [12] A new TMT organization has been founded

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (22.01.05), under the title "A warning coming with e-mail", published the following commentary by Basaran Duzgun:

    "The following announcement reached to me through the e-mail. I would not make any comments regarding what is written, because a clear expression was used that does not leave any room for comments. My aim is that you read line to line this announcement, which includes serious hints for the period, which is in front of us. It means that this article that you will be able to understand is "An early warning" article'

    THE REAL SOLUTION IN CYPRUS

    1) TRNC must be connected to the Turkish Republic. This is not a dream. Meanwhile, the 'full integration and participation of Hatay (Alexandretta) with the Motherland' is a fact as a final and successful example. The outcome of TRNC must be like Hatay and not as Crete, Musul, Kirkuk or Batum. It is seen clearly that TRNC cannot survive as an independent state. While the Greek Cypriots have mentioned that they would be united with Greece politically and also de facto, while they followed this road openly, the only way that is left for the TRNC is to integrate with Turkey. There are two roads for the TRNC to be part of Turkey and for full integration with the time and naturally.

    a) Accession: the power must be transferred from the Turkish Cypriots to those who defend the unification with the motherland.

    b) Annexation: This road is much rougher road. Because inside the TRNC there are Turkish, who are sold traitors thinking to use Cyprus for their interests and use Turkey only for themselves. Because of this, this road will open to foreign reactions, to domestic troubles and clashes. This road is the last way.

    2) An end must be given immediately to the English education in TRNC. It seems in the end that this education produces British-thinking, colony brainy people. Other foreign languages must be taught as German, French and not only English. This is a separate issue.

    3) Casinos in TRNC must be closed immediately and finally.

    4) Teachers whose salaries are connected monthly with thousands of dollars from the EU funds and are working for the European, Greek Cypriot, Greek and US interests must be immediately banned from the profession "if there are as it is claimed".

    5) The Cyprus issue must be explained and must be taught in TRNC and Turkey's schools to the last detail. Reliable, convincing information must be given to the youth on this issue.

    6) The infrastructure problems of TRNC must be organized by obtaining aid from the municipalities in Turkey for securing that it must be solved once and for all.

    7) A "Cyprus Centre" connected to the Prime Ministry must be founded, so the works must be directed from there.

    8) Necessary and comprehensive measures must be taken for the protection of the socio-cultural balance until the unification of Turkey-TRNC is materialised.

    9) While a section of the civil servants in TRNC are subjected to rotation in Turkey, at the same time civil servants in Turkey working in extremely vital fields and mainly in the education must also be subjected to rotation in the TRNC.

    10) The state supported youth camps, special organizations and with similar activities, Turks from Turkey must be brought to TRNC and Turkish Cypriots must be taken to Turkey.

    11) All the newspapers, magazines, radio and TV channels that are published or broadcast in Turkey, must also start to be published or broadcast in TRNC.

    12) British sterling and Cyprus lira that are used in TRNC must be removed from circulation and immediately only the Turkish lira must be used.

    13) Water desalination projects must be built and thus the problem of the drinking water will be solved for once and for all in the TRNC.

    14) At the TRNC structure a faculty, which will be connected to one of the state universities of Turkey must be founded. This faculty must be consisted of schools as Turkish language and literature, Modern Turkish dialects and literatures, law, Public Administration, and theology.

    15) The strengthening of the "national cause" and definitely the extension of the gains must be safeguarded with scientific and academic activities like panels, conference, and briefings that will be held in TRNC.

    16) The martyrs in TRNC must safeguard the necessary care and concern.

    17) Talat's government must correct immediately the scandal, which has put pictures of the Cyprus donkey on the TRNC stamps by removing the picture of Dr Fazil Kucuk, the founder of TMT.

    18) The empty words must be left aside and the Turkish youth in TRNC must be vaccinated with the Ataturk nationalism; they must be taught that there is not an identity as Cypriotism.

    19) The nasty things that the Greek Cypriots did must be represented with a non- provocative style in the press in Turkey; necessary measures must be taken for the tensions, but the realities must not be kept secret from the Turkish nation.

    20) The high unemployment in TRNC must be reduced and the TRNC youth who take Greek Cypriot passports showing this as an excuse must be asked to make their choice between being a Greek Cypriot or a Turkish Cypriot and this shame must be removed.

    21) The mentality of those who try to exploit economically Turkey, who whenever suits them call Turkey motherland and ask financial aid and when not suiting them say, 'We are a separate state. Turkey should stop interfering in our internal affairs', must be eliminated.

    CYPRUS TURKISH RESISTANCE ORGANIZATION

    P.S: Our association is officially under foundation. We will continue to share with you our articles. We lived in exile in Britain for years. We struggled as fighters together with the Turkish army at the 1960-74 incidents. We understood very well the concept of what "country" means. An end must be given immediately to the double-sided Cyprus rediculousness.

    /SK


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