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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-03-05From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleTURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 43/97 5.3.1997CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkish Navy plans to buy ships from RussiaAccording to Ankara-Turkish Daily News (3.3.97) the Turkish Navy is preparing to buy four tug boats, three fire-fighting boats and four high-speed landing craft from Russia in a deal worth approximately $50 million, a high level military official told the Turkish Daily News."The need for such vessels has emerged as a matter of urgency for the Turkish Navy because of its lack of adequate vessels in Turkey... The recent oil tanker disaster in Istanbul's Tuzla where two firefighters died has forced the Turkish Navy to take serious measures to prepare for a large fire on board a ship. Thus, we have accelerated efforts to buy such vessels - firefighting and tow and rescue - through direct procurement from abroad", said the military source. Speaking on the possible purchase of high speed landing craft, the source said the Turkish Navy also needs to renew its fleet of vessels with landing ability, adding that they must catch up with new technology to meet the demands of the 21st century. The Turkish Navy has in fact long been looking to acquire such vessels, continued the source, adding that a delegation had recently responded to an invitation from Russia to inspect vessels with an eye to preparing a report as background for Turkey's plans. The report was positive and showed the vessels were suitable for use by the Turkish Navy. Turkey and Russia are expected to reach an agreement on the vessels shortly, said the military source. [02] Turkey's Statistics Institute releases inflation figuresAccording to TRT (10.00 hours, 4.3.97) the inflation rate in February was 5.7%, while the annual rate was 77.7%. According to data released by the State Statistics Institute, the retail price index was 5.7 and the wholesale price index 6.2 in February.The wholesale price index rose by 78.6% from February 1996 to February 1997. [03] DYP Deputy Resigns from PartyAccording to TRT (11.00 hours, 4.3.97) Hikmet Aydin, True Path Party (DYP) deputy from Canakkale, has resigned from his party. This brings the number of DYP deputies in the Assembly down to 119 and the number of independents up to nine. Aydin resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) last week and had joined the DYP.In the wake of Aydin's resignation, the remaining Assembly seats are distributed among the parties as follows: the Welfare Party, 160; the Motherland Party, 128; the DSP, 71; the Republican People's Party, 49; the Great Unity Party, seven; and the Democratic Turkey Party, six. [04] Eroglu on EU attitude and on economic "protocol"According to illegal Bayrak Radio (11.30 hours, 3.3.97), so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu has said that the positive approach toward the Turkish Cypriots observed recently in the EU is far from satisfactory to the Turkish Cypriots. He claimed that the new inclination toward accepting the Turkish Cypriots' participation in Cyprus' accession to the EU is really the product of an attitude that foresees giving only minority rights to the Turkish Cypriots.Rauf Denktash and Eroglu held their weekly meeting yesterday. They primarily discussed the recent diplomatic contacts. In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu noted that Denktash views the latest developments as a trap designed to give the Turkish Cypriots minority rights. Eroglu reiterated that the Turkish Cypriots do not consider it satisfactory that the Greek Cypriots were given a second seat at the Council of Europe (COE) Parliamentary Assembly; that the Turkish Cypriots were given the right to speak at the COE committees; or that the Turkish Cypriots, too, will be heard during the accession talks. He said: "Even if some circles appear satisfied with that, it is a trap". On EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek's contacts in Cyprus, Eroglu said that not only did van den Broek foresee only minority rights for the Turkish Cypriots but he also implied that the guarantee and alliance agreements may be ignored. Eroglu alleged: "Such an approach is unacceptable. Van den Broek came here to tell us how the EU is hurting; however, the method of Cyprus' accession to the EU, the way in which the EU accepted the Greek Cypriot application on our behalf, the fact that the accession reached this stage, the fact that the Turkish Cypriots were remembered at this stage -- all these are mistakes committed by the EU". Eroglu stated that it is impossible to be pleased with Hans van den Broek's attitude. Eroglu added that it is true that there is a delay in the implementation of the economic "protocol" signed between the pseudo-state and Turkey two months ago but that this does not mean that the "protocol" will remain on paper. Speaking after his meeting with Denktash, Eroglu claimed that the visit to the United States of State Minister Abdullah Gul, who is also responsible for Cyprus affairs, caused a delay, as did the delays in the implementation of the Turkish budget itself. He added that State Minister Gul will be contacted again on the implementation of the "protocol" and that nobody need worry about this issue. [05] Turkey's Grey Wolves chairman threatens YENIDUZEN journalists with deathYUENIDUZEN (5.3.97) reports under the banner headlines "Death Threat" and says that the chairman of the terrorist Idealist Hearths Organisation in Turkey, Azmi Karamahmutoglu, has sent a letter to the journalists of YENIDUZEN newspaper threatening them with death. Karamahmutoglu, in his letter, also referred to the barbaric killing of Tassos Isaac and said: "We were on the stage, dancing and exhibiting the best figures and choreography but our partner Tassos Isaac was unable to keep up the pace and step with us. He cut it short. We were left alone on the stage. However, the music goes on. Would you like to dance with us!"Further threatening the journalists, Karamahmutoglu went on and said: "What I understand is that you want to become 'researcher - journalists'! That is, you want to be an Abdi Ipekci, an Ugur Mumcu or a Kutlu Adali, but there are some necessary conditions for this". (Tr Note: All the above three journalists were assassinated). (MY) [06] Hand grenade against Turkish students in the occupied areaKIBRIS (5.3.97) reports under the banner headlines "Bomb in Lefka", and says that a hand grenade was thrown against a house in occupied Lefka where three Turkish students of the so-called Lefka European University are staying.During the attack, student Ihsan Raya (22) was seriously wounded. The other two students, all of them relatives, escaped the attach unhurt. KIBRIS reports that the attack had a shocking effect on local residents. Denktash's police is conducting an investigation. (MY) [07] Press Council's report on Turkish pressAccording to Turkish Daily News (3.3.97) Turkey's Press Council announced that seven journalists were arrested, two newspapers and magazines were confiscated, one newspaper and one TV station raided, one reporter was attacked and eight radio and TV stations closed in February. According to the report Justice Minister Sevket Kazan and Isin Gurel, Interstar TV reporter who was attacked in Sincan were the most talked-about people in the press in February.Eylem Semint, Atilim newspaper's former editor, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined TL 1,500,000. Prosecution was demanded for Hurriyet newspaper due to an article printed about DYP Deputy Leader Mehmet Golhan. The trial of poet Can Yucel and Leman (humorous magazine) editor Kutlu Esendemir started due to a poem printed in the magazine. They face possible imprisonment of 2 years. The Radio and TV Council (RTUK) has closed eight radio and TV stations. [08] "TRNC citizen" interrogated in framework of Susurluk inquiryYENIDUZEN (5.3.97) reports that the investigation regarding the State-Mafia-Police relation which surfaced following the accident in Susurluk, Turkey, last November is continuing.The paper, quoting Turkey's semi-official Anatolia Agency (AA), says that the State Security Court in Istanbul has interrogated one of the partners of the First Merchant Bank, Hakki Yaman Namli, regarding the abducting and killing of informer-agent Tarik Umit, witting the framework of the Susurluk inquiry. In the AA report, says Yeniduzen, Hakki Yaman Namli is referred to as a Turkish Cypriot businessman. However, it adds, following an investigation conducted by the paper, it has been revealed that Namli is a Turkish citizen who was made "TRNC citizen" by the occupation regime and in fact holds five different passports. (MY) |
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