Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (95-11-29)

From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.224/95 29.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's Baykal comments on contacts in Barcelona and on Cyprus

According to TRT Television Network (13:00 hours, 28.11.95) Deniz Baykal, Turkish Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister, has been holding intensive contacts in Barcelona. He met with his counterparts from Ireland, Portugal, Germany, and Britain, as well as the president of the European Parliament (EP) and the leader of the EP Socialist Group. Baykal noted that he has met with the Foreign Ministers of all EU countries in the past month. Pointing out that his contacts left him with positive impressions, Baykal declared: "We are hopeful about the decision to be adopted by the EP with regard to the Customs Union."

Baykal stressed that the Barcelona conference is important as a first step for cooperation between the EU and the Mediterranean countries. He remarked that the conference was successful for Turkey as well. Baykal announced that the Irish Foreign Minister, who will assume the rotating EU presidency in the second half of next year, will visit the so-called "TRNC" during a visit to Cyprus. Ireland is contributing significantly to efforts for Turkey's membership in the Customs Union, Baykal recounted, adding that the Irish Foreign Minister will be the first Foreign Minister to visit the "TRNC". Baykal explained that Ireland is impartial between Turkey and Greece concerning the Cyprus and other issues, and described this as a positive attitude.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak radio (8:00 hours, 19.11.95) reports that Baykal declared that there was no need for exerting pressure on Turkey since Turkey favoured a solution in Cyprus. Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga airport upon his return from the Barcelona Conference, Baykal answering a question regarding the new US initiative on Cyprus, said that Turkey wanted a solution in Cyprus, and until today continues to maintain its positive approach to the Cyprus problem. He added that if the international organizations demonstrate a correct approach to the problem, he would not be worried over their interest in the problem. (MY)

[02] Atun proposes signing a non-aggression agreement

According to illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 28.11.95), the so-called Prime Minister Hakki Atun in a written statement proposed that the Cyprus Government sign the non-aggression agreement "offered" by the pseudostate and sit at the negotiating table with Rauf Denktash.

[03] Revenge for al-Shaqaqi claimed in murder of Turkish businessman

According to Turkish Kanal-6 Television (17:00 hours, 28.11.95), Istanbul businessman Nesim Malki (who is Jewish) was assassinated in Bursa yesterday. It was claimed that Malki was hit to avenge the death of Islamic Jihad leader Fathi al-Shaqaqi, who was killed in Malta.

Malki flew from Istanbul to Bursa yesterday morning, at the airport he got into his car and later, as he stopped at some traffic lights, he was sprayed with bullets by two persons who came out of a car behind him.

Malki was one of the partners of Tunca Tekstil, which supplied cotton thread to the textile market in Bursa and Istanbul. It is also claimed that Malki extended high-interest loans to certain needy businessmen.

Meanwhile, a person telephoned news agencies and claimed that Malki was assassinated in revenge for the death of al-Shaqaqi.

Moreover, KIBRIS (29.11.95) reports that the assassinated together with his wife were the biggest share holders in the Tuncabank Ltd. in the occupied area.

KIBRIS adds that Malki was a member of Tuncabank's Board of Directors and its Vice President. (MY)

[04] Torture still routine in Turkey

According to Turkish Daily News (27.11.95), a report prepared by the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) about the treatment of torture victims in 1994 has recently been published. The report reveals that in Turkey, torture is being used as a means of systematic interrogation, punishment and as a deterrent, and that the perpetrators are almost completely immune from prosecution.

The study used information gathered from individual applications to the TIHV's Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in 1994. The study reveals that 78 percent of torture take place in security headquarters. Among the different processes are beating, blindfolding, insulting, electrocuting, isolation, death threats, starvation, sexual harassment, threats to torture relatives, and high-pressure water torture.

According to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers report, "Torture is a problem which not only affects the individuals being tortured, but also their families, children, relatives and society in general. Therefore, to rid individuals and society of the negative impacts of torture, it is essential to ban the process altogether."

Of all people in custody, 92.3 percent are subject to at least two tortures, 65.3 percent to five or more, and 43 percent to at least 10. The majority of those being tortured were arrested for political reasons. Twelve percent said that they were tortured for no apparent reason at all.

The treatment centers explained the grave concerns they have about the health, diagnosis, and treatment of those tortured. At the time they applied for treatment, 49.6 percent of the patients cited physical problems and 5.6 percent cited psychological problems.

After diagnosis, however, 94.4 percent of the patients were found to have physical problems, and 49.4 percent had psychological problems. The patients' psychological state proved that these people also suffered serious mental trauma while being tortured.

[05] 320 thousand travellers from Mersin to the occupied area

According to KIBRIS (29.11.95) around 320 thousand people arrived in the occupied area by sea from Mersin, in the first 10 months of this year.

The paper says that during the summer season, 275 thousand people arrived to the occupied Kyrenia port and 45 thousand people to the occupied Famagusta port. (MY)

[06] Business trip to Israel organized by the Turkish Foreign Trade Secretariat

According to KIBRIS (29.11.95), the Turkish Foreign Trade Secretariat together with the Union of Aegean Exporters is organizing a business trip to Israel and Palestine to which Turkish Cypriot businessmen from the occupied area will also participate.

It will be held between 21-25 January, 1996. During the trip an exhibition of Turkish export products, called "Turkey in Israel", will be opened.

Turkish Cypriot businessmen who wish to take part in this trip are asked to send their applications to the Chamber of Industry's Secretariat. The fee for taking part in the trip is 1400 US dollars.