TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-05-13

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.82/96 11-12-13.5.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atun: The solution in Cyprus has been in practice the last 20 years

After he returned from Istanbul Atun was asked by the illegal Turkish Cypriot News Agency to comment on the joint maneuvers. He described them as "dangerous and provocative".

Atun also claimed that these exercises show that Greece and the Greek Cypriots have forgotten past sufferings and are getting ready for new adventures.

Atun alleged that peace has been reigning in Cyprus ever since the Turkish invasion in 1974, adding that the solution is obvious. He stressed that nothing will be achieved by pushing Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.

[02] Population census in the occupied area

The paper adds that 9 billion TL has been allocated from the "budget" for this purpose.

YENIDUZEN reports that since 1974 several population cencuses have been carried out. However, the results have never been published, and even some of them, without any reason, have been kept secret.

The paper claims that with this new population census, they will be able to learn the real demographic structure of the occupied area. (MY)

[03] Turkish Cypriots admit smuggling of antiquities out of the occupied area

"We don't know what they are exactly and what is their value" writes KIBRIS.

The so-called curator of Museums in the occupied area Ali Kanli has confessed that they are unaware of the number of antiquities smuggled out of occupied area and that they have no relevant inventory. (MY)

[04] Atun: The Cyprus problem is an internal problem of Turkey

[05] FIFA backs friendly matches in Cyprus

FIFA hopes the friendlies will help ease tensions on the island.

"It is a FIFA initiative," said FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper. "But the official blessing will not come until after the FIFA executive meeting on the last day of the month". Where, when and how, are still issues that need to be worked out before the matches can proceed.

[06] Kornblum: US won't mediate between Turkey and Greece

John Kornblum, the US acting assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs, speaking on "Greek-US Relations and the Future of Southeastern Europe" at a Madison Hotel conference organized by the Fletcher School of Diplomacy, said the United States nevertheless wants to help "on the basis of the sovereignty of the countries, on the basis of existing agreements, on the basis of the rightful goals of all of the countries, that we wish to help move this issue forward."

Kornblum said the United States intends to take "a very active role" in Cyprus this year. "One of the purposes of my trip was to talk to all parties who are involved in Cyprus and to make sure that we understand the current situation and take advantage of what, we believe , is a unique opportunity in the next year to move the situation forward."

Kornblum gave the following reasons for his optimism:

"First... the opportunities for peace, we think, are now greater than the dangers of conflict and that this time a great effort to take advantage of these opportunities could bear fruit."

"Secondly, the European Union ... has taken two important decisions. First, agreed to begin negotiations with Cyprus for membership once the current intergovernmental conference is completed.

Secondly, they concluded an agreement on the customs union with Turkey, which gives Turkey a stake in making sure that the role of the European Union develops positively in the region."

Having said that, Kornblum nevertheless reminded his audience that "I have no details of any initiative, or any plan to give you. This depends on a lot of intensive discussion that we are now having inside the government."

[07] Danish doctor at US Congress: 'Mehmet Agar is super torturer'

Dr. Inge Genefke, a Danish expert on torture and medical director of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), testifying before the US House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, said that in Turkey torture was conducted by police. As the former chief of Turkish police, she referred to Mehmet Agar as the "super torturer of Turkey."

The hearing is conducted to call attention to the trial in Adana of Turkish Human Rights Foundation (HRFT) members on May 10 "The IRCT was behind the foundation of (the HRFT) centers (in Turkey) and has a close collaboration with our colleagues in Turkey concerning rehabilitation of torture victims," Genefke said.

The reason a doctor and a lawyer from Adana HRFT center was put on trial in Turkey was because they refused to give to the Turkish Ministry of Health the names of their clients treated at these centers, she said.

[08] Valuable antiquities found in houses in occupied Famagusta

[09] Karpass monastery turned into guest-house

[10] Church for sale in the occupied area!

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] KIBRIS editorial: "We do not want to die... let us go to the south"

"This community does not want to die. However, every step that is taking to avoid death is being hampered by the enemy among us" says KIBRIS and adds that in every field and on every issue a total destruction is experienced. "The production and service sectors are in a state of coma" stresses KIBRIS and admits that in the hope that there would be developments towards better conditions it had restrained itself from reporting to the people the bad news and information reaching the paper.

"But we say: `enough is enough' because we are on the verge of the abyss, and even a breeze is enough to throw us into a vacuum and we will then become history...

We do not want to die...

But we have started eating each other. How can we face the shame of thousands of our people crying `let us go to south'? No one on this territory feels secure and safeguarded from the social point of view and our youth emigrate to other countries to secure their future. As the case is, how can we cope with this and not be depressed and feel greatly annoyed?

Is it possible to continue with this indifference?

Therefore, we have decided to renounce our silence, and fulfil our duty as journalists towards the community. As of today we will write everything in an effective manner and we will disclose everything." (MY)