![]() |
Compact version |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
Wednesday, 14 August 2024
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-05-13From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@glue.umd.edu>Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office DirectoryTURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo.82/96 11-12-13.5.96CONTENTS[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Atun: The solution in Cyprus has been in practice the last 20 years.[02] Population census in the occupied area.[03] Turkish Cypriots admit smuggling of antiquities out of the occupied area.[04] Atun: The Cyprus problem is an internal problem of Turkey.[05] FIFA backs friendly matches in Cyprus.[06] Kornblum: US won't mediate between Turkey and Greece.[07] Danish doctor at US Congress: `Mehmet Agar is super torturer'.[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".[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Atun: The solution in Cyprus has been in practice the last 20 yearsAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 11.5.96) the so-called Prime Minister of the pseudostate Hakki Atun has reacted strongly to the joint Greek-Greek Cypriot air and navy maneuvers carried out in Cyprus with the participation of Greek warplanes. He claimed that this is not an act that can help toward peace and a solution.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 areaAccording to YENIDUZEN (13.5.96) the decision has been taken by the so-called Council of Ministers of the pseudostate to hold a comprehensive population census in the occupied area either in September or in October this year.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 areaKIBRIS (13.5.96) under banner headlines admits that since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation an unknown number of antiquities have been smuggled 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 TurkeyAccording to KIBRIS (11.5.96) the so-called Prime Minister of the pseudostate Hakki Atun, speaking in Istanbul during the inauguration of the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association Home, referred to the Cyprus problem and said: "The Cyprus problem is an internal problem of Motherland Turkey. Turkey has strategic rights and interests emanating from history geography and international treaties. No one could turn a blind eye to these rights and interests. We are honoured to defend these rights together with Turkey." (MY)[05] FIFA backs friendly matches in CyprusAccording to Turkish Daily News (10.5.96), FIFA, soccer's governing body, said last Thursday it is behind an initiative to stage a series of 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 GreeceAccording to Turkish Daily News (10.5.96) John Kornblum told a mostly Greek-American audience last Wednesday that the United States "does not intend to be a mediator" between Turkey and Greece in the issues that confront them in the Aegean "because we think that, in the end, the mediator must take sides, must push somebody toward a solution and we believe that this is a solution which has to emerge from cooperation of countries."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'According to Turkish Daily News (10.5.96) Turkish Minister of Justice and former Director General of Police Mehmet Agar was accused last Wednesday at the US Congress by being a "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 FamagustaAccording to Turkish Cypriot weekly CYPRUS TODAY (11-17.5.96) the "police" found an illegal hoard of 74 valuable antiquities when they raided three separate houses in occupied Famagusta last week. The haul included ancient coins, pots, arrow heads and jugs. Three men were remanded in custody.[09] Karpass monastery turned into guest-houseAccording to Turkish Cypriot weekly CYPRUS TODAY (11-17.5.96), a new tourist facility has opened in the Karpass peninsula. Lausa Sina Monastery has been leased by the Evkaf administration and renovated at a cost of four billion TL to create a guest-house with a restaurant and bedrooms.[10] Church for sale in the occupied area!Turkish Cypriot weekly CYPRUS TODAY (11-17.5.96) publishes an advertisement by the "Keskin and Smith Estate Agents" (a joint British/Turkish Cypriot agency) with which a church is put on for sale in the occupied area. The advertisement says: "Leasehold church. Fully restored and used as a picture gallery/ craft centre. Lovely position below Edremit Village - CP32,500". (Tr. Note: It refers to the church of Panayia Chrysotrimithiotissa in the area of the occupied village of Trimithi). (MY)[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS[11] KIBRIS editorial: "We do not want to die... let us go to the south"KIBRIS (11.5.96) in a front-page article under the headline "We do not want to die" declares that the Turkish Cypriot community need not fear from the Greek Cypriots or any other enemy because the Turkish Cypriot community has become an enemy against itself."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) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |