Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-02-20

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 34 /97 20/2/97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH WARNS OF 'REACTION' TO GREEK CYPRIOT ARMAMENT

[02] TGNA TO SET UP CYPRUS COMMITTE

[03] IHD REPORT FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED

[04] DENKTASH' S OLD LETTERS TO ADALI PUBLISHED

[05] LONDON TURKISH RADIO PEOPLE IN THE OCCUPIED AREA

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH WARNS OF 'REACTION' TO GREEK CYPRIOT ARMAMENT

In reply to an illegal BRT [Bayrak Radio and Television] correspondent's question, Denktash said he hoped that the Greek Cypriot side will correctly assess the realities. Denktash claimed: « They are trying to occupy all of Cyprus. They think that Cyprus belongs them. They view the 1960 agreements as nonexistent and as never having taken place». Saying that the Greek Cypriots ''have not learned their lesson'' and that they are adhering to their stand by undertaking more determined armament efforts this time, Denktash added: ''Consequently, there is no need for me to say anything to them. The road they are pursuing and the actions they are undertaking may prompt a reaction. Let them figure out for themselves what this reaction can be''.

[02] TGNA TO SET UP CYPRUS COMMITTE

Explaining that 1997 will be the scene of significant developments in terms of the ''TRNC'' , Aloglu said that in the wake of their visit, the TGNA delegation reached a unity of views on the matter of promoting the Cyprus issue among world public and adopting additional policies in the face of the intransigent, as he called it, Greek Cypriot stand.

"It was decided to set up a Cyprus committee, which will comprise one deputy from each of the five political parties in the Foreign Affairs Committee, in a bid to extend assistance in order to secure the determined goals.

This committee will draw up a plan of action after collecting the necessary information. Within the framework of this plan, a brochure which will be designed for the foreign public and media and will contain Turkey's views on the Cyprus issue and its solution will be prepared", he stated.

[03] IHD REPORT FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED

Kanar states that oppressed people started 1997 with the hope of developments in steps taken towards freedom, peace and democracy, and that the new year also brought hope that there would be an end to extra-judicial executions, unresolved murders, disappearances and torture in custody and corruption, and that there would be prosecution of those suspected of carrying out such activities. However, the IHD Istanbul leader says that the government has instead come up with an ''Islamic Law (Sharia)-Coup'' dualism. Kanar also states that the National Security Council (MGK) confirmed that it was the real power in the country with the January 9, 1997 ''Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Directorate''. He further states that the directorate confirms that ''sovereignty belongs to the soldiers'' and the Crisis Administration is a governmemt within the government and rules the country. Kanar comments that the directorate was the most dangerous development of the month.

The report also states that allegations of torture and disappearances in custody continued to increase along with attacks against civilians for their political opinions.

Kanar then gives a lengthy list of abuses of human rights, saying that women lost their lives after violent attecks, sick prisoners were refused treatment and consequently died, many members of the press were arrested and tortured, publishing houses were raided, newspapers, books and magazines were banned, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) punished many radio and television channels with warnings and temporary bannings, the State Security Courts (DGM) continued to function as political weapons, attempts were made to stop the ''One Million Signatures for Peace Campaign'' in many places, cultural centers were raided by the police, and a war against satellite dishes was started, violating the right of free access to information. The report ends with a complete list of human rights violations reported to the group in January.

[04] DENKTASH'S OLD LETTERS TO ADALI PUBLISHED

The paper is wondering why ''Belge'' did not also publish the letters sent by Adali. (MY)

[05] LONDON TURKISH RADIO PEOPLE IN THE OCCUPIED AREA.

Speaking after the meeting Pastirmacioglu said that one of their main activities is to inform the outside world about the Cyprus problem and, as he put it , ''about the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots''.

Atun in his turn said that the LTR people are working hard and he is of the view that "they (LTR people) have every right to receive all assistance from here'' (MY)