Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-09-19

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 170/96 19.9.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] UN ENVOY ON EFFORTS TO START INTERCOMMUNAL TALKS

According to ANATOLIA news agency (1448 hours, 18/9/96) Han Sung-Chu, the UN Secretary General's Cyprus Special Represent- ative, said on Wednesday that intercommunal talks might not be starting in the near future.

After meeting Inal Batu, Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy under secretary, Han said that during the contacts the Turkish side reiterated its willingness for a solution on Cyprus problem.

Han said that the Turkish side was also willing to re-start intercommunal talks and added: "We all hope to set up conditions and realize a sort of dialogue but it needs time."

"So, it is hard to realize this in the near future", he said and added: "The Cyprus problem is not a problem that can be solved in short term."

Noting that "both sides should be prepared and resolved for long process to solve the Cyprus problem", Han said: "Recent events negatively affected solution efforts."

Stressing that there was a difference of opinion between Rauf Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides on the method of solu- tion, Han added: "We will find a way to reapproach the two lead- ers as Denktash prefers to take up the issues in a comprehensive way and Clerides wants to investigate issues one by one."

[02] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY ON EUROPEAN RIGHTS COURT DECISION

According to TRT (1700 hours, 17/9/96) Turkey has expressed regrets over and reacted to the European Court of Human Rights decision relating to Diyarbakir's Kelekci Village.

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry recalled that some citizens from Kelekci Village appealed to the European Court of Human Rights on claims that they had been evacuated from their villages by force and that their houses had been torched. Explaining that the court decision on the case - generally known as the Akdivar case - was made only yesterday, the statement noted that the decision found the Turkish Government in violation of certain provisions of the European Human Rights Declaration. Claiming that more emphasis was given to the political aspect of the decision rather than the legal, the statement added: "For this reason, a shadow was cast on the impartiality of the Euro- pean Court of Human Rights."

Alleging that the court decision challenged Turkey's sove- reign rights, the statement further claimed that the decision exceeded its boundaries.

The Foreign Ministry statement stated that all Turkish citi- zens who are not satisfied with the judicial decisions can always apply to the Human Rights Commission and that the government will not require six months to pass before submitting appeals.

The Foreign Ministry statement alleged: "This strange and ambiguous European Court of Human Rights decision is not satis- factory. The fight waged by Turkey against the separatist ter- rorism within the framework of a legitimate state will continue with the same determination regardless of the decision."

[03] INJURED TURKISH SOLDIER TRANSFERRED TO ANKARA HOSPITAL

KIBRIS says that Cihangir is in the intensive care unit but out of danger.

The paper says that Cihangir accompanied by his brother left the occupied area for Ankara on a special military plane. (MY)

[04] BOMB HOAX AGAINST "CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES" PLANE

KIBRIS (17.9.96) reports that there was a bomb hoax at Istan- bul's Ataturk Airport against the so-called Cyprus Turkish Air- lines plane Boeing 727 flight YK008, destined for the occupied Tymbou airport.

Following the tip off, the plane was grounded and after tho- rough checking nothing was found and with an hour and a half delay the plane was allowed to take off. (MY)