Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-04-21

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.68/98 17-18-19.20-21.4.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat criticizes restrictions, human rights violations.

[02] Denktash against bicommunal business ties.

[03] Turkey, Austria sign economic agreement.

[04] Denktash receives Turkish Foreign Ministry delegation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat criticizes restrictions, human rights violations

CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat, CTP Secretary General Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and other party representatives held a news conference at the "Assembly" hall and commented on the subject.

Talat charged that the "TRNC" has turned into one of prohibitions, and cited examples in this regard. Pointing out that the party motion could turn into a "parliamentary" investigation in line with the findings to emerge during the general debate, Talat said:

This is the first time in the history of the "TRNC" and even in the period preceding the establishment of the "TRNC" that we are facing so many prohibitions.

Talat termed as very serious developments the fact that people are barred from leaving the country without any reason and those who bear passports of the Republic of Cyprus are liable to be punished. Talat added that the punishments envisaged in the draft bill on passports constitute grave human rights violations.

Noting that his party will undertake the necessary initiatives in the international arena as well, Talat said that if necessary, the CTP could also appeal to the European Human Rights Court.

Talat also stated that there is a list of individuals who should not go to Pyla village, claiming that the prevention of bicommunal contacts creates an administration that does not trust its own people. He pointed out that the freedom of the press has been undermined by means of successive suits filed against the media and there are attempts to intimidate the press. Talat remarked that "exit fees" were imposed on "TRNC" citizens who cross to the free areas using the pretext of the British visa requirement, and this constitutes an additional restriction on the people.

In his news conference, Talat underlined the severity of the punishments stipulated for holders of passports of the Republic of Cyprus and deemed them suitable for those who carry weapons without permit or deal in counterfeit money. Talat said that he does not hold such a passport, but he does not resent those who do.

[02] Denktash against bicommunal business ties

Pointing out that contacts have not started between the businessmen of the two communities, Denktash said: "There is no benefit to such contacts unless the Greek Cypriots realize the fact that there is an administration in north Cyprus equal to that of the Greek Cypriots and that there are two citizenships, unless they renounce their talk about a pseudostate, a pseudo president, a pseudo parliament, and a pseudo government, and unless they retract their statement to the world that the only citizenship in Cyprus is the Cypriot citizenship. Indirectly, they are portraying us as having recognized them as the official government." .../..

[03] Turkey, Austria sign economic agreement

According to the minutes of the understanding signed by State Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and Johann Farnleitner, Austrian minister for economic affairs, bilateral trade volume will grow from its current $800 million to $2 billion. In a statement at the signing ceremony, Turk said that given the geographic position and economic structure of the two countries it is inevitable for them to undertake joint activities. He stressed that granting the 150,000 Turkish citizens living in Austria the opportunity to engage in trade and economic enterprises will add new dimensions to bilateral relations.

Farnleitner, in turn, recalled that Austria will become the EU term president in the second half of 1998, adding that this will help put Turkish-EU relations on a moderate course.

[04] Denktash receives Turkish Foreign Ministry delegation

The delegation, headed by Deputy Director of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Political Planning Directorate, Refat Akgunay, began its contacts within the framework of the "Constructive and Functional Cooperation Protocol" signed between Turkey and the "TRNC".

Akgunay was received by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and by the so- called Foreign and Defense Minister Taner Etkin.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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