Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

American journalists' club protests attack on Turkish Cypriot newspaper
by M. Georgiadou, ANA - 02/02/2001
Posted: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 00:48 am CST

The New York based Overseas Press Club of America sent a letter to the Turkish President condemning the bomb attack against Turkish Cypriot newspaper AVRUPA and the acts of the local illegal regime in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus in silencing the opposition press.

The letter sent on Jan. 12 the organization noted "we write to denounce the recent bombing that destroyed the main installations of the Turkish Cypriot opposition newspaper AVRUPA".

"The attack follows on the heels of another act of intimidation, the court order against AVRUPA that sought US$ 260,000 for an allegedly defamatory report about Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader," the letter stated.

"It would appear that the bombing was yet another attempt by the Denktash regime and the Turkish occupation army to silence the voices of those in the Turkish Cypriot community who desire nothing more than an end to oppressive tactics that stand in the way of a peaceful reunification of Cyprus," the letter stressed.

"We implore you to strongly condemn activities such as the one directed against AVRUPA ... Attempts to stifle freedom of expression can only worsen your country's image among nations," the letter concluded.

In a related development, the magazine "Cartoon News" also published in New York, dedicated the central comment of the November-December 2000 issue to Cyprus' long and peace-loving history.

The comment introduces Cyprus to its readers noting "you will be fascinated to find out why we chose Cyprus, it is the only country in the world that never attacked its neighbors and 'never' in Cyprus means 10,000 years".

The opinion peace written by the magazine's editor in chief Ranen F. Lurie recollects the Turkish invasion and occupation since 1974.

Related Information...

Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives