May 17, 2000

The Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ) has called on international organizations to help Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper "Avrupa", which is facing closure after the regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus raided its premises confiscating its equipment on May 16.

According to a press release issued by the UCJ, the editor-in-chief of “Avrupa” Shener Levent, telephoned UCJ President Andreas Kannaouros and made a dramatic plea to help the daily survive.

The daily, a strong opponent of the regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974, had been ordered by an illegal "court" to pay some 300 thousand dollars to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for what it decided was "defamation". The paper did not pay this amount and as a result illegal "police" entered its offices to confiscate the equipment.

"The UCJ is already making representations to international organizations, such as the UN, the European Union, the Council of Europe and journalists' associations, asking them to intervene immediately so that "Avrupa" will not stop publishing," the press release said. It added that is also undertaking other measures to help the Turkish Cypriot newspaper but did not elaborate.

In a front page article on May 15, under the title "Ankara stop", "Avrupa" questioned: "Where are we heading towards. Since 1974, Ankara has turned northern Cyprus into one of its districts and a place for piracy. Has it taken up action to do away with the Turkish Cypriots?"

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