CYPRUS: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S REACTION TO SHOOTING скачать в хорошем качестве

CYPRUS: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S REACTION TO SHOOTING

(15 Aug 1996) Greek / Eng / Nat Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has warned Greek Cypriots that her country will not hesitate to use force in response to attacks on its flag on the divided island of Cyprus. The warning came a day after a Greek-Cypriot was shot dead by Turkish troops as he tried to tear down a Turkish flag in the UN-patrolled buffer zone. The mayor of the man's local village has called for calm - but tensions between Turkish troops and Greek Cypriots on the island have reached boiling point. The family home of Solomos Solomou received a steady stream of visitors Thursday. They'd all come to mourn the 26-year-old who was shot by Turkish troops Wednesday as he climbed a flag pole during a protest in the buffer zone. His family still cannot believe their loved one was killed in such a way. SOUNDBITE: "You can't kill someone whose got nothing in his hand- he was holding only a cigarette." SUPER CAPTION: Atonis Solomou, Brother Solomou tried to tear down the Turkish flag to protest last Sunday's killing of another Greek Cypriot. Both fatal incidents have fueled fears of a major confrontation on Cyprus and are likely to heighten tension between Greece and Turkey. On Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller warned her country would not hesitate to use force in response to any attacks on its flag or threats to Turkish control over half of the divided island. Speaking before leaving for a visit to Cyprus to reaffirm Turkey's commitment to Turkish Cypriots, she said anyone who touched the Turkish flag would "have their hands broken". Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded following a Greek-backed coup on the island. Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in their part of the island in 1983. But their self-declared republic is recognised only by Turkey whereas the Greek Cypriot government is internationally recognised. The atmosphere on the bitterly-divided island has been volatile for years - but tension has now reached boiling point as a result of the latest violent incidents. SOUNDBITE: "We have been over there peacefully just without arms or nothing and they used arms and they killed a person doing nothing, just shouting singing - nothing else." SUPER CAPTION: Andreas Hagi-Kyriacou, Famagusta refugee The mayor of the village where Solomou lived is trying to keep the situation under control. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) "We are trying to prevent anymore incidents and trying to keep them calm." SUPER CAPTION: Nicos Vlittis, Paralimni Mayor But he condemned the Turkish actions. SOUNDBITE: (Greek) "Because its apparent how Turkish troops are ruthless and how barbarous they are." SUPER CAPTION: Nicos Vlittis, Paralimni Mayor At the Larnaca General Hospital, some of those injured in the recent clashes are recovering from the wounds. 21-year-old Photis Photiou was shot in stomach - his doctor says he is recovering well. SOUNDBITE: "He has a superficial high velocity missile wound to the right loin, with an entry wound and an exit wound. He was lucky in that it did not penetrate the abdominal cavity, it was cleaned and dressed and today he's a lot better." SUPER CAPTION: Mike Taliadoros, Surgeon Taliadoros says he believes the troops were aiming to injure and kill rather than trying to just scare the protesters away. SOUNDBITE: 'It would suggest that the bullets were at waist high level suggesting that the troops were aiming at the people instead of above their heads or on the ground." SUPER CAPTION: Mike Taliadoros, Surgeon Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...