Turkish Cypriot groups in anti-solution protests

TWO recently-formed ring-wing organisations, the National Resistance Movement and the Women’s Platform for the Nation and Sovereignty, staged protests against the Annan plan in the occupied north yesterday.

The women’s march through the street of Nicosia attracted around 100 women who chanted anti-Annan plan slogans.

The march culminated in a speech by the platform’s leader Makbule Otuken, calling on Turkish Cypriots to vote ‘no’ to the plan in order to “prevent the extinction of the Turks of Cyprus”.

The National Resistance Movement’s protest focused on ‘state’ broadcaster Bayrak Radio and Television, which the organisation accused of working against Turkish interests.

Protesters carried banners calling for the resignation of newly-appointed boss Huseyin Gursan and laid a black wreath at the main door of the station’s building.
Control of the channel was transferred to Republican Turkish Party (CTP) after the December 14 ‘elections’.

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