Cyprus News Agency 96-06-24.

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From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

CONTENTS

[01] Two men arrested for fire at AKEL offices

[02] Book of condolences for Andreas Papandreou opens

[03] Politicians and people sign book of condolences for Papandreou

[04] UN Cyprus representatives arrrives Tuesday

[05] Briton jailed for fraud

[06] President returns after intensive contacts abroad

[07] Cyprus' credentials accepted at CoE

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[01] Two men arrested for fire at AKEL offices

George Elia, 29, from Ormidhia, and Christophoros Stylianou, 27, from Larnaca, confessed their involvement in the arson of AKEL regional offices, while two medals marking the 50th anniversary since the establishment of the party have been found in their possession.

The fire caused extensive damage to the offices.

The two men will appear before court today and a remand is expected to be issued against them.

Cypriot politicians have denounced the arson attack against AKEL's offices.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Book of condolences for Andreas Papandreou opens

Cypriot politicians, MPs, government officials and citizens, as well as foreign ambassadors and officials on the island go to the embassy to sign the book.

The book will be open tomorrow as well.

The Greek embassy premises will close on Wednesday, the day of the funeral.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and party leaders will attend the funeral in Athens.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Politicians and people sign book of condolences for Papandreou

Leader of ruling rightwing Democratic Rally (DISY) party Yannakis Matsis described Papandreou as an ''outstanding political figure''. He said Cyprus is grateful for everything the late politician has done for the Cyprus cause.

Leftwing AKEL party MP Andreas Philippou said Papandreou's death is a ''great loss'' for Greeks worldwide and described the late politician as ''the greatest Greek politician since Eleftherios Venizelos'', and as a ''revolutionary, a scientist and an intellectual.''

Grief for the loss of Papandreou was also expressed by Socialist EDEK party vice-president Yiannakis Omirou, who also stressed his party's strong ties with the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) founded by Papandreou.

Former Cyprus President George Vassiliou, leader of the Free Democrats Movement, said Papandreou was ''a true friend of Cyprus'', and called all those who had worked together with Papandreou in the past to co-operate in the future.

Acting president of ADISOK party, Costas Themistocleous described Papandreou as a ''great leader'' who ''showed great support to the struggle of the Cyprus people and has won their hearts.''

Nicos Rolandis, leader of the Liberal Party, said the late politician was ''undoubtedly a great man who tried his best to upgrade the Cyprus problem and Cyprus internationally.''

Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades wrote in the book that Papandreou's death is a ''great loss for Hellenism, and even greater for Cyprus''.

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Kyriakos Christophi described Papandreou's death as a ''national loss''.

Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides stressed that Cyprus has lost its most staunch supporter.

Israeli ambassador Shemi Tzur described him as a ''great leader of our times'' and a ''giant leader'' in Europe, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Many foreign diplomats, including Russian Ambassador Boris Zenkov and officials of the US Embassy in Nicosia also signed the book.

President Glafcos Clerides and all political party leaders will attend Papandreou's funeral on Wednesday.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:04

[04] UN Cyprus representative arrives Tuesday

Speaking on his return from a two week visit abroad, President Clerides said Han ''is still at a stage where he is being informed on the most important and difficult'' issues relating to the Cyprus problem.

''He will be in Cyprus to be briefed on all the aspects and difficulties in the Cyprus question rather than offer solutions,'' the President said.

Clerides described Han as "a very serious and positive person" whom he respects.

Han will begin his six day visit tomorrow with a meeting with President Clerides.

Han's programme of meetings has not yet been finalised as President Clerides' unexpected departure for Athens on Wednesday to attend the funeral of the late Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou has altered arrangements somehow, a UN spokesman said today.

Han is due to see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and have separate meetings with Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and political party leaders.

On Saturday the UN envoy will hold a press conference for both Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists at the Ledra Palace hotel in the UN controlled buffer zone in Nicosia.

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Briton jailed for fraud

Gary, who was caught red-handed on 8 May in a local bank trying to get money, was facing charges that on 90 different occasions she had obtained money and goods using forged and stolen credit cards. Police found five credit cards in her possession.

The young British woman admitted to the offences during police questioning.

Gary and her accomplice, Gilian Stanford, managed to obtain 27,000 Cyprus pounds in cash (about 54,000 US dollars) and 11,000 pounds worth of goods from various shops.

The stolen goods were transported to England, the court heard.

Stanford left the island on a forged passport.

The court turned down a request by the defence for a suspended jail sentence.

CNA PI/MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[06] President returns after intensive contacts abroad

He stressed the need to coordinate all moves aimed to make headway in the Cyprus peace process and underlined the importance of dealing with security concerns as one of the most important aspects of the Cyprus question.

The President, home after a two-week trip that took him to Switzerland, the US, Britain and Italy for meetings with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, US President Bill Clinton, British Premier John Major and European Union leaders, returned ''saddened'' by the death of former Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou.

Commenting on his meetings, the President said ''our position that a fresh round of talks would lead to failure at this stage was accepted.''

The President said it was also acknowledged that there must be ''intense preparation to find common ground on the fundamental aspects of the problem before we embark on a dialogue.''

Furthermore, he said, it was established that initiatives to break the current deadlock, including a proposed Canadian initiative, should be coordinated.

''To narrow the differences, it is essential to move in the direction of Turkey and attempts may begin with Turkish President and the Turkish military,'' President Clerides told journalists.

The issue of security for the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, he added, ''comprises demilitarisation, the establishment of an international force whose mandate will be determined by the UN Security Council and the form of future guarantees, without which there can be no Cyprus solution.''

Replying to questions, the President disclosed that ''there has been some contact between the US and the Turkish military which do not consider the Cyprus problem a very important issue but lay much emphasis on differences with Greece.''

He said the issue of the government instability in Turkey and how it could affect negatively the Cyprus peace effort was discussed extensively during his talks with President Clinton.

President Clerides said US Secretary of State Warren Christopher intervened in the discussion, saying this could not stop the process because ''we can move towards other centres, such as the President of Turkey and the Turkish military.''

Referring to his contacts with EU leaders on the sidelines of the EU summit in Florence, the Cypriot President said the conclusions of the summit reaffirmed that Cyprus and the EU will begin membership talks six months after the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

Commenting on EU involvement in the Cyprus peace process, he said it was now up to the Irish presidency to decide whether it will appoint its own representative or continue the term in office of the Italian representative Federico di Roberto.''

Replying to questions, the President did not think the Cyprus question would be affected by the controversy over the post of the UN Secretary-General.

''We shall be content if Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali retains his current post. We have no complaints,'' the President said.

On the death of former Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou, the President said ''Greece has lost a remarkable politician and Cyprus a real supporter.''

Replying to questions, he said he did not think there existed anybody who would modify a Greco-Cypriot joint defence pact, agreed between Clerides and Papandreou in November 1993.

''This pact was Papandreou's inspiration but I believe it was backed by all members of the Greek government and in general the Greek people,'' he said.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[07] Cyprus' credentials accepted at CoE

Kyprianou, accompanied by MP Doros Christodoulides, is in Strasbourg to participate in the third part of the 1996 Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE.

The House President leaves Tuesday for Athens to attend Wednesday's funeral of the late Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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