Cyprus News Agency 96-07-01.

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From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

CONTENTS

[01] Political party leaders welcome Simitis' election

[03] Cyprus' case in European Commission ''admissible''

[04] Officials discuss problems for Cyprus tourism

1050:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Political party leaders welcome Simitis' election

Simitis, 60, has replaced PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou, who died on Sunday, June 30.

Speaking before a National Council meeting today, Yiannakis Matsis, leader of the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally (DISY) party, said he was convinced that ''a united PASOK will be able to respond to the challenges of the times and especially that of Turkish expansionism.''

Leftwing AKEL party General Secretary Demetris Christofias expressed the hope that Greece will stand by Cyprus, ''bearing in mind the brotherly relations between the two countries as well as he need to secure the unity of the Cyprus Republic.''

Welcoming Simitis' election, socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides stressed that ''what is most important is that PASOK has come out of the election united.''

Former Cyprus President and leader of the Free Democrats Movement (KED) George Vassiliou noted that Simitis' election will enable him to carry out his duties as Prime Minister with greater effectiveness and added that this ''can only have a positive effect on Cyprus.''

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus' case in European Commission ''admissible''

The Commission, who heard a sum up of the arguments of both sides on Friday, said in its ruling, issued in Strasbourg today ''the Commission declared the application admissible.''

The decision, it added, ''does not in any way prejudge the merits of the case.''

The government of Turkey objected to the admissibility of the application.

The Commission will now consider the merits of the application with a view to securing ''a friendly settlement''.

If such a settlement is reached, the Commission will submit a report to the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, with a brief statement outlining the facts and the solution reached on the matter.

If a friendly settlement is not reached, the Commission will draw up a report on the facts and state its opinion as to whether the facts disclose a breach by the government of Turkey.

This report will be submitted to the Committee of Ministers to decide the matter, unless the case is referred to the European Court of Human Rights by the Commission or the governments of Cyprus and Turkey.

The Commission ruling said Cyprus introduced the case in November 1994 and the government's complaints included ''the alleged unlawful detention of 1619 persons, the refusal to allow some 170,000 Greek Cypriots to return to their homes and the continuing deprivation of their possessions and the separation of families.''

Cyprus also complained about the ''alleged inhuman treatment of Greek Cypriots still living in Northern Cyprus, the alleged absence of free elections in Northern Cyprus and the alleged violation of Convention rights of Turkish Cypriots living in Northern Cyprus,'' the press release said.

Turkey argued that the respondent has ''no jurisdiction in the area of Cyprus where the alleged acts are claimed to have occurred'' (occupied by Turkish troops since 1974 when they invaded).

Turkey also said the matters raised were the subject of intercommunal talks between the two sides in the past.

This is the fourth time Cyprus brings Turkey before the Commission. In the previous three cases the Commission issued reports which were delayed for years before they were made public.

In all three cases, Turkey was found guilty of gross violations of human rights in Cyprus.

The Committee of Ministers has been unable to impose sanctions on Turkey because of political expediencies.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Officials discuss problems for Cyprus tourism

The decision was taken during a meeting of a ministerial committee set up by the Council of Ministers to study the issue and submit a report on ways of handling the problems.

Speaking after the meeting, Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister Kyriakos Christofi said the cost of Cyprus' tourist product, its quality and the increase in the number of other quality tourist destinations, with lower costs, are some of the problems the industry faces.

Christofi noted costs should be contained and the tourist product upgraded. He did not rule out the possibility of enforcing a moratorium on the number of hotel beds. He added the liberalisation of charter flights is also being examined.

The minister said the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) estimates for this year that the number of tourists will remain on the same level as last year, about two million.

He said the government officials, headed by CTO Director Frini Michael, will complete their report before the end of this week and the ministers will discuss the matter next week, before submitting it to the Council of Ministers.

Christofi said the view of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association will also be heard before any decisions are taken.

CNA MA/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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