Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-01

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Americans back Democratic Party

[02] Bikers prepare for tomorrow's start of anti-occupation ride

[03] Karpass people demand implementation of third Vienna agreement

[04] Solution only through peaceful dialogue

1220:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greek Americans back Democratic Party

The gesture will be made at a White House fund-raising dinner in Washington today in Clinton's presence.

On Friday, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee Don Fowler and prominent members of the ''Greek Americans for the Democratic Party'' group will give a press conference to officially announce the support of the Greek Americans for the Democratic Party.

Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) and John Brademas, former majority whip of the US House of Representatives and president emeritus at New York University will attend the dinner.

Andrew Athens, National Chairman of the United Hellenic American Congress and President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, and Philip Christopher, President of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) will also be present.

Angelo Tsakopoulos, President of the United Hellenic American Congress, Nikos Mouyiaris and Andy Manatos, PSEKA Executive Board member will attend the dinner.

CNA MM/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850 CYPPRESS:02

[02] Bikers prepare for tomorrow's start of anti-occupation ride

Berlin, Aug 1 (CNA) -- Preparations are culminating for tomorrow's start of the ride from the once divided German city of Berlin to the Turkish occupied northern coastal town of Kyrenia.

A press conference will be held in Berlin this evening, with the participation of 102 European bikers who met up with their 20 Cypriot counterparts, members of the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation (CMF).

Tomorrow, the bikers will gather at Branderburg Gate to be addressed by the chairwoman of the European Union - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee, Mechtild Rothe.

The bikers will start their ride, passing through the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Greece. The motorcyclists will board a ship at Pireaus and will arrive in Cyprus on August 10.

Plans for the bikers to pass through Serbia might be postponed as the Serbian authorities are demanding taxes of up to 10,000 pounds (20.0000 US dollars).

On their arrival to Cyprus, the bikers will be joined by around 7.000 Cypriot motorcyclists and will attempt to cross, at Ledra Place checkpoint in Nicosia, the only divided European capital, and then ride to Kyrenia.

The choice of Berlin was decided in an effort to cultivate international awareness about the violation of human rights in Cyprus, as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuous occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA RG/EC/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000: CYPPRESS:03

[03] Karpass people demand implementation of third Vienna agreement

The agreement was signed by the representatives of the two communities but the occupation forces have never implemented it.

Speaking at a press conference today, the president of the Karpass Coordinating Committee, Nicos Falas stressed the need for the implementation of the agreement as an essential prerequisite for a solution to the Cyprus problem and as a first step for rapprochement.

Following the 1974 Turkish invasion, a total of 20.000 Greek Cypriots were enclaved in 20 villages in the occupied areas, including members of the island's Maronite community.

However, 22 years later as a result of the sustained campaign of harassment, discrimination and oppression by the occupation forces, only a total of 489 Greek Cypriot enclaved remain concentrated in just three villages of the Karpass peninsula as well as 172 Maronites.

During the third round of the intercommunal talks held in Vienna from 21 July to 2 August 1975, the Turkish Cypriot side had agreed with the Greek Cypriot side on a number of humanitarian measures with regard to the enclaved.

The Vienna III agreement had secured a promise by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, that the Greek Cypriots in the north would be free to stay and be given every help to lead a normal life, including facilities for education and to practise their religion, have medical care by their own doctors and freedom of movement in the north.

Falas told reporters on the occasion of tomorrow's anniversary of the signing of the agreement that the recent mobility on the Cyprus problem makes the agreement topical.

''It provides us the possibility of promoting the demands of the Karpass people to have the agreement implemented'', he said.

Falas described as ''unacceptable and unthinkable'' setting aside this ''humanitarian agreement at a time when we are pursuing a wider agreement on Cyprus''.

Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Leandros Zachariades, told reporters that if the agreement had come into effect, there would have now been 16 thousand people in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.

CNA EC/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030 :CYPPRESS:04

[04] Solution only through peaceful dialogue

According to a written statement issued after the conclusion of the Council's meeting, ''the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem will be pursued through a peaceful dialogue under the auspices of the UN Secretary General.''

The statement also stresses that ''any initiative that aims at assisting the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General according to UN resolutions is accepted.''

The political parties, comprising the National Council, have also submitted their positions concerning the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem as well as the various initiatives launched.

The majority of the National Council members have also agreed to the commencement of a military dialogue, between the Commanders of the National Guard and the Turkish occupation army, aiming at reducing tension along the buffer zone.

The leaders of the left-wing AKEL party and the Free Democrats Movement expressed disagreement with the position of the remaining Council members that common ground should be found before the start of a dialogue on Cyprus.

Socialist EDEK maintained its position that the procedure followed on the Cyprus problem should be changed but noted that it respects the decision of the majority.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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