Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pilots call off strike

[02] US to seize chance of EU prospect for Cyprus

[03] MEP sees chance for end of occupation

[04] Drop in Meningitis cases

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Pilots call off strike

Labour Minister Andreas Moushioutas and Communications and Works Minister Adamos Adamides will meet on Monday the pilots' trade union (Pasipy) and the Civil Aviation to try and iron out their differences.

Pasipy said in a statement late last night the decision to call off the strike was taken following an agreement with Cyprus Airways management to accept an investigation into the incident by British Civil Aviation Authority.

Cyprus Airways has welcomed the pilots' decision and said it would ''cooperate fully with the British Civil Aviation Authority in its investigation of the incident.''

On July 2 Captain Neophytos Georgiou decided to continue his flight to Larnaca from Brussels to Larnaca even though the aircraft had developed some technical problems shortly after take off. He managed to land the plane safely in Larnaca.

Georgiou was suspended two weeks ago after the incident for failing to provide details.

CNA MM/KN/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US to seize chance of EU prospect for Cyprus

Speaking in Washington, the leaders did not exclude the possibility of a ''pleasant surprise'' between now and the November US president elections.

Angelo Tsakopoulos, one of many influential Greek American leaders across the US who attended a press conference on Friday in Washington, said he was ''satisfied'' with the results of a fund-raising dinner the leaders held on Thursday as part of their support campaign for Clinton's reelection. The American President also attended the dinner.

Tsakopoulos expressed the hope that there might be some ''positive development'' in the near future.

Philip Christopher, president of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus, said the discussion at the dinner was ''of a high level'' and ''we had the opportunity to outline, for the first time, united and in a unified manner the positions of the Greek American community which are no different from those of the Cyprus or the Greek governments.''

President Clinton, according to Greek American leaders, noted their concerns and said it was important to improve Greco-Turkish relations and reduce tension in the Aegean.

The President appears to realise fully the importance of a speedy settlement in Cyprus, they said and noted that he is looking for ways to break the current impasse and find a solution in Cyprus.

Senator Paul Sarbanes described the President's position as ''positive'' and both he and former presidential hopeful Michael Doukakis, noted the President's knowledge of Greek national issues.

Both have said the start of EU-Cyprus accession talks is an important move for the Cyprus question.

Greek American leaders have decided to back President Clinton reelection campaign, a decision they announced at Friday's press conference.

CNA MM/KN/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1345:CYPPRESS:03

[03] MEP sees chance for end of occupation

Green told the Mayor of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, Andreas Pouyiouros, that ''there is only one class of human rights and those rights must apply to the people of Famagusta and all the people of Cyprus.''

In her message to Pouyiouros on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of occupation and displacement of the municipality of Famagusta, Green said ''there is an opportunity in the coming months to embark upon a process to end the occupation in Cyprus.''

This, she said, will only be possible ''if there is the real political will of all those parties involved to uphold the human rights of all Cypriots.''

Greek believes that this means that ''Turkey removes its army of occupation, that refugees must be able to return to their homes and the security of Cypriots is respected.''

''Towns such as Famagusta must be returned to their inhabitants under the control of their municipal authorities,'' the MEP said.

She has also called for ''immediate steps to end the injustice, inequality and misery of the families and people of the enclaved area of the Karpass and the fate of all the missing persons must be determined to the satisfaction of the families concerned.''

Green described the current period as ''critical'' and notes that political instability, military oppression and social unrest in Turkey ''do not suggest a swift resolution to the injustice and denial of human rights inflicted on Cyprus since 1974 (when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part).''

The Labour MP also points out that Cyprus' membership talks with the European Union, due to start after the summer of 1997, provide a chance for work towards a settlement in Cyprus.

Famagusta Municipality is organising later today a grand event to mark the occupation of this eastern coastal town, on its southern outskirts, near Dherynia village, in the presence of Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and many European MPs who have arrived here to attend the event.

CNA MM/KN/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:05

[04] Drop in Meningitis cases

The Minister believes this is due to preventive measures taken by the authorities and the public at large.

In the past 24 hours, eight new meningitis cases were identified, five in Limassol, and one in each of the following districts, Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos.

The total number of meningitis cases has risen to 175, 122 of whom have recovered and the remaining 53 are still receiving medical treatment.

CNA MM/KN/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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