Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-10

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[01] Motorcyclists arrive in Cyprus

1355:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Motorcyclists arrive in Cyprus

Hundreds of people, including representatives of refugee organisations and relatives of people missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion against the island, gathered at Limassol port to welcome the motorcyclists.

The crowds were applauding and cheering the motorcyclists, offering them flowers and waving the Cyprus flag.

Addressing the motorcyclists, Greek Euro-MP Yiannos Kranidiotis, described them as ''peace riders'' and stressed that the aim of the ride is ''peace and the demolition of the walls of hate and division''.

The European Parliament, Kranidiotis said, ''especially sensitivity to human rights issues such as freedom of movement, the right to live where one chooses and the right to one's property as well as the protection of one's cultural heritage.''

He also said that threats from the Denktash regime in the occupied north that the Turkish occupation forces will proceed to occupy the UN-controlled buffer zone, are in direct contrast with the European and international concepts and ideals of democracy and human rights.

Wishing the motorcyclists the best of luck he stressed the peaceful character of their ride and noted that the sovereignty of the Cyprus state extends over the whole of the island.

The motorcyclists will today rest while tomorrow they will be joined by thousands more to complete the final stage of their ride which started on August 2 at Berlin and aims to finish at Turkish occupied Kyrenia.

Meanwhile supporters of the illegal secessionist regime unilaterally established in the Turkish occupied part of the island, gathered earlier today on the Venetian walls, near Paphos Gate, on the Nicosia demarcation line and threw stones at passers by.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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