Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-09-02 (fwd)

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CONTENTS

[01] Australia calls upon UN to press for Cyprus settlement

[02] Arsenis: Hellenes to unite to promote national issues

[03] Need for coordination of Hellenes abroad

[04] Defence pact irreversible, says Arsenis

[05] Cyprus issue must be elevated to world arena

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[07] International theatre gathering in Cyprus

[08] Government dismisses reports on illegal shipment to Syria

[09] Excavations bring to light primary smelting site

[10] Australian MPs reiterate support for just settlement

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[01] Australia calls upon UN to press for Cyprus settlement

In a short statement after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Brown expressed sadness over the murders of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou by Turkish troops and extremists during peaceful demonstrations in the UN-controlled buffer zone, last month at Dherynia.

He said he conveyed greetings of the citizens of South Australia to the President and the people of Cyprus.

Brown, who is on an official three-day visit to Cyprus, attended today in Nicosia the opening ceremony of the 14th Meeting of the Central Councils of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK).

Later today, he will have meetings with Foreign and Finance Ministers, Alecos Michaelides and Christodoulos Christodoulou, and Archbishop Chrysostomos.

Brown leaves this afternoon.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

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1240:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Arsenis: Hellenes to unite to promote national issues

Addressing the opening of the 14th Meeting of the Central Councils of the International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), Arsenis described as ''decisive'' the work of Hellenes in the diaspora, in promoting the Cyprus problem.

''Hellenism is called to play a pioneer role in the promotion of the ideals of freedom, democracy and human rights'', Arsenis said, noting at the same time the existence of ''real and visible threats'' against hellenism.

Describing the joint defence dogma between Greece and Cyprus as a force to prevent threats made by enemies of hellenism, Arsenis said it has changed the military status quo in the area.

The Greek National Defence Minister was received this morning by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. There were no statements after the meeting.

Arsenis was giving a press conference in Nicosia. He leaves in the afternoon.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

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1440:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Need for coordination of Hellenes abroad

In his address to the meeting, read by Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, President Glafcos Clerides stressed that it is time the international community to act decisively for an overall solution to the Cyprus problem.

''We have convinced the international community that a necessary pre-condition for direct talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots is common ground on the basic principles of the Cyprus problem'', President Clerides noted.

''We have to move towards those centres that influence and form international political developments'', Clerides said, noting that Hellenes abroad should coordinate their efforts to send the message that the Turkish occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory should end.

In his speech, President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, said all initiatives on Cyprus are welcomed, stressing however that they should not ask for further concessions on the part of the Greek Cypriot side.

The need for coordination of efforts for the promotion of the Cyprus problem was also noted by Archbishop Chrysostomos, who also underlined the role of Hellenes abroad in the Cyprus cause.

Addressing the meeting, POMAK President, George Christofides said the sacrifice of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, the two Greek Cypriot demonstrators murdered by Turkish troops and extremists should not be forgotten and stressed the need for international promotion of the Cyprus problem, which is, as he said, ''a problem of invasion and occupation and not of intercommunal differences.''

On his part, President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens said ''1996 promises to be one of the most significant periods in the history of modern Greece and Cyprus''.

He said SAE ''represents the first worldwide initiative of modern times to organise unify and promote the culture and principles of hellenism.''

The overseas leaders were also addressed by Greece's Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis (see earlier CNA story), Dean Brown, the Premier of South Australia, the island's political party leaders or representatives and representatives of regional Cypriot communities.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

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[04] Defence pact irreversible, says Arsenis

Speaking to the press at the end of his two-day visit here, Arsenis said ''the defence pact is implemented at a very fast pace, enjoys broad support and its course is irreversible.''

The Minister, who gave a joint press conference with his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades today, also stressed that Greece and Cyprus face the same threat and added ''the joint defence pact strengthens the defence of both countries and offers hope, expectation and self-confidence.''

Avoiding to reveal any details about the pact, agreed between President Glafcos Clerides and the late Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in November 1993, Arsenis underlined that the pact is now a reality, is implemented very quickly and has changed dramatically the military balance in the region in Greece's favour.

Asked to identify how the pact has worked in Greece's favour, Arsenis noted the reaction to the pact of certain countries and some diplomatic circles, but refrained from being more specific.

''The pact has improved the negotiating position of both Cyprus and Greece,'' Arsenis pointed out.

Asked if the pact posed a threat to the peaceful coexistence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Arsenis said the problem in Cyprus was created by ''forces outside Cyprus.''

The problem, he explained, is the presence of Turkish occupation troops and illegal settlers in Cyprus' northern areas which cause problems to Turkish Cypriots as well.

Arsenis said the ''execution in cold blood of two young Greek Cypriots by the Turks'' during anti-occupation demonstrations in the UN-controlled buffer zone, at Dherynia, last month gave an edge to the Cyprus question.

Asked to explain the apparent absence of military presence, as part of the defence pact, during last month's protests, Arsenis said ''the prevailing common assessment of the situation was that there should be a political and not a military reaction to the events at Dherynia.''

Hundreds of Turks, including members of the Turkish group ''Grey Wolves'', armed with wooden bats and iron bars attacked unarmed Greek Cypriot demonstrators in the UN buffer zone and savagely beat to death one of them. Three days later, Turkish troops shot and killed an unarmed Greek Cypriot demonstrator, who tried to pull down the Turkish flag.

''Turkish threats and provocations are tackled by the political leadership which decides on how to react. These decisions are not announced ahead of time,'' he said.

Commenting on an agreement between Greece and Israel, Arsenis said it provided for cooperation of the defence industries and joint exercises.

''The agreement has moved ahead and both countries are ready to proceed with joint exercises whenever they decide to do so after the elections in Greece later this month,'' Arsenis said.

In his remarks, Cyprus' Defence Minister dismissed press suggestions that Turkish provocations had increased after the joint defence pact was agreed.

Eliades argued for an increase in the funds allocated for defence purposes and said military experts from Greece and Cyprus will define the targets of Cyprus' weapons acquisition programme.

Arsenis left the island in early afternoon after a hectic programme that took him to Dherynia, the ceasefire line and Nicosia for talks with President Glafcos Clerides and the military.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Greece has threatened Turkey with war in case of any Turkish military advance towards the southern free areas of the Cyprus Republic.

CNA MM/GP/1996

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1715:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus issue must be elevated to world arena

Speaking after a meeting here today with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, Brown said ''what we need to do is to take this (Cyprus issue) from being a Cypriot problem to being a world problem because only then will you get a world solution.''

Noting the complete absence of progress towards a settlement, Brown said ''it is important to raise the profile of this issue amongst the major powers in the world, the members of the UN Security Council so that they take action to resolve the 22 year-old stalemate.''

Asked to specify the type of action that would facilitate a solution in Cyprus, including the possibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey, the Australian MP said it would be inappropriate for him to preempt any move by his government.

''My concern is that we have a large Greek Cypriot community and as their leader I want to make sure we have a resolution of this problem as quickly as possible,'' he added.

He said the nature of the Cyprus problem strikes you as being a huge cost in human terms and therefore ''it is the responsibility of the UN and the rest of the world to bring this to a head as quickly as possible.''

Invited to outline his moves to facilitate a settlement, Brown said he would press the Australian Federal government through the Prime Minister for action to be taken to bring this issue to a head so that the problem is tackled by the international community.

He advocated international pressure on Turkey to help solve the Cyprus question and said a resolution of the problem must provide for one Cyprus which would enjoy complete freedom of movement.

Replying to questions, Brown said the people of Cyprus lived through a traumatic experience in seeing their country divided but the real tragedy, he added, is that nothing has changed since Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in 1974 and ''not one step forward has been made in resolving the situation.''

In his remarks, Michaelides welcomed the South Australian Premier and said his visit, albeit brief, gave him an opportunity to see for himself the reality of the situation here.

''This encourages you to do more to help solve this problem'', he noted. The Minister also expressed appreciation for Brown's interest in the Cyprus question.

The South Australian Premier was received this morning by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Later he addressed a meeting of overseas Cypriot leaders and had meetings with the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, and Finance minister Christodoulos Christodoulou. He left the island this afternoon.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    88.04 (+0.19)
Sectural Indices
Banks                                  93.84 (+0.37)
Approved Investment Companies          80.45 (+0.64)
Insurance Companies                    66.25 (-0.76)
Industrial Companies                   88.06 (+0.09)
Tourist Industries                     82.36 (+0.06)
Commercial Companies                   75.43 (+0.49)
Other Companies                        88.79 (-0.55)
Trading Volume                         CYP 681465.950

* The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:07

[07] International theatre gathering in Cyprus

This biennial event, organised by the Cyprus Centre and the Committee of Cultural Identity and Development of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) together with the Municipality of Ayia Napa, will be held between September 7 and 9 in the Municipal Hall of the Ayia Napa eastern seaside resort.

The symposium's theme is ''The philologist and the director: decoding the directions in the texts''.

It will be opened on Saturday morning by Education and Culture Minister Klairi Angelidou and is expected to attract the growing interest of world theatre prominent personalities and scholars.

Speaking at a press conference here today, President of the Cyprus Centre of ITI Christakis Georgiou said theatre people from all over the world ''for three days will be dealing with problems related to the interpretation of various aspects of the ancient texts and they will put forward proposals concerning the general approach to the ancient drama.''

Georgiou stressed ''the return to the cultural roots of Europe is always a creative spiritual exercise'' that brings us face to face with the eternal problems man is facing in the long history.

This exercise, he added, ''acquires dramatic dimensions, particularly today that the theatre faces a manifold attack on the part of the apostles of commercialisation''.

A workshop production of Aeschylus' tragedy ''Seven against Thebes'' has been prepared by Greek and Finnish actors and directors, in both Greek and English, so that delegates may have a point of reference in their discussions.

The first symposium was held in Nicosia in November 1990 when the Cultural Identity and Development Committee of ITI put the event under its auspices and acclaimed ancient Greek drama as world cultural heritage.

President of the committee Nicos Shafkalis said the symposium's success encouraged ITI turn it into a permanent biennial event with its growing interest attracting world theatre prominent people and scholars.

Present at the forthcoming event will be ITI President Jeong Ok-Kim and General Secretary Andre Louis Perinetti, as well as Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO.

CNA AP/GP/1996

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1830:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Government dismisses reports on illegal shipment to Syria

Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said in a statement, issued here today, ''the government has not been informed of anything to this effect either by Israel or the US.''

The report, carried on Friday by the Tel Aviv paper, said ''Cyprus serves as a transit point for a clandestine Syrian effort to produce missiles armed with chemical warheads.''

It also alleges that US officials ''have quietly asked the Greek Cypriot government to end the consignment.''

Cassoulides said cooperation between Cyprus and the US in such matters is ''continuous and very close and as such it would be inconceivable that, if the report were true, the US embassy here would have kept silent.''

The same holds true in the case of Israel, Cassoulides added.

The Spokesman noted that relations between Cyprus and Israel ''are very friendly and cooperation is very close.''

''Had such things taken place, or even if there had been such suspicions, the embassy of Israel would have surely raised the issue with the Cyprus government.''

The Israeli daily claimed the shipments arrived in Limassol port in December last year from Russia and Cuba.

CNA MM/GP/1996

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[09] Excavations bring to light primary smelting site

According to an official press release, the Sydney University discovered at the Politiko-Phorades locality, 20 kilometres northwest of the capital Nicosia, a small scale smelting operations site 500 metres from the nearest mineral deposit.

Slag pieces excavated seem to derive from slag cakes of a plano convex shape, believed to be unique in Cyprus in the Bronze Age. A date of 13th century B.C. was given, based on the discovery of a White Slip II sherd, which may be contemporary or predate the smelting activity.

The site will be more precisely dated when charcoal inclusions collected from the furnace are analysed. If the analyses indicate a Bronze Age, Politiko-Phorades will be the first known primary smelting site of that period discovered in Cyprus, the press release said.

The discovery of Early Geometric material on the surface in adjacent units indicate the latest date for smelting activities on the site.

Since 1993, the SCSP is undertaking survey in the north-central foothill of the Troodos mountains, in the area of the villages of Politiko and Mitsero. Material ranging from the Iron Age to the Ottoman period is spread across the entire survey universe.

Bronze Age material had been restricted to the easternmost part of the area.

The Australian team had identified 23 different sites during the first three phases, between 1993 and 1995. In the 1996 season an additional 35 sites were located, ranging from the Aceramic and Pottery Neolithic to the Ottoman period, the Antiquities Department added.

CNA AP/GP/1996

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2000:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Australian MPs reiterate support for just settlement

They called on Turkey to subscribe to humanitarian ideals if it wants to be part of the European family.

Leo McLeay, Antony Albanese, both Labour deputies, and Patricia Worth, Liberal MP, outlined their views after a meeting here today with Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides.

McLeay said the Minister briefed them on the latest developments in Cyprus and added ''we would do whatever we can to support the Minister and the position of the government of Cyprus to find a solution in Cyprus as quickly as possible.''

''The island should be reunited and there needs to be a solution now not sometime in the distant future,'' McLeay said.

The MP also called on Turkey to ''subscribe to the humanitarian ideals that Europeans do, if it wants to be part of Europe.''

Turkey, he said, must say whether persons missing since the Turkish invasion are still alive.

Worth said she believed Turkey was seeking to create a situation whereby it could negotiate from a position of power rather than fairness.

She pledged she would continue to raise the issue of the missing persons at the Australian Parliament to help efforts to determine the fate of those missing since the Turkish invasion.

In his remarks to the press, Albanese stressed that a Cyprus solution ''must be an international one and the international community, and hopefully Australia, has a very key role to play in this.''

He also acknowledged that his visit here helped him understand better the problem in Cyprus.

Later on the three MPs met representatives of the committee of relatives of missing persons, who asked the Australian deputies to exert pressure so that Turkey cooperates with an investigatory committee, operating under UN auspices, which deals with the fate of the missing.

CNA KN/MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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