Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-09-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] US accepts ''illegality of Turkish occupation''

[02] Cypriots not prepared to live under Turkish domination

[03] Schwarz leads Cyprus Rally

[04] Interest in Cyprus rekindled, says Spokesman

[05] Serbian Patriarch honoured by Cyprus church

1215:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US accepts ''illegality of Turkish occupation''

New York, Sep 29, (CNA) -- The US considers the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish troops ''illegal'' and backs the territorial integrity of Cyprus.

''The US has supported UN Security Council resolutions that affirm the territorial integrity of Cyprus, the illegality of the Turkish army's occupation, the rights of the aggrieved and the need to reach a comprehensive and just settlement,'' Madeleine Albright, US ambassador to the UN, told the annual awards gala of the Cyprus Federation of America here Saturday.

She said the Clinton Administration believes that ''the path to a settlement (in Cyprus) is direct, comprehensive negotiations between the parties.''

In her remarks, Albright repeated the Administration's commitment to help the parties in Cyprus ''in any way it can to achieve a comprehensive settlement that will benefit the whole of the island.''

Albright said during her visit to Cyprus in July she ''witnessed first hand the fragility of the ceasefire''

Noting that ''we have seen division in other parts of Europe come to an end,'' Albright stressed that ''the division of Cyprus just come to an end. We are determined to find a just solution.''

She also said the US wants to see the situation in Cyprus resolved so that it is no longer a source of tension and distraction.

The US, she added, would like to see Cyprus realise its full potential as a regional centre for business, education, medicine and communication.

Albright paid tribute to the Cyprus Federation of America as one of many non-governmental organisations in society ''dedicated to creating a future of greater security and prosperity based on time-honoured values.''

Asked whether the new initiative on Cyprus and Greco-Turkish relations will be tackled as a package deal, she said the Cyprus question is a ''serious problem'' that has been pending for a long time.

''We have to deal with that in a comprehensive way and I think that the issue is not what kind of packages there are, but whether there is movement in the right direction, in terms of getting a comprehensive settlement.''

CNA EC/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1225:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cypriots not prepared to live under Turkish domination

New York, Sep 29, (CNA) -- Cyprus Present Glafcos Clerides has underlined the need for a peaceful settlement in Cyprus but also stressed that Cypriots will not tolerate life under the Turkish flag.

''We want a peaceful solution, but if it is necessary to die, we will do so willingly. We are not prepared to live under the domination of the Turkish flag,'' he told guests at the annual award gala of the Cyprus Federation of America.

He said Cypriots will ''survive and go on fighting to find a peaceful solution'' so that Cyprus can become a common home for Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins as it has been for centuries.

In his greeting to the gala, US President Bill Clinton said that ''with a strong commitment to family, work and community, Greek and Cypriot Americans have enhanced every facet of our national life.''

He also paid tribute to Senator Paul Tsongas, Congressman Robert Menendez and Angelos Tsakopoulos, a distinguished Greek American businessman. ''They have truly made an impact on their communities and our country,'' Clinton noted.

Addressing the gala, Archbishop Spyridon of America said it was necessary to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Cyprus.

On this part, Republican Senator Alfons Damato strongly condemned the continuing violation of human rights in Cyprus by Turkey and warned against the rise of fundamentalism.

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said the Cyprus problem should be solved in accordance with UN resolutions.

This year's award, presented by President Clerides, went to Tsongas, Menendez and Tsakoppulos.

CNA EC/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400 CYPPRESS:03

[03] Schwarz leads Cyprus Rally

If Schwarz has a trouble-free run today and comes back to the finish first overall, he will move to the top of the European Championship table, with a 290 point advantage over Austrian Kurt Gottlicher, who retired his Ford Escort on the very first stage of this last leg.

The Rothmans Cyprus Rally is the penultimate coefficient 20 event of the European Rally calendar.

Of the 78 cars which started the Cyprus Rally, 35 are still in the race, including Russian Sergei Aliasov, now lying second in an Opel Astra.

Christakis Thoma, driving a Mitsubishi Galant, is the leading Cypriot driver, at present third overall.

The Rally finishes tonight in Nicosia at 17.00 GMT.

CNA RG/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510 :CYPPRESS:04

[04] Interest in Cyprus rekindled, says Spokesman

''The President's meetings here with UN, US and others lead us to conclude that interest in the need to settle the Cyprus question as soon as possible has been rekindled,'' Cassoulides told CNA on Saturday.

The Spokesman, who accompanied the President to New York where he addressed the UN General Assembly, said he expects to see high ranking officials engaged in efforts to move things forward in the stalled peace process in Cyprus.

''We believe that in the next few months we shall see intense preparatory work aimed at finding common ground between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, which would allow for the resumption of talks, possibly in the first six months of 1997,'' Cassoulides added.

He also pointed out that efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue cannot continue indefinitely.

''It is reasonable to assume such efforts would last about two to three months, and we believe we may get some results if those interested in Cyprus act in a way that matches their declared interest in the Cyprus problem,'' Cassoulides said.

CNA EC/MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520 CYPPRESS:05

[05] Serbian Patriarch honoured by Cyprus church

In his speech, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus called on Patriarch Pavlos to raise his voice in protest to the continuing Turkish occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus, and demand justice and the restoration of human rights of all Cypriots.

He also praised the close relations between the Churches of Serbia and Cyprus and stressed that the presence of Patriarch Pavlos is proof of the unity and brotherhood between the two Churches.

Patriarch Pavlos said both Cyprus and Serbia are struggling for their freedom and reaffirmed the support of the people of Serbia for the Church and the people of Cyprus.

He presented Archbishop Chrysostomos with an icon of Virgin Mary as a token of appreciation for the help and support the Church and the people of Cyprus have shown for the people of Serbia.

During his stay in Cyprus, Patriarch Pavlos will visit President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and attend the military parade on October 1, to mark the 36th anniversary of Cyprus' independence.

CNA RG/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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