Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU condemns recent cold-blooded murders

[02] Cyprus to continue to pursue peace

[03] Cyprus archaeological exhibition in Montreal

[04] Cyprus to host transplant meeting

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Clerides discusses key issues with British envoy

[07] Cyprus Police Chief to attend INTERPOL meeting in Turkey

[08] CNA director at presidential dinner

[09] Real prospects for direct talks in 1997

1050:CYPPRESS:01

[01] EU condemns recent cold-blooded murders

In a declaration issued by the Irish Presidency on behalf of the European Union, it is stressed that the EU ''deplores this latest tragic death, as it does all the violent deaths which have occurred recently in Cyprus.''

The EU ''fully endorses the principle stated by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) that deadly force must not be used by either side against persons who cross the respective cease-fire lines, or enter the UN buffer zone.''

It expresses support to measures aiming at ''removing live ammunition from front line posts and increasing the area of demanning as called for in UN Security Council resolutions.''

Urging both Greek and Turkish Cypriots for restraint to avert further tragic deaths, the EU stresses ''the need to redouble efforts to seek progress on dialogue between both communities, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive political settlement to the Cyprus question, under the aegis of the UN'' and promises on its part to encourage and promote such efforts.

Meanwhile, Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the EU Michalis Attalides has made representations to the Irish Presidency against the cold-blooded murder of Petros Kakoullis, last Sunday by Turkish troops, referring to the new shoot-to-kill policy followed by the Turkish occupation forces.

Attalides called upon the EU to make clear to Turkey that it cannot act in ways that do not abide by the principles of the Union.

The Cypriot ambassador repeated his government's readiness to continue with efforts for a just, peaceful and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with international law, UN resolutions and respect of human rights.

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

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus to continue to pursue peace

The pledge was made today by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides when he received the credentials of the new Danish Ambassador to Cyprus, Lars Blinkenberg.

Describing the Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory as ''unacceptable anachronism'', Clerides noted that it is violating both individual and collective rights of the whole of the population.

''Despite the recent dastardly, brutal and condemnable killings of innocent civilians by the Turkish occupation forces, we will continue to do everything within our power to pursue peace'', he said.

Furthermore, Clerides said all past initiatives for a solution have failed due to the lack of political will and intransigence of the Turkish side.

''That is why for any new initiative to be successful, common ground on the basic aspects of the Cyprus question should be found before embarking on a new dialogue'', he added.

Referring to the Cyprus-Denmark relations, Clerides said the prospect for accession and future membership of Cyprus to the European Union ''opens new vistas for enhanced bilateral cooperation in all fields''.

The Danish Ambassador said his new task is to ''improve bilateral relations'', noting that the political, economic, commercial and human relations are excellent.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said the tragic events and human suffering over the last decades, and even in recent months, ''have deeply touched'' the Danes.

''The Danish government has always supported the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. It is the hope of my government that renewed negotiations may soon be possible and eventually lead to an acceptable settlement of the Cyprus problem'', the Ambassador concluded.

A retired fireman who strayed a few metres into the Turkish-occupied area, near the British Base Area of Dhekelia while collecting snails, was shot and killed by Turkish soldiers last Sunday, even though he had raised his hands up.

Petros Kakoullis was the fourth Greek Cypriot to be killed by the Turks in the last four months. All four were unarmed. The first three murders took place in the UN controlled buffer zone.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus archaeological exhibition in Montreal

The exhibition, which features pottery, clay figures, jewellery and weapons spanning the millennia-long Cypriot history, was opened on Wednesday by the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Dr. Demos Christou and will remain open until March 16, 1997.

The President of the International Committee, Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) of Canada, Penelopi Soteriou, said the ''exhibition will serve as the best way to promote the Cyprus cause in Montreal and Canada''.

Addressing the guests, the Consul of Cyprus in Montreal, Michael Paidoussis, talked of the many conquerors Cyprus had suffered in its long history. He noted that the exception to all this was the Turkish invasion of 1974, marked by its remarkable brutality.

Attending the ceremony were the Ambassador of Greece to Canada, John Thomoglou, Consul-General of Cyprus in Toronto, Achilleas Antoniades, Canadian federal members of Parliament, academics, and Greek and Cypriot community dignitaries.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus to host transplant meeting

The four-day meeting will be attended by more than 600 delegates from around the globe and will be addressed by twelve eminent professors from the US and Europe.

Tissue transplantation, xenotransplantation, organ procurement and preservation, ethics of transplantation, and other medical topics will be on the agenda of the meeting.

Health Minister Manolis Christofides will open the meeting, organised by George Kyriakides, Director of the Paraskevaidion Surgical and Transplant Foundation.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    83.85 (-0.27)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.12 (-0.52)
Approved Investment Companies          75.23 (-0.49)
Insurance Companies                    61.69 (+1.82)
Industrial Companies                   83.45 (+0.23)
Tourist Industries                     74.79 (-0.27)
Commercial Companies                   68.45 (-0.33)
Other Companies                        81.08 (-1.19)

Trading Volume                         CYP 870608.826

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:07

[06] Clerides discusses key issues with British envoy

This was announced by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, who noted that at their meeting earlier this week, President Clerides had put forward the government's positions on all aspects of the Cyprus problem, whereas today the British envoy asked questions, which would help in analyzing the positions of the two sides in the Cyprus problem.

Cassoulides said the British Foreign Secretary Malcom Rifkind is expected to visit Cyprus in December in a bid to push forward the peace process.

The Government Spokesman said preparatory discussions will be stepped up early in 1997 to achieve the necessary progress that would lead to negotiations towards the end of spring.

Commenting on Sir David's week-long meetings, Cassoulides said the British envoy is formulating an overall picture of the situation and is beginning to realize the reality in Cyprus.

He added the British envoy will make suggestions to his government on how it can act.

However, the Spokesman said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash insists on his positions on the Cyprus problem and noted the gap between the two sides had not been bridged.

Cassoulides repeated that negotiations can not begin until the Turkish side changes its positions, otherwise such negotiations are doomed to failure.

The Cypriot official said if negotiations fail ''its consequences will be catastrophic, especially in the light of the tension on the island in the past two months''.

The Spokesman said the British envoy, the UN and the US realize the need for good preparation before the two sides embark on direct negotiations.

All UN, US and British efforts for a Cyprus settlement have so far failed because of Turkey's intransigent position.

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

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus Police Chief to attend INTERPOL meeting in Turkey

The police meeting will deal with issues such as drug trafficking, organised crime, money laundering and international terrorism.

Hadjiloizou will speak on the subject drug trafficking.

According to a Cyprus Police press release today, INTERPOL has informed the Turkish authorities that it will not accept representation in its General Assembly of the so-called police force of the illegal Turkish Cypriot entity, in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

The police forces of Cyprus and Greece had informed INTERPOL that the ''Chief'' of the illegal police force in the occupied territory, Attila Saat, was planning to participate in the Antalya police conference.

Greek Euro-MP Yiannis Roumbatis has asked the assistance of the Council of Ministers of the European Union for the arrest of Attila Saat, who had been named as one of the murderers of a Greek Cypriot youth.

Solomos Solomou, 26, was shot and killed by a number of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officers, including a so-called cabinet minister of the Turkish occupation regime, during a peaceful anti-occupation demonstration in the UN-controlled buffer zone at Dherynia, on August 14, 1996.

Three days earlier, Turkish extremists savagely beaten to death Solomou's cousin, Tasos Isaac, 24, at the same place.

On June 3, Turkish soldiers shot and killed a Greek Cypriot National Guardsman, Stelios Panagi, in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.

On October 13, Turkish soldiers killed 58-year-old Petros Kakoullis, who was collecting snails near the British Base Area of Dhekelia.

All four Greek Cypriots murdered in cold-blood by the Turks were unarmed.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:08

[08] CNA director at presidential dinner

Only 20 people will be present at the dinner, organised by the National Committee of the Democratic Party, at a hotel in the American capital.

Each person attending the dinner will have one minute to put forward to President Clinton an issue of their concern.

Christofides' presence is of great importance, as it comes at a time when the international community is stepping up efforts to find a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

Diners will have the chance to talk to high ranking US Administration officials at the dinner.

CNA DA/MA/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2045:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Real prospects for direct talks in 1997

He also announced the resumption of talks between the two sides on further demanning and removal of live ammunition along the demarcation line that divides Cyprus.

Sir David considers President Glafcos Clerides' position for adequate preparatory work before direct talks ''extraordinarily important'' and hopes that British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rikfind's forthcoming visit to Cyprus will give ''a substantial impetus'' to the peace process here.

He has also indicated that some Turkish occupation troops are set to remain on the island in the context of an agreement and did not rule out the possibility of introducing a rotating presidency as part of an overall settlement in Cyprus.

The British diplomat argued in favour of changes in the current security arrangements, which would take into account existing realities on the island as well as international treaties.

''I feel a lot of the issues have come into sharper focus and now one is able to see that prospects for face-to-face negotiations, under UN aegis, during the first half of 1997 is a real prospect,'' he told a press conference for Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists, at the end of his week-long visit here.

He said ''I believe that the first half of 1997 will see a serious effort to resolve this problem but much will depend on the leaders and politicians of the two communities.''

Sir David announced that the leaders of both communities have accepted an invitation from the UN to attend talks on further demanning of military posts along the demarcation line and measures such as the removal of live ammunition from posts.

The talks, he explained, will take place in an ''indirect format'' and will be taken up by the UN Secretary General's Resident Representative, Gutave Feissel.

Asked if there was any change in the position of the two sides to justify expectations for direct talks in 1997, Sir David said he has ''detected a change in the attitude towards their desirability of having a serious negotiation designed to reach a settlement in the first half of 1997.''

Replying to questions, Sir David said the leaders of the two communities will have to contribute a great deal to the negotiating process, through identifying those issues on which there is agreement and the ones which need to be bridged.

''A solution will encompass a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus, a new constitution, new security arrangements, different from the present ones, which are of course incompatible with a solution, and with changes of geographical boundaries of the two zones and solutions to problems like the refugees,'' he said, outlining his view of a Cyprus settlement.

On the issue of security, Sir David said ''security arrangements are both matters of international treaties and of practical military dispositions, in which we have a presence of a large Turkish force in the north and substantial armed forces, though smaller in size, with increasing armaments.''

Existing military dispositions, he explained, are ''inherently unstable in the long term and not compatible to a solution of the Cyprus problem.''

He also pointed out that European Union membership ''is not directly relevant to the issue of security because the EU is not a security organisation and does not have a military dimension to it.''

''We have to look imaginatively at new approaches, but the bottom line for those approaches has to be that both communities feel secure,'' he explained.

Asked if the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops would be an imaginative approach to deal with the security issue, Sir David said both sides believe there must be a ''substantial withdrawal of Turkish troops'' but noted that what is ''substantial withdrawal'' to one side is not to the other.

''A total withdrawal would be a very far reaching move indeed. We' ve got to explore all these parametres,'' he added.

The British envoy said there is some prospect of moving towards the Turkish-backed idea for a rotating presidency, following the exchange of views he has had on the matter for both sides. That, he remarked, would be easier to agree on ''if the presidency's powers would be largely symbolic.''

Referring to the preparatory work ahead of anticipated direct negotiations, Sir David said this is ''an absolute essential prerequisite to successful face-to-face negotiations''.

He added ''the preparatory process is extraordinarily important because it is through this process that you can begin to identify what might be the solutions to areas where there is real disagreement.''

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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