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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-20Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>CONTENTS
1300:CYPPRESS:01[01] President Clinton: Cyprus is one of US foreign policy prioritiesWashington, Oct 20 (CNA - Demetris Apokis) -- Cyprus is one of President Clinton's foreign policy priorities, according to his campaign's statement to the Greek-American community, in view of the forthcoming US presidential elections on November 5.''During my administration, I have made the resolution of the Cyprus problem a high foreign policy priority, and have taken several steps to advance this goal,'' the American President said in his statement. President Clinton also referred to the efforts of his administration towards a solution to the Cyprus problem. ''In January, 1995, I appointed Richard Beattie as a Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, the first such Emissary in 17 years,'' he noted. He added that last July, ''I sent Ambassador Madeleine Albright to the region with Mr. Beattie to begin discussions, which we hope will lead to direct talks between the two communities and to a comprehensive settlement that is long overdue.'' On the matter of the American assistance to Cyprus President Clinton said, ''I have sustained our programme of $15 million in annual bilateral assistance to Cyprus, which is intended to foster greater bicommunal interaction on the island.'' The American President referred to his administration's efforts regarding the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. ''My administration played an active role in encouraging the European Union to schedule accession talks for Cyprus,'' he said in his statement. Mention was also made on the humanitarian issue of missing persons in Cyprus, since July 1974 when Turkish troops invaded Cyprus and occupied the island's northern third. ''Our Ambassador in Nicosia, Robert Dillon'', continues the statement, ''is conducting an investigation into the whereabouts of five American citizens who disappeared in 1974.'' As President Clinton stressed, these measures demonstrate his continuing commitment to help resolve this long-standing crisis. In his statement, President Clinton admitted that there were setbacks in these efforts. ''When there have been setbacks, such as the recent unjustified and unwarranted killings of Greek Cypriots in the UN buffer zone, we have spoken out forcefully, while seeking agreement on measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of these tragedies,'' he explained. President Clinton's statement described these incidents and the continued division of the island as unacceptable. ''These incidents and the continued division of the island are unacceptable and I will continue to press for a comprehensive and lasting settlement to this tragic dispute,'' the statement concluded. CNA DA/AP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1520:CYPPRESS:03[02] CNA director briefs President Clinton on CyprusWashington, Oct 20 (CNA) -- The Director of the Cyprus News Agency, Andreas Christofides, had a twenty-minutes discussion on Cyprus, at a dinner in Washington on Saturday, in honour of US President Bill Clinton.Christofides was the only non American citizen who attended a dinner for 20 people organised by the National Committee of the Democratic Party, at the ''Mayflower Hotel'' in the American capital. CNA Director briefed President Clinton on the international dimensions of the protracted Cyprus problem and the complications it might cause to stability and security in the Middle East southeastern region. Christofides expressed his concern over escalating tension and the possibility of a ''serious incident'' on the island, and told the American President his opinion that such an outcome would be contrary to US interests. President Clinton assured Christofides of his personal commitment for a solution in Cyprus and said he would consider it as his own ''personal failure'' if a just and viable solution is not reached. CNA Director also had the chance to discuss the Cyprus problem with two high ranking US administration officials, at a cocktail that followed the dinner. Christofides' participation at the dinner is considered 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. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA AP/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1530:CYPPRESS:04[03] Succesful protest turns tourists awayNicosia, Oct 20 (CNA) -- No tourists crossed into the island's Turkish occupied northern part this weekend due to a peaceful sit-in protest organised by refugee associations, relatives of people missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and other Greek Cypriots, at the Ledra Palace checkpoint.The demonstration, held after an initiative of Democratic Party (DIKO) deputy Marios Matsakis, ended lunchtime today with participants stressing their determination to block entrance to the occupied north every weekend. The President of Cyprus Anti-Occupation Movement (PAK), Aris Hadjipanayiotou, told CNA the protest aimed at informing foreign tourists on the recent murders of four unarmed Greek Cypriots by Turkish troops and extremists. The Greek Cypriot lawyer said many tourists did not enter into the occupied part when refugees informed them they can not return nor see their homes, being a ''benefit'' enjoyed only by foreigners but not the Greek Cypriots. Hadjipanayiotou said about 500 foreigners visit the occupied north every weekend, spending an estimated 10,000 Cyprus pounds (about 20,000 US dollars) which will be used for the purchase of ''lethal weapons'' that could kill innocent Greek Cypriots. The Ledra Palace checkpoint in the capital is the only place through which foreigners can visit the island's Turkish occupied areas. Cyprus has been divided since July 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MA/AP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1550:CYPPRESS:05[04] EU expresses sympathy to Kakoullis' familyLarnaca, Oct 20 (CNA) --Ireland's Honourary Consul to Cyprus Stephanos Stephanou laid a wreath today at the grave of Greek Cypriot Petros Kakoullis, who was murdered by Turkish occupation troops last Sunday, and also visited his family, on behalf of the European Union (EU) Irish presidency.Speaking to the press after visiting the 58 year-old retired fireman's family, Stephanou said he expressed the Irish Foreign Minister's, Dick Spring, sympathy. He also noted the laying of a wreath symbolises the traditional friendship between Cyprus and Ireland. Kakoullis, the fourth Greek Cypriot killed by Turkish occupation troops and extremists since June, was gunned down when he strayed a few metres into the Turkish-occupied area, while collecting snails with his son-in-law, Panikos Hadjiathanasiou, 27, who witnessed the murder, near the south-eastern Dhekelia British base area. Stephanou visited the victim's family after a memorial church service held at Kakoullis' village, Avgorou, Sunday morning. CNA TA/MA/AP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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