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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-15Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>CONTENTS
1055:CYPPRESS:01[01] Dual scope for US official's trip to CyprusWashington, Nov 15 (CNA) -- The current visit to Cyprus of Carey Cavanaugh, the State Department's Director of Southern European Affairs, has a dual scope, said State Department's Spokesman Glyn Davis.He said the first is to reinforce the US commitment to engage on the problems on Cyprus and second to work on shorter term problems. ''I talked to Carey. He is in Cyprus right now. He told me that he met with (President Glafcos) Clerides, (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash, today, (yesterday) that he was there doing a couple of things - first, reinforcing the US commitment to engage on the problems on Cyprus and to seek solutions, kind of the longer-term track. ''He was also there working on shorter-term problems, some of the tensions that we have all noted that occurred on Cyprus in recent weeks and months. And he had some ideas and shared them with the two sides,'' Davis told his daily press briefing. According to the State Department Spokesman, Cavanaugh was unable to report to him ''that there has been any narrowing of differences between the two sides on the security questions that are well known. There remains a degree of distance between them.'' Cavanaugh, at the head of a US delegation, leaves this afternoon. Before coming to Cyprus he visited Athens, where he held talks with Greek government officials. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA DA/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1200:CYPPRESS:02[02] Demonstrations denounce illegal entity in occupied CyprusNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- The people of Cyprus were protesting once again today against the 22-year-old Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern part and against the separatist declaration of independence, 13 years ago.University and Secondary School students gathered at the central ''Eleftheria'' (Freedom) square in Nicosia, a place where many anti-occupation rallies and demonstrations have taken place since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. Carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans, the students demonstrated peacefully against the illegal unilateral declaration of independence (UDI), recognised only by Turkey. The students approved a petition addressed to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, expressing their frustration over the injustice committed by Turkey against the people of Cyprus. They ask for pressure to be exerted on Turkey to abandon its intransigent position and abide by numerous UN resolutions on Cyprus. In their petition, the students call for the independence and unity of Cyprus, where all its people will live in peace. A youth band was also holding an anti-occupation concert at the place where the students have concentrated. The anti-occupation protests are organised by refugee organisations and political parties. The Kyrenia refugee association delivered today a petition to the embassies of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, in Nicosia, as well as to representatives of the European Union and the UN. AKEL party organises this evening a peaceful protest aimed to send the message that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace. The main speaker will be the party's General Secretary Demetris Christofias. EDEK party organises its own gathering. The main speaker will be Greece's Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanides. Last night an all night vigil was held by hundreds of students near the Ledra Palace hotel on the Nicosia demarcation line, the only check point leading to the occupied territory. The police have taken strict measures to make sure that all protests and demonstrations are kept at a safe distance from the demarcation line, after information for provocations from the part of the Turkish occupation forces. Peaceful anti-occupation protests and rallies have also been organised by Cypriots living abroad. In Salonica, northern Greece, 15 Cypriot students end this evening a three-day a hunger strike, near the Turkish Consulate. In London, Cypriot overseas gathered outside the Turkish Embassy to protest against the continued division of the island. Similar events take place in other parts of the world. 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/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1335:CYPPRESS:03[03] Canada supports UN resolutions on CyprusNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Canada fully backs UN Security resolutions on Cyprus and denounces the murders of unarmed Greek Cypriot civilians by the Turkish occupation troops.This was stated in a letter by Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy to the Cypriot Community of Montreal. Reassuring Canada's ''long standing commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus conflict through the support of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions'', Axworthy expresses worry over recent events in Cyprus. ''The recent killing of unarmed Greek Cypriot civilians by the Turkish Forces is of particular concern'', Axworthy notes, condemning ''the use of deadly force against persons who cross the cease-fire line or enter the UN buffer one.'' This ''constitutes a disproportionate response to a non life-threatening situation,'' he adds. Concluding, Axworthy, refers to the ''demilitarisation of Cyprus as a possible avenue for the peaceful resolution of the Cypriot conflict.'' The island's complete demilitarisation had been proposed by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MCH/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1410:CYPPRESS:04[04] Turkish jets violate Cyprus air spaceNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- As pupils and students continued their anti-occupation protests at many venues along the UN buffer zone, Turkish aircraft violated Cyprus' air space in what many describe as nothing more than a provocation.The government will protest the violations to the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the UN Resident Representative. Parachutists jumped from the Turkish planes and landed in the occupied part of the island, where the Turkish Cypriots set up a self-styled regime, recognised only by Turkey. Students have denounced the Turkish Cypriot unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) and have reiterated their determination to continue their struggle for freedom and justice. ''The Turkish Cypriot regime is a deceit against our country, Cyprus,'' a Turkish Cypriot pupil, participating in the demonstrations, has said. She told the press she was with her classmates in downtown Eleftheria square to send the message that ''we must free our country and the Turkish occupation troops must withdraw.'' Hundreds of students from all over Cyprus gathered in central Nicosia early this morning to condemn once again the illegal UDI, which the UN has described as ''legally invalid.'' The UN has also called on ''all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus.'' Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MM/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1430:CYPPRESS:05[05] Cyprus ratifies CoE conventionNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Cyprus ratified today the Council of Europe convention on laundering, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime.The convention aims at countering laundering of the proceeds of all types of crime, including arms dealing, terrorist, fraud and particularly drug trafficking. It is also intended to improve international cooperation to combat organised crime. A Council of Europe press release issued in Strasbourg says the convention is in force in ten member-states and has been signed by 16 others out of the 40 members of the Council. CNA MM/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1445 :CYPPRESS:06[06] Cyprus signs CoE convention on foreign residentsNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Foreigners living in Cyprus will in future enjoy more civil and political rights after the government signed a Council of Europe convention on the participation of foreigners in public life at local level.The Republic's permanent representative to the Council, Thalia Petrides, signed today the convention which provides for the rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association, including the right to form trade unions. It also provides for the right to vote in local elections, after five years of residency in the host country, and to stand for election. Furthermore, foreign residents can create consultative bodies at local levels. The convention has been ratified by three member states only (Italy, Norway and Sweden) and will enter into force after its ratification by four member states. So far it has been signed by Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. CNA MM/MCH/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1450:CYPPRESS:07[07] Refugee associations appeal for respect of human rightsNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Refugees from the Turkish-occupied Kyrenia district and the Karpass peninsula appealed today to representatives of the UN, the Security Council permanent members and the European Union (EU) for the implementation of UN resolutions on Cyprus and respect of human rights.Members of the Coordinating Committee of Municipalities and Refugee Associations of the Turkish-occupied Kyrenia district, handed a petition today to the embassies of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, in Nicosia, the UN resident representative and the EU representative, calling for the implementation of UN resolutions on Cyprus, all provisions of International Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The petition notes that the unilateral declaration of independence by the Turkish occupation regime in the northern part of the island was ''declared illegal and all nations were called upon not to recognise, cooperate or assist in any way the illegal regime.'' It stresses, however, that ''since then there has been no real effort to undo the Turkish act of partition and as a result the division of Cyprus deepens and the day of restoration of our human rights gets further and further away.'' Meanwhile, the Karpass and enclaved associations presented Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs of the US State Department, Carey Cavanaugh, with a memorandum in which they remind him of the 1975 Third Vienna Agreement, providing for respect of human rights of the enclaved. Despite the provisions, it is noted, ''the enclaved who have not been forcibly evicted, live under inhumane terms and conditions.'' The memorandum demands ''the immediate and full implementation of the Third Vienna Agreement as a first step towards a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem and as a first practical confidence building and rapprochement measure.'' It concludes by expressing readiness ''for contacts with local Turkish Cypriot leaders and leading figures to discuss and find ways of cooperation and smooth intercommunal co-existence.'' CNA MCH/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1635:CYPPRESS:08[08] Cyprus protests Turkish overflightsNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Cyprus has protested new violations of its airspace, by six Turkish fighters, to the UN and the five permanent members of the Security Council and called on them to take measures to make Turkey act reasonably.The representations were made by acting President of the Republic and House President Spyros Kyprianou to UN Secretary-General's resident representative, Gustave Feissel, and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council. ''We protested very strongly the violations which are a flagrant provocation, as they come on the anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot secessionist act 13 years ago, and furthermore they show that Turkey is not willing to be reasonable,'' Kyprianou said. The House President underlined to all ambassadors the peaceful nature of the students' demonstrations in sharp contrast to the brash provocations by Turkish aircraft. He stressed that Cyprus expects them not only to convey the protests to their respective administrations, but also ''to undertake the necessary measures to make Turkey see sense, if the initiatives to push for an agreed solution in Cyprus are to have any chance of success.'' ''They listened very carefully and noted what we had to say,'' he added. The violations took place earlier today during a parade to mark the 13th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) by Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus' northern occupied areas. At the same time, Greek Cypriot students gathered at mass rallies in central Nicosia and other towns to denounce the self-styled state, recognised only by Turkey, and branded by the UN as ''legally invalid''. CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1825:CYPPRESS:09[09] US does not wish to eliminate defence pactNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- Any ideas to tackle security matters and reduce tension in Cyprus must not affect a joint defence pact Cyprus and Greece have agreed on, Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the office of southern European Affairs at the US State Department, has said.He also said the US has not raised the idea of eliminating the joint defence doctrine, agreed between the governments of Greece and Cyprus in November 1993. Speaking before departure after a brief visit here, Cavanaugh said ''we raised a number of specifics and we looked at some concrete steps that can be taken toward assessing the tensions and security problems here.'' The idea of a ban on military exercises over the island is one of these steps, he explained. ''That is an issue which remains under consideration. I would add that how that will be formulated will be done in such a way that it does not affect the joint defence doctrine that Greece and Cyprus have,'' Cavanaugh added. He also noted that ''we did not raise the idea of eliminating the joint defence doctrine.'' Commenting on violations of the Republic's air space earlier today by Turkish aircraft, the American official said ''it would be nice to eliminate exercises over this island.'' CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1955:CYPPRESS:10[10] President calls for a speedy resolution in CyprusNicosia, Nov 15 (CNA) -- The Turkish side must also help efforts to find a settlement in Cyprus, that must be reached as soon as possible for the benefit of all Cypriots, President Glafcos Clerides has said.In a message on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence by Turkish Cypriots in the occupied part of the island, President Clerides said ''13 years after the UDI and despite continuous attempts by the Turkish side, the self-styled regime has not been recognised, barring Turkey's recognition, and the Republic of Cyprus enjoys international recognition.'' Turkey, the message said, questions and violates the Republic's sovereignty and territorial integrity for more than twenty years. ''Today's anniversary conveys the messages that the Cyprus problem must be solved as soon as possible for the good of its people. Finding a just solution also depends on the Turkish side which must have the necessary political will,'' the President said. The government, he added, will continue to make every possible effort towards this goal and will facilitate initiatives that are undertaken by the US, Britain and the European Union in the beginning of next year. The message was read by Communications and Works Minister Adamos Adamides at the University of Athens where the Hellenic Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus organised a gathering to denounce the Turkish UDI. Clerides expressed gratitude to Greece for its unwavering support and solidarity with Cyprus in its struggle for freedom and justice. CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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