Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-21

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey denounced for increasing torture of children

[02] Greek Defence Minister arrives

[03] Cyprus' defence pact to be bolstered

[04] Britain backs UN-sponsored military talks

[05] UN envoy for talks in Cyprus

[06] Military talks on right track, UN says

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[08] Clerides receives Greek Defence Minister

[09] Government confirms Cyprus stalemate

[10] Specialised exhibition to open

[11] Cyprus and Greece have every right to defend themselves

1020:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkey denounced for increasing torture of children

That damning assessment was made in a report issued Wednesday by Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog group.

The report, which covers the past four years, said that "children as young as 12, in some cases detained on suspicion of very minor offenses, have been subjected to appalling cruelty in police custody - including beatings, electric shocks and hosing with cold water''.

The Amnesty International denunciation could not have come at a less opportune time for Turkey, which has been battered recently by members of the European Union and the American Congress for its human rights violations.

The latest voice raised was that, last week, of British conservative and Member of the European Parliament, James Moorhouse, who likened Turkey to a dictatorship where ''human rights violations continue much as before and maybe are even worse''.

Allegations of sexual torture of juveniles are frequent, according to the report.

A 16-year-old girl detained in November 1995 told Amnesty International that she was ''repeatedly sexually abused after being detained for 19 days by police officers and was subjected to electric shocks to her vagina, hosed with high-pressurized water, beaten and hanged by the arms for long periods''.

''This catalogue of violations exposes the hypocrisy of a government that just last year pledged to protect children's rights when it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child yet has done virtually nothing to stop the harrowing abuse to its most vulnerable citizens,'' Amnesty International said.

As for the overall human rights picture in Turkey, Amnesty International categorized it as ''bleak'' in a country-wide report it issued in October. It cited the increased instance of ''disappearances'' and''extrajudicial executions''.

Officials of the human rights organizations in New York said they were also very much aware of the circumstances surrounding the killing in August of two Greek Cypriots, Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, in the UN controlled buffer zone. A report on the incidents was issued at the time. But Turkish government abuses in Cyprus have been generally overshadowed by the severity of the abuse in Turkey itself.

Nonetheless, human rights activists in New York have told CNA that they believe it is high time that Turkish misbehavior in Cyprus such as the buffer zone killings or the abuse of enclaved Greek Cypriots in Turkish occupied Karpass peninsula, be made part of the human rights indictment against Turkey.

CNA JD/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1115 :CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek Defence Minister arrives

Tsohatzopoulos was met at Larnaca International airport by Eliades, and was greeted by Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus, Alexandros Sandis and National Guard Commander Nicolaos Vorvolakos.

A guard of honour welcomed the Greek Minister, who arrived in a C-130 of the Greek air force for his first visit to the island since his appointment to the Greek Defence Ministry.

Talks between Eliades and Tsohatzopoulos will focus on a joint Greco- Cypriot defence pact, agreed in November 1993, providing for air, sea and land cover for Cyprus by the Greek armed forces in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive.

CNA MM/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus' defence pact to be bolstered

Speaking on arrival today, at the start of a four-day official visit to Cyprus, the Greek Minister said ''I can guarantee you that we shall bolster Cyprus' defences on the basis of the entire Hellenism.''

This, he pointed out, is our duty and obligation.

The Greek Minister appeared certain and optimistic that a ''just and acceptable'' settlement can be found on the basis of two counts, Cyprus' prospects for EU accession and the strengthening of the Republic's defences.

Noting that a ''continuous effort'' needs to be made on the first count, Tsohatzopoulos said ''strengthening Cyprus' defence capability, through the joint defence pact, is the political reply by Hellenism to Turkey's threats and expansionist designs.''

He said a Cyprus solution cannot be anything other than ''a comprehensive, just and acceptable settlement on the basis of UN principles for which we are prepared to work.''

Expressing pleasures for his first visit to the island as Defence Minister, Tsohatzopoulos said ''Greece and Cyprus share a common course, common prospects and common capability to face the future successfully.''

He said his contacts here with the military chiefs and the political leadership will offer the chance for ''substantive discussions'' relating to military and political objectives.''

Welcoming Tsohatzopoulos, his Cypriot counterpart said ''your presence here conveys the message that the joint defence doctrine is a reality which acts as a deterrent in our efforts to reach a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem.''

''Our goal is to settle the Cyprus problem with peaceful means and our efforts in the realm of defence are aimed to create a deterrent to strengthen the political leadership in the negotiating process,'' Eliades said.

He also noted that ''fresh decisions'' relating to the defence doctrine will be taken during talks in Nicosia.

The Greek Minister is now at the presidential palace for a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides.

Cyprus and Greece agreed in November 1993 to have a joint defence pact to face Turkish expansionist designs against the two countries.

Greece has warned Turkey with war in case the Turkish occupation troops advance towards the southern government-controlled part of this east Mediterranean island.

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Britain backs UN-sponsored military talks

''My understanding is that the UN has taken the military dialogue admirably forward. They are doing very good work and we hope they will make real and early progress,'' British High Commissioner to Cyprus David Madden has said.

Speaking after a meeting today with President Glafcos Clerides, he said Britain fully backed the UN proposals on unmanning, the ban of live ammunition and the code of conduct of soldiers serving along the demarcation line.

''We hope these talks will go forward and come to an early and positive conclusion,'' Madden said.

He added Britain would like to see a ''comprehensive approach on the Cyprus issue and the avoidance of further incidents as a very important part of that approach.''

The UN-sponsored proximity military talks between the National Guard of the Cyprus Republic and the Turkish occupation army, shrouded in secrecy, aim at cooling tension on the island, following the killings this year of four unarmed Greek Cypriots by Turkish troops in the buffer zone. A fifth person, a Turkish soldier of Kurdish origin, was found dead in his sentry post under somewhat strange circumstances.

Madden said incidents of this kind would create a ''worse climate for progress'' towards a negotiated settlement and would best be avoided at a time when the Cyprus problem is expected to enter an ''even more active period in the new year.''

Next month's visit to Cyprus by British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind was also part of the discussions Madden had with Cyprus President.

Rifkind is expected to pay a 24-hour visit here, the first by a British Foreign Secretary, in the context of the Cyprus peace effort, in the second half of December.

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

CNA KN/MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:05

[05] UN envoy for talks in Cyprus

''He will have meetings with both leaders (President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash) on both days,'' the spokesman added.

Han's visit will follow that of ambassador Kester Heaslip, special Cyprus envoy of the European Union presidency, and before a visit by Britain's Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind.

After his talks on the island, Han will go to Athens and Ankara for further discussions, Rokoszewski said.

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Military talks on right track, UN says

UN sources have told CNA that reports to that effect, which have surfaced in the past few days, ''are unfounded.''

''The UN is actively discussing UNFICYP's package of proposals, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, with military authorities on both sides,'' the same sources said.

The proposals refer to extending an unmanning agreement, in existence since 1989, to cover the length of the 180-kilometre long UN-controlled buffer zone, the ban of loaded weapons in areas where the military is in close proximity and the definition of a code of conduct by soldiers serving along the demarcation line.

The UN sources have also pointed out that both sides had agreed to a black out on the course of these talks.

''Should the two sides agree on the adoption of some measures, that will be announced,'' the sources added.

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82.31 (-0.18)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.25 (+0.01)
Approved Investment Companies          75.51 (-0.66)
Insurance Companies                    59.00 (-1.62)
Industrial Companies                   82.02 (+0.72)
Tourist Industries                     72.56 (-0.08)
Commercial Companies                   61.12 (-1.51)
Other Companies                        72.07 (-1.27)

Trading Volume                         CYP 451639.329

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Clerides receives Greek Defence Minister

The two men exchanged views on various initiatives aimed for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

They also emphasised on the national strategy and the Greco-Cypriot joint defence pact agreed upon by the two governments in 1993.

Speaking to the press, Tsohatzopoulos said he had a ''very substantive'' meeting with President Clerides, adding that he had ''first hand'' information on latest developments and initiatives.

The Greek Defence Minister said he informed President Clerides on the national strategy, which will be promoted ''with every possible means.''

Tsohatzopoulos had also meetings with his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades and the Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1925:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Government confirms Cyprus stalemate

He was commenting on statements made last night by Russian ambassador to Cyprus Boris Zenkov, who leaves Cyprus soon, to church-owned TV network ''Logos''.

Speaking to Andreas Christofides (CNA Director), in the programme ''Dialogues'', the Russian diplomat appeared rather pessimistic about future prospects for a solution and noted ''at present we are faced with an absolute stalemate and I see no way out.'' He hastened to add ''there is always hope.''

Cassoulides said the government sincerely wishes to have a breakthrough by early 1997. He said this requires ''political will'' from both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides on the island.

At the same time, he stressed that ''signs of real political will from the Turkish Cypriot side are needed, to entertain the UN Secretary- General's remarks, as recorded in his May 1994 detailed report on Cyprus.''

Cassoulides said the Greek Cypriot side's views aimed to benefit the interests of both communities on the island and stressed that the government expects the Turkish Cypriot side to ''respond in the same way.''

Speaking on ''Logos'' Wednesday night, Zenkov also referred to a ''game'' played by foreigners on Cyprus. He revealed that this provides for a solution of confederation or a loose federation that will ''cover'' the existence of ''two states'' on the island.

The Russian ambassador stressed that ''a solution would either provide for a united state or two states under a confederation or a so-called loose federation''.

He said if the second case were accepted, ''in five to ten years, whether we like it or not, there will be a double enosis (union),'' meaning that each side will be a part of its motherland, Greece for the Greek Cypriots and Turkey for the Turkish Cypriots.

Zenkov was quick to add that Turkey would not accept such a solution.

Asked whether under a Cyprus federation there would be two states under a central government with limited powers, the Russian diplomat expressed the view that this ''will not differ from the present de facto situation, with everybody feeling comfortable.''

The ambassador stressed that a solution should not ignore the ''very important'' issue of human rights violations.

He noted that the Turkish Cypriots have become a minority in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. He said there are less than 60.000 Turkish Cypriots.

Before the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus territory, the Turkish Cypriots numbered some 120.000, making 13 per cent of the island's population.

As part of Ankara's designs to change the island's demographic character, some 80.000 Turkish colonist settlers have been implanted in the Turkish-occupied areas, in addition to 35.000 Turkish soldiers.

Meanwhile, in a Thursday night interview with the Cyprus television, the Russian ambassador said his country's approach to the Cyprus problem remains one of ''principles.''

He stressed that Russia fully backs a united Cyprus, under a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Specialised exhibition to open

The Chairman of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority Takis Kyriakides told a press conference Thursday the event will be held at the capital's Exhibition Centre between November 27 and December 1.

Kyriakides said a total of 40 exhibitors will display industrial catering products and equipment for hotels, restaurants, cafes and generally tourist and catering establishments.

Among these are 14 firms from Cyprus whereas 140 foreign firms from 11 countries will display imported products from the US, Europe, Japan and Israel. There is direct participation by four Greek firms and one from Italy, he added.

''Great interest is expected to be shown for the new systems for water and energy saving, both Cyprus made and imported, which will be on show for the first time,'' Kyriakides said.

In the framework of ''HORECA Mediterranean '96'' there will be seminars and lectures on the tourism industry, he said. On November 28 a seminar will be held on ''Re-Engineering the hotel management of Cyprus. The mandate for new leadership''.

This is the third time, since 1992, this biennial exhibition is organised, Kyriakides said and noted ''the feedback to our campaign is sufficiently encouraging and it guarantees positive results,'' he concluded.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:11

[11] Cyprus and Greece have every right to defend themselves

This was stated here this afternoon by the Ministers of Defence of Cyprus and Greece, Costas Eliades and Akis Tsohatzopoulos, after talks that covered defence matters and cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier today, the Greek Minister, who is on an official visit to Cyprus, was received by President Glafcos Clerides. This evening he had a meeting with the Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

The two Ministers avoided to refer to the content of their talks but Eliades said decisions would be taken during Tsohatzopoulos' visit, regarding future steps within the framework of the Greco-Cypriot joint defence pact agreed upon by the two countries in November 1993.

The Greek Minister said ''we exercise our right based on international principles and for this reason, it is not possible to accept pressures and succumb to any attractive proposals.''

Tsohatzopoulos referred to the 5-year armament schemes aimed to bolster the two countries' defence capabilities.

The Greek Minister said ''this does not mean that we have any offensive directions. On the contrary, we exercise our sacred right to defend ourselves. We want to secure peaceful development, security and cooperation in the region.''

This, he added, ''constitutes the basic policy of Greece and Cyprus.''

Speaking after a meeting with Archbishop Chrysostomos, the Greek Minister said the aim of Hellenism had always been to secure a comprehensive, just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, safeguarding the rights of all Cypriots.

The Primate of the Cyprus Church said he expressed his views to the Greek Minister, and stressed the need to liberate the Turkish-occupied part of the island and to restore 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 GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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