Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Finance Minister attends EBRD meeting

[02] Calm after a stormy night at Bases

[03] Cypriot deputies return from IPU meeting

[04] Presidential condemnation of disturbances at Bases

1050:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Finance Minister attends EBRD meeting

Lavosiere noted in particular Cyprus' "prompt" submission of documents to increase the Bank's share capital from ten to twenty billion ECU, in accordance with a relevant Bank decision.

He welcomed Cyprus' contribution towards economic development of the Russian region of Krassnodar, where the Cyprus Development Bank and the Planning Bureau, in cooperation with the Russian Federation, are working together to boost the local economy.

Cyprus' Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou, who represented Cyprus at the Annual General Meeting of EBRD Governors in London, congratulated Lavosiere on the Bank's work so far and underlined the Bank's role in funding public infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Republics to help them move into market economy.

The Minister briefed the Bank's chiefs about his recent trip to Moscow and they, in return, called on the Russian authorities to fulfill their obligations with regard to Krassnodar's development.

The EBRD expressed keen interest in using the Cyprus Banking system to help consolidate institutions and regulations for the economic development of these regions.

Christodoulou, who signed in Moscow an agreement to protect investment, returns home on Thursday.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1225:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Calm after a stormy night at Bases

A spokesman for the Bases, retained by Britain since it granted the island its independence in 1960, told CNA two Greek Cypriots are still under police custody and another five were charged and released.

"Things are quiet at the moment, SBA police have set up vehicle control points to ensure access into Episkopi for people with legitimate business," spokesman Sean Tully said.

This restriction, he explained, will remain in force as long as required, and said the inconvenience to law abiding road users "lies squarely with those who disregard the law."

One of the detainees, Angelos Panaretou, 39, from Trahoni village, will remain in custody until Friday when he is due to appear before the Court and the other, Nicos Panaretou, will appear before the Court tomorrow to be charged, Tully said.

Angelos was arrested Monday on assault charges against a SBA senior police officer and threatening violence when he refused to comply with a court order to halt construction work on a leisure complex, built without the necessary permit, Tully said.

Nicos, a brother of Angelos, was arrested for disturbance of public order and police are expected to press charges against him. Nicos was arrested when he, and others, assaulted police officers at Episkopi Garrison police station.

Tully said another five demonstrators, arrested during last night's riots outside Episkopi police station, were charged with obstructing police officers to carry out their duties, unlawful assembly and disturbance of public order. All five will appear before the court in due time, he said.

He confirmed reports that one police vehicle was stolen, presumably by demonstrators, last night, but refrained from commenting on other reports that one Greek Cypriot demonstrator sustained head injuries after being hit by a police club.

"Our police are conducting a full inquiry into the incidents and shall prepare a report on yesterday's disturbances," he added.

The Cypriot police said Angelos Panaretos was arrested for assault and causing bodily harm to a high-ranking SBA official last month. He was led to court to face charges, which included building a complex without a permit.

The riots broke out when a mob attacked Episkopi police station and aided persons in custody (two of Angelos' brothers) to escape custody.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot deputies return from IPU meeting

Speaking at Larnaca Airport today, deputy Nicos Anastasiades, head of the delegation, described as "very positive" the results of a discussion at the Monitoring Committee on the Cyprus problem, which met during the IPU Conference.

All members of the delegation, he added, had the chance to brief their counterparts from all over the world on the Cyprus question, either at the Conference's plenary or in the sub-committees where they participated.

The delegation was made up of Deputy House President, Nicos Anastasiades, and MPs Andreas Filippou, Stathis Kittis, Yiannakis Omirou and Androula Vassiliou.

Anastasiades said the delegation's goal has been fully achieved, "not because we expect the IPU to solve the Cyprus problem but because in the presence of some 800 delegates references on the Cyprus issue were made, sending the correct message to whom any initiative should be directed in order to reach a just, viable and lasting Cyprus solution."

Anastasiades said the Greek Cypriot deputies had the chance to uncover the propaganda of their counterparts from Turkey, whose troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA TA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Presidential condemnation of disturbances at Bases

In a written statement released today, the Cypriot President pointed out he considers such action contrary to "national interests" and noted that they cause problems in relations with Britain at a crucial time.

On his part, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said the "Bases are sovereign, has laws and those entering the Bases should respect these laws."

President Clerides said in his statement that he "condemns unreservedly the incidents caused in an irresponsible manner within the British Bases area."

He condemns "those who either encourage or instigate these incidents under the wrong and misleading impression that they are questioning the rights of the Bases."

"The rights of the Bases are governed by the provisions of the Treaty of Establishment and the competence to interpret them in case of a non- solution of differences through negotiation lies with a five-member body, in which all contracting parties are represented and is chaired by an individual, who is appointed by the President of the International Court at the Hague," the statement said.

Furthermore, it adds that President Clerides considers that "such kind of actions not only do they not promote national interests but, on the contrary, they create problems in the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with Britain at a crucial phase in the Cyprus question and Cyprus' European course (for membership of the European Union)."

This is not the first time the Cypriot President has issued a statement outlining his position on incidents involving Greek Cypriots and the authorities of the Bases. In 1994, he said the "legal status of the Bases was not questioned" in the past 34 years, since Cyprus gained its independence.

Britain has retained two sovereign military bases on the island, when it agreed to grant Cyprus its independence and transfer full sovereignty over the island to the Republic of Cyprus, on certain conditions including retaining full sovereignty over specific areas (Akrotiri, Episkopi, Paramali on the south west and Dhekelia, Pergamos, Ayios Nicolaos, Xylophagou on the south east).

The Bases cover a total of 98 square miles, about three per cent of the island's land area, but nearly sixty per cent of the land within the Bases is privately owned by Cypriot nationals. The British Forces in Cyprus comprise about 4,200 servicemen.

On Monday scuffles broke out between Greek Cypriot demonstrators, demanding the release of one of their compatriots arrested on assault charges and on disregard of a court order to halt construction of a leisure complex.

Two people are still under detention in Episkopi police station and another five are due to appear before the court.

Referring to yesterday's incidents, the Government Spokesman said the man arrested, Angelos Panaretou, had requested construction permit and the Bases applied to the authorities of the Republic for an opinion on the matter.

"The (Republic's) Town Planning Department will give its reply to the Bases today and it will suggest that a construction permit be given. The final say on the matter lies with the authorities of the Bases," Christofides added.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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