Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-07

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greenpeace "MV Sirius" arrives

[02] Small parties on direct negotiations

[03] Family of missing fisherman seek regional press help

[04] Teacher to appeal to Human Rights Commission

[05] Turkey reported to build naval base in occupied areas

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greenpeace "MV Sirius" arrives

During "MV Sirius'" five-day stay in Cyprus, the public will have the opportunity to visit the ship to be briefed on latest developments in solar energy and the organisation's campaigns, or participate in two discussions to be held on the issue.

The first discussion, on "Introduction with Greenpeace Mediterranean- Greenpeace Campaigns in Cyprus", will take place in Limassol, July 8.

In cooperation with Cypriot organisations, Greenpeace is organising a discussion on "Solar Energy - Perspectives and Applications", in Nicosia, July 10.

This is the eighth consecutive year the Greenpeace ship is visiting Cyprus, as the island is part of its Mediterranean programme.

The organisation has also been campaigning for the protection of Akamas, in the western tip of the island, a peninsula unique of flora and fauna.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1220:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Small parties on direct negotiations

Liberal Party President, Nicos Rolandis, believes the UN-led talks "could have positive results" and noted upgraded international interest and the presence of the European Union, Security Council permanent members and many other foreign government representatives in Troutbeck, north of New York, where the direct negotiations will take place between July 9 -13.

Rolandis, a former Foreign Minister, told CNA today that "never before has such a meeting taken place, with so much international, and in particular, US interest" and expressed the view that these countries are "in some way also putting their name at stake".

On his part, New Horizons party leader, Nicos Koutsou, believes this round of negotiations will focus on security issues, in a bid "to inactivate the Joint Defence Pact", agreed between the governments of Cyprus and Greece in 1993, and "avert the deployment of the Russian-made anti-missile system S-300" in Cyprus, so that the previous balance of power, in favour of Turkey, is maintained.

He said this issue would be put forward in relation to Cyprus' bid to join the European Union "which will be used as a leverage on the Greek Cypriot side" and said he did not expect other fundamental issues, such as constitutional and territorial, to be discussed until 1998.

With regard to the foreign envoys expected to be present in Troutbeck, Koutsou told CNA that "everyone agrees the US plays the most important role" in efforts for a solution, and "the fact that the US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, will not be there, proves nothing spectacular is expected at this stage".

All Greek Cypriot political party leader will be in the US during the negotiations, to consult with President Clerides, when considered necessary.

The Cyprus President, due to arrive in New York today, will only have two advisors with him round the negotiating table, Attorney General, Alecos Markides, and Under-secretary to the President, Pantelis Kouros.

Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, along with other ministry officials will also be in New York.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Family of missing fisherman seek regional press help

Amateur fisherman, Loizos Askanis, had gone fishing in the western coast of Paphos, with 39-year-old Michalis Kyriacou and Kyriacou's son, Marios, 12, on May 9, when their boat got into trouble and all three tried to swim to shore.

After spending more than ten hours in the sea, Marios drowned, Askanis disappeared and Kyriacou was found unconscious by fishermen.

Askanis' relatives believe it is possible that other ships that passing through the region at the time may have picked up the architect, from Yeroskipou village, in the Paphos region, as the air and sea search continued for many days proved futile.

The advertisements were placed by the family after consultations with the Cyprus Foreign Ministry, while the one in the Turkish Cypriot press was placed with UN assistance.

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Kibris" published the advertisement yesterday with a picture and information about the missing man in English and in Turkish.

The family describes the conditions under which Askanis disappeared and offers a reward to any person offering information.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Teacher to appeal to Human Rights Commission

Referring to her decision after meeting Acting President, House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou, today, Eleni Foka said she will demand the restoration of her human rights, including the right to return to her village and pupils.

On his part, Kyprianou said President Glafcos Clerides may raise the issue of the violations of the rights of Greek Cypriots living in the part occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974, during the five-day direct negotiations with Rauf Denktash, beginning July 9, in the US.

He added Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Takis Christopoulos, also present at the meeting, will make new representations to the UN peace keeping force in Cyprus, asking for a written explanation as to the reasons why she is not allowed to return to her village.

The Acting President said the meeting with Foka, her lawyers and Foreign Ministry representatives took place because the issue "is very serious" and noted there are indications the occupation regime will not allow the teacher to return home.

Foka has twice tried to return to her home in the Karpass peninsula, the island's eastern tip. During her last effort, July 5, she suffered minor injuries after being physically attacked by so-called "police" of the occupation regime.

Kyprianou revealed that President Clerides "may raise the issue of the enclaved and the persons missing since the Turkish invasion, in the negotiations, if the issue of confidence building measures is discussed".

The Turkish occupation regime considers Foka as too outspoken, as she often and openly reports violations of the human rights of some 550 Greek Cypriots, who have remained in the occupied areas.

When the Greek Cypriot teacher felt ill and wanted to come to the free part of the Republic for medical examinations, the puppet regime blackmailed not to allow her to return unless she issued an illegal "identity card".

Only two teachers now remain in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, educating 34 elementary school pupils.

The UN has recognised that the illegal regime in the occupied areas violates the rights of Greek Cypriots, mainly pensioners, and has asked that their living conditions are improved.

The occupation regime has grossly violated the Third Vienna agreement signed between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in 1975, providing for the rights of the enclaved people.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Turkey reported to build naval base in occupied areas

According to the Turkish Cypriot daily "Ortam", the Turkish daily "Gumhurriyet" reported that Turkey has decided to go ahead will plans to construct a naval base in the occupied areas if the Cypriot government continues, what the Turkish daily called, its "excessive arms acquisitions".

"Gumhurriyet" said it based its information on a high-ranking Turkish official, without providing a name.

According to the official, Turkey has forged a plan to counter the so- called "attacks" the Turkish Cypriot side supposedly might receive in the event of armed conflict on the island.

A counter-attack would be launched immediately "by the Turkish Cypriot side without Turkey's help."

The Turkish daily reported that Major-General Mustafa Ozmei, responsible for Greek and Cypriot affairs at the Turkish General Staff, visited the occupied areas for the purpose of implementing this plan.

The planned naval base will be constructed in either Kyrenia, located on the island's northern coast, or Famagusta, located on the eastern coast.

According to "Gumhurriyet", work to convert the illegal Lefkoniko airport from a civilian to a military one has been expedited.

The decision to build the base, the Turkish daily reported, was made after the Cypriot government's decision late last year to purchase the advanced Russian anti-aircraft S-300 missiles.

The Turkish threats come two days before the start of peace talks, in the US, between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash under UN auspices.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA SA/EC/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article