Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] US reaction on Turkey-Denktash joint declaration

[02] Child, symbol of Turkish invasion, marries 23 years later

[03] Journalists call for end to Turkish occupation

[04] Kyprianou meets Cook

[05] Parties denounce Ecevit-Denktash joint declaration

[06] President, Denktash meeting "very soon"

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1015:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US reaction on Turkey-Denktash joint declaration

Asked by CNA to comment on the declaration and the provocative statements by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismael Cem, State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said "we have seen some of the statements that were issued over the weekend" by the Turkish officials and Denktash. "We'll obviously study those statements," he added.

"I think what we prefer to do, rather than try to put oil on the flames, is try to reinforce our belief that a bizonal, bicommunal federation should be the ultimate objective of the peace talks" on Cyprus.

A joint declaration issued by Turkey and the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, during a visit there by Ecevit, Cem and other Turkish officials on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, outlined a proposed series of steps towards integration, including efforts on defence, foreign and economic policies.

The US, Burns said, "ought to support UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, in the second run of those talks that will take place in August."

A first round of UN-sponsored direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash were held at the secluded Troutbeck rural retreat, north of New York, from July 9 to 12, while a second round is expected to take place near Geneva between August 11 and 16.

"We would ask that people negotiate on a fair basis and on a constructive basis and that public statements be consistent with that need for fair, honest play in these negotiations," the State Department Spokesman said.

Denktash has launched a string of threats over the years since Cyprus first submitted its application for European Union (EU) membership in 1990, including the incorporation of his breakaway state into Turkey if the application progresses. Ankara, which also aspires to join the EU, argues that Europe cannot start accession talks with Cyprus before it starts talks with Turkey.

The European Commission formally agreed July 15 to invite Cyprus for EU membership talks due to start next year.

When Burns was asked why the US is not more frank, he replied "the fact is that we are not a party to this conflict, this set of differences in the Eastern Mediterranean."

He noted the US is an ally of both Greece and Turkey and a friend to Cyprus "therefore, we don't want to join the fray."

"When charges are launched back and forth, we prefer to stay above that and to counsel for constructive actions behind the scenes," he added.

The State Department Spokesman also said all these issues with the statements and the violations by ships and planes are "very serious and we are concerned about them, but we're not a party to them and so we're going to keep our views private."

The US warned last week Turkish Deputy Prime Minister to be positive and constructive with regard to the Cyprus question, regarding Ecevit's visit to the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and the visit of six Turkish navy vessels there.

Ecevit, who as Prime Minister in 1974 ordered the invasion, said last Sunday integration of the island's occupied north was inevitable after the EU gave a green light last week to Cyprus for membership and excluded Turkey.

Only Turkey recognises the puppet regime in the occupied areas, which depends politically, militarily and economically on Turkey.

The UN has called on all states "not to recognise" the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

CNA DA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1100:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Child, symbol of Turkish invasion, marries 23 years later

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) -- The photograph of a black-clad, three-year-old boy with sad, piercing eyes clutching a wedding picture of his missing father, still tugs at the emotional strings of an entire nation with the same force now as it did when it was first taken.

The ubiquitous "photograph", as it is now simply known, has come to represent the anguish and despair not only of those who lost loved ones during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, 23 years ago, but the grief of an entire people through the haunting image of a little boy whose innocence was shattered by the horrific events of that fateful summer.

Doros Savva, now an all grown-up school teacher, married on Sunday his sweetheart Cleo, ironically 23 years to the day since his father's disappearance during the first day of the Turkish invasion's first phase.

"It may sound a little bad," Doros says of his decision to marry on the black anniversary. "But we live this problem every day for 23 years now. We don't need a specific day on which to express our anguish. We don't need anniversaries to remember."

Doros was just three months old when his father, Savvas Diakou, bid him and his mother Maroula goodbye, to join others rushing in defence of their homeland, never to be heard of again.

"It wasn't something that I had and lost," Doros says of his father. "I was just three months old. I didn't have the time to live him. I didn't have the chance to know him."

Exactly three years later, in a demonstration for the missing outside the Chinese embassy in Nicosia, a passing photographer immortalised little Doros with those eyes staring expressively into the camera as if to ask "why?" in the muted way that only children can.

"Even today, when I see that photograph of 1977, either on posters, T- shirts or leaflets, I feel something. I can't quite describe what that is, but it definitely does affect me greatly," Doros says.

A total of 1619 Greek Cypriots, soldiers and civilians including women and children, were listed as missing just after the Turkish invasion.

To this day, no one exactly knows their fate and Turkey has so far refused to provide any details if they are either dead or alive, in spite of numerous attempts to clear up this humanitarian issue.

Doros is not the only one to have lost his father during the invasion, but his famous photograph thrust his plight to the fore and made Doros ambassador to hundreds of children, now grown men and women, who suffered through childhood without their father.

"I felt that something was missing from my life. The one thing which basically bothered me, was for me to sense those around me feeling sorry for me. I asked nothing more than for others to treat me like a normal child and not the son of a missing person.

"I didn't want to become the topic of discussion in different conversations, but I couldn't hold back from showing just how much talk about the missing bothered me," Doros says.

Even 23 years later, Doros' mother still sacredly nurtures the hope that her husband will return alive.

"As long as we live, we will hope that our people will return," she says.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1110:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Journalists call for end to Turkish occupation

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, the Union of Cyprus Journalists refers to the completion of 23 years since the invasion of the island by Turkish troops and the occupation of 37 per cent of its territory.

Stressing the responsibilities of the UN and of the international community at large "to act in a more resolute and effective way to restore the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus", the Union calls on the UN to ensure human rights and freedoms for all Cypriots, in accordance with the UN Charter and International Law.

The Union says "Cyprus should no longer be the only divided country in Cyprus with almost one third of its population being refugees in their own homeland".

It also refers to the 1.619 persons listed as missing since the Turkish invasion and the right of their relatives to know about the fate of their loved ones.

"The journalists of Cyprus, are deprived, like all other Cypriots, of their fundamental right to move freely all over the island and to carry out their journalistic function", the letter adds.

The Cypriot journalists call on the UN to act more resolutely "to put an end to the tragedy and the injustice facing Cyprus".

CNA EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kyprianou meets Cook

This was pointed out by Cyprus' House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou, after a 40-minute meeting here last night with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, during which they discussed recent developments concerning Cyprus.

Kyprianou said even though the British official expressed the view that a solution prior to EU accession would be preferable, he did not consider it to be a precondition.

The House President is currently in Britain to attend protest events organised by Cypriots living in this country on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion against Cyprus, which resulted in the division of the island and the displacement of some 200.000 Greek Cypriots.

Addressing a dinner organised by Cypriot organisations in Birmingham, Kyprianou described as inconceivable Turkey's attempts to dictate policies on the EU and the US by threatening to annex the occupied areas if Cyprus joins the EU.

Last night demonstrators protested outside the Turkish Embassy in London, demanding the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers from Cyprus, the return of all refugees to their homes and the determination of the fate of persons missing since the Turkish invasion.

CNA KT/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Parties denounce Ecevit-Denktash joint declaration

The ruling rightwing Democratic Rally (DISY) party said this new Turkish provocative act should be effectively met by the international community and Cyprus should remain firmly committed to its course of joining the European Union (EU).

DISY called on the international community to exert its influence for a substantive change in the Turkish stance, to ensure that a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem can be reached, based on international law, to the benefit of both Cypriot communities.

Main opposition leftwing AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias described the joint declaration, issued by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, as "very dangerous".

Christofias said this constitutes a very negative development with regard to efforts to find a Cyprus settlement, especially now that direct talks are being held between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash.

Ecevit and Denktash issued the joint declaration last Sunday, July 20, on the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, outlining a proposed series of steps towards integration of the island's occupied areas into Turkey, including efforts on defence, foreign and economic policies.

Government coalition Democratic Party (DIKO) said the joint declaration came to no surprise as the date chosen reaffirms once again Turkey's expansionist designs against Cyprus that serve its strategic interests.

DIKO said this Turkish act is a "slap in the face of the international community", especially in a period it is trying to secure a positive climate in the peace process for a Cyprus solution.

It also said the issue of these new provocative acts and threats by the Turkish side will be raised during the next meeting of the National Council (top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem) scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 24.

Socialist EDEK party said the so-called joint declaration for partial integration of the island's occupied areas into Turkey and the provocative statements that followed are escalating Turkish contempt of international legality.

The United Democrats movement said this Turkish act is an "explicit contempt" of the international community which "openly undermines" the current peace process.

The Liberal Party said despite the Turkish negative stance and statements, the Greek Cypriot side should attend the next round of direct talks, expected to take place near Geneva from August 11 to 16, and be ready to face difficult decisions needed for a solution that will free Cyprus from Turkish military occupation.

The New Horizon party said the Ecevit-Denktash joint declaration violates every rule of international law and UN resolutions on Cyprus, constituting an open threat against the island's territorial integrity.

Ecevit, who as Prime Minister in Turkey ordered the 1974 invasion, said last Sunday integration of the island's Turkish-occupied areas was "inevitable" after the EU gave a green light last week to Cyprus for membership and excluded Turkey.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:06

[06] President, Denktash meeting "very soon"

Speaking after today's meeting the President, Feissel said the UN expects "that the meeting (between Clerides and Denktash) will go on", noting it is likely to take place "very soon" at his residence, in Nicosia, between now and August 11, when the second round of UN-led direct talks are scheduled to convene near Geneva.

Asked whether issues such as confidence building measures may be discussed during the meeting of the two leaders, Feissel said "it is for them to decide what they want, but the focus is on humanitarian matters."

The UN top official refrained from any comment on a provocative joint declaration by Turkish Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit and Denktash threatening with the "partial integration" of the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, if the island joins the European Union.

Asked if he was worried that Denktash may refuse to attend the second round of talks, Feissel said "as we had announced in Troutbeck (where the first round of talks took place) the meeting arrangements remain to be confirmed, but we look forward to having the meeting."

Commenting on a leak of the revised version of a UN document UN Chief's Special Advisor Diego Cordovez gave the two community leaders, Feissel noted "it is important that everybody can discuss this in a serious and quiet way", adding however, "but things are the way they are."

"We would prefer if things remained on the quiet side so that things can be discussed seriously, and so we would obviously prefer it if things did not leak out all over the place", he said.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    74.72 (-0.25)

Highest: 82.46 (2/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.53 (-0.17)
Approved Investment Companies          63.60 (+0.22)
Insurance Companies                    57.17 (-0.78)
Industrial Companies                   76.67 (-0.26)
Tourist Industries                     63.38 (-0.46)
Commercial Companies                   46.27 (-1.11)
Other Companies                        60.95 (+0.11)

Trading Volume                         CYP 229880.520

CNA MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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