Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-12-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Conference on Cypriot, Greek and Turkish literatures

[02] No EU negotiations for Turkey, unless it ends occupation

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[01] Conference on Cypriot, Greek and Turkish literatures

The conference, entitled "From Nationalism to Multiculturalism: New Interpretations of the Literatures of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey" is funded by the European Union in the framework of promoting bi-communal programmes and activities.

Academics and writers from the two Cypriot communities will consider issues of nationality and cultural identity, as expressed in Greek and Turkish language literatures, with the intention of creating a new bi- communal and multicultural approach.

The conference will cover three main topics: "Nationalism and Globalism in Contemporary Literatures of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey", "Multiculturalism, the Presentation of the 'Other' and Hybridity in Literary Systems" and "Comparison of Literary traditions and Context of Translations of Cypriot, Greek and Turkish Literature".

Contacts have been made in Athens and Constantinople (Istanbul) for the publication of the deliberations of the conference in English, Greek and Turkish.

Conference Organiser and visiting academic in Literature and Translation at Middlesex University, Mehmet Yashin, told CNA "even though the focus of the conference is Cyprus and both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots take part in this event, this is not a community but an international academic conference to deal with literature".

Yashin stressed the importance of getting acquainted with Greek and Turkish literatures as a means of overcoming certain misconceptions and stereotypes that have become established.

Pointing out that there is suspicion and mistrust between the two communities in Cyprus, he suggested that learning each other's language could open the way to a better understanding between them.

He said efforts are being made to establish university programmes for the teaching of Greek and Turkish on a similar basis as existing programmes for French or Spanish.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] No EU negotiations for Turkey, unless it ends occupation

Luxembourg, Dec 12 (CNA) -- Turkey should end its occupation of Cyprus and show progress in terms of its treatment of the Kurds and respect of human rights, if it wants to be considered for accession to the European Union.

This was stated, here today, by President of the European Parliament Jose Maria Gils-Robles, replying to a question by CNA.

There can be no negotiations with Turkey "because to begin negotiations, it is necessary to have democratic standards", Robles said.

He also pointed out "it is necessary, in the case of Turkey, to end the occupation of Cyprus, to make big steps ahead concerning the treatment of the Kurdish minority and to respect human rights."

If these pre-conditions are not fulfilled, there can be no accession negotiations, Robles said.

He noted, however, that it is "necessary to have a dialogue (with Turkey) at the highest level" and that Turkey should be invited to the European Conference.

CNA EC/MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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