Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-01-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN chief welcomes exchange of information on missing

[02] US concern over increased Cyprus militarisation

[03] Eco-Schools seminar

1155:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN chief welcomes exchange of information on missing

The UN Secretary-General's Spokesman, Fred Eckhard, speaking to reporters, referred to the exchange of information last week between Greek Cypriot Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Takis Christopoulos and Turkish Cypriot representative, Rustem Tatar, in the presence of UN envoy, Gustave Feissel.

He said a tripartite Committee on Missing Persons was established in 1981 following an agreement between the parties.

After the resignation of one of the members of the Committee in 1996, the "Secretary-General indicated he would appoint a replacement as soon as he was informed of the exchange of the information between the parties".

"The S.G. therefore welcomes the development on Friday", Eckhard said.

He noted Kofi Anan "has been in touch with the International Committee of the Red Cross concerning the selection of the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons".

The Greek Cypriot side handed information on 200 Turkish Cypriots missing (of a total of 503 cases). The Turkish Cypriot side gave information about 400 Greek Cypriots (of a total of 1,493 cases, delivered to the Committee).

A total of 1,619 Greek Cypriots and Greeks were listed as missing soon after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US concern over increased Cyprus militarisation

Asked to comment on the military air base at the western district of Paphos, US State Department Spokesman, James Rubin said "we remain concerned in general about the increasing militarisation of Cyprus on both sides of the cease-fire line."

He urged both the Cyprus government and the Turkish occupation forces "to avoid taking actions or making statements that result in increased tensions in the region and that detract efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace on the 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 MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Eco-Schools seminar

The seminar, which will take place from January 29 to February 1, will discus Eco-Schools aimed at promoting environmental issues among students.

It is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE), an umbrella organisation for some 19 European non- governmental environmental organisations.

Among the countries that will participate at the Pissouri seminar are Greece, Turkey, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Belgium.

Cyprus is represented in FEEE by the Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA), which has been a member since 1992.

This is the second project CYMEPA participates in. The first one was the "Blue Flags" project for clean beaches and coastlines.

CYMEPA in cooperation with the Education Ministry and the Pedagogical Institute organised two training seminars for teachers on environmental education, between April to June 1997 and November 1997 to January 1998.

Teachers from 15 elementary schools took part in the seminar and then promoted environmental projects among their pupils.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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