Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Young conscript dies

[02] Sports ministers to meet in Nicosia

[03] Cypriot party leader meets Fidel Castro

[04] South Africa gives lesson to Cyprus

[05] EU attempts to improve ties with Turkey

[06] US envoy here for serious talks, says Ambassador

0800:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Young conscript dies

Gregoris Tziogouros, 19, fell from the 13th to the seventh floor of the Manglis building on Friday, while exercising, according to initial investigations.

The young conscript, from Nicosia's Strovolos suburb, was serving his compulsory military service. He had sustained serious head injuries.

Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, who had visited him three times at Nicosia General Hospital, has ordered a full inquiry into the incident.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0930:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Sports ministers to meet in Nicosia

According to a Council of Europe press release, ministers and top officials from 47 states will participate in the 15th informal meeting of European Sports Minister, to be held in Nicosia, May 14-15.

Council of Europe Secretary-General, Daniel Tarschys, will open the conference, followed by an address from Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture, Lykourgos Kappas.

Ethical questions in sport, legal questions and social cohesion through sport are the three main themes of the conference.

The comparative report on national sports laws concludes that spectator violence, doping and sports funding are still causing problems.

It also reveals that the time spent in schools on physical education is declining and that social and economic links between sport and the media are becoming stronger.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0935:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot party leader meets Fidel Castro

This position was outlined at a meeting in Cuba between the leader of Cyprus' main opposition leftwing AKEL party, Demetris Christofias, and Castro.

An AKEL press release, issued here, said the 90-minute meeting was "friendly and cordial" and established an identity of views between the Cypriot party and its Cuban counterpart.

AKEL condemned the economic embargo the US has imposed on Cuba and Castro has expressed his support for the struggle the Cypriot people wage to reunite their island, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern part.

The AKEL delegation also met with Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina Gonzalez.

The delegation was due to stop in Madrid today for a meeting with Spain's communist party before returning to Cyprus on Wednesday.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:04

[04] South Africa gives lesson to Cyprus

This was stressed by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides briefly addressing foreign diplomats attending here last night a reception given by South African Ambassador to Cyprus David Jacobs, on the occasion of his country's Freedom Day.

The Cypriot President was apparently referring to the island's 24-year- old division imposed by Turkey, whose troops invaded and occupied Cyprus' northern third in 1974.

Jacobs assured the government and people of Cyprus of the full support of the government and people of South Africa in their struggle to overcome the division of their country.

He noted that the division was "forced upon your people and based on unjust policies of the past which do not serve the interests and well being of your country and its people."

At the same time, the Athens-based South African diplomat thanked Cyprus' government and people "for their principled and unwavering support during our struggle to overcome the deep divisions in our country: a division forced upon our people and based on unjust policies of the past which did not serve the interests and well being of our country and its people."

Addressing the foreign diplomats, Jacobs expressed appreciation towards all members of the family of nations for their contributions to bring about the liberation of South Africa.

"Thanks to your support the future generations of South Africans will not suffer the yoke of unjust policies," he said.

CNA GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:05

[05] EU attempts to improve ties with Turkey

He also noted that British envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay "concentrates on EU-Turkey relations" and will visit the island "as and when a visit would be useful."

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Madden said he had an interesting meeting and described this week's visit to Cyprus by US envoy Richard Holbrooke as "very important."

Commenting on the role of the EU in the context of the visit, he said the presidency is working "very hard" on its mandate for accession talks with Cyprus and taking forward Turkey-EU relations.

Asked if there are any indications from Turkey that efforts are making headway, Madden replied "we see a step by step approach, with a very important date, the Association Council, on 25 May."

Britain, he added, "is also working very closely with the UN and other countries who have always taken a very strong supporting role in the UN process to try and bring progress towards a political settlement."

"We hope that our work as presidency in talking to them (Turkey) about the prospects and about how to take the relationship forward will in the end prove to have been beneficial," Madden noted.

Invited to say if Britain has come up with ideas or something specific to put on the table for Turkey, Madden said "it is being discussed between Turkey and the presidency and the member states,", noting that today's meeting of the General Affairs Council is also tackling this matter.

"Let us not look too far ahead, let us take the step by step approach, see what is possible today," the British High Commissioner said.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] US envoy here for serious talks, says Ambassador

Brill was very restrained in his statements to the press after the 45- minute meeting, reiterating the need for quiet diplomacy.

However, he said Holbrooke will visit Cyprus to do serious work.

"I had the chance to compare notes with the President," he said, adding they discussed this week's visit to the island, as well as visits of the past couple of weeks in various capitals.

Brill said they also "talked about a full range of issues".

Holbrooke is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on May 1 and on the 4th he will leave on personal business. He is expected to return on May 8.

"We're looking forward to Mr Holbrooke's visit later in the week and I'm not going to say much more than that, except that we're bringing in Mr Holbrooke to do some serious work and we're looking forward to a chance to have some very good discussions," Brill said.

The US Ambassador confirmed Holbrooke will be leaving for business on Monday, but refrained from saying whether he has cancelled visits to Athens and Ankara.

Earlier press reports have suggested Holbrooke will travel to Greece and Turkey for talks.

According to CNA sources, US State Department Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller, who arrives here Thursday, will remain in Cyprus for meetings until Holbrooke's return.

Brill refrained from commenting on yesterday's press reports that the Turkish government has backed down from its demand for recognition of the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus in order for the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in peace talks.

"There have been a lot of statements made in a variety of capitals and I'm not going to comment on any of them at this moment," he said.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash told the UN in March that he will not participate in negotiations for a Cyprus settlement unless he is recognised as leader of his illegal entity.

The regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised only by Ankara. So far peace talks have been held by the leaders of the Republic's two communities.

Invited to confirm press reports that the US Secretary of State may also be visiting Cyprus, Brill said Madeleine Albright "is in touch with Mr Holbrooke a good deal".

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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