Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-11-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] House President - Italian counterpart - Ocalan

[02] Clerides - UN - Illegal state

[03] Kaklamanis - Illegal state - Kyprianou

2040:CYPPRESS:01

[01] House President - Italian counterpart - Ocalan

In a letter to the Italian Speaker, Kyprianou said he had been informed with great concern of Ocalan's detention by the Italian authorities.

He said the Kurdish leader was not at the head of a terrorist movement, as the Turkish authorities claim, "but in reality he incarnates the Kurdish people's vision and determination to fight in order to secure their inalienable rights, so grossly violated by Ankara."

Kyprianou urged Violante to use all his influence on the Italian government to set free Abdullah Ocalan and satisfy his request for political asylum.

Before sending his written message to his Italian counterpart, Kyprianou and Violante had a long telephone conversation.

Meanwhile, Kurdish men, women and children and supporters of their struggle for self-determination in Kurdistan, continued today for a second day their hunger strike in downtown Nicosia demanding the release of their leader.

Cypriot political parties issued statements calling for Ocalan's release and expressing solidarity with the Kurdish people.

CNA GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Clerides - UN - Illegal state

Speaking at Agros village today, President Clerides said the Greek Cypriot side continued to seek for a solution to the Cyprus people through the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission.

At the same time, it asks for the help of the international community and particularly the help of the united Europe and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The shuttle diplomacy launched by UN Resident Representative Dame Ann Hercus, in a bid to prepare the ground for direct talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, could not continue for ever, President Clerides warned.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Repeated UN efforts for a settlement have failed because of the intransigent policy followed by the Turkish side and Ankara's unwillingness to contribute to a solution.

Referring to the 15th anniversary today of the unilateral declaration of independence in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, President Clerides said the illegal declaration was an unacceptable decision which created problems in the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Cypriot President noted that the international community did not recognise the bogus-state and insisted on a solution of the Cyprus problem in accordance with UN resolutions.

Repeated UN resolutions call for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops and settlers from Cyprus and urge the parties to reach a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Political parties and organisations have issued statements denouncing the unilateral declaration of independence in the occupied areas on November 15, 1983.

Anti-occupation demonstrations, marches and gatherings climaxed tonight.

Greek Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis addressed tonight an anti- occupation gathering in Nicosia.

The occupation regime celebrated the anniversary with a military parade in the occupied northern part of Nicosia, the world's last divided capital.

CNA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2345:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kaklamanis - Illegal state - Kyprianou

Kaklamanis said "international law is ridiculed in occupied Cyprus and with it, all those who, in the name of justice, peace and humanity, doubt the national sovereignty" of several countries.

The Greek speaker was addressing a gathering of the people of the Turkish occupied town of Kyrenia, who condemned today's 15th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence in the occupied north of Cyprus.

In his speech, Kaklamanis condemned Turkey for "throwing in the litter bin" the decisions of the UN on Cyprus and described the US, Britain, France and Italy, as "the champions of hypocrisy".

He said the Greek side "has exhausted all limits of tolerance and patience", adding that "we have the right to demand that the UN decisions on Cyprus be imposed with the same determination as they were in Kuwait and Yugoslavia".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Repeated UN efforts for a settlement have failed because of the intransigent policy followed by the Turkish side and Ankara's unwillingness to contribute to a solution.

"We have the right to demand an answer to the continued crime of occupation and demand an exemplary punishment for war criminals", Kaklamanis said.

Referring to the declaration of the illegal state, the Greek Speaker said Turkey's "aim did not succeed and its blackmail failed."

He said that during the last 15 years, the international community has not recognised the "flagrant illegality" in the occupied areas.

Meanwhile, speaking after meeting his Cypriot counterpart, Kaklamanis said "we look forward to the accession (of Cyprus) in the united Europe."

He said Cyprus' accession to the EU will "constitute a catalyst in solving the Cyprus problem and restoring the unity of the Cyprus Republic."

Invited to comment on the statement submitted by France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands during the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council last Monday, where they said a political solution to the division and partial occupation of Cyprus must be found as a matter of urgency, Kaklamanis replied: "We should not be surprised by such approaches".

He said together with Kyprianou they discussed ways to promote the national positions and the national issue, which is the Cyprus problem.

"Our political struggle has to be coordinated and systematic, if it will yield results", Kaklamanis added.

On his part, Kyprianou said they discussed ways to coordinate the joint committee of the two parliaments, bearing in mind the role which parliaments can play in Europe, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

After their meeting, the two men visited the Ledra Palace checkpoint where students are staging a protest over the 15h anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo state.

Visibly moved, Kaklamanis reassured them that with the joint efforts of Greece and Cyprus "the day will come when the struggle of Cypriot Hellenism will be justified, and the rights of the people of Cyprus will be restored."

Kyprianou told the students, that "in your hands lies the freedom and future of our country".

Kaklamanis will be received tomorrow by President, Glafcos Clerides. He will also meet Archbishop Chrysostomos and will hold separate meetings with the leaders of the political parties.

CNA EC/AA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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