Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-12-07

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides - Missing - Head-scurfs

[02] Greenpeace - Israel - Sea-dumping

[03] Reppas - Clerides - Kyprianou

[04] EU candidate countries - Meeting - Bucharest

1625:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides - Missing - Head-scurfs

The head-scurfs will be sent to the UN and other international organisations and decision making bodies as a form of protest and a reminder of the continuing violation of fundamental human rights in Cyprus by Turkey.

The initiative was undertaken by the Women's Movement, which includes women members of different political parties, trade unions as well as the women Mayors of Turkish-occupied towns.

Signing one of the head-scurfs, President Clerides congratulated the Women's Movement for their initiative.

The head-scurfs will also be signed by President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, and political party leaders.

The head-scurfs relate the history of the 1974 Greek junta coup against the lawful government of the Republic, the Turkish invasion that followed and the drama of missing persons, refugees and the enclaved living under dire conditions in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on December 10, the women will hand petitions to the Ambassadors of the five UN Security Council permanent members in Cyprus.

At the same time representatives of the women will aim to meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to present him the signed head-scurfs.

CNA MA/FZ/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greenpeace - Israel - Sea-dumping

According to a press release issued by Greenpeace, the activists chained themselves to the main gate of the building and prevented plant employees and trucks from entering or leaving.

Ofer Ben-Dov, Greenpeace Mediterranean campaign in Israel, stressed that "the authorities for the third time have broken a promise to end the sea dumping".

He added that "a special permits committee, which includes delegates from several ministries, last month allowed Haifa Chemicals to dump an additional two thousand tons a month until 31 March 1999".

Another hearing is going to take place next week regarding the Israeli Electricity Company (IEC) that has been regularly dumping coal ash into the Mediterranean.

CNA RM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Reppas - Clerides - Kyprianou

He further said the issue should be discussed in the light of all aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Speaking after being received here Monday by President Glafcos Clerides, Reppas who is on a one-day visit to the island, defended Cyprus' right to arm itself.

He expressed support to efforts for a reduction of tension on the island and urged the Cyprus government to make use of all existing opportunities.

"This is a time of challenges, with many opportunities which we should make full use of so that they will not be lost," said Reppas.

"We must have the initiative of making the moves," the Greek Spokesman said, adding that pressure should be exerted on all those who can directly or indirectly contribute to a fair and just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Reppas said "bold decisions" about the reduction of tension were undertaken by the government of Cyprus and that Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, should follow suit.

The Cyprus government, he said, "has opened the way which must be followed by the other side, by (Turkish Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash and Turkey," and pointed out that reduction of armaments and tension is well- received by international fora.

"We must make full use of this proposal", Reppas remarked, noting that the arena which Cyprus and Greece must choose should not be that of "armaments, aggravation and juxtaposition."

Reppas said the S300 "is an aspect of the issues which concern the Cyprus problem" and it should be handled within this perspective.

The Greek Spokesman said "no one can lead to a revocation of the decision taken by the National Council of Cyprus" if the missiles are a must for Cyprus' defence.

He added that the Greek and Cyprus governments "are discussing the Cyprus problem in the light of all aspects (of the Cyprus problem)."

Replying to a comment that his statements could be interpreted as a conclusion by the Greek government that the deployment of the missiles would lead to tension, Reppas said "far from it".

"The deployment or not of the missiles should be examined under the light of the context of all aspects of the Cyprus problem," Reppas stressed.

He said "if the deployment of the missiles really strengthens Cyprus' armament and helps promote efforts for a Cyprus settlement, then it will be a wise choice."

However, he added that "if the deployment of the missiles is done only to keep in line with a decision taken, or to prove that we are determined then I believe we must examine the new conditions in the light of the new circumstances, before making our choices."

He stressed that what is significant is to "reach as near as possible, to our target, which is the reduction of tension in the region and of course, a solution to the Cyprus problem."

The Greek Government Spokesman said "Greece is with Cyprus on this course, and will go ahead with anything which will strengthen its armament and secure its sovereignty."

Asked if the Greek government's position on "casus belli" is still valid, Reppas replied "anything which directly concerns Cyprus... directly concerns Greece."

Regarding the US assurances that they will make efforts for a Cyprus settlement, Reppas replied that their good intentions are not sufficient.

"What we need now, more than ever, is to have practical results", he said adding that "a degree of optimism is justified in view of the mobility that has developed."

However, he said any positive results should have a certain deadline, noting that we must have "tangible results " in the next months.

Reppas briefed the President on the issues which will be examined during today's meeting of a Committee for the promotion of national issues.

Meanwhile, in statements after meeting House President, Spyros Kyprianou, Reppas expressed the hope that the Cypriot leadership will remain committed to the "difficult path it has chosen, the path of reason, morality and justice" to achieve the desired results.

He said the Cyprus problem should be handled in such way which will respond to the expectations of all people for a just and viable solution.

On his part, Kyprianou said the next few days will be very significant regarding Cyprus' negotiations for accession to the European Union.

He expressed the hope that Greece "will do what it must to overcome the obstacles" regarding Cyprus' accession course and the upgrading of Turkey's relations with the European Union.

CNA EC/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:04

[04] EU candidate countries - Meeting - Bucharest

The representatives of the eleven countries responsible for European integration gathered on the initiative of the government of Rumania and they discussed their countries' experiences in the year following the December 1997 Luxembourg EU summit.

Foreign Ministers, Deputy Foreign Ministers and Heads of negotiating teams participated in the meeting at which Cyprus was represented by the Head of its negotiating team, George Vassiliou.

During their stay in the Romanian capital, the eleven candidate countries' representatives had a meeting with the country's President Emil Constantinescu and a second one with Prime Minister Radu Vasile.

Vassiliou was scheduled to leave today for Brussels where he will discuss Cyprus' views on accession with EU officials.

Cyprus along with the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia and Poland started substantive accession negotiations with the EU last month.

Bulgaria, Rumania, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are the rest of the eleven candidate countries.

CNA GG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article