Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-03-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dame Ann - UNFICYP event - International Women's Day

[02] Spokesman - Ocalan aides

1325:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Dame Ann - UNFICYP event - International Women's Day

Nicosia, Mar 4 (CNA) -- UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus believes International Women's Day, celebrated March 8, is an opportunity for women to think beyond their own community and to get a global perspective.

Speaking to CNA on the occasion of an event organised by the UN Peace- keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) this Saturday to celebrate March 8, Dame Ann also underlined the importance of a workshop to be held on the day on "Women and the Media".

The celebration is organised at the Ledra Palace hotel in the UN- controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, from 14.00 to 17.00, and is open to both Greek and Turkish Cypriot women.

Dame Ann said tents will operate on the day with information on issues such as women and peace, women and health, women and the environment and the promotion of women's rights, giving the "international perspectives".

"I think it does us good from time to time and maybe one day a year, to not just think of ourselves in our own town, our own village, our own environment, but to have the global perspective," she added.

The UNFICYP chief described the two workshops on media (at 14.30 and 16.00) as a practical and keynote part of the event, as they will help women know how to work with the media.

"One of the international views that is continually expressed is how do women find the skills and confidence to work with the media in a way they are comfortable with," she said.

Dame Ann noted that the workshop is useful for women, whether they are working with community organisations, are in public or private enterprise, whether they are rising at management levels or if they are working in the political arena.

Encouraging women to participate, she noted that "right through the afternoon there will be continuous activity", including "music by UNFICYP women who got themselves together to perform international music to our guests."

"This is the day the UN celebrates the contribution of women around the world, in the home, in the community, in the paid workforce and also focuses on issues of particular interest to women," an UNFICYP press release says.

The UNFICYP event is also open to men.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman - Ocalan aides

"The decision was taken bearing in mind the national interest and for reasons for their own safety," Stylianides told his daily press briefing.

He stressed "the government believes that the national interest is served better with precautionary moves rather than act later."

He noted that none of the three Kurdish women aides to Ocalan holds a Cypriot passport.

The three women were with Ocalan in Kenya, where the Kurdish rebel leader was abducted by Turkish agents and taken to Turkey. The three women were taken to Greece.

Stylianides pointed out that the reasons behind this decision should not be made public.

Asked if the government considers the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) a terrorist organisation, Stylianides said it does not.

CNA MK/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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