Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish occupation forces - Buoys - UNFICYP

[02] Cyprus authorities - Hulinsky extradition

[03] President Clerides - Cyprus problem

1245:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkish occupation forces - Buoys - UNFICYP

Sources told CNA that the Cyprus government has protested the incident to UNFICYP, but its spokeswoman Sarah Russell could not confirm the complaint.

Russell said that Saturday morning "three buoys were replaced" and added that "the UN is monitoring the situation, the observation posts up there are watching to see what happens."

The regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by the Turkish forces since 1974 supported it was maintenance work.

UNFICYP spokeswoman told CNA that the occupation forces "say that it was maintenance work and that they were exchanging old buoys for new buoys."

She added that the buoys placed by the Turkish occupation forces have nothing to do with the UN markers in the region, on which UNFICYP has done improvements to render them more visible and to warn people to stay away.

Replying to a question Russell said she did not know of any complaints by the Cyprus government, but "that doesn't say we haven't received one. I can only confirm that tomorrow."

She also said she did not know if the ship belonged to the Turkish Naval Forces.

However, TV channels last night screened footage showing a naval ship with Turkish flags and soldiers on board replacing the buoys.

MP Marios Matsakis and cameramen were on board a dinghy that approached the Turkish navy vessel.

Local fishermen expressed concern and fear with this new provocative Turkish move.

On a number of occasions, Turkish vessels opened fire against Greek Cypriot fishermen, some of whom had been abducted and taken to the occupied areas.

Some 1.200 peacekeepers control the 180-kilometre long buffer zone across this east Mediterranean island, drawn after the Turkish invasion.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus authorities - Hulinsky extradition

Three German officers had come to the island to take the 49-year-old Hulinsky, who was born in the Czech Republic, back to Germany.

Hulinsky, who has Czech, German and US nationality, was wanted by both the German and the Czhech authorities.

He was arrested in the southern coastal resort of Larnaca in September last year, following an Interpol request.

CNA MA/MK/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1345:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President Clerides - Cyprus problem

He also said that the international community is expected to step up its efforts for the resumption of the Cyprus peace talks after April's elections in Turkey.

Speaking at the memorial service of Evagoras Paligarides, who lost his life during the struggle for Cyprus' independence from British colonial rule (1955-59), the President called on the international community to exert more pressure on the Turkish side if a settlement here is to be reached.

"We will not accept the Turkish side's unacceptable conditions for recognition of the illegal state and a confederation in order for it to participate in a dialogue," Clerides said.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will not take part in negotiations unless the regime unilaterally declared in 1983 in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised. The illegal regime is recognised only by Turkey.

Denktash also said he will not negotiate for a federal solution as stipulated in numerous UN resolutions and demands the establishment of a confederation of two states.

President Clerides reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to participate in all honesty and goodwill in a substantive dialogue for a settlement based on UN resolutions and within the framework set out by the international organisation.

He criticised the Turkish side for "placing insurmountable obstacles with its negative stance" and called on the international community "to exercise its influence on the Turkish side so that it displays a more constructive attitude."

"We expect foreign envoys to step up their investigatory efforts for the resumption of talks for a settlement in Cyprus after the elections in Turkey," he added.

President Clerides said "our aim is the reunification of Cyprus, our cohabitation with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots in conditions of real security and permanent peace and prosperity within a state that is a member of the European Union."

CNA MA/MK/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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