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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-04-13Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1430:CYPPRESS:01[01] Australian High Commissioner - KyprianouNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- Australia has categorically denied reports that one of its two nationals, who are in custody in Yugoslavia, is a spy.Australia's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Howard Graig Brown, said the two men are working for an Australian private aid organisation and "have been in Yugoslavia for some time helping all people" there. "The Australian government denies these allegations categorically", Brown said. He was speaking after meeting House President Spyros Kyprianou, who last week went to Belgrade on a humanitarian mission in an effort to secure the release of three US soldiers captured by Yugoslav forces. While in Belgrade, Kyprianou was asked by the Australian government to assist with the release of its two nationals. Brown said he conveyed to Kyprianou a letter from the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, "expressing his personal thanks for the efforts of Mr. Kyprianou". Asked if Kyprianou will continue his efforts, Brown said he had explained to Kyprianou the situation at the present time and "left matters in the hands" of the House President. CNA AA/RG/EC/MM/1999 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1435:CYPPRESS:02[02] Foreign Minister - Belgrade missionNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- The outcome of a mission to Belgrade by the House President, who failed to secure the release of three American soldiers captured by Yugoslav forces, will not have negative repercussions, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said here today.The Minister avoided to comment on US reaction to the attempt by House President Spyros Kyprianou, who spent three days in the Yugoslav capital on a humanitarian mission with a view to free the three soldiers. "The House President briefed me on his contacts in Belgrade. I do not think there are any negative repercussions from Kyprianou's attempt, which had a good purpose," Kasoulides said after a meeting with Kyprianou. Kasoulides said the government was in touch with the American embassy here after Kyprianou's return from Yugoslavia but avoided to say what the American response was to the failed attempt to free the US servicemen. "It is not up to me to speak for the American administration," he added, noting that no representations were made to the government from the US. He also said that at least on the first day of Kyprianou's mission "there was clear encouragement for this attempt. The US made it clear they would welcome the three back but they were not prepared for any other transaction," the minister said. Asked if British war planes are stationed at RAF (Royal Air Force) Akrotiri, (in connection with the Yugoslav crisis) Kasoulides replied "we are not involved, Cyprus is not involved in something taking place in the military bases Britain has on the island." The government, he said, is monitoring developments. Britain has retained two military bases in Cyprus since it granted the island its independence in 1960. Both operate within the provisions of the Treaty of Establishment. RAF Akrotiri has been used by Britain during the Gulf War and on other occasions. CNA AA/MM/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1910:CYPPRESS:03[03] EU - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee - EnclavedNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- The delegation of the European Parliament at the joint European Union (EU) - Cyprus parliamentary committee supports proposals aiming to safeguard the human rights of the enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish occupied north of the island.According to a communique released by the delegation during its meeting last week in Brussels, members received through the delegation President Philippe Monfils, "more than 1000 letters" by Greek citizens, protesting against the situation of the enclaved, which the delegation itself described as "intolerable". Noting that the north of the island is "occupied by Turkish forces", the statement points out that the letters focused on the violation of human rights of the enclaved and the lack of education for children in their language of origin. According to the communique, the Greek citizens propose the reopening of secondary education institutions in the occupied part of the island and free movement for children. They also propose that children should have the opportunity to return to their homes and rejoin their families. The Greek citizens propose that the Greek Cypriot teacher Eleni Foka, who has been hindered by the Turkish regime to return to the occupied areas, should have the right to return unconditionally to her village of Agia Triada and restart her activities. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. In 1975 the two communities on the island reached an agreement safeguarding the living conditions of the people who remained in the occupied areas. The agreement stipulated that some 20.000 Greek Cypriots and Maronites would have every help to lead a normal life. However, the occupation regime never respected the agreement and exercised constant harassment and violation of the enclaved peoples' human rights. As a result, the number of the enclaved Greek Cypriots, mainly living in the Karpass peninsula in the island's eastern trip, is now less than five hundred. CNA GG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1930:CYPPRESS:04[04] French Senators - VisitNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- A delegation of the France - Cyprus Friendship Group of the French Senate will arrive on the island this evening for a five-day visit.The five-member delegation, which will be chaired by Senator Marc Massion, will be received by the President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou. The French Senators, who were invited by the House, will hold separate meetings with the head of the island's delegation in the accession negotiations with the European Union and the House Foreign and European Affairs Committee. They will visit the ceasefire line which divides the Turkish occupied north of the island from the free areas of the Cyprus Republic. The French senators will also attend the unveiling ceremony of a monument in the archaeological neolithic site of Chirokitia on the occasion of the site's inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List. CNA GG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2005:CYPPRESS:05[05] Cyprus - US - Byzantine material - Import restrictionNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- The US decided to impose an emergency import restriction on Byzantine material from Cyprus in a bid to protect the island's cultural heritage.According to a statement by the American Embassy in Nicosia here Tuesday, the US "today has an emergency import restriction on Byzantine ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological material from Cyprus, unless such material is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Republic of Cyprus." The decision for the import restriction is the result of a relevant recommendation by the US Cultural Property Advisory Committee, the statement notes. It comes "in response to a request from the government of the Republic of Cyprus seeking protection of its cultural heritage under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property" it adds. Noting that both the US and Cyprus are parties to the Convention, the statement says "Cyprus is the first country in the Mediterranean region to seek the help of the US in protecting its cultural property". It points out that "materials produced during the Byzantine period illustrate the high degree of artistic achievement on Cyprus and include some of the finest pieces of Byzantine art ever produced", adding that certain monuments on the island are inscribed on the World Heritage List. According to the statement by the US Embassy, the categories of material subject to the import restriction include objects of metal, wood, ivory and bone, textiles, stone and frescos. They range in date from approximately the 4th century AD through approximately the 15th century AD. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. The systematic plundering of its heritage in the occupied areas is considered part of Turkey's policy of ethnic cleansing. Some 500 churches in the occupied areas have been destroyed, looted or used for other purposes, such as warehouses, stables or public lavatories. Some of the churches that have been destroyed date back to the 12th century, while most of their priceless relics have been sold on the international black market. CNA GG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2010:CYPPRESS:06[06] Kyprianou - Belgrade mission - StatementsNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- House President, Spyros Kyprianou said here Tuesday he does not consider that his humanitarian mission to Belgrade last week failed.In statements, Kyprianou further said he cannot point out when and which will be the next step regarding his mission. The House President, who returned to Cyprus on Saturday after staying in Belgrade for three days in an effort to secure the release of three US servicemen captured by Yugoslav forces, said he never claimed the Americans had undertaken any commitment regarding his mission to Belgrade. He said he expected his mission to have been "respected" and that the Americans should "have shown a desire that they wanted the mission to succeed". Kyprianou further said the US attache in Nicosia today did not convey her disappointment over the results of his mission. On the contrary, Kyprianou said, "the (US) military attache expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation" over the effort. On the issue of the two Australian nationals who are in custody in Yugoslavia, Kyprianou told CNA this afternoon that he had a telephone conversation with the Yugoslav Foreign Minister on the issue. "He told me that at first sight, it seems that both men together with others, are involved in spy activities", Kyprianou said. He added that the Yugoslav FM said he had conveyed the development to the Australian government. Kyprianou will be received tomorrow by President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and will then hold separate meetings with political party leaders. He will give a press conference on Thursday about his humanitarian mission to Belgrade. CNA AA/EC/GG/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2040:CYPPRESS:07[07] Kasoulides - Visits - StatementsNicosia, Apr 13 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, underlined the significance which the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and especially the Euro-Mediterranean conference has on Cyprus.Kasoulides leaves tomorrow morning for Stuttgart, Germany, to take part in the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial conference which will be held between April 15-16. In statements here Tuesday, the FM said the Euro-Mediterranean procedure "is especially significant because there is an effort to turn the Mediterranean into a place of peace, cooperation and understanding between the peoples of the Mediterranean." He said because of the role which Cyprus intends to play "as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East", the "Euro-Mediterranean Conference" becomes more important. Kasoulides further said that during the conference, Cyprus will make suggestions in the fields of economic cooperation and illegal immigration. From Stuttgart, Kasoulides will visit Brussels between April 17-18 to take part in a seminar on Cyprus organised by the European Commission. Ambassadors of Cyprus to European capitals will participate in the meeting. "The aim will be to exchange views on issues concerning Cyprus and its European course", he added. Cyprus' accession process was launched in Brussels on March 30, 1998, as envisaged by the Luxembourg European Council summit. It applied for membership in the European Community in 1990. CNA AA/EC/GG/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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