Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] House President - German parliamentarians

[02] Spokesman - Occupied areas - Illegal visits

[03] Australia - Assembly - Rann - Cyprus

[04] Cyprus - Islamic Conference

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[01] House President - German parliamentarians

Speaking after a meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou, the German parliamentarian, who heads a seven-member delegation, noted that the island's membership negotiations with the EU could create some sort of leverage for the solution to the Cyprus problem.

"I think from all the candidates and all the discussions and the screening process and the negotiations themselves Cyprus comes out best and we know that Cyprus will be an enrichment in the EU," Pflueger said.

He noted that "it is wrong to say that first you have to solve your problems and then you can become member of the EU because that would give away of the possibility of the leverage and would give the key and also the veto power to Ankara, which is not acceptable."

He said, however, that "it is very difficult to understand how we should have Cyprus enter the EU with the acquis communautaire applying to a part of the island".

Pflueger expressed hope that both sides would take part in peace negotiations this fall, without preconditions and on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions.

Replying to a question on whether reunited Germany could be cited as an example for Cyprus' accession process, he said Germany's model is "quite different".

He explained that Germany was divided as a result of the II World War while Cyprus' case involves "an invasion from outside."

The German parliamentarian said "it is up to the Cypriot side to decide whether one could learn anything from the German problem."

Cyprus House President Kyprianou expressed "fears" stemming from various indications which set aside the relevant decisions of the UN.

Kyprianou noted that Cyprus' accession to the EU would also contribute to the political aspect pointing out that "this is the issue for which we need to feel secure."

The House President expressed the conviction that Cyprus' accession to the EU would act as a "catalyst" to the Cyprus problem.

He said "the greatest security for Cyprus is the accession of a united Cyprus, providing an opportunity for all its people to create joint interests."

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA RM/GP/1999 ENDS CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Spokesman - Occupied areas - Illegal visits

"The visit of the Irish parliamentarians to the occupied areas is illegal," the Cypriot official said.

He said the Cyprus government, through its embassy in Dublin "is taking all appropriate measures."

Asked if similar representations were made regarding recent illegal visits to the occupied territories by the ambassadors of Pakistan and Bosnia in Ankara, Serezis said "representations had been made by our Permanent Mission to the United Nations and at an ambassadorial level."

The Turkish Cypriot daily "Kibris" identified yesterday the four Irish parliamentarians visiting the occupied areas as Evin Ryan, Sean Power, of the Fianna Fail Party, Denis Naughel and senator Liam Cosgrane, of the Fine Gael Party.

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

The illegal regime in the occupied areas has been branded "legally invalid" by the UN. It is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Australia - Assembly - Rann - Cyprus

The motion, which was adopted only a few days before the anniversary of Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus' northern third, also recognised the government of the Republic of Cyprus as the legitimate authority on the island.

During the debate, South Australian Labour's Opposition leader, Mike Rann, MP, called for stronger action by the Australian government and by Australia's special envoy on Cyprus, Stephen Spender.

He said he was "disappointed" that the Australian federal government was not giving strong backing for his proposal for a Commonwealth Heads of Government initiative and an eminent persons Commission on Cyprus.

Rann said he would like to see some assistance from the federal government for Cypriot refugees living in Australia to enable them take legal action against the Turkish government for violating their human rights following the illegal occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkey since 1974.

The Australian MP expressed the hope that the Australian government could help sponsor test cases in the European Court for Australian citizens of Greek Cypriot origin and put pressure on Turkey over its illegal occupation of the island.

July 20th marks the 25th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus which ended with the occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory, the displacement of 200.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes and more than 1600 people are still unaccounted for.

Turkey also maintains some 40.000 soldiers on the island while in an effort to change the demographic character of the country encourages the influx of Turkish settlers in the occupied areas.

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] Cyprus - Islamic Conference

Government Spokesman Costas Serezis described as "adverse" the resolution, adding that the island's government was taking the necessary measures through diplomatic channels.

Serezis told the press that it was not the first time the Islamic Conference had issued an unfavourable resolution on Cyprus, acknowledging that this time "it went further".

He expressed the view that the international situation and the Kosovo crisis had affected the decisions of the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic countries because it gave the Turkish propaganda the opportunity to promote its positions.

In its resolution the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers expressed "firm support for the rightful cause of the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus".

It reaffirmed its solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots and "called for a just political settlement with respects the legitimate aspirations of the Turkish Cypriots"

It emphasised "the key importance of respecting the principle of equal political status in reaching a freely negotiated and mutually acceptable solution."

The resolution welcomed "the willingness shown by the Turkish Cypriot side for a political and viable settlement by presenting a comprehensive proposal on 31 August 1998."

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, presented during a press conference on 31 August 1998, in the occupied areas, a proposal for the establishment of confederation of two states in Cyprus, contrary to repeated UN resolutions and high-level agreements signed by Denktash himself, providing for the establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation in Cyprus.

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

Some 200.000 people, making one third of the island's population, were forcibly uprooted from their homes by the Turkish troops and more than 1600 people were listed as missing.

Repeated UN resolutions have called for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and for the recognition of no other state on the island but that of the Cyprus Republic.

The UN is pushing for reunification of the island under a bicommunal, bizonal federation but all efforts have so far failed because of the intransigent policy followed by the Turkish side and Ankara's unwillingness to contribute to a solution.

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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