Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] European Conference - Foreign Minister

[02] Turkey's Premier - Illegal visit

[03] Turkish invasion - Cyprus remembers

[04] Cyprus - Greece - Turkish invasion

[05] Cyprus - UN - Turkish air violations

[06] Cyprus Federation of America - Annual awards

[07] Russian Ambassador - Cyprus problem - Technology

[08] Conservative Party - Turkish invasion

0830:CYPPRESS:01

[01] European Conference - Foreign Minister

His remarks at a meeting in Brussels with his British counterpart Robin Cook come as the Turkish side is stepping up its intransigent demands for state-to-state talks, its rejection of any involvement of the international community in the Cyprus peace effort and a demand for the withdrawal of Cyprus' application for accession to the European Union.

Kasoulides and Cook met on the sidelines of the third European Conference, which took place in the Belgian capital Monday and was attended by 27 ministers from the European Union, twelve from associated countries and Switzerland.

Turkey has again refused to participate, to protest against a European Union decision not to include Turkey in the list of candidate countries because of its deplorable human rights record and its unwillingness to help find a settlement of the Cyprus question.

Cook agreed with the views Kasoulides expressed, which move within the parametres set by the G8 summit in Cologne last month for unconditional talks where all issues will be on the negotiating table and discussions will take into full consideration relevant UN resolutions and treaties.

Kasoulides outlined the government's views to British Minister for European Affairs Joyce Quin, whom she met in Brussels too.

The European Conference dealt with the situation in Kosovo, the stability pact in the Balkans and the fight against organised crime.

Kasoulides will fly to Athens later today to meet Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis before returning home on Wednesday.

CNA NB/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1010:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Turkey's Premier - Illegal visit

Bulent Ecevit, Turkey's premier, arrived in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas in a triumphant mood to show the world at large that he and his puppet Turkish Cypriot regime are on top of things.

Dismissing any notion of guilt for the gross violations of human rights Turkish troops committed in the July and August offensive against Cyprus, Ecevit declared unashamedly that he came to "celebrate" with the Turkish Cypriots.

He reiterated his full support to the self-styled regime in Turkish- occupied Cyprus and said Turkey puts as much emphasis on its independence as on the independence of the regime it set up in 1983, which is not recognised by any other country but Turkey.

The UN has called on all states not to recognise it and not to facilitate it and branded it "legally invalid."

The puppet regime depends militarily, economically and politically on Turkey, which has a 35.000 heavily armed force in the island's occupied areas.

Turkey has implanted more than 80.000 Turkish colonist settlers in these areas as part of its designs to change the island's demographic character, thus forcing the native Turkish Cypriots to emigrate.

Implementing an ethnic cleansing policy, Turkish troops forcibly uprooted 200.000 Greek Cypriots, making one third of the island's population, form their homes and properties.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash welcomed Ecevit and his entourage of government ministers with open arms, thanking him profusely for Ankara's backing in every step of the way to achieving his objective for international recognition.

Turkey and Denktash have for years failed to negotiate in good faith to help find a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus but instead have undermined every good willed effort to this effect.

Their latest outburst against the interest shown by the G8 group in Cyprus is indicative of their long standing positions. Both Turkey and Denktash have dismissed it and said negotiations can only take place on a state-to-state basis, something contrary to UN resolutions and the rule of law.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Turkish invasion - Cyprus remembers

Nicosia, Jul 20 (CNA) -- The resolve of the people of Cyprus to see their island reunited, after a quarter of century, is no less today than it was 25 years ago, when Turkey launched a massive invasion against its much smaller and weaker neighbour.

This was the message Cypriots at home and abroad conveyed in all directions to stress once more that irrespective of the passage of time, they are not prepared to give up their right to return to their homes and live under conditions of peace and security with their Turkish Cypriot compatriots.

Greek Cypriots woke up to the sound of sirens this morning and though they need no reminding of today's bleak anniversary, they are marking the day with many somber ceremonies to honour the dead and reiterate their determination to fight for justice and freedom for the generations to come.

President Glafcos Clerides attended a church memorial for the dead heroes and then a special service of prayers for the 1,619 persons listed as missing since the Turkish invasion.

Local media, printed and electronic, have altered their programmes today to suit the occasion with numerous analysis, viewpoints and special TV programmes with eye witness reports from July - August 1974 and views from a wide spectrum of the Cypriot society.

Left wing daily "Haravgi" printed a full front page photograph of Pentadactylos mountain range, in northern occupied part, where the Turks have imprinted a massive flag of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime.

Other newspapers carry photographs and interviews with people who fought to defend their country or ordinary people caught up in the war and had a story to tell about their experiences. Media representatives from overseas organisations have flooded Cyprus in the past couple of weeks and prepared reports on various aspects of the tragedy of Cyprus.

The issue of the 200,000 refugees was the subject of one such programme, Ankara's position on Cyprus and the latest diplomatic moves to rekindle interest and resume the stalled peace negotiations were the topic of programmes aired on the BBC world service.

President Clerides addressed the nation last night to assure his people that he would not deviate from the UN framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

The President also appealed to the international community to exert its influence Turkey's foreign policy, even belatedly, to put an end to its unacceptable tactics and contribute to peace, security and stability in the region.

Political parties issued statements of condemnation, organised protest rallies and stressed they will continue to work for a peaceful settlement.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1050:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Greece - Turkish invasion

Simitis' message was echoed by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, who said in his message that the continuing drama in Cyprus is an indication of "decadence of the civilised world."

Simitis pledged Greece will remain a guarantor of Cyprus' security and the survival of Hellenism and will not waver from the set goal of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

The Greek premier also appealed to Turkey to understand that it is in its interest and that of the region to help find a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

"We do not forget. We shall continue until we are finally vindicated," he said, stressing Greece's firm support for the joint Greco-Cypriot defence pact and Cyprus' bid to become a member of the European Union.

Turkey's long standing intransigent stance and provocative attitude as well as the lack of political will on the part of Ankara have led efforts over the years to nothing, Simitis said.

"Turkey will have to cooperate at long last to find a final settlement in Cyprus," he said, something that would benefit the entire region.

Stephanopoulos expressed hope that Turkey will have a change of heart and work towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem in parallel with improving its relations with Greece.

Rest assured, he told Cypriots, that Greece will continue "to be by your side until justice is done."

Greek Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis called on the big world powers, and especially the US, to work with decisiveness for a solution in Cyprus, on the basis of UN resolutions, which they themselves have endorsed.

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

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - UN - Turkish air violations

In a recent letter to the UN Secretary-General, he outlines in detail violations of the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) and Cyprus' national airspace by Turkish military aircraft.

On six different occasions, between May 20-28, as many as 16 Turkish aircraft, ignoring all safety procedures and regulations, entered FIR Nicosia and on all but one case violated the Republic's national air space.

In a strong protest to the UN, Ambassador Zackheos said these "violations are not conducive to reducing tension and run counter to the initiative of the Secretary-General" to reduce tensions and promote progress towards a just and lasting settlement of Cyprus.

This latest spade of violations is not an isolated incident. Turkey often sends its aircraft to the part it occupies for the past 25 years in a show of strength and in a bid to raise tensions, at a time when others, including the UN, are trying to find ways to resume the intercommunal dialogue leading to a resolution of the problem.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1210:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus Federation of America - Annual awards

According to a press release by the Federation this annual award is presented to those who have been "exemplary leaders and outspoken advocates of the just and noble cause for the liberation of Cyprus from the Turkish occupation forces and the restoration of the human rights of the Cypriot people."

The "Lifetime Achievement Award" will be presented to the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, Archbishop Spyridon.

This award is presented to those whose life has been marked with "excellence and distinction" and whose accomplishments have been characterised "by vision and uncompromising principles and ideals."

The "Humanitarian and Philanthropic Award", presented to those who have demonstrated "exemplary generosity, benevolence and compassion towards their community and mankind", will be presented to Georgia and Dimitrios Kaloidis for their benevolent pursuits.

The annual awards Gala will be held on Saturday, September 25, at a hotel in Manhattan.

Meanwhile, Peter Vallone, Speaker for the Council of the City of New York, presented to the President of the Cyprus Federation of America, Savas Tsivicos, a proclamation citing Turkey as having violated international law when it invaded the sovereign Republic of Cyprus and condemning the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.

Tomorrow, New York Governor George Pataki will be holding a similar proclamation ceremony.

CNA MK/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Russian Ambassador - Cyprus problem - Technology

Speaking after a meeting here Tuesday with Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, Mouradov said Russia "was never indifferent to the tragedy of the people of Cyprus", stressing that on all levels, Russia has always supported the decisions which put an end to the division of Cyprus.

He said the principles which Russia follows are respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Cyprus state, adding that "we support a bizonal, bicommunal federation on the island."

Noting there is always hope, Mouradov said a lot of work will have to be done beforehand to form a common ground and common principles.

These principles, he added, already exist in the UN Security Council decisions on Cyprus.

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

The Group of Eight, during the Cologne summit, urged the UN Secretary- General to invite the two sides in Cyprus to negotiations in the autumn of 1999.

Meanwhile, the Commerce and Industry ministry said it is preparing an action plan for the new industrial policy and cooperation with Russia in the field of high technology.

Rolandis said that before the end of July a meeting will be held at the ministry to examine the plan.

He further said a seminar will be held in Moscow where Cypriot and Russia business people who are interested about high technology will attend.

CNA FZ/EC/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Conservative Party - Turkish invasion

In a statement John Maples, MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, on the occasion of today's 25th anniversary since the 1974 Turkish invasion said "for a quarter of a century now Cyprus has been occupied and divided."

"It is important on this anniversary for everyone involved to restate their willingness to find a solution," Maples said, adding that the Conservative Party will "continue to support the work of the international community to resolve the situation."

"We hope that the UN bizonal, bicommunal federal arrangement can be achieved and will do what we can to urge all parties to take part in the process," the British MP said.

He noted that the Conservative Party above all "want a settlement which will allow all Cypriots to live in peace and growing prosperity within an enlarged European Union."

CNA KT/EC/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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