Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Socialist women's meeting - Conflict resolution

[02] Spokesman - Holbrooke

[03] SOCCER: Levski 2 - APOEL 0

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Socialist women's meeting - Conflict resolution

The regional meeting of the "Socialist International Women" (SIW) will take place on Saturday, while tomorrow the organisation's presidency will hold a closed meeting.

Referring to the conference main theme SIW president Audrey McLaughlin said "to us this has been a major process in various regions in the world, in Africa, Europe, Northern Ireland and in the Balkans."

"We feel very strongly that it is essential that women be a part of resolving conflicts," she said adding that even in UN bodies very few women are involved in conflict resolution.

"We want to change that. It is not that we feel women have all the answers but we are over 50 per cent of the population and we have at least half of the answers," McLaughlin said.

She described the meeting in Cyprus as "extremely important" as a dialogue among the women will take place.

McLaughlin said the SIW, comprising 119 women's groups associated with political parties and one of the largest and oldest women's networks, "has a long history in promoting the rights of women and the importance of women's participation in political life".

Her words were echoed by the SIW General Secretary Marlene Haas who said "one of the things we are doing is trying to achieve that women are more involved in decision making in politics."

Both Haas and the President of the Cyprus Socialist Women's Movement Roulla Mavronicola expressed their regret with the small number of Cypriot women involved in politics.

"We really think it is time for Cyprus to have more women involved. I've met many women who are very capable of taking these positions, many are more capable than men," Haas said.

Replying to questions, Mavronicola expressed her regret with the fact that no women were included in yesterday's government reshuffle in Cyprus and recalled President Glafcos Clerides' promise that 30 per cent of decision taking posts will be taken up by women by the year 2003.

Mavronicola also said that Turkish Cypriot women have been invited to participate in the conference, but they have not yet replied.

The former president of the Cyprus Socialist Women's Movement Marcia Alexaki said the SIW has often discussed the Cyprus problem and noted it is important that participants will have the opportunity to see the situation first hand.

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

CNA MA/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman - Holbrooke

The government also notes that the newly appointed US permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Holbrooke has indicated that the US will move in the direction of Turkey to help break the current stalemate.

"Holbrooke acknowledges the intransigent side and indirectly gives the direction in which the US administration will move," new Government Spokesman Michael Papapetrou said.

Holbrooke told a meeting of overseas Cypriots here Wednesday that "the other side has caused so many problems and has been intransigent".

He also said he would remain actively engaged in the Cyprus peace effort, if the other side shows a willingness to move in one of the number of directions discussed.

The government, Papapetrou said, believes the US should direct its efforts towards Ankara to persuade it to abandon its intransigent positions.

Asked if the government has any indications the US will move in this direction, Papapetrou said the recommendation by the G8 summit in June has shown the group's intentions towards this goal, namely to launch a fresh initiative under UN auspices.

"We wish to see things being led to this direction and we shall judge moves by their outcome," he said, noting that efforts must be intensified to see a change for the better.

This, he explained, is the only way that can pave the way towards a solution.

UN-led efforts in the past 25 years to reach a negotiated settlement in Cyprus have yielded no results so far due to unacceptable demands by the Turkish side.

Ankara and its puppet regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus insist on international recognition of the illegal administration in the island's northern part and declared that they aim to establish a confederation of two separate states.

The Cyprus government has repeatedly said it would attend peace negotiations without any preconditions but has made it clear that it will not accept any attempt to appease Turkish demands for recognition.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:03

[03] SOCCER: Levski 2 - APOEL 0

They were defeated 2 - 0 away by Levski Sofia this afternoon. The first leg played at Makarios stadium in Nicosia had ended in a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, a second Cyprus team, Omonia Nicosia, play at home later tonight against Belshina Bobruisk (Belarus).

The Nicosia team face no problem to qualify as in the first away match they thrashed Belshina 5 - 1.

A third Cypriot team, champions Anorthosis, from the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, also failed to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

Anorthosis drew 0 - 0 with Hertha Berlin, at "Antonis Papadopoulos" stadium in Larnaca, last night.

The Famagusta team had suffered a 2 - 0 away defeat.

CNA GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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