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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-04-30Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] House President advocates strong, flexible EU1005:CYPPRESS:01House President advocates strong, flexible EU by Nicos Bellos Brussles, Apr 30 (CNA) -- Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias has expressed support for a flexible and strong European Union that will treat all its members equally through its institutions, saying that the rotating presidency should not be abolished, the Commission president must be elected by the European Parliament, and that all member states must be represented in the Commission. [02] Flow to and from occupied areas continues unabated1010:CYPPRESS:02Flow to and from occupied areas continues unabated [03] Cyprus Stock Exchange
[04] National Council calls on Turkish side to return Famagusta (1)1400:CYPPRESS:04National Council calls on Turkish side to return Famagusta (1) Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- The National Council calls on the Turkish side to return the area of Famagusta to its legitimate citizens, and commit itself to the final withdrawal of occupation troops and demilitarise the island. The decision, taken during last nights meeting and announced here Wednesday, also calls on Turkey to implement the Third Vienna Agreement on the enclaved Greek Cypriots and to effectively cooperate to ascertain the fate of the missing persons. It says that it is expecting the Turkish sides response. In addition, the National Council stresses the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to enter direct and substantial negotiations based on the Annan plan in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN decisions. On the situation that has emerged from the Turkish occupation regimes decision to ease the restrictions on the free movement of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the National Council said it believes the impulsive and friendly attitude of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots during their recent meetings has shown their sincere desire to live together and cooperate as two communities in a united country. [05] Cabinet approves measures for Turkish Cypriots1420:CYPPRESS:05Cabinet approves measures for Turkish Cypriots Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- The Council of Ministers approved at its today meeting a package of measures regarding its policy towards the Turkish Cypriots, to be announced later today. Government Spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides will announce the measures at a special press briefing at 1700 local time (1400 GMT), at the Presidential Palace. The draft text is being finalised and will be ready for the announcement in three languages (Greek, Turkish and English). [06] Cypriots to pay home fees in Britain as of this summer1520:CYPPRESS:06Cypriots to pay home fees in Britain as of this summer Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- Cypriots studying in the UK, at university level, will be paying the same fees as British students, Britain's High Commissioner here Lyn Parker has said. [07] ''Wonderful'', says British High Commissioner on crossings1535:CYPPRESS:07''Wonderful'', says British High Commissioner on crossings Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- British High Commissioner here Lyn Parker has welcomed as ''a wonderful thing'' the easing of restrictions on free movement which the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime announced last week, the first time the regime has made such a move to enable Greek and Turkish Cypriots to cross to and from the Turkish occupied part of the island. Parker, stressing that this partial lifting of restrictions is no substitute for a solution, pointed out that this development could make a real contribution to a political settlement. [08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
[09] National Council calls on the Turkish side to return Famagusta (2)1650:CYPPRESS:09National Council calls on the Turkish side to return Famagusta (2) Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - The National Council calls on the Turkish side to return the Famagusta area to its legitimate inhabitants as provided for in the relevant UN resolutions. It further urges Turkey to commit itself to the final withdrawal of the occupation troops and the demilitarisation of Cyprus. A statement issued on Wednesday regarding the decisions taken yesterday during its meeting, says the National Council believes that the spontaneous, unprompted and very friendly behaviour of Greek and Turkish Cypriots in their recent contacts and meetings has shown in practice the undisputed possibility and sincere desire of the two communities to live together again and cooperate in a reunited country. It further notes that the announcement of the easing of restrictions in the free movement of people to and from the occupied areas does not constitute a sincere political will on behalf of the Turkish side for a solution to the Cyprus problem but on the contrary is an attempt to bypass the procedures and the framework of the United Nations and to present the pseudostate as a separate and sovereign state The National Council statement is as follows: ''The National Council, at its meeting yesterday under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, discussed the general policy on the package of measures for the Turkish Cypriots which the Cyprus Government will announce and implement as from next Friday, May 2. In the context of the Governments policy towards the Turkish Cypriots, the National Council has studied the situation created as a result of the decision of the occupation regime to partially lift the restrictions it imposed 29 years ago as regards crossings to and from the occupied areas. It also made a joint assessment of the motives and the political parameters of this action and reached unanimous findings and positions. The National Council believes that the spontaneous, unprompted and very friendly behaviour of Greek and Turkish Cypriots in their recent contacts and meetings has shown in practice the undisputed possibility and sincere desire of the two communities to live together again and cooperate in a reunited country. The arguments of the occupation regime and Turkey that allegedly the Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together and that the security of the two communities makes necessary the preservation of the dividing wall are refuted and demolished as entirely baseless. The ordinary Greek and Turkish Cypriot citizens have proved by their attitude that these allegations are unfounded and that there is no need for separatist provisions in any plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem. Such separatist provisions not only thwart the unity of the people and the country, but also halt the normal economic development and progress of the country. Only a workable and viable solution can provide and ensure this development and progress, for the benefit of all the inhabitants of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish Cypriots. It is pointed out that the Government has faced the whole issue promptly, decisively and effectively. From the very first day it took all the practical measures possible to facilitate the movement of Greek Cypriots to the occupied areas and of Turkish Cypriots to the Government-controlled areas of the Republic and called upon Mr. Denktash to end his illegal demand for passports to be shown and entry permits to be issued. The free movement of the lawful residents of Cyprus throughout the territory of the Republic is a fundamental human right and has always been the demand and the policy of all the governments of Cyprus. To this demand and policy, the occupation regime put forward its firm refusal for 29 whole years. In a free society the extent and the way of exercising this right, under the terms imposed by the occupation regime, is something that each citizen will have to decide for himself. Mr. Denktashs recent decision to relax crossings, creating in this way the impression of goodwill on his part, has been dictated by a sense of the international and internal isolation in which he has found himself and the pressing impasse to which he has led himself through his provocative and unacceptable behaviour. The National Council considers that this specific action of the occupation regime does not constitute a sincere political will on behalf of the Turkish side for a solution to the Cyprus problem. On the contrary, it is an attempt to bypass the procedures and the framework of the United Nations and is an attempt to present the pseudo-state as a separate and sovereign state. The Turkish side has always been the only obstacle to a solution to the Cyprus problem, the side which rejects negotiations on the Annan Plan and does not display the necessary political will that will allow the UN Secretary-General to resume his efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The opening of the roadblocks is not the solution to the Cyprus problem. The seeming cracks in the wall of division do not mean the abolition of the dividing line imposed and maintained by Turkish troops by the force of arms. The National Council underlines that the actions of the occupation regime, which involve crossings to and from the occupied areas, do not offer a political solution to the Cyprus problem, or solve the question of properties, or ensure the right to settlement, and of course they do not mean the end of occupation. The burning desire of the displaced to return to their Turkish-occupied homes and properties is understandable and totally justified. The tolerance shown over the presentation of passports and the issue of visas by the occupation regime does not mean recognition, even indirect, of the puppet regime. Nor, of course, does it indicate downgrading of the lawful and internationally recognized State of Cyprus. No tolerance, no action and no measure to facilitate free movement could amount to recognition of the illegal regime or be interpreted as a blow to the authority, existence, and legality of the Cyprus State. And, certainly, the visits of the displaced to the occupied areas will not lead the legal owners to come to terms with the occupation of their homes and properties, as the Turkish side is seeking. Nor will it lead them to give up their right to return permanently to their homes and properties. The temporary emotional satisfaction the displaced Greek Cypriots are getting from visiting their occupied homes and properties does not diminish or stifle their permanent desire and legal right to return. The National Council reiterates its firm position and demand for the full, permanent, unhindered and effective safeguarding of the fundamental human rights and freedoms. This position is accepted and shared by the vast majority of Turkish Cypriots. Only the Turkish sides positive response to matters concerning fundamental human rights and freedoms will prove the sincerity of its intentions and its political will for a workable and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. For this reason the National Council calls on the Turkish side to return the Famagusta area to its legitimate inhabitants as provided for in the relevant UN resolutions, to implement the Third Vienna agreement regarding the enclaved, to cooperate effectively in ascertaining the fate of the missing persons, as agreed in July 1997, and to commit itself to the final withdrawal of the occupation troops and the demilitarization of Cyprus. Its reply is awaited. [10] Cypriots to pay home fees in Britain as of next summer CORRECTED1715:CYPPRESS:06CORRECTED STORY Cypriots to pay home fees in Britain as of next summer Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) -- Cypriots studying in the UK, at university level, will be paying the same fees as British students as of the summer of 2004, Britain's High Commissioner here Lyn Parker has said. [11] To Subscribers: CNA - Seminar for news agencies of EuropeInvitation to a Press Conference --------------------------------The Chairman of the Board of Directors of CNA Mr. Charilaos Papadopoulos will give a press conference at the premises of the Agency (7, Kastorias Str. behind the Central Bank of Cyprus) on Friday, May 2, at 10.00 a.m., on the hosting by CNA of a seminar for the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) on ''News and Telecom Markets - New Business Opportunities''. We would be delighted if you could cover the press conference. [12] KISOS and RTP say crossings do not constitute settlement1745:CYPPRESS:10KISOS and RTP say crossings do not constitute settlement Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - The Movement of Social Democrats and the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party consider that the easing of restrictions in the free movement of people to and from the dividing line does not constitute a Cyprus settlement. [13] Papadopoulos says new move by Denktash is provocation1830:CYPPRESS:11Papadopoulos says new move by Denktash is provocation Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said today that the decision of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to ''allow'' Greek Cypriots to stay in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic for up to three days was a further restriction of movement ''because he places a term that Greek Cypriots cannot stay anywhere else other than hotels, which in any case they should book ahead''. He added that this move was ''a provocation to the feelings of the people of Cyprus, especially as most of the hotels are the property of Greek Cypriots who will essentially be going to our homes and giving financial support to the pseudostate''. The President said ''for us, faithful to the safeguarding of the right to communicate, it is impossible to place restrictions but it is up to the conscience and the judgment of each citizen to realise that this is not a right action and to act accordingly''. Asked what the government would suggest to the Cypriot citizens, President Papadopoulos said ''the government is clear in its positions on the issue''. [14] Government announces package of measures for Turkish Cypriots1925:CYPPRESS:12Government announces package of measures for Turkish Cypriots Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - The government of Cyprus announced here Wednesday its new policy on Turkish Cypriots as well as a package of measures for the Turkish Cypriots, which was discussed and finalised today by the Council of Ministers. Government Spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides said the government's main concern is that the introduction of the measures, given the continued non-solution of the Cyprus problem, provides those Turkish Cypriots who live in the occupied areas the ability to enjoy the rights and benefits which the Republic of Cyprus grants to its citizens. He said all measures would be implemented within the framework of international law and the acquis communautaire. Chrisostomides said the measures could not be interpreted as constituting a danger in acknowledging the secessionist entity or accepting its existence or helping in any way the illegal entity in the occupied areas. The measures cover the fields of transport, movement of goods, persons, vehicles, employment of Turkish Cypriots, participation in sport events, measures taken to help relatives of missing Turkish Cypriots as well as measures covering medical care, education, culture, telecommunications and others. [15] New Attorney General is sworn in0000:CYPPRESS:00New Attorney General is sworn in Nicosia, Apr 30 (CNA) - New Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus Solon Nikitas said he hoped to be able to contribute to equality before the law, noting that without it the people will not be able to feel safe and progress. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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