Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papadopoulos: No resumption of talks before end of "elections"

[02] Papadopoulos: Government opposes installation of Bases antenna

[03] Cyprus will promote its interests at the IGC, Iacovou says

[01] Papadopoulos: No resumption of talks before end of "elections"

1410:CYPPRESS:01

Papadopoulos: No resumption of talks before end of elections

Nicosia, Oct 26 (CNA) Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said everyone ascertains that there is no possibility of resuming the dialogue for a Cyprus settlement before the completion of the illegal elections in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

Invited by reporters on Sunday to comment on the results of the visit to the region by US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, President Papadopoulos said what should be done is for Turkey to change its attitude, positions on Cyprus, so we can be able to look towards progress on the Cyprus problem.

[02] Papadopoulos: Government opposes installation of Bases antenna

1415:CYPPRESS:02

Papadopoulos: Government opposes installation of Bases antenna

Nicosia, Oct 26 (CNA) Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said the government opposes the installation of an antenna by the British Bases in Cyprus at the Akrotiri Salt Lake area near the southern coastal town of Limassol, and has protested to the British government over the issue.

Invited to comment on appeals to the government to deny the Bases power for the facility, Papadopoulos said this is something, which is provided in the Treaty of Establishment, and Cyprus has an obligation to respect and abide by it.

The Ecologists Environmentalists Movement deputy George Perdikis called on the government here Sunday to deny power to the facility. His statement came after the British Bases issued a press release on Friday, which said that construction work is almost complete on the Akrotiri Salt Lake site and testing of the new antenna will begin shortly.

It also said the British government had fulfilled its commitment which addressed concerns about the impact of the antenna on the health and the environment and for this reason, they will install permanent emission monitoring equipment in the heart of the village and the results of the testing will be made available to the villagers.

President Papadopoulos told reporters on Sunday that the government is following the correct policy and is demonstrating against the installation and operation of the antenna.

We have repeatedly and officially made our position on the issue known the President said but the British government is proceeding with its plans.

However he indicated that the issue of whether we should cut or not the power supply, is provided in the Treaty of Establishment and Cyprus has an utmost obligation to respect and abide by the Treaty, Papadopoulos concluded.

Earlier Sunday, Foreign Minister George Iacovou said the President has dealt with the issue and has written to the British High Commissioner informing him that the government of Cyprus opposes the construction of the facility, until the repercussions it may have on the health of the people and the environment are studied.

He said Britain has carried out some studies on the issue, but we are not satisfied with them.

Iacovou also echoed Papadopoulos view that we are committed to selling power to the Bases, noting that if the government cannot do that, then the British will operate the Dhekelia power station.

The antenna is being installed in the wetland, a unique ecosystem of fresh and saltwater habitats.

The site supports a significant number of rare species, including 13 endemic and rare plant species and 32 bird species specially protected under the European Birds Directive. A number of species of water bird winter on or migrate through the site, including around 6.000 flamingos.

Under the terms of the Ramsar Convention, the British Bases are obliged to promote the conservation and wise use of the Akrotiri Ramsar site.

Britain has retained two military bases in Cyprus since the island gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

CNA/EC/GS/2003

[03] Cyprus will promote its interests at the IGC, Iacovou says

1420:CYPPRESS:03

Cyprus will promote its interests at the IGC, Iacovou says

Larnaca, Oct (26) -- Cyprus is obliged to protect and promote its interests at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which is discussing the European Union's future constitution, Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou said here today.

Speaking before his departure for Brussels to attend a meeting of the European Union Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the IGC, Iacovou said that Cyprus will not only be present but will participate in every negotiation, promoting its own positions.

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