Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-07-22

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] State Department coordinator on listening mode for Cyprus issue

[02] Cyprus government proposes CBMs to develop security (FULL TEXT)

[03] New York Council condemns Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[04] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[05] Human rights memorandum handed to US Coordinator for Cyprus

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[08] IMF official in Cyprus

[01] State Department coordinator on listening mode for Cyprus issue

1000:CYPPRESS:01

State Department coordinator on listening mode for Cyprus issue

Larnaca, Jul 22 (CNA) -- US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Laura Kennedy has said Washington is seeking ways to help the Cyprus parties to find a way forward in the efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement within the UN framework.

Speaking at Larnaca airport on arrival Wednesday night Kennedy said her meetings in Cyprus include the ''full agenda of US Cyprus bilateral issues'', adding that as far as the Cyprus issue is concerned she is ''on a listening mode''.

[02] Cyprus government proposes CBMs to develop security (FULL TEXT)

1030:CYPPRESS:02

Cyprus government proposes CBMs to develop security (FULL TEXT)

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government has proposed a number of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) aimed to develop security among Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Followed is the full text of the CBMs translated into English:

CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN THE MILITARY FIELD

PROPOSAL FOR THE OPENING OF NEW CROSSING POINTS ALONG THE CEASEFIRE

LINE. DEMINING OF LANDMINES WITHDRAWAL OF MILITARY FORCES FROM THE SENSITIVE AREAS OF: THE WALLED PART OF THE CAPITAL OF NICOSIA THE

DHERINIA - FAMAGUSTA AND STROVILIA REGION OTHER CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES

GENERAL

As you are aware, the occupation forces proceeded to the opening of the crossing point barriers adjacent to the Ledra Palace Hotel and at Pergamos village on 23 April 2003. Later, they opened the following points in stages:

On 26 April 2003, the Strovilia crossing point On 10th May 2003, the Ayios Dhometios crossing point

EXISTING CROSSING POINTS

AYIOS DHOMETIOS

From the Ayios Dhometios crossing point, there is movement of vehicles

as well as goods. From this point, there is movement of large numbers of citizens daily,

and it constitutes the main crossing point. Its use shall continue in the same way as it has been up to this day.

LEDRA PALACE

The operation status of the LEDRA PALACE crossing point, provides for

the movement of pedestrians, bicycles as well as diplomatic vehicles. It was proposed that the use of the crossing point be extended to

provide for the crossing of emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigades etc.

PERGAMOS

It is used for the crossing of persons, vehicles and goods. It was

proposed that its operation continues to provide for the crossing of vehicles and persons, but to restrict the movement of goods in order

to permit the movement of only those goods intended to cover the needs of the residents of the village of Pyla.

STROVILIA

This is a crossing point, which is situated at the border line of the

Ayios Nicolaos base at the entrance of the Strovilia refugee settlement. On June 30 2000, Turkish Occupation Forces violated the

special status which exists in the area, which has not been restored despite repeated UN resolutions. It was proposed that this route be

used for the crossing of vehicles and persons, but not for goods intended to be placed on the market within the territory of either the

British Bases and the Republic of Cyprus or for export. PROPOSED NEW CROSSING POINTS FOR OPENING

PRIORITY A

Priority has been given, at the initial stage, to the opening of four (4) crossing points, in order to facilitate movement in the entire island, as follows:

KATO PYRGOS KARAVOSTASI

The crossing point is located at the westernmost end of Cyprus, north

of the village of Kato Pyrgos. It is served by a passable road, which requires small scale repairs. Five (5) minefields of the Turkish

Occupation Forces and one (1) minefield of the National Guard in the buffer zone are adjacent to the road, which must be cleared to create

safe conditions for the crossing of citizens. It was proposed to be used for the crossing of persons, vehicles and goods. This crossing

point serves, to a big extent, all the inhabitants from both sides of the buffer zone.

ASTROMERITIS ZODIA MORFOU

The crossing point is located outside the village of Astromeritis. It

is served by a passable road, which requires small scale repairs. At either side of the route, there are three (3) minefields in the

occupied by the Turkish Forces territory, which must be cleared to create safe conditions for the crossing of citizens. It was proposed

to be used for the crossing of persons, vehicles and goods. It will serve and facilitate the movement of a big number of citizens from

both sides and will also facilitate the conduct of trade and the development mainly of the area of Morfou.

DALI LOUROUTZINA

The crossing point is located outside the village of Dali. It is

served by a passable road, which is well maintained. At either side of the route, there are two (2) minefields of the National Guard and

one (1) of the Turkish Forces, which must be cleared to create safe conditions for the crossing of citizens. It was proposed that the

route is used for the crossing of persons, vehicles as well as goods. DHERINIA FAMAGUSTA

The crossing point is located at the side of the Dherinia checkpoint

and is served by a very passable road. There is a minefield of the Turkish Forces near the road, within the buffer zone, which must be

cleared to create safe conditions for the crossing of citizens. It was proposed to be used for the crossing of persons, vehicles and

goods. It will serve and facilitate all the inhabitants of the region (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) and particularly the Turkish

Cypriots for the transport of their goods to the free areas for the use of the legal airports and ports of the Republic of Cyprus.

PRIORITY B

The opening of four (4) new crossing points has been proposed, with

priority at a second stage, in order to facilitate further the movement of citizens as follows:

POMOS PAHYAMMOS KATO PYRGOS

It concerns the route along the coast which joins the village of Pomos

to the village of Kato Pyrgos. It passes through the enclave of Kokkina and is not affected by minefields. There are no citizens

living in the enclave of Kokkina. There is, however, only a small number of Turkish troops. Due to the prohibition in movement, which

is imposed by the Turkish Forces, the inhabitants of the areas of Pomos and Pyrgos are forced to cover a distance six times as long in

order to go to their respective villages, via a rural and a very dangerous route, in other words they are forced to cover a distance of

eighteen (18) kilometres instead of approximately three (3). The opening of this route, in connection with the opening of the Kato

Pyrgos Karavostasi route which was proposed, will facilitate to a big extent the movement of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who

wish to travel towards Polis Chrysochous or Pafos. The opening of the two proposed routes will contribute greatly to the upgrading and

development of the area. It was proposed to be used only for the crossing of vehicles and goods

without making a stop, due to the presence of Turkish troops at the Kokkina enclave. It will serve the residents of the Tylliria area

villages. LEDRA STREET

A necessary precondition for the opening of a crossing point at Ledra

street is the transfer-withdrawal of the check-points and barriers that now exist in the area. Special attention will have to be given,

prior to its opening, to the area of Ermou street adjacent to the Ledra street which may have been mined or otherwise trapped. It was

proposed to be used for the crossing of pedestrians and cyclists. It will serve the movement of persons from both sides and will assist the

development, upgrading and revitalisation of the area, the economic strengthening of shop-owners (G/C and T/C) as well as the

strengthening of relations between the citizens. It is a crossing point suitable only for pedestrians and bicycles.

*In our proposal it is provided that we are ready to place the opening of the Ledra crossing point in PRIORITY A, if the other side wishes so.

ATHENA AVENUE (AYIOS KASSIANOS)

It involves the by-pass which passes through the outer edge of the

Ayios Kassianos area, continues towards the Kaimakli area and from there to Kyrenia and Famagusta. It is not affected by landmines of the

National Guard and the Turkish forces. It is served by a passable route, which in some points though becomes narrow. It was proposed to

be used only for the crossing of vehicles and persons. KANTARA AVENUE MIA MILIA

It involves a crossing point in the MERCEDES area in Pallouriotissa.

It stretches through the adequately passable and in a good-condition road which passes through the Mesaoria valley and connects Nicosia

with Famagusta. This point can be used immediately, with some small-scale repairs, and in that way serves, on the one hand, a big

number of G/C and T/C and decongest, on the other hand, the Ayios Dhometios crossing point. The route is affected by one (1) landmine

of the Turkish occupation forces, which has to be cleared for the creation of safety conditions for the crossing of citizens. It was

proposed to be used for the crossing of vehicles and goods. DE-MINING

The Cyprus Government, in an effort to secure the safety of the

movement of citizens and to make good use of the territory within the buffer zone, has taken action for the clearing of landmines from the

minefields that are situated within the buffer zone. Abiding, also, by its contractual obligations emanating from the provisions of the

Ottawa Treaty, it has begun the destruction of stock-piled anti-personnel mines. In the beginning of 2002, the Cyprus Government

submitted a proposal to the United Nations for the clearing of minefields that are situated in the buffer zone. Since the Turkish

side had been rejecting the idea for the clearing of its own landmines, the Cyprus Government proceeded with the decision for the

UNILATERAL clearing of landmines from the minefields of the National Guard as a good-will gesture.

The whole programme includes the demining of nine (9) minefields of

the National Guard which are within the buffer zone. The Turkish forces have not, to this day, demonstrated any

corresponding intention to demine their own minefields within the buffer zone.

According to our information, the Turkish forces have twenty-seven

(27) minefields within the buffer zone. OTTAWA TREATY

In January 2003, the Republic of Cyprus ratified the Ottawa Treaty and

submitted the document of the ratification to the United Nations Secretary-General on 17 January 2003. The Ottawa Treaty concerns the

destruction of anti-personnel stored mines as well as the mines against personnel laid in minefields. The Republic of Cyprus has, to

this day, destroyed 4000 anti-personnel mines Turkey has ratified the Ottawa Treaty which was put into force on 1 March 2004 According to

the Treaty, Turkey is obliged to destroy mines against personnel laid by its army in Cyprus. It has not demonstrated any action to this end,

up to the present. PROPOSAL FOR PARTIAL EXTENSION OF DEMINING

In combination with the opening of new crossing points, we recommend

that the two sides proceed to the removal of mines from minefields which obstruct the safe movement of civilians. It would be most

desirable if Turkey proceeded to the demining of the minefields laid by the occupation forces in the buffer zone, and our position is that

Turkey must proceed, with no delay, to the implementation of the Ottawa Treaty. For reasons of security, the demining must cover a

distance of 300 metres on either side of the routes. PROPOSAL FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF MILITARY FORCES FROM SENSITIVE AREAS

In the framework of taking initiatives on behalf of the Cyprus Government, as well as of its effort for the reduction of tension along the confrontation line, it proposed the withdrawal of forces, which will include the unmanning of military posts, the suspension of the use of patrols and the removal of military personnel, equipment, arms and ammunition from current positions of the National Guard and the Turkish Occupation forces as follows:

NICOSIA WITHIN THE WALLS AREA

It was proposed by the Cyprus Government that the National Guard as

well as the Turkish Forces reciprocally withdraw their military forces from the area of Nicosia within the walls. This action, combined with

the proposal of opening of crossing points within the city of Nicosia, will create the opportunity of upgrading the development and the

revitalization of the areas, the economic strengthening of G/C and T/C citizens and tightening of relations between the citizens. To

strengthen and maintain the sense of safety, the proposal provides that the Peace Keeping Force will check the observance of the

agreement in the unmanned areas. The crossing points will be controlled by the Police Force of the Republic to prohibit access to

the areas controlled by the Republic of illegal immigrants, settlers and others with no right of access. Also, where applicable, at the

points of routes where military forces will withdraw, there will be control by other authorities of the Republic.

THE DHERINIA-FAMAGUSTA- STROVILIA REGION

The Cyprus Republic also proposed the withdrawal of all military

forces from the Famagusta- Dherinia region. Regarding the Turkish forces: unmanning of the region in the south of Strovilia Road-

Famagusta Port and regarding the National Guard it proposed unmanning of the region in the north of Ayios Gheorgios Frenaros Road and in the

north of the villages of Frenaros, Sotira and Paralimni as far as the region of Ayia Triada (the coast).

This unmanning in combination with the opening of a new crossing point

in the Dherinia region and the upgrading of the existing crossing point at Strovilia will provide the opportunity of developing the

region, strengthening the inhabitants economically (G/C and T/C), developing the relations between civilians and increasing the sense of

safety. It serves and facilitates especially the T/C in the transportation of their goods to the free areas for their sale in the

market or their export via the legitimate airports and ports of the Republic of Cyprus. Also by accepting this proposal the Turkish side

is given the opportunity to conform to the restoration of the status quo ante at Strovilia, within the framework of a broader settlement.

To strengthen and maintain the sense of safety, the proposal provides

that the Peace-keeping Force will check whether the agreement is being kept at the unmanned regions and in the Nicosia region as well. The

new crossing point at Dherinia will be checked by the Police of the Republic in order to prohibit access to the government-controlled

areas of illegal immigrants, settlers and other persons not having the right to cross over and the line will be under police surveillance,

once the military forces are withdrawn. UNMANNING OF AREAS NEAR THE CROSSING POINTS

For the safe crossing of civilians at the crossing points, the Republic proposed the withdrawal on both sides of the military forces at a short distance from the existing routes and proposed the opening of crossing points. Responsibility for surveillance will be undertaken by non-military authorities.

OTHER CONFIDENCE- BUILDING MEASURES

[03] New York Council condemns Turkish invasion of Cyprus

1100:CYPPRESS:03

New York Council condemns Turkish invasion of Cyprus

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

New York, Jul 22 (CNA) -- The New York City Council has condemned the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, 30 years ago, and the continued illegal occupation of Cyprus's northern third.

City HallCouncil Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. presented a proclamation to Cyprus Consul General Martha Mavrommatis and Peter Papanicolaou, President of the Cyprus Federation of America, condemning the 30th anniversary of the illegal invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

The Turkish occupation and division of Cyprus must end. To have an independent and sovereign nation occupied by the invading Turkish army since 1974 is unconscionable. 30 years is enough, it is now time for a responsible solution which will reunite the people of Cyprus, stated Vallone.

[04] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1245:CYPPRESS:04

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday: 23/7/2004 to 24/7/2004 ------------------------ The weather will be fine.

During night and morning the wind will be variable light, 2 to 3 BF and the state of sea will be smooth to slight. Moderate seabreezes 4 BF are expected during afternoon while the state of sea will be slight.

The temperature will range between 23 to 38 C inland, 22 to 34 C south coast, 20 to 30 west coast and 18 to 30 C over Prodromos area.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 25/7/2004 to 26/7/2004 --------------------------------- Weather fine. A small increase in temperature is expected.

[05] Human rights memorandum handed to US Coordinator for Cyprus

1455:CYPPRESS:04

Human rights memorandum handed to US Coordinator for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) -- The rejection of the Annan plan cannot and does not legitimize the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the violation of the human rights of its people by the Turkish forces, human rights and refugee associations have stressed.

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1610:CYPPRESS:05

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               73,68   (-0,99)

Traded Value                  CYP     284.108

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP     159.269  326,26   (-1,15)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.319,80   ( 0,84)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     123.764   94,86   (-1,15)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP       7.737   72,06   (-1,84)
Insurance Companies           CYP         258   12,32   ( 0,24)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP       7.287   46,31   (-1,07)
Tourism Companies             CYP         885   44,30   (-0,07)
Trading Companies             CYP      32.110   20,63   (-0,29)
Building and Cement Companies CYP       3.735   61,38   (-1,08)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       1.805    2,32   ( 1,31)
Financial Services Companies  CYP       2.207    6,82   (-0,73)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP         347   11,12   (-0,18)
Hotels                        CYP      10.536   27,06   (-0,18)
Other Companies               CYP      22.773   59,92   (-1,29)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1745:CYPPRESS:06

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jul 22 (CNA) - Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus,
according to the Meteorological Service at Larnaca International
Airport are:

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
(At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                 38            24          FINE
Larnaca                 34            22          FINE
Limassol                34            21          ÇÁÆÕ
Paphos                  30            20          FINE

[08] IMF official in Cyprus

1815:CYPPRESS:07

IMF official in Cyprus

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article