Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bishop of Morphou calls for unity

[02] Dutch European Minister: Cyprus issue is a UN matter

[01] Bishop of Morphou calls for unity

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Bishop of Morphou calls for unity

Morphou, Sep 1 (CNA) -- ''We left young, we have returned here almost old'', Morphou Bishop Neofytos told a packed church of St. Mamas in the Turkish occupied town of Morphou, west of Nicosia, and called on everyone to abandon fanaticism and nationalism and unite.

In his oration during the church service in the Turkish occupied church of Agios (Saint) Mamas, the Morphou Bishop, who initiated the idea to reoperate the church to celebrate the saints name day, for the first time after the 1974 Turkish invasion, said we have come to open a window of prayer.

Some are here feeling bitter, have reservations, concerns and fears. We should not allow doubt and evil to cast clouds during this bright day but happiness should dwell in our hearts, he told the pilgrims who thronged the inside of the church and its courtyard.

I will not talk about the political situation, it is not my job, but I will talk about the situation in the hearts of all the people who live on this island. The people of Cyprus carry heavy loads in their hearts, Turkish Cypriots from 1964 and Greek Cypriots mostly since 1974, he said.

We lost loved ones, our homes, everything, and even the vision. But we have not lost one thing, hope which is deeply rooted in the people, said the Greek Orthodox clergyman during the service, which was conducted in Greek, English, French and Arabic.

Bishop of Morphou said he was optimistic to see people trying to forgive. Forgiving is a virtue and the beginning of peace. This is the best guarantee for our country, he stressed.

He described the easing of restrictions in the freedom of movement between the Turkish occupied north and the free areas as a small crack, but big enough to set free the wave of nostalgia for both sides for our lost unity.

Final opportunities will not come back. We cannot remain eternally hooked on the past. Is that what we want? From the first day that the checkpoint opened, the people said they do not want the past but look to the future, the high ranking priest said.

Step by step they (the people) are showing that there are no last chances. A great proof is todays vespers, which was made possible with the help of inspired Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots, Bishop Neofytos added.

There are still walls, outside and inside us. What we can do is to pull down the internal walls, fanaticism and nationalism, which are sins and the church will help in this, it is job of the church, the clergy and the imams to promote unity, he concluded.

Rightwing Democratic Rally President Nicos Anastasiades said he was moved to be present at the St. Mamas church service tonight.

He expressed the view that gradually the conditions which will allow everyone to seriously contemplate to overcome their reservations, will be created and the road to the islands reunification will open.

Former President of the Republic and President of the United Democrats said he was deeply moved to attend the service, adding that the pilgrims presence sends the message that saints know no borders.

Our hope and desire is to open every church, he stressed, adding that Cyprus must be reunited.

Leftwing AKEL parliamentary spokesman Nikos Katsourides was not allow by the occupation authorities to cross into the occupied area and attend the Morphou ceremony, because he did not show his European style identity card. He stated that he was not a holder of such a card.

AKEL deputy Eleni Mavrou, who attended the religious service said her party supported the hope for the country's reunification and rapprochement efforts by the two communities.

''We know that we have a difficult road ahead but we are optimistic that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots together can lead our country to its reunification'', she said.

Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas described the event as an ''opportunity for the voice of the people of Morphou to be heard throughout the world''.

Speaking before the service, he said he had mixed feelings because this was his first trip to Morphou following the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third.

''This site is holy and belongs to all of us'', said Pittas, visibly moved, adding that his presence aimed at showing that ''together we must demand the freedom of this island and live together with Turkish Cypriots''.

Selfstyled premier of the illegal regime Mehmet Ali Talat visited the courtyard of the St. Mamas church, adding that he wanted to say hello but did not want to make any political statements because of the religious service inside the church.

He wished everyone success, as well as peace and prosperity.

Tonights service was carried live by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and transmitted through the Hellas Sat satellite programme for overseas Cypriots.

According to figures provided by the occupation regime, the service was attended by 1,730 Greek Cypriots who travelled to the occupied areas in 606 private cars and buses.

The occupation authorities took unprecedented security measures, following last Fridays bomb attack of the church which has been in the limelight in the recent weeks in both sides of the divide following Bishop Neophytoss decision to conduct religious rites at the occupied church on 1 and 2 September to celebrate the Saints name day.

[02] Dutch European Minister: Cyprus issue is a UN matter

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Dutch European Minister: Cyprus issue is a UN matter

Nicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- Dutch Minister for European Affairs Atzo Nicolai said tonight the Cyprus issue has an international aspect and that is why the UN is involved, while the EU as such does not pay a principal role in finding a solution to the issue but has its responsibilities, namely financially assisting the Turkish occupied north and promoting direct trade.

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