Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASHIARDIS - RESHUFFLE

[02] CYPRUS - PACE REPORT

[03] AHI - PRESSER

[01] PASHIARDIS - RESHUFFLE

Pashiardis, who will also be carrying out Government Spokesman duties, said the new Cabinet members will be giving their official assurances to the President on June 13 and will then assume their duties at their respective Ministries.

Replying to questions, Pashiardis said both the Ministers who have remained in the Cabinet and those who will be leaving had been informed early enough by the President of the Republic.

Asked how President Papadopoulos selected the persons who would make up the Cabinet, Pashiardis said ``the basic criterion for the President of the Republic is efficiency and ethos, which are fundamental preconditions for the promotion and achievement of the government`s mission.``

Replying to questions about his appointment as Government Spokesman and asked if this would be a permanent arrangement, Pashiardis said that ``until further notice, if and when there is a further announcement, I will be exercising simultaneously and in parallel the duties of the Undersecretary to the President and those of the Government Spokesman.``

[02] CYPRUS - PACE REPORT

The report by PACE Rapporteur Dick Marty said Cyprus along with Germany, Turkey and Spain was a staging point for flights involving the unlawful transfer of detainees.

The Foreign Ministry press release said The Cyprus Government has timely informed the Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr Dick Marty that no terrorism suspects have been transferred via Cyprus, nor have there been cases of a secret detention of persons.

It added that at no time has the American Government informed us on the transfer or detention of terrorism suspects.

In seven cases in 2004 permission was requested for technical landings of private American aircraft. The Cyprus Authorities had consented and gave permission for these technical landings, i.e. aircraft refueling only, the press release noted.

It pointed out that it is well-known that such demands cannot be rejected by any airport Authority. (Second Freedom, Chicago Convention, 1944).

[03] AHI - PRESSER

During a press conference here Thursday on the results of AHIs annual visit to Cyprus and the institutes activities, Nicholas Karambelas, AHI`s Legal Advisor said that the bill has been initiated by AHI and endorsed by Congressman Frank Pallone from the State of New Jersey. The bill already has 32 co-sponsors, adding that he expects AHI to table the bill before the US Senate next week.

According to Karambellas, the proposed bill will enable US citizens who own property in occupied Cyprus to sue in American Federal courts for back - rent for their property.

``It will also direct the Secretary of State to open the government to government claim Act with the government of Turkey, just like the US government has done in connection with Vietnam, Iraq and wherever American property has been taken,`` he said, adding that the bill ``will amend our (US) foreign sovereign immunity Act, which means that Turkey is immune by law suits by US citizens in US courts at the moment and will amend it to allow suits directly against Turkey in American courts.

He also added that American citizens will also be able to sue any private entity which is occupying their property in the occupied north of Cyprus.

AHI`s President Gene Rossides, said that AHI`s aim is to strengthen US relations with Cyprus.

``Our aim is to support the proper reunification of Cyprus, to get rid of Turkish occupation troops and Turkish settlers and to allow the return of refugees to their homes,`` Rossides said.

Regarding the US positions on Cyprus, Rossides said that ``unfortunately we have not been able to move the executive branch that much``, adding that AHI can ``win, I think any vote that comes up to the House of Representatives floor and I think we can come pretty close to that now on the Senate floor``.

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