Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-07-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - COUP ANNIVERSARY

[02] BRITISH MPs - CYPRUS - CULTURAL HERITAGE

[01] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - COUP ANNIVERSARY

The Parliaments extraordinary plenary session was attended by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and other state officials.

The House observed a one-minute silence in memory of those killed defending democracy and the country.

House President Demetris Christofias told the plenary that the Greek Cypriot side must continually undertake initiatives, with a view to oblige the Turkish side to proceed to the negotiating table.

[02] BRITISH MPs - CYPRUS - CULTURAL HERITAGE

Nicosia, Jul 15 (CNA) -- British MPs called for the respect of the cultural and religious heritage in Cyprus, noting with concern that up to 100 Christian churches in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus have been stripped by looters.

A draft resolution to the House of Commons, introduced by Labour MP Edward O`Hara and signed by 17 MPs, «notes with concern that up to 100 Christian churches in the occupied north of Cyprus have been stripped by looters of all removable items such as floors, bells, altar tables, iconostaseis and over 23,000 icons for sale in the international art black market».

The draft also notes that many other churches ``are used as stables, barns, cafes, military bases and mosques and that there has been widespread destruction of their associated cemeteries and grave monuments.``

It also ``calls upon all the communities of Cyprus not to use religious and cultural monuments as objects for hatred but to respect them and work together to protect and preserve them as their shared Cypriot heritage.``

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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