Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-12-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS CYPRUS PROBLEM - LIMNITIS

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] CYPRUS ATTORNEY GENERAL HELIOS - CHARGES

[04] PASCHALIDES GOLF COURSES

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS CYPRUS PROBLEM - LIMNITIS

Speaking during his visit to Pyrgos of Tilliria on the northwest of Cyprus and while talking to the soldiers that serve their military obligations there, President Christofias noted that the Greek Cypriot side is giving a fight for a solution and reunification. This struggle requires patience and insistence, in order to break the will of the conqueror, he said expressing his conviction for that.

By keeping our faith to the just of our position, you have to be sure that eventually, Cyprus and its people will be reunified, President Christofias added.

Talking with the residents of Pyrgos and referring to the issue of the Limnitis crossing point, on the northwest, President Christofias expressed his sadness because the crossing point has not opened yet, due to the stubbornness of Turkish militaries, who raise some preconditions that our side cannot accept for security reasons.

I am not saying that the crossing point will not open, nor that we are close to open it, President Christofias clarified, noting that the opening of the crossing point is high on his agenda, and that he raises the issue in every meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of the direct talks.

Christofias also clarified that it would have been a mistake, if the opening of the Limnitis crossing point was a precondition for the opening of the rest crossing points. It is not only an emotional issue, but it is also a political one, he said and pointed out: We have to work hard in order to break the Turkish occupation and the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to come closer. If eventually the two communities isolate, the game will be lost.

Finally, President Christofias said that he raised the issue again yesterday, during his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader. I told Talat that as we are not fully satisfied from the progress achieved so far at the direct negotiations, we can encourage the peoples confidence and refresh their expectations by opening the Limnitis crossing point, sending at the same time the massage that we really want and work for the solution, President Christofias said.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September this year, aiming at reuniting the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[02] HOUSE PRESIDENT CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking on the sidelines of his visit to Andreas Zakou camp of the Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK), Garoyian noted that 2008 has been a difficult year for Cyprus. However, ``it has been the year that direct negotiations with an aim to find a mutually accepted solution to the Cyprus problem, began, he added.

House President stressed that the finding of a solution will not be an easy task, due to the Turkish sides intransigent stance. The Turkish side does not allow room for optimism by its positions and by its sterile attitude, he said and added that Turkish side does not aim at reunifying the people and the institutions of Cyprus, but it aims at creating the conditions for a confederation, and for two people and two separate religious in the island.

[03] CYPRUS ATTORNEY GENERAL HELIOS - CHARGES

``We filed the charge sheet today,`` Deputy Attorney-General Akis Papasavvas told CNA, refraining from revealing the names of the people prosecuted with the most serious crimes provided for in Cyprus` criminal code.

He noted that the charges include the most serious crimes provided for in Cyprus` criminal code, namely that of manslaughter punishable with life sentence and cause of death by reckless, dangerous and careless action, punishable with four years imprisonment or monetary penalty or both. The response to the charges has been scheduled for February 26.

[04] PASCHALIDES GOLF COURSES

Paschalides met with Cypriot businesspeople to discuss the government decision to increase the number of golf courses to 14. ``The proposal stipulates that there will be up to 14 golf courses in Cyprus``, he said, adding that three already operate on the island.

He added that government desires development, adding however that there should be a balance between development and the environment. Paschalides said that he will examine the concerns expressed by the businesspeople and will discuss them with the other Ministers composing the Ministerial Committee dealing with the issue.

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