Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM PRESIDENT LETTERS FAMAGUSTA

[02] US AMBASSADOR LIMNITIS

[03] PRESIDENT KAKOYIANNIS FOUNDATION

[04] SUSPECTS PAPADOPOULOS BODY

[01] FM PRESIDENT LETTERS FAMAGUSTA

Speaking after a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, which discussed the issue of Famagusta, Kyprianou said that he had the opportunity to brief the House of Representatives on the moves of the government concerning Famagusta, and the initiatives of President Christofias.

He said that the President`s letter refers to the need to allow experts to study the issue of rebuilding the town, in order for its legal residents to return, and that this would improve the climate in talks between the two communities for a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said Famagusta was Turkey`s responsibility and that the President was making moves to gain the support of all Cyprus` partners, who in turn would raise the issue with Turkey, either through the UN or the EU, or even both.

Furthermore, Kyprianou said that procedures to abolish visas between Cyprus and the United States were in the pipeline and that it would take a couple of years before the measure was implemented.

He added that one of the preconditions was the issuing of biometric passports, which was a time-consuming project.

Famagusta was captured by the advancing Turkish troops during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Ever since it has remained sealed off, under the control of the Turkish military and remains to this day abandoned. Famagusta has been declared by the government of Cyprus a closed port of entry.

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. Turkey has refused to comply with the UN call.

[02] US AMBASSADOR LIMNITIS

Speaking here on Wednesday, after a meeting he had with the President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) Nicos Anastasiades, Urbancic stressed that the USA continues to support a just resolution of the Cyprus problem.

On the issue of Limnitis crossing point, he clarified that the US has always been a supporter of the implementation of this agreement and has always agreed to put its money forward.

We within 24 hours committed 9 hundred thousand USD, which is a very significant portion of our overall AID budget for the year, but I was very pleased to commit that money. That money has never been withdrawn and it will not be withdrawn and as soon as the United Nations is able to begin to implement the construction we will have the money there, he said.

Additionally, the US Ambassador expressed his countrys strong support towards the restoration project of Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the occupied areas of Cyprus. This is a high priority, which we have been working on for quite a long and we will continue to do that as well, he pointed out.

[03] PRESIDENT KAKOYIANNIS FOUNDATION

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, President Christofias said he felt really proud stepping up the main entrance of this building, because the name Michalis Kakoyiannis means love and passion for Cyprus and Greece.

When we are talking about Michalis Kakoyiannis, we should not be afraid of the words we use because Michalis is a distinguished artist, a renown director worldwide, and Hellenism is very proud of him, he said.

Referring to the Foundation, President Christofias noted that it is a remarkable place for study, research, promotion and support of the arts and culture, areas which Michalis Kakoyiannis has served with discipline and consistency.

[04] SUSPECTS PAPADOPOULOS BODY

The first suspect, a 31-year-old Indian, was arrested after he was identified as the person who revealed the location of the body to Papadopoulos` family, demanding a sum of money in return.

The Court heard that the Indian had willingly given a statement to the Police admitting he had taken part in the theft of the body, naming the second suspect, a 48-year-old Cypriot, as his accomplice, and a third person, serving a life sentence in the Central Prisons, as the person who commissioned the crime.

The Police told the Court that the third suspect, who is the brother of the second suspect, has also been arrested in the Prisons.

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