Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-08

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT FAMAGUSTA EVENT PROPOSALS

[02] FAMAGUSTA RESOLUTION

[03] HELIOS RELATIVES CANDLE LIGHTING

[04] BAGHDATIS TENNIS FINALS

[01] PRESIDENT FAMAGUSTA EVENT PROPOSALS

Addressing Saturday evening an anti-occupation event organised by the Famagusta Municipality to mark 36 years since the illegal seizure and occupation of the town of Famagusta by the Turkish military, the Cypriot President said the three proposals aim to address Turkeys intransigent stance on the Cyprus issue. He also noted that these proposals could be presented with arguments to the EU and the international community.

The first reaction of the international community to our proposals is very positive, he pointed out.

In his speech, President Christofias referred to his proposal to convene an international conference on the international aspect of the Cyprus issue, which will include the issues of guarantees, security and the withdrawal of foreign troops and settlers.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side has asked for the internal aspects of the Cyprus issue to be of Cypriot property because we have the bad experience of 2004 of arbitration and imposing of solution plans from outside.

If we want to deny this Cypriot property we can do it, but we should expect arbitration and pressure for imposition of a solution plan from outside. If we want that, we can do it, but I assure you, I will not, he went on to say.

Last month, the Cypriot President announced three proposals on the Cyprus issue. The first suggests the linking of the discussion of three of the chapters of the Cyprus problem, those dealing with property, territory and immigration, for easing the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and for expediting the dialogue.

The second proposal urges Turkey to apply UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations. Part of this proposal is the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices to benefit the Turkish Cypriots.

The third proposal is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem.

In his speech, President Christofias also thanked the foreign guests from Greece, UK and the European Parliament, who participated in the anti-occupation event, for their continuous support for justice in Cyprus.

The anti-occupation event was attended among others by the Municipal Councils of Famagusta and Dherynia, members of the Council of Ministers, leaders of political parties, MPs from Cyprus, Greece and Great Britain, Members of the European Parliament, Famagustians and others.

The people of Famagusta, holding candles and crying out loud Together this year to Famagusta and We dont forget Famagusta and all our occupied areas marched to the Dherynia checkpoint where they handed over a petition to UNFICYP asking for justice in Cyprus and return to their homes and properties.

The petition is addressed to the UN Secretary General, the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council and the European Union Presidency.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

UN led talks began in September 2008 between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talks continue now with Eroglu, who succeeded Talat in April this year.

Famagusta was captured by the advancing Turkish troops during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Famagusta remains under Turkish occupation with its Varosha area, still sealed off by the Turkish army, being called ghost town. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984), which is one of the strongest secured by Cyprus to date, condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of ambassadors between Turkey and the pseudo-state, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for their immediate withdrawal.

It also considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.

Turkey has so far not complied with any of the UNSC resolutions.

[02] FAMAGUSTA RESOLUTION

The resolution, addressed to the UN Secretary General, the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council and the European Union Presidency, was unanimously approved at the anti-occupation rally, organised Saturday by the Famagusta Municipality, at Dherynia checkpoint, to mark 36 years since the illegal seizure and occupation of the town of Famagusta by the Turkish military.

The resolution stresses that the return of Famagusta, a European ghost town, which Turkey holds hostage since 1974 is a humanitarian issue too and as such, it must be addressed separately, as a confidence building measure, which will strengthen efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem. At the same time, it stresses that this issue could be a pivotal test of good will for Turkey, which would create a momentum, which would improve in a positive manner the climate in view of the direct talks.

It expects that the initiatives of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to begin the process of returning Famagusta to its legitimate inhabitants will lead to the implementation by Turkey of all its obligations. Furthermore, it demands the end of the illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas, something that creates faits accomplish, which complicates the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

It calls on Turkey to show the necessary will to return Famagusta to its legitimate inhabitants, on the basis of the 1979 High Level Agreement and the relevant UNSC resolutions, as a good will gesture and an actual contribution to the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem. It also calls on the Turkish Cypriot leadership to participate in the direct talks with good will, ready to negotiate a bizonal bicommunal federal solution with political equality, as prescribed in the relevant UN resolutions and the High Level Agreements.

[03] HELIOS RELATIVES CANDLE LIGHTING

The relatives of the victims lit Saturday evening candles in memory of their beloved ones in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka and Paralimni.

The symbolic candle light ceremonies were attended by many people as well as by Members of the Parliament, who honored the memory of the victims.

In their statements, the relatives of the victims said they still wait for the vindication of their beloved ones and that five years after the tragic air crash, their memory is still alive.

On August 14, 2005, an ``Helios`` Boeing flying to Prague via Athens crashed into the mountain side of Grammatiko, north of the Greek capital. All passengers and crew on board, mostly Cypriots, perished.

[04] BAGHDATIS TENNIS FINALS

The Cypriot tennis player secured his participation in the finals after beating at the semi-final Belgian Xavier Malisse with 6-2 and 7-6.

Baghdatis will play Argentinean David Nalbandian in Sunday`s final, which will begin at 1500 local time. Nalbandian enjoyed a crushing 6-2, 6-2 win over fourth seed Marin Cilic and will look to repeat the title run of fellow Argentine Juan Martin del Potro last year.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article