Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-09-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - US - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - NEW YORK - MEETINGS

[03] CULTURAL HERITAGE - TURKISH OCCUPIED AREAS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - US - CYPRUS ISSUE

``We want international law, peace, human rights and the fundamental freedoms of our people to prevail in Cyprus. We are not second class people,`` President Christofias stressed, speaking at the annual dinner hosted by the Cyprus Federation of America on Friday.

The Cypriot people, he continued, have thousands of years of tradition and contribution to the world`s cultural heritage. And that I think will be taken into account in formulating policies.

Commenting on the good relations between Cyprus - U.S. and what Cyprus has offered the US, the President said: we expect a return gift from America.``

Referring to developments in the Cyprus issue, he said that as President of the Republic he has inherited a very difficult situation.

``The faits accomplis of Turkeys illegal occupation are being consolidated on the ground and make the solution of the problem more difficult,`` he said, noting that although some steps forward have been made, there is concern about developments in the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

The President expressed hope that his reservations will fail him and added: However, I fear that the policy currently followed by the Turkish Cypriot community with the support by Turkey cannot lead soon to a solution of the Cyprus problem, because a solution cannot justify the faits accomplis of the occupation. It can lead to two separate states and disrespect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots without exception. ``

Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, he said they too are children of the same homeland just as the Greek Cypriots are.

They too have watered with their sweat the Cypriot land, they have fought with Greek Cypriot workers to be able to enjoy the good things in life. They also have the right to co-rule with us under a constitution for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality and the right to participate in the federal institutions,`` he added.

President Christofias thanked Greece and Prime Minister George Papandreou for the unselfish support they afford Cyprus in the struggle to find a solution.

In his remarks at the dinner, the Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas assured that ``Greece stands by Cyprus and the Cypriot people, not just with words but with actions.

Droutsas stressed that the latest proposals submitted at the negotiating table by President Christofias are correct and show the direction to be followed.

He called on the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey to follow this constructive stance and make the right moves necessary for a solution.

The first move Ankara should make, the Greek Foreign Minister said, ``is to withdraw its troops. Only then can we have progress in Cyprus because the Cyprus issue is an issue of invasion and occupation, something we never forget, but we stress to everybody, in all directions.

U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone spoke about the need for Turkish occupation troops to withdraw from Cyprus northern part, stressing that the U.S. should take a clear position on human rights and the rule of law.

Congressman John Sarbanes assured that the struggle for Cyprus will continue in Washington.

In July, the Cypriot President announced three proposals on the Cyprus issue to facilitate and expedite the negotiating process.

The first proposal provides for linking discussions on property to discussions on territory and the illegal presence of Turkish settlers in occupied Cyprus.

The second proposal urges Turkey to implement UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of the Turkish occupied town of Varosha to UN administration. Part of this proposal is the opening of the city port 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.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third territory. UN - led talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER - NEW YORK - MEETINGS

The Minister, who attended on Friday the UN General Assembly session which Cyprus President Demetris Christofias addressed, had participated earlier in the day in a high-level meeting on revitalizing the Conference on Disarmament and the promotion of multilateral negotiations for disarmament.

The Foreign Minister met on Friday afternoon the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and discussed with him bilateral issues and the Cyprus problem.

Later on Kyprianou attended a reception hosted by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the annual dinner of the Cyprus Federation of America.

[03] CULTURAL HERITAGE - TURKISH OCCUPIED AREAS

President Christofias was addressing the Annual Ranieri Colloquium on Ancient Studies Archaeologies of Yeronisos off Cyprus: The island beyond the island, in New York, organised in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the twentieth anniversary of the New York University Yeronisos Island Excavations.

The President noted that, a countrys history and cultural heritage is without doubt one of the most important factors that shape its relations with the outside world, but also its internal development.

Cultural events such as this colloquium and also the upcoming exhibition at the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution entitled Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilisations demonstrate the importance of cultural exchanges and the sharing of knowledge, he added. He further said that the Republic of Cyprus may be celebrating its 50th birthday, but the islands heritage dates back to at least ten thousand years, noting that the protection and the study of this heritage is of utmost importance to the government of Cyprus.

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