Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT SPEECH CYPRUS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

[02] GREEK PRESIDENT - CYPRUS TURKEY

[03] BAROSSO ROMPUY MESSAGES

[04] DEFENCE MINISTER NATIONAL GUARD TURKEY

[01] PRESIDENT SPEECH CYPRUS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

Addressing an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Cyprus, Christofias stressed once more that the Greek Cypriot side will exhaust every possibility offered at the ongoing UN-led negotiations for a solution.

He underlined however that if Turkey`s and the Turkish Cypriot leadership`s stance do not allow the reaching of a solution, they should be the ones to bear responsibility.

He also highlighted the need for unity, noting that in the 50 years of the Republic of Cyprus, ``the lack of unity on the basis of feasible goals has cost dearly to our people.``

Looking back to the 50 years after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, Christofias recalled the struggle for independence from the British colonial rule bowed to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom and democracy.

``From this forum we give the promise that we will steadily and consistently continue the noble struggle for the deliverance from occupation and illegal settlement, for the prevalence of freedom, democracy, human rights and the basic freedoms,`` he underlined.

The President added that the course of the Republic of Cyprus has not been smooth, as ``from its establishment Cyprus was placed in the epicentre of Turkish expansionist plans.``

Cyprus, he added, was placed in the epicentre of foreign interventions to control the island and to serve geostrategic interests of foreign powers, at the expense of the interests of the people of Cyprus.

He added however ``we must admit that the outside dangers and coercions found support from extreme actions of nationalistic circles in both communities, from extremist elements in the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.``

``Criminal attitudes and conspiracies in Cyprus acted as the best accessory to foreign plans to control Cyprus. The culmination of these foreign interventions and machinations against Cyprus was the twin crime, the treacherous, fascist coup of the (Greek) Junta and EOKA B` and the illegal, barbaric Turkish invasion and the continued, until today, occupation, settlement and the violation of every concept of law and human rights,`` he added.

Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, the President said that the independent Republic of Cyprus ``is a common conquest our common home.``

``The survival of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their common country, the deliverance from occupation and the termination of illegal settlement and division depends on whether we realize that reality,`` he added.

Referring to the ongoing UN-led negotiations for an agreed settlement to the Cyprus problem, Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot side is creative and flexible submitting proposals that are within the framework of the UN resolutions.

He also recalled the three-point package he recently submitted to the talks, noting that his package aims to expedite the process.

In July, President Christofias announced a three-point package with a view to expediting the UN-led talks. The package provides for the parallel discussions of the property chapter with the territorial aspect and immigration, the return of the of the fenced-off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations, combined with the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices and the restoration of the medieval part of the town of Famagusta, while the third proposal provides for an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem.

``If our proposals are accepted, not only they will give new impetus to the process but also would create a new dynamic for the solution of the Cyprus problem,`` President Christofias noted.

The President however said ``despite the progress being made, we are not satisfied from the stance of the Turkish side as their positions many times contradict basic principles.``

``We will exhaust every possibility offered by the intercommunal dialogue. We will do everything possible in the framework of the process, a process of Cypriot ownership without arbitration and artificial timeframes, for the achievement of a solution,`` Christofias added.

He went on to say, however, that ``if the stance of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership will not allow the achievement of a solution in the framework of the UNSC resolutions, then they should bear responsibility.``

``For us, solution is a life-long goal. It is not just difficult legal terms. The solution is the passport to a new era``, he said, adding ``the solution will signal the salvation of Cyprus from permanent division.``

``Let us work together, united, for a free Cyprus, reunified, an island of peace, joy and prosperity for its people, so that Cyprus will become a bridge of peace and cooperation for Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia,`` he concluded.

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

[02] GREEK PRESIDENT - CYPRUS TURKEY

In his address at the event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus, in Nicosia, Papoulias noted that Cyprus membership to the European Union defines the basic aspects of the solution to the Cyprus problem.

``Today is a day to remember the important achievements of the Cypriot people, but also to recollect our course,`` Papoulias said, adding ``this is a day of remembrance and honour to President Makarios, a symbolic figure and a point of reference to all of us.`` Papoulias also said ``the Cyprus problem remains an open wound, with the reunification being the issue at hand.``

Noting that Nicosia remains the only divided capital in Europe, Papoulias said that this is ``a daily reminder of the connivance of the international community to the violation of the international legality and of the human rights.``

[03] BAROSSO ROMPUY MESSAGES

Van Rompuy said that ``in only a few years the young Republic reached high levels of social and economic growth``, adding that Cyprus has developed competitive sectors of the economy. He went on saying that the countrys rich cultural heritage, combined with the peoples profound belief in freedom and commitment to the rule of law, provided a natural foundation for Cyprus integration in the European Union in 2004.

Meanwhile, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso expressed his wish for a quick reunification of Cyprus, saying that such a historic step would be welcomed by all Europe. He also expressed his support to the leaders of both communities of Cyprus for their determination to conclude the negotiation process aiming to reunite Cyprus.

Barroso was addressing the event in Nicosia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus through a video message.

[04] DEFENCE MINISTER NATIONAL GUARD TURKEY

``As long as Turkish troops step on the sacred soil of our semi-occupied country, the National Guard will continue constantly to rearm itself so that it would meet the expectations of the Cypriot people and face whichever hostile actions on behalf of the enemy,`` Papacostas said in statements after a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic Of Cyprus.

He added ``we will continue with the same pace to upgrade the fighting capability and the operational readiness of our National Guard.``

``We are in very good level but there is room for improvement,`` he went on to note. Papacostas also praised the level of cooperation with the Greek National Defence Ministry, noting that the two Ministers have close cooperation and common concerns.

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