Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-10-10

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

10/10/96

CONTENTS

• [01] CLERIDES: CYPRUS-GREECE DEFENCE COOPERATION BENEFICIAL TO CYPRUS
• [02] YUGOSLAVIA STANDS BY CYPRUS
• [03] BOB DOLE'S MESSAGE TO GREEK AMERICANS
• [04] EARTHQUAKE HITS CYPRUS
• [05] NO TEACHER FOR GREEK SCHOOL IN OCCUPIED CYPRUS

[01] CLERIDES: CYPRUS-GREECE DEFENCE COOPERATION BENEFICIAL TO CYPRUS

Putting the issue in a political perspective, President Clerides said that when he came to power, in early 1993, there was indifference from the international community towards the Cyprus problem. There also existed a deadlock in the negotiations process because there has been no convergence on the fundamental aspects of the problem. He pointed out that this indifference no longer exists, because it is "realized now that the Cyprus problem is not an extinct volcano but a dormant volcano which could easily erupt with enormous consequences".

[02] YUGOSLAVIA STANDS BY CYPRUS

The talks centered on bilateral and international issues and the Cypriot Foreign Minister explained in detail recent developments in Cyprus, the revived international interest for an early settlement of the problem and the importance of the island's course towards EU accession. The Yugoslav Foreign Minister repeated that his country sees the problem of Cyprus as a question of invasion and occupation and that Yugoslavia stands by the people of Cyprus.

It was also announced that Yugoslavia approved the appointment of a Cyprus Ambassador to Belgrade.

Michaelides later had a meeting with Yugoslav Federal Prime Minister Dr. Ratoje Kontic who said that Yugoslavia has always supported Cyprus' territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty and finding a viable solution based on UN resolutions.

[03] BOB DOLE'S MESSAGE TO GREEK AMERICANS

"Throughout my career, I have been a long-standing supporter of strong US relations with Greece and Cyprus. America is bound to Greece and Cyprus through the common Hellenic ideals of democracy, liberty and justice. We Americans are indebted to the Greeks for the light of these ideals, which led the world out of the darkness of tyranny."

He further added that, if elected, a Dole Administration "will actively engage the governments of Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to achieve a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problems at the earliest possible time. Since the late 1970's I have supported the demilitarization of Cyprus, and continue to do so. An environment of trust and good will is essential to bring the parties together and achieve the long-overdue solution to the Cyprus problem."

On human rights Bob Dole promised in his message that a Dole Administration will use the influence of the United States to rectify unacceptable human rights abuses. He also mentioned that because of his concern for human rights, he had voted for the D'Amato amendment to the 1996 foreign aid bill, withholding US economic assistance to Turkey until the human rights situation there is improved.

[04] EARTHQUAKE HITS CYPRUS

The tremor caused structural damage to buildings mostly in the southern and western towns of Limassol and Paphos. Several old churches and village houses were severely damaged and a landslide temporarily blocked a main highway near Paphos. In Limassol electricity wires were cut, the windowpanes of the main police station were broken, and several internal walls of apartments collapsed.

According to police reports, 21 people were lightly injured, most of them while trying to flee from shaking buildings.

One man who was recovering from recent heart surgery died of heart failure in an attempt to leave the hospital. Later in the afternoon about a 100 aftershocks were recorded, measuring from 3.5 to 5.5 on the Richter scale.

According to seismological centers in Greece and Cyprus, the epicentre of the earthquake was in the Mediterranean, about 50 kilometres southeast of Cyprus. This was the most powerful tremor felt on the island since 1984.

[05] GREEK SCHOOL IN OCCUPIED CYPRUS WITHOUT TEACHER

There are three primary schools now operating in three villages of the area, catering to 31 pupils. The occupying regime does not allow the operation of high schools.

The Greek Cypriot population which remained in their villages in the Karpass peninsula after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation amounted to about 12,000 and became known as the "enclaved people". But continuous harassment, physical coercion and suppression of basic human rights, has caused their numbers to dwindle over the years to about 450 at present.

The enclaved, Greeks and Maronites, have been denied access to educational, medical and religious facilities and are subjected to cruel restrictions of movement within a limited area of their villages. The policy followed by the Turkish Cypriot regime amounts to ethnic cleansing aiming at the complete elimination of the Greek element in the northern occupied part of Cyprus.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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