Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-10-24

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

News Update

24/10/96

CONTENTS

• [01] "Decision on Liberalisation of the economy already taken"
• [02] INTERPOL'S General Assembly in Turkey
• [03] East Timor's Nobel Prize winner speaks out for Cyprus
• [04] Annual charity event expected to raise over 2 million dollars

[01] Decision on Liberalisation of the economy already taken

He went on to say that "what is still debated is whether to lift restrictions on the free circulation of capital and the legal limit of 9% bank interest immediately or gradually. We shall talk with the interested parties on these issues."

Mr Christodoulou expected liberalisation to have positive effects on the island's economy and sought to assuage fears expressed by trade unions by saying that "we shall take care that safety valves will be included in the new system to avoid unnecessary disturbance in the economy."

[02] INTERPOL'S General Assembly in Turkey

INTERPOL had earlier notified the hosting country that it will not accept representation in its General Assembly of the so-called police force of the illegal regime in Turkish-occupied Cyprus, following a protest from Cyprus's Chief of Police Panicos Hadjiloizou.

Hadjiloizou, who represents Cyprus at INTERPOL's General Assembly, has received assurances that the two Turkish Cypriot will not be speaking to the Assembly, nor will any propaganda for the breakaway regime be allowed.

[03] East Timor's Nobel Prize winner speaks out for Cyprus

Asked whether he sees similarities between East Timor's occupation by Indonesia with the occupation of 37% of Cyprus by Turkey, Ramos Horta said: "The territory under Turkish occupation belongs to Cyprus. What has happened there is totally unacceptable."

Explaining that he has visited Cyprus in 1991 and is well acquainted with its problem, Ramos Horta added: "I repeat that it is unacceptable that Turkey continues to occupy part of Cyprus' territory. Despite everything, there must be dialogue between the Greek and Turkish communities so they can live together."

[04] Annual charity event expected to raise over 2 million dollars

The Radio Marathon begun in 1990 on the initiative of the island's first private radio station "Radio Super" and collected about half a million pounds.

Since then it has become an islandwide annual event during which 24-hour broadcasts are dedicated to encouraging the public to contribute to the cause via hundreds of collection points.

Following the demise of Radio Super it was taken under the aegis of CyBC's (Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation) Third Radio Programme and the Laiki Banking Group. The event appears to have hit a soft spot in the hearts of Cypriots who contribute generously every year. Emotionally charged scenes of children emptying their piggy-banks and old ladies offering their pensions are quite frequent, while businesses large and small make considerable donations and workers in factories and elsewhere make collections among themselves. Politicians make their own donations and during last year's event during an impromptu auction, a watch belonging to the President of the Republic and donated to "Radio Marathon" fetched 24.000 dollars.

At a press conference on Wednesday (23/10/96) it was announced that 3.9 million Cyprus pounds (nearly 8 million dollars) was the total amount collected since the beginning of the "Radio Marathon" charity event six years ago - a significant amount considering the total population of Cyprus is about 700.000. A variety of caring institutions have received financial help, while 71% of the proceeds went directly to handicapped children.

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article