Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-11-06

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

News Update

06/11/96

CONTENTS

• [01] Turkish fighters violate Cyprus air space
• [02] Greek Deputy Foreign Minister completes talks in Cyprus centred on EU accession issues.
• [03] New obstacles by Denktash regime to urgent medical treatment from free areas of Cyprus
• [04] Charity event raises over 1.2 million pounds

[01] Turkish fighters violate Cyprus air space

He pointed out that similarly, Cyprus' sovereign territory has been violated ever since 1974 through the presence of Turkish troops.

According to the Cyprus News Agency and to local papers, this is the first time Turkish fighters actually land in the illegal airport near the occupied village of Lefkoniko. In the past the fighters restricted themselves to violating Cyprus air space without touching down.

The fighters are taking part in joint military manoeuvres code-named "Taurus-2/96" between the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime and Turkey.

[02] New obstacles by Denktash regime to urgent medical treatment from free areas of Cyprus

Dr Andreas Hadjidemetriou from the hospital's neo-natal unit said Tuesday 5.11.96 that the twins, who were born at 32 weeks, were brought over to the free areas four days ago.

They will remain in the hospital for two weeks, but Dr Hadjidemetriou said he didn't know whether their mother will be allowed to visit them. . He said the hospital had made a video of the twins to take back to their mother via UN peacekeeping officers.

Facilities for premature babies have been available for Turkish Cypriots who seek them and hospital sources said between six to seven premature babies are brought to the free areas every year.

However, the Denktash regime is to place new restrictions on patients seeking urgent medical treatment across the Green Line. Recent Turkish press reports said the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime has decided that "administrative" approval will be required before a patient from occupied Cyprus can seek treatment from hospitals in government-controlled areas, in the same manner as when a patient wishes to travel to the UK or Turkey for medical reasons.

The Cyprus government maintains an open-door policy towards the Turkish Cypriots, and doctors and hospitals in the free areas of Cyprus have been offering medical treatment for a variety of cases of Turkish Cypriot patients who come through the Green Line aided by the UN or the Red Cross.

UNFICYP has already sent a message to United Nations headquarters in New York informing them of the situation, spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski said Tuesday.

[03] Greek Deputy Foreign Minister completes talks in Cyprus centred on EU accession issues.

It was the first visit to Cyprus by the Minister responsible for Greece's European policy since the new Simitis government took over last September. Rozakis, heading a team of Eurotechnocrats of the Greek Foreign Ministry, held long talks with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides on Tuesday 5.11.96, and later told reporters that both political and technical questions were examined in depth by the two teams.

Explaining that he leaves Cyprus with a complete picture of the problems which are under consideration by the two sides, Rozakis added they examined "the potential for Greece's contribution to questions of support to Cyprus in the pre-accession period".

He noted: "Cyprus has really achieved an impressive level on issues regarding its pre-accession position, but there remains a great deal more to be done before we reach EU accession negotiations".

Referring to EU interest in helping settle the Cyprus problem, he noted the absence of co-ordination and of a common stance on Cyprus among EU member states.

[04] Charity event raises over 1.2 million pounds

The two-day fund-raising event has been taking place for seven years now and was originally initiated by a private radio station in co-operation with the Cyprus Popular Bank.

The events held this year included a football match and charity walks with the participation of Greek Olympic champions and Cypriot and Greek artists and politicians.

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