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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-03-11Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateTuesday, 11/03/97CONTENTS[01] Proximity talks begin in Cyprus.Proximity talks under the aegis of the United Nations were initiated on Monday (10.3.97) by Gustave Feissel, the UN Secretary-General's resident Special Representative with meetings he had first with President Glafcos Clerides and with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community Rauf Denktash. The Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides confirmed on Thursday (6.3.97) that "the government enters these talks with good will and no prejudice", adding that the positions of the two sides will emerge during the talks, and that the government is ready to discuss the substance of the Cyprus problem.Cassoulides said the time for seeking some common ground between the two sides has come to an end and added: "These talks will be more intensive, no timetable has been set as it is difficult to foresee how long they will last". The arrival of Britain's Special Representative Sir David Hannay on Tuesday (11.3.97) will spearhead the negotiations as he has been the man who has dealt in detail with most aspects of the problem in recent months and is in close co-operation with the United Nations. [02] President's Message on Commonwealth DayOn the occasion of Commonwealth Day, March 10, the President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides issued a message which expressed "appreciation for the valuable contribution of a really unique grouping of states, which, despite heterogeneity, has played a significant role in international affairs".The message added that what unites the Commonwealth countries is their common will for promoting world peace, co-operation, understanding and balanced progress and development. The President also thanked the members of the Commonwealth who have called for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem through a number of resolutions they adopted. [03] Cypriot Women MPs appeal to European colleaguesThe three women deputies, members of the Cyprus House of Representatives have, called on their European counterparts to help bring an end to the 23- year division of the island.In a letter sent to all female Euro-MPs on the occasion of International Women's Day, the Cypriot deputies condemn the continued violation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the island's women by Turkish occupation troops. Deputies Kate Clerides of the Democratic Rally Party, Katerina Pantelidou of the Democratic Party and Androula Vassiliou of the United Democrats said that "the women of Cyprus have suffered and are still suffering because of the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the continued occupation of 37 per cent of the Republic's territory by Turkish troops." They also refer to the inhuman treatment of Cypriot women by Turkey over the fate of the 1,619 Greek Cypriots missing since the Turkish invasion, stressing that the illegal regime in the north refuses to give any details on the fate of these people. The letter also says that the enclaved women in the occupied areas are systematically harassed by the "authorities" and by illegal Turkish settlers, noting that they are forced to live in "inhuman conditions". It ends by urging the MPs to "do everything possible to end the inhuman situation which has continued for 23 years now.". [04] Cypriot enthroned as Patriarch of Alexandria.President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides paid a one-day visit to Egypt, on Sunday 9.3.97, to attend the enthronement ceremony of the new Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and Africa, Petros VII, who is a Greek Cypriot.The ceremony was also attended by the President of Greece Costis Stephanopoulos and other government ministers. 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 - Next Article |