Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-09-01

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

News Update

Monday, 01/09/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus maintains unwavering faith in the UN and in peace, says Government Spokesman
• [02] Foreign Minister starts tour of six European capitals
• [03] Condolences over Princess Diana's death
• [04] Communications and Works Minister in Athens
• [05] Commonwealth Secretary-General on Cyprus visit
• [06] Panamanian Ambassador presents credentials
• [07] Excavations at the chalcolithic cemetery at Souskiou completed

[01] Cyprus maintains unwavering faith in the UN and in peace, says Government Spokesman

"The international community has chosen a peaceful process for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The Republic of Cyprus maintains unwavering faith in the UN and in peace", he said.

The Cyprus problem is not served by excessive statements. It is served by dialogue and reason, Mr Christofides said. "We set dialogue, reason and consensus and the justice of our struggle against threats and provocations", he added.

Asked if there is a possibility that the Turkish side is planning an incident in order to block either the arrival of the S-300 anti aircraft missiles to the island or the start of EU-Cyprus accession negotiations, he said "the issue of world peace is at the core and constitutes the UN's main goal".

"The Security Council has the paramount obligation and responsibility to maintain the peace all over the world", Christofides added.

[02] Foreign Minister starts tour of six European capitals

Kasoulides will visit the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as Germany, Luxembourg and Italy.

In Rome he will meet with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini.

[03] Condolences over Princess Diana's death

"It is with profound sorrow that I have learned of the tragic and untimely loss of Princess Diana.

Please accept on behalf of the people and the Government of Cyprus and myself our deepest and most sincere condolences".

[04] Communications and Works Minister in Athens

The Meeting, on "Democracy and Progress: The Role of Europe in Global Economy", is organized by the Metsovio National Polytechnic.

In official meetings Mr Ierodiaconou held with the Transport and Communications Minister of Greece, Charalambos Kastanides, as well as with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Konstantinos Laliotis, he was promised every help in Cyprus' efforts to harmonise its infrastructure with EU norms.

[05] Commonwealth Secretary-General on Cyprus visit

After official talks he held with Foreign Minister Kasoulides, Chief Anyaoku said that the Commonwealth has consistently been in support of all UN resolutions on the Cyprus question. He added that the Commonwealth has been examining with Minister Kasoulides ways in which it can contribute to the success of the peace talks.

Apart from the Cyprus problem the two men discussed issues of mutual concern to both Cyprus and the Commonwealth, as well as the arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Edinburgh, UK at the end of October.

Today Chief Anyaoku will be received by President Clerides and will also have a meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou

[06] Panamanian Ambassador presents credentials

The new Ambassador pledged to do his best to further the friendly relations which exist between Cyprus and Panama, to develop and strengthen mutual ties, and to help, if possible, to bring a peaceful solution to the problems which trouble Cyprus today.

Highlighting the Panamanian government's decision to upgrade its relations with Cyprus by establishing formal diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, President Clerides noted that this will further consolidate and promote bilateral relations in all fields.

[07] Excavations at the chalcolithic cemetery at Souskiou completed

Despite the fact that the majority of the tombs at the prehistoric Cypriot cemetery had been looted in the past, the said research brought to light extraordinary movable finds, which throw light on certain aspects of this important prehistoric period of Cypriot archaeology, especially on religious rituals.

The most important finds are two cruciform percolate idols, a unique clay idol of a pregnant woman, a unique askos with conical projections all over the body in the form of a bunch of grapes and various other vessels decorated with red geometric motifs on a white background. Both the cruciform idols and the terracotta idol of the pregnant woman may represent the divinity of fertility, which is known to have been worshipped in Cyprus since the Neolithic period. These finds of major importance date between 3500 and 3000 B.C.

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

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