Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-15

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

News Update

Tuesday, 15/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Stolen icon is returned
• [02] Council of Europe discusses how to enforce Titina Loizidou ruling
• [03] Cyprus condemns murder of Iranian diplomats

[01] Stolen icon is returned

The icon, depicting the Virgin Mary, had been stolen from the 12th century Church of Antifonitis at Ayios Amvrosios in Kyrenia, an area under Turkish occupation since 1974, by Turkish art thieves, who then sold it on the black market. It was then rescued by a Greek buyer.

Cyprus' Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, thanked the Greek government for the return of the icon.

"We hope that its stay in Nicosia will be brief and that it will end up where it belongs, the Church of Antifonitis", Stylianides added.

[02] Council of Europe discusses how to enforce Titina Loizidou ruling

In July, the court ruled in favour of Titina Loizidou and awarded her $700, 000 in compensation for being deprived of property she owns in Kyrenia.

"The question before the committee was how to enforce the ruling," a spokesman said. He added that the judgement is final despite Ankara's protests.

"Implementing the ruling will probably be a difficult exercise," the court spokesman acknowledged. "The Turks are quite angry about it."

[03] Cyprus condemns murder of Iranian diplomats

A statement said that "this brutal and abhorrent crime is an unprecedented and particularly serious violation of the fundamental principle of the immunity of diplomatic envoys as this principle has developed and become accepted since ancient Greek times and has been codified through the ages into today's international law, and, in particular, the Vienna Convention which governs diplomatic relations between states".

"The Cyprus government would like to add its voice to that of the UN Secretary-General, the European Union and all those other governments which have called for an immediate investigation into the crime to track down the inhuman and callous murderers and bring them to justice", it adds.

It goes on to express condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Iran.

"We hope that restraint is exercised under the circumstances and the peaceful solution of the problems in the region is sought on the basis of the generally-accepted principles of international law", the statement concludes.

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

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