Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-01

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

Monday, 1 March 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Kassoulides asks for more decisive US support on Cyprus
• [02] Human Rights norms and practices respected in Cyprus
• [03] Turkey must respect European Court's judgement on case of Loizidou v Turkey
• [04] Cyprus strictly enforces anti-drug laws, says report
• [05] New Cyprus Ambassador to Iceland presents credentials

[01] Kassoulides asks for more decisive US support on Cyprus

In a press conference given yesterday at the conclusion of his two-week visit to the US, the Foreign Minister said that he has asked the US administration for more effective moves towards Turkey in order to break the present deadlock .Mr Kassoulides also pointed out that the US should exert greater pressure on Ankara and adopt a clearer condemnation of Turkey with regard to the current deadlock. The Foreign Minister referred also to his meetings in New York with UN Secretary General Kofi Anan with whom he discussed ways of implementing UN resolutions 1217 and 1218 on Cyprus.

As Mr Kassoulides pointed out the new diplomatic activity on Cyprus will presumably take place in April, after the elections in Turkey.

He also noted that "the objective of diplomatic activity will be the resumption of the intercommunal dialogue on the basis of UN resolutions on Cyprus".

[02] Human Rights norms and practices respected in Cyprus

The report notes that an overall respect of democratic principles and the rule of law is being observed in Cyprus. Moreover it is noted that the freedom to hold meetings , associate and organise is protected by law and the Government respects these rights in practise.

However it points out that freedom of movement was restricted in the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, and notes that since December 1997 most bicommunal contacts between Turkish and Greek Cypriots have been banned. Furthermore the Turkish Cypriot authorities sometimes attempted to prevent Turkish Cypriots from travelling to bicommunal meetings off the island as well.

Even though some steps have been taken by the Tukish Cypriot authorities to improve the conditions of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the territory under their control, yet "the treatment of these groups still falls short of Turkish Cypriot obligations under the Vienna III agreement of 1975, the report says.

Referring to the respect of freedom of speech and press, it says that they are freely practised but notes that some actions were taken against newspapers and journalists in the Turkish occupied areas.

[03] Turkey must respect European Court's judgement on case of Loizidou v Turkey

In a written reply to a question in the House of Lords regarding the action the British government will take in the Council of Europe if the judgement is not enforced ,British Minister of State, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean said that Turkey has the responsibility of implementing the judgement.

She also noted that "we have reminded Turkey in the Committee of Ministers of these responsibilities and will continue to do so".

Moreover the British Minister added that "We have made clear to Turkey the need to respect the Court's judgement .Turkey has confirmed its wish to uphold the authority of the European Court of Human Rights".

According to the European Court's judgement Turkey must pay to Titina Loizidou the sum of Cyprus pounds 300,000 as a pecuniary compensation for depriving her of her right to peacefully enjoy her property in the occupied areas, as a result of the presence of Turkish troops there. According to the report, Turkey is also held responsible for the continuous violation of Human Rights in northern Cyprus.

[04] Cyprus strictly enforces anti-drug laws, says report

The report for 1998, released by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs on Friday 26, also states that "Cyprus' Unit for Combating Money Laundering (UCML) was very active in 1998 in receiving and investigating suspicious transactions."

Noting that "Cypriots themselves do not produce or consume significant quantities of drugs", it underlines that "Northern Cyprus is a convenient stopover for narcotics traffickers moving between Turkey and other countries".

The report praises the Cyprus government's efforts against money laundering adding that the Cyprus government has taken important measures to combat money laundering, including the amendment of the relevant laws.

[05] New Cyprus Ambassador to Iceland presents credentials

After the ceremony Mr. Grimsson and Mr. Pantelides held talks on the Cyprus problem and bilateral relations.

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

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