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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-07-19Cyprus 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/>Monday, 19 July 1999CONTENTS
[01] Greece will continue to guarantee the survival of Hellenism in Cyprus"Greece remains a guarantor of the security and survival of the Hellenism of Cyprus, steadfastly promoting the implementation of the joint defence pact between Cyprus and Greece and Cyprus' accession to the European Union", Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis said on Friday.In a statement marking 25 years since the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of one third of Cyprus, Mr Kranidiotis pointed out that "for a quarter of a century, the Cyprus tragedy remains a dark page in current world history and civilisation." In the summer of 1974, the invaders in Cyprus, "using brutal violence carried out one of the most abhorrent operations of ethnic cleansing" he said, adding that this operation, resulted in the displacement of one third of the Greek Cypriot population and the drama of the missing people. Mr Kranidiotis noted that in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops, Turkey implements a systematic plan to alter the demographic structure of the island by implanting there Turkish settlers while the oppression and gradual eviction of the enclaved continues. He also condemned the occupation regime for the looting of the cultural heritage of the Cypriot people. Describing today's illegal situation "as unacceptable," Mr Kranidiotis stressed that the struggle to restore legality will continue no matter how long it takes. He urged the international community to exert the maximun possible pressure on Turkey to bend its intransigence and co-operate for a permanent settlement of the Cyprus problem. "If Turkey wants to become a member of the European Union it must respect international law and all the principles and values on which the European Community is based", he concluded. [02] Cypriot community will not accept the faits accomplis of the Turkish invasionA protest march was held in London yesterday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus culminating in a large gathering at Trafalgar Square.The gathering was organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in Britain and aimed at sending a message world-wide that the Cypriot community in Britain will not accept the faits accomplis created by the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus and that it will continue to support the Cypriot people's struggle for justice. Several British parliamentarians representing Britain's three largest political parties addressed the gathering. They expressed their full support for the struggle of Cyprus against the continuing Turkish occupation and the promotion of a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem , in accordance with the principles of international law. Cyprus Minister of Interior Mr Christodoulos Christodoulou also addressed the gathering. He pointed out that "it is distressing and disappointing that at the end of the twentieth century the law of the most powerful still prevails and the international community still tolerates the brutal violation of the rights of the people of a whole country." The struggle that the Cypriot people are carrying out "is a struggle of every man who believes in the ideals of freedom, justice and democracy", he said. [03] US supports direct negotiations without any preconditions"The United States does in fact support Secretary the General's and UN security Council's call, along with other major countries' call, for dialogue directly between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots without any preconditions and that negotiations should be initiated in order to bring a resolution to the existing tensions," the US Secretary of Defence Mr William Cohen stated on July 15.Referring to the Cyprus problem at a joint press conference in Ankara, after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Mr Cohen said that he believes "that there should be a bizonal bicommunal federation - that has been our position. But we also understand that Turkey takes a somewhat different approach", he said, adding that there should be direct negotiations without any preconditions . "We believe that the status quo in Cyprus is not acceptable " he said, and stressed that Greek and Turkish Cypriots "should meet, sit down at a table and negotiate a resolution to the situation." [04] Canadian Parliamentarian urges world community to end occupation of Cyprus"On this 25th anniversary of the invasion and occupation of northern Cyprus , I urge everyone in the world community to push for an international campaign aimed at the end of the occupation of Cyprus and the re-establishment of a multiethnic , united Cyprus. We, as Canadians, can play a key role in achieving that", Steve Ashton, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in Canada, has stated.Addressing the Assembly on July 7, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Mr Ashton noted that "there have been 106 United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions for the withdrawal of the occupying forces and efforts to have a peaceful settlement , but at this point in time for many people Cyprus has become the forgotten conflict". Mr Ashton urged all members to mark the occasion of the 20th July, by giving their own support to the people of Cyprus. 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 |
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