Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-11-16

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

Thursday, 16 November 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] European Parliament resolution urges Turkey to withdraw its forces from Cyprus
• [02] Cyprus people condemn declaration of pseudostate
• [03] House President has contacts in Athens

[01] European Parliament resolution urges Turkey to withdraw its forces from Cyprus

In the resolution, the Members of the European Parliament broadly endorsed the views of Rappoteur Philippe Morillon that Turkey does not currently meet all the Copenhagen political criteria and reiterated the Parliament's proposal that discussion fora should be established consisting of political leaders and representatives of civil society from the EU and Turkey.

In its reference to the Cyprus problem, the resolution calls upon the Turkish Government to take part, without preconditions, in talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot parties, with a view to reaching a settlement that complies with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the recommendations of the UN General Assembly.

In addition, the resolution states that Turkey's stance on the Cyprus problem and its relations with Greece are preconditions to the financial aid that Turkey will receive from the European Union.

[02] Cyprus people condemn declaration of pseudostate

An all-night mass rally was staged in Nicosia on Tuesday night (14 November) by thousands of university and high school students to condemn the seventeenth anniversary of the illegal unilateral declaration of independence of the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus.

The youths carrying banners calling for an end to Turkish occupation, held sit-down protests and sang patriotic songs at the Ledra Palace check point, near the UN-controlled buffer zone. They demanded the withdrawal of all Turkish troops and illegal settlers, respect for human rights of all Cypriots, implementation of the three fundamental freedoms, and an independent, sovereign, demilitarised and territorially integral Cyprus.

In a petition to the UN Chief of Mission, the students expressed "frustration" for the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus, and called upon the international community once again to exert all influence on Turkey and its representatives on the island to help change Turkish intransigence and prepare the ground for the reunification of Cyprus. They also stressed that they would continue the struggle for a just and viable solution based on UN resolutions and high level agreements, which provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Cyprus came to a complete halt yesterday with a five-minute work stoppage to protest against the declaration of the pseudostate. People all over the island came out into the streets, drivers stopped their cars, schools halted lessons and everybody stood still for five minutes.

The government, political parties and refugee associations in Cyprus have issued statements and organised various events to denounce the Turkish secessionist act.

In his message on the occasion, the Minister of Education Mr Ouranios Ioannides said the declaration of the pseudostate was a calculated effort to divide the island and to secure the faits accompli of the invasion and occupation.

For 17 years, Turkey continues its expansionist policy in complete disregard of all the United Nations resolutions and perpetuates the solution of the Cyprus problem with its intransigent stance and the presence of its occupation forces, he said.

In 1983 the UN Security Council with its resolution 541 had considered the declaration as legally invalid and called for its withdrawal. Moreover it called upon all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus. No country other than Turkey has ever recognised it.

[03] House President has contacts in Athens

On 13 November, Mr Kyprianou met with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, with whom he discussed developments of the Cyprus problem, and the island's European Union accession course.

Yesterday Mr Kyprianou had a meeting with the Greek Defence Minister Mr Akis Tzohatzopoulos. In a statement after the meeting Mr Kyprianou said they had exchanged views on various issues including the latest round of talks in Geneva and Cyprus' entry course into Europe.

"Our aim is to restore the talks on the basis of the UN resoultions, international law and the aquis communautaire", he said.

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

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