Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Wildfires abate, sans major blaze on Samos

[02] FM Papandreou says issue of Strovilia may develop into obstacle for Turkey's European course

[03] France's Moscovici criticizes Turkey over Strovilia checkpoint issue in Cyprus

[04] Turkey must push through political reforms before it can join EU, Commissioner says

[05] Simitis discusses the country's new armaments programmed with ministers

[06] Public awareness message highlights disdain for terrorism

[07] Simitis meets head of Olympics Organizing Committee for follow-up meeting

[08] Reppas accuses main opposition of using failed 'mud-slinging' tactics

[09] Victoria State Premier Steve Bracks visits Greece

[10] Papandreou briefs PASOK party secretary on foreign policy issues

[11] Greece unveils euro conversion draft legislation

[12] Government discuss measures to boost employment

[13] Greek stocks end higher in technical rebound

[14] OTE alters phone rates to comply with EU, deregulation

[15] Gov't sets up advisory committee for passenger shipping policy

[16] Greece to host Balkan Partnership 2000

[17] Placido Domingo to sing at Herod Atticus Theatre Wednesday

[18] Greece warned by European Commission over wild birds directive

[19] Geneva proximity talks adjourn today

[20] UNFICYP Commander demands removal of Turkish built checkpoint at Strovilia

[21] UN SG:

[01] Wildfires abate, sans major blaze on Samos

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The fire brigades leadership said another 200 fire fighters were airlifted to the holiday island across from the Asia Minor coast on Tuesday. On the ground, three fronts were still blazing at Avlakia, Neohori and Mt. Karvouni.

Army units and volunteers were also patrolling the areas where the fire has been extinguished as the sweltering heat and winds were rekindling the flames, authorities said.

Some 130 fires were reported throughout the country over the weekend and Monday, most on mainland Greece, especially in the Peloponnese and Fthiotida prefecture.

In a related development, authorities in Kavala prefecture of northern Greece, on Tuesday were investigating evidence that most forest fires in the region were deliberately set.

A new fire was reported the same day on the nearby island of Thassos, while another three to four blazes were being extinguished in other parts of Kavala prefecture at the same time.

In one instance, near the Vounohori community, three fires were apparently lit simultaneously in the early morning hours, although fire fighters quickly put out the flames before any real damage occurred.

Meanwhile, the government announced that Prime Minister Costas Simitis would probably visit Samos over the next few days in order to survey the damage firsthand and to announce compensation measures for fire-stricken property owners.

On his part, government spokes-man Dimitris Reppas also dismissed criticism that transferring the responsibility for combating forest fires from the agriculture ministrys ranger service to the fire brigade lead to delays and inefficiency.

Finally, asked to comment on as yet unsubstantiated reports that Dutch tourists on Samos had received some type of directive advising them to depart the island, Reppas simply noted that such an action is a personal choice respected by all, while any one who wishes to evacuate the island will be assisted in doing so.

New Democracy, KKE: On the political front, main op-position New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis flew to Samos on Tuesday morning and visited several fire-gutted villages.

The ND leader also thanked fire fighters for their efforts to extinguish the massive blaze.

In Athens, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement charging that the government as morally responsible for the recent rash of forest fires.

KKE referred to what it called a "privatization of forests" and a "sell-off of forests to large-scale land-grabbers and squatters."

In its announcement, KKE called for the immediate reforestation of burned woodlands; the immediate recall of draft bills it claims will legalize appropriated public lands; the radical reform of the legal framework for forests, as well as the compilation of a land registry for wooded lands, among others.

Prime minister briefed on fire-prevention measures as heat wave continues into second week: Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss ways to better handle and prevent forest fires over the next few days, as temperatures continue to soar.

On emerging from the 1.5-hour meeting, Papandreou said that the prime minister had been briefed on these matters in view of the rising temperatures expected over the next few days. She said additional measures had been taken, including the mass mobilization of the Army, Air force, Coast Guard and Fire Brigade.

"The Armed Forces will participate greatly in fire prevention," she added.

Regarding the fire on Samos, which has abated on the two remaining fronts but is not yet under control, the minister dismissed rumors that Turkish groups might be behind the blaze, saying there was no evidence of this. She did point out, however, that there was evidence of arson and of extreme negligence and carelessness in other cases.

According to initial estimates, the protracted blaze on the island has so far burnt 6,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land, dozens of homes and farm buildings and some livestock. On the second day of the fire, meanwhile, 92-year-old Maria Eleftheriou lost her life in the flames.

An additional 200 fire fighters were flown in from the Asia Minor coast this morning, to help quell the fires and guard against the resurgence of extinguished fronts, while more reinforcements are to be sent soon.

Chrysohoidis appealed to citizens to be on their guard against further fires in the coming week, while he dismissed charges of negligence in taking fire-prevention measures, saying that all of these had been carried out by the start of spring.

[02] FM Papandreou says issue of Strovilia may develop into obstacle for Turkey's European course

NICOSIA, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

In a statement to the Cyprus daily newspaper "Politis", Papandreou did not rule out the possibility of Greece freezing dialogue with Turkey unless the status quo at Strovilia is restored, or of the suspension of Turkey's European course if Ankara continues the policy of provocative acts in Cyprus.

Papandreou said the Greek government should not react in a sentimental manner and pointed out that it should continue to support the process of solving the Cyprus issue under UN auspices.

Papandreou raised the issue of Strovilia with his counterparts at the European Union's Council of General Affairs on Monday and called on them to exercise their influence for the restoration of the status quo. He said the action of the Turks was unacceptable and did not contribute to the creation of a climate of good relations and dialogue.

[03] France's Moscovici criticizes Turkey over Strovilia checkpoint issue in Cyprus

BRUSSELS, 12/07/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Briefing the members of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on the priorities of the French European Union presidency, Moscovici criticized Turkey over the Strovilia issue and stressed the need to return to the previous status quo.

On the question of the partnership relationship for Turkey's accession to the EU, expected to be ready in autumn, he said that all mechanisms necessary for its preparation would be applied during the French presidency.

However, he clarified that the partnership relationship will start but accession negotiations will not get underway unless Turkey takes substantive steps to meet criteria anticipated by the Copenhagen European Council for a country's accession.

In a related development, Luxembourg Eurodeputy Jacques Poos called for the complete separation of the Cyprus EU accession course from the solution to the political problem in his relevant report discussed at the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

"Cyprus can expect to become a European Union member soon and whichever objection against its accession, due to the island's particular situation, can have neither political nor moral support," the report said.

Poos also encouraged the Turkish Cypriots to participate unconditionally in the delegation of the legal government of Cyprus for accession negotiations.

[04] Turkey must push through political reforms before it can join EU, Commissioner says

BRUSSELS, 12/07/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

"At this phase," he added, "I wouldn't want to venture any predictions regarding the rate of development of our relations with Turkey."

Verheugen was briefing the committee on progress in the EU expansion process.

He underlined that Turkey's shortfalls on the political front were major, while the Turkish side had yet to clarify its intentions on when and how it would solve these problems.

Talking about an upcoming visit he is due to make to Turkey on July 13-14, the commissioner said it was the "most complicated in my political career so far" and that its political aspects were "extremely sensitive". He said he expected the Turkish side to explain how it would push through the reforms that are needed in order to fully satisfy the criteria set at the Copenhagen summit.

In response to questions regarding the Turkish advance on Cyprus at the village of Strovilia, Verheugen avoided taking a position, saying that he was waiting to take his cue from the Turkish leadership on whether to discuss such issues.

[05] Simitis discusses the country's new armaments programmed with ministers

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos told reporters afterwards that "the meeting with the prime minister, the national economy minister and the deputy finance minister had been scheduled to enable us to discuss the country's new armaments programmed on whose directions we agreed upon so that we will be able to proceed with its implementation as soon as possible."

He said there would be further cooperation with the national economy ministry so as to reach a final form for the armaments programmed in the next 10 days.

[06] Public awareness message highlights disdain for terrorism

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The government announced on Monday that the moment of silence would be held in remembrance of the victims of terrorism in Greece.

The statement reads:

"Terrorism, with the disdain it shows for the sanctity of human life as well as the undermining of social cohesion and political stability that it pursues, constitutes an insult for Greeks. It is a threat for contemporary Greece. It is something foreign towards the philosophy and logic of Greece. Something foreign towards our traditions.

"The combating of terrorism constitutes a priority. A priority not just for the state, but also for the Greek people; its political culture. It's a government commitment and a goal of society that this effort to eradicate terrorism not ceases -- by any means. We owe this to the victims of the terrorists.

"We owe it to democracy and its human values. We owe it to Greece".

Wednesday's initiative follows the daylight assassination early last month of Britain's defense attache to Athens.

Brig. Stephens Saunders was gunned down on a congested Athens highway on June 8 while he was driving alone in morning rush-hour traffic. The notorious "November 17" urban terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack amid a whirlwind of condemnation from within Greece and abroad.

British system in combatting terrorism presented at Greek-British seminar on terrorism: The British system and experience in combatting terrorism, coordination and cooperation among the various services involved and the role of the mass media were discussed on Tuesday, the opening day of a Greek-British seminar at the foreign ministry on combatting terrorism, attended by senior officials from the two countries' foreign, public order and interior ministries.

Addresses were made by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis on behalf of Greece and by British Ambassador to Athens David Madden on behalf of Britain.

The seminar was decided during the latest meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his British counterpart Tony Blair, on the sidelines of the European Union Feira summit, in the framework of cooperation between the two countries in combatting terrorism.

Papandreou once again expressed the profound sorrow of both the government and the Greek people over the murder of British military attache Stephen Saunders by the elusive November 17 terrorist group last month, and underlined the government's determination "to tackle the phenomenon of terrorism in the most relentless manner".

Terrorism, he said, undermines "democratic institutions and is contrary to any concept of democracy, freedom and humanity."

Madden said Saunders' murder "was a tragedy for his family, the United Kingdom and Greece", adding that his country "is determined to find the murderers and bring them before justice" and that the Scotland Yard mission currently assisting Greek police in its investigations "will stay here until we achieve our final target."

[07] Simitis meets head of Olympics Organizing Committee for follow-up meeting

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Simitis and Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, who had also met on Monday, will be meeting regularly from now on to keep the premier informed on how work is progressing for the Olympics.

The prime minister has told all parties involved that the country will soon be put to the test by the International Olympics Committee (IOC), whose president Juan Antonio Samaranch is due in Athens on August 24. On July 20, meanwhile, the leader-ship of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee will travel to Lausanne to meet with the IOC coordinating committee headed by Jacques Rogge, which is monitoring the progress of preparations for the Olympics in Greece.

The Lausanne trip is regarded as very important by the Greek side, which is treating it as an opportunity to change the climate created by Samaranch's statements, in which he gave Greece a clear warning to clean up its act or face the consequences.

More recent statements by Samaranch, in which he expressed complete confidence in Angelopoulou-Daskalaki and satisfaction over the prime minister's decisions for the preparations for the Olympics, have somewhat softened this stance but the original statements have not yet been withdrawn.

[08] Reppas accuses main opposition of using failed 'mud-slinging' tactics

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

In a letter dated July 4, Karamanlis had called on the prime minister to take an initiative to shield democracy and protect the public interest in cooperating with all the political forces in the country, and he had raised the issue of transparency in public life.

Simitis had responded with an open letter, saying that he did not accept lessons in moral sensitivity and dignity, while he accused Karamanlis of lacking constructive proposals.

"We shall not allow the country's political life to be trapped in a witch hunt," Simitis had said in his reply.

Describing the prime minister's decision to publish both letters as correct, the spokesman said that there was no need "for confidential letters and secret diplomacy" and that the government "has nothing to hide."

Reppas went on to accuse ND of repeating its past mistakes and once more falling into the trap of scandal mongering.

"ND's scandal-mongering politics are the politics of a party of the past, which has no programmed, is outdated and whose policies will therefore never come to pass."

The spokesman also pointed out that nothing mentioned in Karamanlis' letter is new and that if there was any evidence of malfeasance, New Democracy should turn this over to the proper authorities.

Reppas, finally, accused sections of the media of trying to cultivate a fake climate of tension and opposition over the coming period. The government, he said, would not play up to this effort and will concern itself with the true problems of Greek society.

[09] Victoria State Premier Steve Bracks visits Greece

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

A memorandum was signed with Efthymiou in the framework of the educational agreement signed between Greece and Australia. It anticipates bilateral educational programmers concerning, among others, the extension of educational programmers and scholarships, the teaching of the Greek language in state schools in Victoria and cooperation on teaching material programmers.

Bracks said that he discussed cultural issues of particular interest to overseas Greeks with Pangalos, adding that he and the remaining state premiers had aligned themselves with the actions of the Australian federal premier in proposing that the British Museum return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

[10] Papandreou briefs PASOK party secretary on foreign policy issues

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The meeting was arranged within the context of a series of such meetings between Papandreou and the leadership of the political parties, which the foreign minister believes have an important role to play in formulating foreign policy, by briefing their members and voters and raising issues for discussion.

[11] Greece unveils euro conversion draft legislation

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The euro currency will officially enter the lives of the Greek people from January 1, which means that pricing in products and services must be in euros. The obligation covers all financial institutions, public enterprises and organizations and companies from the private sector. Smaller enterprises, employing up to 10 workers, will have to adopt this measures from March 1, 2001.

The draft bill envisages that double pricing should cover securities' and banking transactions. "From January 1, 2001, all securities' transactions and settlement taking place in Greece's capital markets should be made in euros," it said.

The bill also envisages that companies could file their tax returns in euros by 2001, all state drachma debt should be converted to euros by December 31, 2000, the abolition of the drachma's foreign exchange fixing from January 1, 2001 and the creation of a "euro-observatory" to every prefect to monitor the smooth introduction of the single European currency and the legality and transparency of transactions.

"The next 18 months are crucial for the adjustment of the Greek economy in the environment of Economic and Monetary Union. The conversion to the euro is not just a technical adjustment. It is an opportunity to streamlining both Greek businesses and the economy," National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said.

[12] Government discuss measures to boost employment

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The plans were discussed in a meeting between National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Tuesday.

The issue will be discussed in a cabinet committee meeting next Thursday.

After the meeting, Giannitsis told reporters that the government was acknowledging the need for "bold decisions" to be taken, supported by all parties - the state, employers and employees - following a social dialogue that would lead to a positive outcome in a battle against unemployment.

He noted that the number of unemployed people in Greece rose by 50,000 last year, while in the other European Union states that number fell by three million.

Giannitsis said that lower employers' contributions for new workers could lead to the creation of several thousand new jobs in the country.

He said that he did not intend to propose the abolition of a 2.0 percent limit on group lay-offs, although he left the door open to a new settlement on the issue.

[13] Greek stocks end higher in technical rebound

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Turnover, however, remained subdued reflecting investors' reluctance to take new positions in the market. Analysts noted that the recovery did not signal a change in the market's trend.

The general index ended 0.95 percent higher at 3,953.51 points, with turnover a low 72 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.07 percent to 2,191.56 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 1.22 percent to 572.42 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,375.68 +0.67% Leasing: 750.67 -0.24% Insurance: 2,616.84

-0.05% Investment: 1,600.23 +0.77% Construction: 2,157.62 +0.54% Industrials: 2,431.28 +1.15% Miscellaneous: 4,139.42 +1.71% Holding: 4,506.92 +1.07%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 1.16 percent higher at 763.83 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 278 to 53 with another 12 issues unchanged.

Doudos, Informer, Aspis, Klonatex and Fanco were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 13,500 Alpha Bank: 13,520 Commercial Bank:

15,550 Eurobank: 9,300 Lambrakis Press: 10,120 Heracles Cement: 7,400 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,400 Panafon: 4,095 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,800 Attica Enterprises: 3,710 Intracom: 12,420 Minoan Lines: 3,680 Hellenic Bottling: 5,390

Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Tuesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.07 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.22 percent higher.

Turnover was 11.89 billion drachmas from 9.28 billion drachmas a day earlier.

A total of 1,261 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 5.51 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,820 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.38 billion drachmas.

Bond prices rise in buy-oriented trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market rose in moderate trade on Tuesday.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.08 percent.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 84 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 84.1 billion drachmas.

Buy orders accounted for 64.1 billion drachmas of turnover.

Drachma down vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Monday fell against the euro and rose versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 336.810 drachmas from 336.790 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 352.660 drachmas from 354.300 drachmas a day earlier.

[14] OTE alters phone rates to comply with EU, deregulation

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

The company said it had committed itself to implementing the mixture of hikes and decreases by December 31, 2000.

Among the changes are an increase of 100 drachmas for the fixed-line standing charge to 2,400 drachmas; a rise to nine drachmas a minute from seven drachmas for local calls at standard rates; and a drop to 94 drachmas per minute from 98 for calls to EU countries, OTE said in a statement.

[15] Gov't sets up advisory committee for passenger shipping policy

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Under European Union regulations, Greece may retain protectionist measures for passenger shipping until December 31, 2003.

The committee is chaired by Vassilis Sarantitis, a lawyer and former merchant marine minister.

Among its members are shipping professionals, academics, seamen and lawyers.

[16] Greece to host Balkan Partnership 2000

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Funded by the Balkan and Black Sea Business Center, the event will be held in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on November 9-10.

It is being held under the European Union's Interreg II programmed and coordinated by the Association of Northern Greek Exporters.

Expected to take part are 127 companies from Greece and the Balkans - 50 from Greece, 29 from Bulgaria, 18 from Romania, 20 from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and 10 from Albania.

The firms are from sectors including building materials, food and beverages, construction, pharmaceuticals and hospital equipment.

Due to attend as guests are the representatives of more than 250 countries from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Russia and Croatia.

Details are available on the Association of Northern Greek Exporters' website: www.gbi-seve.gr/balkan/

[17] Placido Domingo to sing at Herod Atticus Theatre Wednesday

Athens, 12/07/2000 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, he expressed his emotion at being able to sing under the Acropolis and said "I am looking forward with anxiety to the Greek public's formed views on my concert at the Herod Atticus Theatre tomorrow."

He also spoke of his visit to "the country of culture and arts which created excellent performers of melodrama such as Maria Callas and Agni Baltsa", as well as important representatives of modern music trends such as Vangelis Papathanasiou.

[18] Greece warned by European Commission over wild birds directive

BRUSSELS, 12/07/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Last week Greece became the first EU country to be fined by the European Court of Justice over its failure to clean up a rubbish dump on the island of Crete.

The Commission said it was taking Portugal to court over its failure to protect a bird breeding ground from a dam project, while it issued warnings against Greece and Austria.

In Greece's case, the Commission said that the Greek legal hunting season overlapped with the protected breeding period for several bird species, which were falling prey to hunters.

One of the oldest pieces of EU legislation for the protection of nature, the Wild Birds Directive does not specify dates for the hunting season, which are set by the individual member-states. It does, however, specify that hunting should not take place during periods when the birds are most vulnerable reproductively.

[19] Geneva proximity talks adjourn today

GENEVA, 12/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The UN officials are said to be completing an outline of their ideas, which are not expected to be given to the two sides in writing.

De Soto's intentions have not yet been clarified, that is if he will present views on all four core issues or areas where there is convergence.

However, it is considered certain that his contribution will safeguard the continuation of the discussion and the more thorny issues will be left for the end of this procedure that opened last December.

The next round of separate meetings the UN officials will have with the two sides begins on July 24 and ends on August 4 and it is expected the news blackout, requested by UN chief Kofi Annan, will be respected throughout this period.

Envoys following the talks have been pointing to the fact that long meetings have been held with Denktash, something they describe as an indication that the UN have more to say with him.

The meeting on Tuesday afternoon between President Clerides and de Soto lasted only 20 minutes, while the meeting between de Soto and Denktash took nearly 3,5 hours.

Earlier Tuesday, US officials in Geneva on the wings of the talks expressed the view that de Soto "is proceeding on course".

Foreign government envoys have been in Geneva since the talks opened on July 5, meeting both with the two sides and the UN officials to facilitate the UN-led process.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island. Two rounds of UN-led proximity talks have been held since December 1999, aiming at preparing the ground for substantive talks leading to a comprehensive settlement.

[20] UNFICYP Commander demands removal of Turkish built checkpoint at Strovilia

NICOSIA, 12/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to CNA, UNFICYP spokeswoman Sarah Russell stressed "UNFICYP regards the check point as a serious violation of the status quo in Strovilia and continues to work to the best of its ability to have the check point removed".

Russell said the Force Commander "went through the check point and visited the UN soldier in the liaison post and walked around the village".

She said Rana reported the situation as being "quiet", but noted that even though "people say they are free to come and go", they have "complained about the check point and the additional military presence".

There are now three Turkish soldiers at the illegal check point and one at the liaison post.

Commander Rana also met with an officer of the Turkish occupation army to whom he protested about the checkpoint and demanded its removal.

Asked whether more such visits would be repeated in the near future, Russell replied: "We have to see what happens" and "we sincerely hope that the check point will be removed".

The Turkish side has taken measures during the past month to restrict the movement of UNFICYP on the island, including violating the current status quo by setting up a new checkpoint on the southeastern part of the island.

[21] UN SG:

GENEVA, 12/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

According to sources, in his letter dated July 3, the UN chief says UNFICYP is assessing how these measures affect the force's capacity to carry out its mandate.

Annan says Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash sent a letter on June 29 informing him "of the restrictions that are henceforth being imposed on UNFICYP's movement in the north of the island" and adds that "the Force is currently evaluating the effect that the implementation of these measures would have on its ability to carry out its mandate".

The UN Secretary General also makes note of the fact that the Head of Mission met with the Turkish Cypriot leader on June 30 in order to ask him to "reconsider these measures as to enable the Force to continue unimpeded the normal exercise of its functions".

Annan concludes by calling on the President of the UN Security Council to bring this question to the attention of the other SC members.

The measures came in retaliation to the non-inclusion of an addendum to the UN Secretary General's latest report for the renewal of UNFICYP mandate, with a Turkish Cypriot demand for separate consultations with the Force.

They force UNFICYP soldiers to pass into the areas occupied by Turkey only through a single point, to insure their vehicles with Turkish Cypriot insurance companies and pay the illegal regime for the water and electricity they use in the camps in the occupied north.

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