Cyprus News Agency 96-06-23.

Cyprus News Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus mourns a staunch supporter

[02] President Clerides pays tribute to Papandreou

[03] Michaelides meets Spring

[04] President Clerides to attend Papandreou's funeral

[05] Party leaders praise Papandreou's support for Cyprus

[06] Greek ambassador reassures Cyprus of continuing support

[07] Archbishop praises Greek spirit of Papandreou

[08] Agriculture Minister on three-nation tour

[09] Arson attack in party regional headquarters

1110:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus mourns a staunch supporter

In a statement, issued here today, Kyprianou said he was ''deeply saddened by the death of Andreas Papandreou, who was one of the most important personalities in recent Greek history.''

''Hellenism has lost an important man and Cyprus has lost a loyal supporter,'' the statement said.

''Andreas Papandreou has made history. Through our sincere cooperation over the years, I have come to realise his love for Cyprus and his faith in the struggle for the restoration of freedom, human rights and the rights of Cypriot Hellenism,'' the statement added.

Kyprianou expressed ''sincere and warm-hearted condolences to his widow and his family and to PASOK, the party he founded,'' it concluded.

The Greek flag on the Greek embassy building in Cyprus is flying at half-mast since Papandreou's death was announced.

Papandreou was the first Greek Premier in office to pay an official visit to Cyprus in February 1982. In November 1993 he and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides announced a joint Greco-Cypriot defence policy providing Greek air, land and sea cover to Cyprus in the event of another Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1145:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides pays tribute to Papandreou

In a statement, issued here after Papandreou's death in the early hours of today at his home in Athens, the President said ''Cyprus in particular is mourning the death of Andreas Papandreou, who over and above anything else, through the joint defence pact, has given tangible proof of his government's and the nation's determination to defend Cypriot freedom.''

The statement added: ''We were informed about the death of Andreas Papandreou, a prominent political figure in Greece, with deep sorrow.''

The late Greek Premier has served Greece and Hellenism around the globe ''having always in mind the interests of the Greek nation.''

He added Greece, which is going through a trying period, ''is being deprived of the services of a distinguished politician.''

Papandreou was the first Greek Premier to have visited officially Cyprus while in office in February 1982. He and President Clerides announced in November 1993 a joint defence pact providing for Greek air, land and sea cover in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

The President returns home Monday from Florence where he attended a working meeting with European Union leaders on the sidelines of the EU summit which ended there Saturday.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Michaelides meets Spring

In this way, Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides remarked, the representative will enjoy the necessary political backing from the EU Council.

The Cypriot Minister put forward this suggestion during a meeting with his Irish counterpart Dick Spring yesterday in Florence, on the sidelines of the EU summit. Ireland assumes the six-month EU presidency as from July 1, 1996.

The representative of the Irish presidency will replace the representative of the Italian presidency, Federico di Roberto.

Michaelides briefed Spring on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and President Glafcos Clerides' recent talks with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Michaelides pointed out that every effort by the Irish presidency concerning the Cyprus problem should be in cooperation with the EU Commission, thus involving the whole of the EU.

In this way, the EU would be able to contribute to the Cyprus peace efforts effectively, he noted.

The Cypriot Minister also expressed the view that the appointment of a representative should not last only six months.

The representative has the task to monitor developments in the Cyprus problem and report to the EU Council of Ministers.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory.

The east Mediterranean island republic applied for full EU membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides to attend Papandreou's funeral

Speaking from Florence, where he accompanied President Clerides in his working meeting with European Union leaders, Cassoulides said ''the President will probably fly to Athens on Wednesday morning to attend the funeral and return home later the same day.''

The President returns from Florence on Monday after a two-week absence during which he had high level meetings in four countries on both sides of the Atlantic, including a meeting with US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Party leaders praise Papandreou's support for Cyprus

Many also praised him for pioneering a joint defence policy and inspiring national dignity and respect to both Greece and Cyprus.

Yiannakis Matsis, leader of the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally party (DISY) described him as ''the major pioneer of the joint defence pact which has placed Cyprus and Greece on a course of strategic enhancement.''

The Greco-Cypriot defence agreement, he told CNA today, ''has helped build up our defences against Turkish expansionism and is a force to be reckoned with at decision-making centres in their attempts to solve the Cyprus problem.''

Papandreou, Matsis said, ''was undoubtedly a distinguished political figure and a charismatic and able orator whose presence in the political arena has sealed political life and developments not only in Greece but also in Cyprus in the past couple of decades.''

Demetris Christophias, General Secretary of the leftwing AKEL party, expressed appreciation for Papandreou's work in that ''he stood by the people of Cyprus in their struggle to rid themselves of Turkish occupation and regain the island's independence.''

Christophias said the late Greek premier would remain in history as ''one of the most significant and positive personalities in Greece.''

Parliamentary spokesman of the centreright Democratic Party (DIKO) Tassos Papadopoulos said ''since he was elected to power as Greece's premier Papandreou passed on the message to free Greece from the servitude of the big protective powers and in particular the US.''

Papandreou, he added, ''gave back to the Greek people the nation's dignity and reshaped the political horizon in the Greek political scene.''

Socialist EDEK party first vice-president Yiannakis Omirou said ''Papandreou implemented from day one of his premiership a decisive policy for active support for our struggle to end Turkish occupation and stated clearly that any attack by Turkey against Cyprus would lead to a Greco-Turkish war.''

Omirou said Papandreou's efforts promote the Cyprus problem as the number one national issue of Greece's foreign policy and the joint defence pact were firm proof of his continuing interest in Cyprus.

Former Cyprus President George Vassiliou and now deputy and leader of the Free Democrats Movement said Papandreou was ''a true friend of Cyprus and his death leaves a big gap which must faced in unison.''

He also revealed that virtually no political decision was taken during his presidency without Papandreou's contribution.

Acting president of ADISOK party Costas Themistocleous said ''we are mourning the death of a great leader who has consistently backed the people of Cyprus.''

Nikos Koutsou, leader of the New Horizons party, said Papandreou was a ''firm ally of Cypriot hellenism in the difficult struggle for freedom and deliverance from the continuing Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.''

Calling for unity, Koutsou expressed the hope that Papandreou's death would signal the beginning of a ''real national strategy to tackle the problem hellenism is facing.''

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Greek ambassador reassures Cyprus of continuing support

In a written statement, Sandis said ''Andreas Papandreou was one of the greatest personalities in recent Greek history with a worldwide impact.

''In these difficult times, when we are in mourning, I would like to reassure Cypriot hellenism that the struggle and the visions of Andreas Papandreou for Hellenism as a whole, his visions for a free, independent and united Cyprus, will be accomplished,'' the Greek diplomat said.

Sandis noted the late Greek Premier was in close cooperation with President Glafcos Clerides and ''he inspired and pioneered the joint defence pact and Cyprus' accession course'' to the European Union.

Papandreou and Clerides announced in November 1993 a joint defence pact providing for air, sea and land cover for Cyprus in the event of a renewed Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

The pact was hailed as a morale boost for the people of Cyprus and a valuable negotiating tramp card in efforts to reach an overall agreement for a Cyprus solution.

In his statement, the Greek ambassador referred to Papandreou's ''close links'' with Cyprus and said he was the first Greek Premier to visit the island in February 1982.

The Greek embassy announced today that a book of condolences will open on Monday and Tuesday. The embassy will be closed on Wednesday, the day of the funeral.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Archbishop praises Greek spirit of Papandreou

Papandreou, he said, was ''a staunch and resolute supporter of the rights of Cypriot hellenism.''

Describing him as ''a prominent personality in Greece's recent history,'' the Archbishop said Papandreou, the first Greek premier to visit Cyprus, has always maintained that ''Cypriot hellenism cannot be fully vindicated unless the Turkish occupation troops and the illegal Turkish settlers withdraw from Cyprus and unless human rights and freedom throughout the island are restored.''

The Archbishop said Papandreou has always fought for the vindication of ''national rights'' and advised his aides to ''remain firm and unyielding to protect national rights from a purely Greek point of view.''

''We are truly saddened by his death and we pray to God to rest his soul in peace. May the Almighty help to find a worthy replacement in the political arena in Greece, as Cyprus depends heavily on Greece,'' the Archbishop said.

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Agriculture Minister on three-nation tour

In Luxembourg, Petrides will attend a ministerial meeting on the environment between Cyprus and the European Union, which is part of a structured dialogue between the Republic and the EU.

The Minister will brief the EU Italian presidency and the European Commission on the progress achieved in Cyprus towards harmonisation with EU directives on European agricultural policy.

The meeting will also examine Cypriot suggestions to enhance EU-Cyprus structured dialogue.

In London, Petrides will discuss moves to improve the quality of Cyprus potatoes at the Cyprus Potato Marketing Board. Potatoes is one of the island's main agricultural export products and Britain one of the biggest markets.

In Montpellier, France, the Minister will represent Cyprus at a meeting of ministers of contributing parties to the Barcelona Convention on the protection of the Mediterranean from pollution.

Petrides returns home on 3 July.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Arson attack in party regional headquarters

Hadjiloizou appealed for calm and urged people to avoid comments before police inquiries are completed.

''Police are looking into all possibilities,'' he said.

The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of today at AKEL's premises in Larnaca, was spotted by passers-by who alerted the police and the fire brigade.

AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christophias, speaking from London, denounced the arson attack and hoped it was not politically motivated.

''This is obviously a malicious attack and it can cause disunity among the people,'' he said and called for the punishment of the culprits once the affair is solved.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article