Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-07

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus first to ratify European Protocol

[02] New York Council condemns Cyprus' Turkish occupation

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Republic has sovereignty throughout the island

[05] Motorcyclists head for Salonica

[06] Motorcyclists in Salonica

1115:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus first to ratify European Protocol

Costas Miltiades, Charge d'affaires of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, handed yesterday the instrument of ratification of this Protocol to Costas Pilavachi, Director of the Social Department Fund, representing the Secretary General of the organisation.

The Protocol on Collective Complaints entitles social partners and non governmental organisations (NGOs) to lodge collective complaints with the Committee of Independent Experts, alleging violations of the Charter.

It aims to boost participation in the Charter from both sides of industry and from NGOs. It is one of a set of measures drawn up to improve the enforcement of social rights guaranteed by the Charter.

This Protocol was opened for signature in November 1995. It has so far been signed by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.

It will come into force after ratification by five Council of Europe member states.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:02

[02] New York City Council condemns Cyprus' Turkish occupation

The proclamation notes ''the nation of Turkey violated international law when it invaded the sovereign Republic of Cyprus'' on July 20, 1974, and occupied 37 per cent of this east Mediterranean island's territory.

It refers to the 1619 people who have been missing, including five US nationals, who were captured during the Turkish invasion and have not been accounted for.

In its proclamation the New York City Council points out that ''over 300 million US dollars military equipment is deployed by the Turkish government in the illegal occupation of Cyprus.''

Furthermore, it says ''the expense of maintaining Turkish troops on Cyprus equals half of America's more than 500 million dollars of annual foreign aid to Turkey.''

It also notes that the Turkish Cypriot leadership encouraged and backed by Ankara ''has refused to respond in a positive manner'' to the United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, ''frustrating all efforts for a negotiated solution'' on Cyprus.

The New York City Council declares it ''condemns the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus'' and notes the US strongly opposed Turkey's continuing occupation of the island ''which is in contravention of numerous UN resolutions.''

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    84.71 (+012)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.93 (+0.14)
Approved Investment Companies          76.03 (-0.12)
Insurance Companies                    66.22 (+0.11)
Industrial Companies                   88.85 (-0.20)
Tourist Industries                     79.41 (-0.05)
Commercial Companies                   69.46 (+0.12)
Other Companies                        89.55 (+0.95)
Trading Volume                         CYP 223504.270

CNA MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755 :CYPPRESS:05

[04] Republic has sovereignty throughout the island

Cassoulides' comments came a day after Cassoulides had told the press that the government had assigned sovereignty rights in the buffer zone to the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

In a statement, issued here today, Cassoulides said ''following a ruling by the Republic's Attorney General relating to the buffer zone, I would like to rephrase yesterday's statement.''

''The sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus extends throughout its entire territory, including the occupied areas and the buffer zone,'' the statement said.

''In exercising this sovereignty, a role relating to the buffer zone has been assigned to UNFICYP as part of the ceasefire in 1974,'' Cassoulides said in his statement today.

The issue concerning the 180-kilometre long buffer zone emerged following press reports about the right to control this strip of land, which divides Cyprus into two, in anticipation of Sunday's anti-occupation ride by an estimated 7,000 bikers from Cyprus and Europe.

The government has sent a stern warning to the motorcyclists participating in the ride not to confront UN peace-keepers and the UN, on its part, has also warned against such action.

CNA MM/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:06

[05] Motorcyclists head for Salonica

Promahonas, Aug 7 (CNA) -- Around 120 motorcyclists from Cyprus and other European countries, taking part in the grand pan-European ride from Berlin to the Turkish occupied town of Kyrenia in Cyprus, reached Greece today.

The bikers will travel from here to Salonica, northern Greece, and after a short break, they will move on to Volos, where they will spend the night.

First thing tomorrow morning, bikers, tired but on an upbeat mood, will start the long journey to Athens and the port of Peireus to board a ferry for Cyprus.

They are due in Cyprus Saturday morning.

On Sunday they will be joined by thousands of Cypriot motorcyclists to realise the last part of their ride, which aims to protest the continuing Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.

The Cyprus Motorcycle Federation has said the purpose of the ride is to show that the people of Cyprus enjoy the basic human right to free movement in Europe, but are denied the same right in their own country by the Turkish occupation army.

CNA MCH/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:08

[06] Motorcyclists in Salonica

Salonica, Aug 7 (CNA) -- Cypriot and European motorcyclists, riding from Berlin to the Turkish occupied northern coastal town of Kyrenia, have arrived in Salonica, northern Greece.

They were met by Secretary of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), Sotiris Petrides, and scores of journalists.

Greek police patrol cars, carrying the Cypriot flag, escorted the motorcyclists through the city.

The motorcyclists are setting off this evening for Volos to join more Cypriot bikers there before moving on tomorrow morning for Athens.

The anti-occupation ride, which set off last Friday, is scheduled to finish on Sunday in Cyprus with the participation of an estimated 7,000 bikers.

CNA MCH/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article