Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides to monitor anti-occupation ride

[02] Mediaeval note for world's only divided capital

[03] Britain determined to work for Cyprus settlement

[04] Presidential plea to Bikers

1030:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides to monitor anti-occupation ride

Both President Clerides and Eliades had originally planned to attend a memorial service for Greek Cypriots killed in Turkish air-raids against Tylirria, in the northwestern part of the island, in 1964.

Also in the police operations room to monitor the anti-occupation ride will be Justice and Public Order Minister Alecos Evangelou.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, the Turkish occupation troops had been ordered to shoot anyone who attempts to cross into the Turkish-occupied territory.

Ahmet Rasit, so-called foreign minister of the secessionist illegal entity unilaterally established in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, has claimed the motorcyclists pose a ''blatant threat'' to ''peace and stability in the island''.

In a statement to Reuter, Rasit warned the bikers that if they tried to ''violate'' what he called as the ''borders'' of the Turkish Cypriot pseudostate, they would be shot at.

Meanwhile, according to reports and pictures published today in the Cypriot daily ''Alithia'' (Truth), the Turkish occupation forces have been laying mines along the cease-fire line.

Cypriot and European motorcyclists taking part in the pan-European ride from Berlin to the Turkish-occupied northern coastal town of Kyrenia are due to arrive at Limassol port tomorrow morning.

Today they will sail to the southeastern Greek island of Rhodes, where they will be received by the Association of Cypriots on the island.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1345:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Mediaeval note for world's only divided capital

Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades told reporters that this year's week-long cultural events will echo the Mediaeval Chronicles of Leontios Machaeras and George Voustronios.

Events will include sound and light shows, exhibitions, concerts, classical and children's plays.

These will be coupled with mediaeval and traditional street fairs and cantadors singing in the streets as well as educational programmes for children and even mediaeval food.

Among the professional productions to be staged are ''Erofili'' and ''Oedipus Rex'' while a performance of ''Regaena and Dighenis'' will be held especially for children.

Demetriades said one of the ''great challenges of continuing the city's tradition of offering cultural opportunities is to find a theme which is new, interesting and exciting''.

He added by ''focussing on the chronicles of the Frankish and Byzantine eras, we believe we have done that''.

At the same time, in an effort to honour the 225 years since the birth of the great composer Beethoven, the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Bonn will perform the 9th Symphony. The orchestra will share the stage with a 150-member choir and four soloists, including Cypriot Pieris Zarmas.

Last September, Nicosia, the worlds' only divided capital, played host to the European Cultural Month.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2125:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Britain determined to work for Cyprus settlement

The official spokesman denied press reports that Britain wants to see direct talks on the Cyprus problem coincide with the start of accession talks between Cyprus and the European Union, expected to begin in 18 months' time.

The FCO official spokesman ''denied reports according to which Britain will wait until 1998 for a real push in efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.''

''The very fact that Sir David Hannay was appointed special representative for Cyprus is an indication of our aim to use the period until accession talks for a settlement,'' the spokesman told CNA.

Sir David, appointed in May, has already visited Cyprus twice for talks with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides. He has also had contacts with other parties involved in the Cyprus question. CNA ‹‹/‹€/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2155:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Presidential plea to bikers

Speaking at a local festival, the President was quoted as saying that the bikers will achieve their objective to inform world public opinion about the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern areas if there is no confrontation with the UN peace-keeping force which controls the 180-kilometre long buffer zone.

Cyprus Television reported that President Clerides warned against any incidents in the buffer zone because such a development would convey the wrong message.

If there is confrontation, the President said, it would look as if Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together.

Should bikers get through to the buffer zone, they are likely to be confronted by Turkish occupation troops and possibly anti-ride protesters, as has been the case when Greek Cypriots demonstrate along the ceasefire line against the Turkish occupation.

The real problem, Clerides added, is the continuing Turkish occupation and the presence of Turkish occupation troops, estimated by the UN to be around 35,000.

The President has also urged the estimated 7,000 Cypriot and European bikers to hand their protest petition to the UN for free movement in Cyprus and the withdrawal of Turkish troops.

This, the President believes, would have a better impact on world public opinion.

Turkish Cypriot press reports have warned bikers not to enter their self-styled regime or they will have to face the consequences, including firing of live ammunition.

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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