Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] New York Times: Urgent need of US mediation in Cyprus

[02] Turkish atrocities before OSCE

[03] Greek Defence Minister to visit Cyprus

[04] Appropriate steps taken concerning moves of Turkish warships

[05] Indisputabel proof of Denktash's presence in Dherynia

[06] UN briefs government on refurbishing work on buoys at sea

[07] Tourism form Israel to Cyprus increases

1000:CYPPRESS:01

[01] New York Times: Urgent need of US mediation in Cyprus

''The forcible division of Cyprus into Greek and Turkish zones is as unsatisfactory and dangerous an arrangement as it was when Turkish troops first partitioned the island in 1974 in response to a Greek coup attempt'', the article notes.

It also calls for the mediation of US President Bill Clinton, saying that ''mediation efforts on Cyprus are now more urgently needed than ever'', adding that ''only the US has a realistic chance of edging the main parties toward agreement.''

Noting the strong influence of ''nationalist politicians and generals'' on Turkish foreign policy, the article says ''the odds against a breakthrough are daunting.''

It does however point out the benefits of a diplomatic solution for Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, arguing it could help him ''offset Western anxieties over his recent openings to Iran, Iraq and Syria.''

Finally the article concludes that ''unusually imaginative diplomacy will be required to break the long and dangerous Cyprus impasse and open the way to peace.''

President Clinton has repeatedly pledged to help resolve the protracted Cyprus problem, appointing Richard Beattie as a presidential emissary for this purpose.

Turkey has blocked repeated efforts by the UN, the US and Britain to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of numerous UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Turkish atrocities before OSCE

Ambassador Petros Michaelides told the plenary session of the OSCE Permanent Council that Turkish troops and Turkish Cypriot thugs savagely beat to death a Greek Cypriot demonstrator in the UN buffer zone during anti-occupation protests.

He also informed the Council about the murder of a second Greek Cypriot protestor, who was shot dead by Turkish troops when in his attempt to pull down the Turkish flag from its flagpole.

Michaelides called on the international community to ''condemn these criminal acts and help find, as soon as possible, a just and viable solution in Cyprus, in accordance with UN resolutions and international law.''

The ambassador pointed out that the OSCE cannot remain indifferent when a member state violates its principles and acts against another member state, in contravention of these principles.

In the aftermath of the two murders, earlier this month, there has been a public outcry against the excessive use of force by the Turkish occupation forces from European and other countries.

Michaelides refuted claims by Turkey's representative to the OSCE meeting that the responsibility for the killings laid squarely on the shoulders of the Greek Cypriot side.

Ireland's representative reiterated the European Union position on the killings which ''condemned the brutal killings'' and called for ''restraint and calm.''

The Irish EU presidency ''deplored the recent violence in Cyprus and the disproportionate use of force by the security forces in the north of Cyprus in response to unauthorised entry into the buffer zone.''

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Greek Defence Minister to visit Cyprus

Arsenis will call on President Glafcos Clerides on Monday and address the opening ceremony of the bi-annual meeting of the Central Councils of overseas Cypriot organisations.

After arrival on a special flight, Arsenis will head for the eastern town of Paralimni to visit the bereaved families of two Greek Cypriots, brutally killed by Turkish troops and extremists during anti-occupation demonstrations in the UN buffer zone.

He will also lay wreaths at their graves in the town cemetery and visit the demarcation line in Dherynia, where the two men, both in their twenties, were murdered.

Paralimni was a port of call for Greek Premier Costas Simitis and main Greek opposition leader Miltiades Evert shortly after the killings.

Arsenis, accompanied by his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades and the commander of the National Guard, Nicolaos Vorvolakos, will welcome the Greek navy landing craft ''Samos'', on Sunday afternoon.

President Clerides will also be at Limassol port to usher in ''Samos'', which arrives here as part of the cultural programme ''Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus''. The vessel will carry here a 30-member theatre club from Greece.

Arsenis will give a press conference in Nicosia on Monday, before leaving Cyprus.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Appropriate steps taken concerning moves of Turkish warships

Speaking before a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Eliades described the Turkish move as another ''provocation'' on the part of the Turkish occupation regime.

''It seems the Turkish occupation forces were repairing buoys in the area but all possibilities are being examined'', Eliades said.

Unconfirmed reports suggested yesterday that the Turks attempted to mark the sea line, which forms an extension of the demarcation line dividing Cyprus since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Eliades also referred to continuous Turkish provocations in Vrysoulles area, situated within the Dhekelia British Bases, noting that the authorities of the Bases should intervene to secure the safety of the Greek Cypriot residents.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Indisputable proof of Denktash's presence in Dherynia

''We have indisputable evidence that Denktash was in Dherynia during the anti-occupation protests, was watching developments, and was taking photographs as well,'' Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides has said.

Speaking before a cabinet meeting, Cassoulides said ''we have photographs from the Turkish Cypriot press as well as a tape which prove that Denktash was present in Dherynia on the days demonstrations were staged.''

This evidence will be dealt with appropriately, Cassoulides said and added it will form part of a file on ''Turkish barbarity in Dherynia'', which relates to the two killings of Tasos Isaac, 24, and Solomos Solomou, 26, in the area by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot anti-demonstrators.

Asked if the Greek Cypriot side will sit around the negotiating table with Denktash, Cassoulides referred to South African President Nelson Mandela, who held talks with the apartheid regime, which had jailed him for nearly three decades.

Cassoulides revealed that Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides will announce tomorrow the steps the government intends to take on all counts, including the disclosure that members of the Turkish extremist Islamic group ''Grey Wolves'' were financed by the Turkish government to come to Cyprus and encourage trouble during the demonstrations.

Michaelides had told Cyprus radio earlier today that he will have separate meetings on Friday with UN top envoy in Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council resident in Cyprus.

The Minister also said the government will protest Turkey's crimes to the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:06

[06] UN briefs government on refurbishing work on buoys at sea

''It looks like a refurbishing job of the five existing buoys in the area. There is no evidence of barbed wire on either on the buoys or in the sea, and no evidence of anything connecting the five buoys,'' a UN source told CNA today.

''Our understanding is that frogmen checked that the five buoys were in place and in good working order,'' the source added.

Replying to questions, it said the UN have already informed the Cyprus government about their findings following the UN observations into yesterday's incident.

On Wednesday lunchtime a Turkish navy warship was seen out at sea, off the eastern Turkish-occupied area of Famagusta. A second vessel arrived shortly afterwards and both crafts stayed in the vicinity for about four hours.

Initial speculation suggested that the Turkish frogmen, who disembarked into a rubber dinghy, probably placed some kind of obstruction (barbed wire, nets or cables) to prevent anybody from reaching what they call a ceasefire line, an extension of the demarcation line inland dividing the island since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

CNA has learnt that the Turkish occupation forces, who carried out the work on Wednesday, had not notified the UN in advance.

It seems highly unlikely that the UN will protest yesterday's moves as the UN does not usually take such steps unless the action concerned changes the present status quo on the island which the UN mandate is set to maintain.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Tourism from Israel to Cyprus increases

In a written statement, Israel Ambassador to Cyprus Semi Tzur said he has informed Cyprus Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Kyriacos Christofi and Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) Director General Phryne Michael of the dramatic increase in the number of flights between Israel and Cyprus during August 1996, compared to the same period last year.

Tzur stated the increase reflects the good relations enjoyed by the two countries and comes as a result of the effective CTO promotion campaign in the Israeli media.

Israeli national carrier El-Al nearly doubled its charter flights from Tel Aviv and Haifa to Cyprus in August 1996, an increase which is over and above the scheduled flights of Cyprus Airways between Israel and Cyprus, the Israeli diplomat said.

During August 1995, El-Al flew 70 charter flights to Cyprus, whereas this month there will be more than 126 flights.

Recent tourism figures indicate a rapid growth in the number of Israeli visitors to Cyprus, both by air and on cruise ships.

The Israeli Embassy in Cyprus estimates that more groups are expected during September and mid-October, to coincide with the Jewish holidays of New Year and Sukkot.

At the end of September the prestigious Antiquities Society of Israel will be holding its annual meeting in Cyprus.

Its seven-day long conference will host over 300 Israelis in the capital, Nicosia, and the southern coastal town of Limassol.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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