Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-02

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish soldiers abduct Greek Cypriot man

[02] Two Cypriots to be awarded the Ipekci prize

[03] Cyprus International Fair closes

[04] President Clerides warns of Turkish instability

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[01] Turkish soldiers abduct Greek Cypriot man

Alexandros Taliadoros, 37, from Nicosia's eastern suburban village of Kaimakli, crossed into the UN-controlled buffer zone yesterday morning.

Initially, the occupation troops told the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) that nobody was abducted, but seven hours later they confirmed the incident.

An eyewitness working in the area said the Greek Cypriot man was badly beaten by the Turkish soldiers.

Taliadoros' parents had reported him missing to police, after he left a church mass, saying he suffers from psychological problems.

It was reported that UNFICYP personnel has not been permitted by the occupation regime to visit Taliadoros.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1150:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Two Cypriots to be awarded the Ipekci prize

Nicosia, Jun 2 (CNA) -- The Ipekci prize for Greco-Turkish peace and friendship will be awarded for the first time to a Greek and a Turkish Cypriot, who managed through a film focusing on personal experiences and testimonies of people from the island's two communities, to portray the Cyprus problem.

Greek Cypriot film-director Panikkos Chrysanthou and Turkish Cypriot academic Niyazi Kizilyurek are the first Cypriots to be receive this prize, presented every two years by a joint Greco-Turkish committee to politicians, artists and academics from Turkey and Greece that have contributed towards a better understanding between the two peoples.

During their stay in Constantinople where they will be presented with the prize on June 4, Chrysanthou and Kizilyurek will also meet with Greek Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomeos.

Speaking to CNA, Niyazi Kizilyiurek said he was pleased because two Cypriots were chosen for the prize for the first time, "but particularly because the way opens for the presentation of the film in Turkey and Greece."

"If one considers that the Cyprus problem is a taboo issue in Turkey, the presentation of the award gives the chance for a discussion on the issue", he added.

Noting that the film will be screened in Constantinople (Istanbul), Kizilyurek said together with Chrysanthou they will speak about the Cyprus problem while the Turkish press has shown a great interest in interviewing them.

"This is the first time that a Greek and a Turkish Cypriot will together present the Cyprus problem in Turkey and defend the issue of peace", Kizilyiurek pointed out.

The film by Chrysanthou and Kizilyurek, called "Our Wall" has already received positive comments abroad and has been screened in various places such as the Harvard and New York Universities in the US and the Athens Polytechnic in Greece.

"Our Wall" was also broadcast by German TV channel ZDF and by Franco- German channel ARTE, set up with the aim of promoting friendship and understanding between the two peoples.

Reference to the film was also made during a recent three-minute special broadcast on the Cyprus problem during the BBC Nine o'clock News, while European TV network Euro-news transmitted a special edition on "Our Wall".

There has only been one special screening of the film in Cyprus so far but it is expected to be on at cinemas by the end of this summer.

"Unfortunately two attempts by UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel to organise a joint screening for a Greek and Turkish Cypriot audience at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the UN-buffer zone in Nicosia failed", because of the negative stand of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Kizilyurek said.

The Ipekci prize for "Peace and Friendship" is awarded in memory of outspoken supporter of democratisation in Turkey, distinguished Turkish journalist and former Chief Editor of "Milliet" newspaper, Abdi Ipekci, who was assassinated in 1977 by the Turkish terrorist organisation "Grey Wolves".

Ipekci's assassin, who was never arrested, is said to be the same person who attempted to assassin Pope John Paul II.

The award ceremony takes place alternatively every two years in Constantinople and Athens.

Among the ones to be awarded the prize this year are Greek Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Greek former Prime Minister and honourary president of New Democracy party, Constantinos Mitsotakis.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus International Fair closes

According to preliminary figures the Cyprus Fair, which lasted 11 days, attracted about 140.000 visitors.

A total of 1.600 exhibitors from 40 countries displayed their products in the Cyprus Fair, which has been turned to be a major trade event in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Seventeen countries took part in the Fair with their own state pavilion.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides warns of Turkish instability

President Clerides told the press a settlement to the protracted Cyprus question cannot be reached unless a solution to the thorny question of security is found.

The Cypriot President referred to the current political instability in Turkey and noted that nobody can be sure when this will come to an end and what will be the outcome.

"For these reasons, there will be a period of political instability which cannot be helpful to efforts towards finding a Cyprus solution," he added.

Clerides made it clear that the Greek Cypriot side is not being "dragged" to prolonged direct talks with the Turkish Cypriot side, scheduled to start early in July, near New York.

"We will attend the talks despite the fact we haven't noticed any change in the Turkish stance on the basic aspects of the problem, but after assurances given by the UN chief that he will have the support of the five permanent members of the Security Council", President Clerides said.

He added "our initial views were that it would be wiser for the direct talks not to be convened unless common ground was found."

President Clerides said the Greek Cypriot side told the UN, the US, Britain and France that it would attend the talks to avoid being blamed as the "negative" side, a stance that could affect Cyprus' bid for accession to the European Union.

"We referred to the political instability in Turkey and warned them there were no convincing indications that the other side (Turkish) has the political will for a Cyprus solution," he said.

Asked whether he would like the security issue to be discussed as a priority one, President Clerides said if there will ever be progress on Cyprus, Turkey has to change its stance on basic aspects of the problem.

"We have already pointed out future security is one of the most basic issues and without finding a solution to this particular question, no Cyprus solution can be reached," he added.

President Clerides said the security issue has three aspects, namely the island's complete demilitarisation, the deployment of a multinational force with a mandate from the UN Security Council to intervene when the territorial integrity, independence or the security of one of the two communities is threatened and the abolition of any guarantor power's right to intervene.

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

CNA MK/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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