Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey called to act on Court ruling

[02] US concerned over Turkish naval maneuvres

[03] US promotes business convention

[04] House delegation off to Moscow

1040:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkey called to act on Court ruling

Nicosia, Jun 18 (CNA) -- A memorial, submitted to the European Court of Human Rights by a Greek Cypriot in connection with a case of human rights violations she won against Turkey, demands that Turkey affords her the right to enjoy peacefully her property in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

Achilleas Demetriades, lawyer of Greek Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou, told CNA today the Court will decide whether to "order an oral hearing or take further action" in exercising its right to implement Article 50 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which says the Court shall "afford just satisfaction to the injured party."

"The 100-page document was sent Tuesday following Turkey's refusal to reply to a letter my client sent to the Turkish government requesting implementation of the Court's decision of 18 December, 1996," Demetriades said.

The decision, a landmark ruling in legal terms, found Turkey guilty of continued violation of Loizidou's right to peaceful enjoyment of her property, considers Turkey responsible for policies and actions in Cyprus' occupied areas and stipulates that the Republic of Cyprus remains the sole legitimate government of Cyprus.

As far as we know, Demetriades said, Turkey has not yet submitted a memorial on the December ruling, as it had a responsibility to do so.

"The memorial claims damages worth one million US dollars, not for expropriation of property, but for the loss of use of property and demands that Turkey stops raising obstacles to Loizidou to enjoy peacefully her property," Demetriades explained.

He also stressed that "Loizidou has been, is and remains the legal owner of the property she owns in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas, as stipulated in the December ruling."

Loizidou fought and won a seven-year bitter legal battle against Turkey, the first Greek Cypriot to take Turkey to an international Court, for human rights violations, as a result of the continuing occupation of the island's northern third.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1050:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US concerned over Turkish naval maneuvres

"We are very concerned about the reports of the movement of Turkish naval vessels. The United States, frankly, does not know the reasons behind these reported military naval manoeuvres," State Department Spokesman, Nicholas Burns told a news briefing yesterday.

"We are seeking an explanation from the Turkish government," Burns added.

Nine Turkish war vessels, namely two frigates, two destroyers, two missile boats and three submarines, docked Monday in the ports of Turkish- occupied Kyrenia and Famagusta.

The vessels were taking part in the Turkish seaborne military exercise "Sea Wolf '97".

Invoking the friendly ties between the US and Turkey, Burns said the US is concerned over any unilateral actions that could possibly hinder current efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

"We're very concerned by it, because we think it's important that all the parties involved in trying to resolved the Cyprus dispute not take any unilateral measures that would disrupt in any way the United Nations sponsored peace talks," Burns said.

Direct negotiations between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are slated to begin outside New York City on July 9.

It will be the first time the two will be meeting face-to-face in three years.

The State Department Spokesman added that it is "very important" that a climate of cooperation, stability and peace be maintained so that the peace talks, under the leadership of UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, could get under way.

"That's important to us. And we would not want to see any kind of provocative initiatives taken in the area," he said.

Burns added that the US government would be "very interested to hear from the Turkish government whether or not these reports are accurate and if they are accurate, why the naval maneuvres have been undertaken".

Meanwhile, 16 Turkish F-16 fighter aircraft violated Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) on June 15 and 16.

The Cyprus government has lodged official protests with the UN over the violations of both its airspace and territorial waters by Turkish military air and naval craft.

CNA DA/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:03

[03] US promotes business convention

The proposal was made here last night by US ambassador in Nicosia, Kenneth Brill, in his remarks at a dinner organised by the Cyprus-American Business Association.

Brill suggested to hold a business meeting on "Cyprus in the year 2000" with the aim of promoting the island as a regional business hub.

In his remarks to some 60 local businessmen, Brill referred to the "economic miracle" the local business community performed following the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

He said the "miracle" was primarily the result of sheer hard work, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Cypriots and certain outside factors, such as the war in neighbouring Lebanon, which in economic terms benefited the local economy.

Brill described the island's geographical location, its human resources and good weather conditions as advantages Cyprus should exploit to the full in the interest of the country.

He said Cyprus could act as a regional business centre to serve the wider area of the Middle East, especially in the services sector.

Brill said his proposal was a "food for thought" and a "challenge" to the members of the Association and invited them to take up the challenge.

Replying to questions on the need to ensure political stability on the island to enable enhanced economic development, Brill acknowledged the anxieties expressed by some businessmen and expressed the hope that the political situation in Cyprus will allow economic development.

In his reply, KEVE chairman Vassilis Rologis welcomed Brill's proposal as a "feasible and positive idea", which would contribute to the promotion of Cyprus as a regional business hub.

He said efforts will be made, in cooperation with other departments, to implement the idea and ensure its success.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:04

[04] House delegation off to Moscow

"This visit underlines the great importance we attach to the growth of relations between the two Parliaments and also to the strengthening of the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two governments as well as the peoples of Russia and Cyprus in all fields," Kyprianou told the press at Larnaca International Airport.

Kyprianou, who heads the Cypriot delegation, is accompanied by Democratic Rally President Nicos Anastasiades, AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias, United Democrats President George Vassiliou, and Parliamentary Spokesmen of Democratic Party and EDEK, Tassos Papadopoulos and Yiannakis Omerou.

The House President noted that given current conditions surrounding the Cyprus problem and what may arise in the near future, the House attaches great importance to the visit "because we believe the Russian element will be very useful to the Cyprus issue".

Asked what role Russia can play in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou said Russia's involvement would be useful in its capacity as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The Cypriot MP's fly to Moscow at the invitation of Russian Duma President, Gennady Selezniov, who visited Cyprus last March.

The delegation will have separate meetings with Selezniov, Federation Council Vice-President Vasili Likhachev, Patriarch Aleksi II, Foreign Ministry officials and political party leaders. CNA MAN/RG/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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