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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-08-10Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1450:CYPPRESS:01[01] Geneva - Turkey - human rights' violationsNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- Turkey's gross violation of human rights in Cyprus as well as within the country itself were pointed out, during the 50th Session of the "Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities".In a speech, Professor Erica Daes, made a short review of the human rights situation in Cyprus, stressing that they "have deteriorated". Responding to Daes the Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, claimed "the Cyprus question is a complicated one whose human rights aspect is directly connected to its more intricate political dimension". Describing his claim as a "shocking pronouncement", his Cypriot counterpart, Petros Eftychiou, pointed out that "human rights are not a favour to be conceded on the basis of one's whims and political expediencies." He stressed that "political differences can and should be negotiated no matter how intricate they may be, but human rights should never be a bargaining chip for negotiations." Eftychiou made special reference to the recent European Human Rights Court decision in the case of Greek Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou, against Turkey. The EHRC ordered Turkey to pay Loizidou some 600.000 US dollars in compensation for depriving her of her right to peacefully enjoy her property. In her speech Daes pointed to the continuing occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory by Turkey, the unresolved problem of persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the deteriorating living conditions of the enclaved in the occupied areas, which she described as "appalling". "The enclaved persons are facing many serious problems, in particular freedom of movement and unjustified restrictions in the education of children," she said. Daes also pointed to Turkey's attempts to change the demographic structure of Cyprus by bringing into the occupied areas great numbers of Turkish nationals. "The thousands of Turkish settlers had fundamentally changed the demographic structure of Cyprus, which constitutes a crime of international law," she added. CNA MCH/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1700:CYPPRESS:02[02] Finance Minister - 1999 budgetsNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- Cyprus' 1999 state budgets will be tabled in September, within the time limits set by the constitution, Minister of Finance Christodoulos Christodoulou said here Monday.Speaking to the press, Christodoulou said the cabinet will discuss the budgets at a special meeting on September 10, adding they will be tabled before the end of that month. Christodoulou noted expenditure in the 1999 Development Budget will be similar to that of 1998, reaching 260 million Cyprus pounds (one Cyprus pound is equal to 1,9 US dollars). Expenditure in the Ordinary Budget will mark an increase of 6,5 -7,5 per cent. Christodoulou noted the lower increase in the 1999 Ordinary Budget's expenditure is the result of the government's recent commitment to drastic spending cuts. During a House debate on tax rises in June, the government said they would take measures to curb public spending in a bid to reduce fiscal deficit, now over the three per cent ceiling set by the Maastricht criteria. According to the Central Bank's 1997 Annual Report, the fiscal deficit reached 5,1 per cent of GDP in 1997. Cyprus, with a per capita income of 12,7 thousand US dollars in 1997, started accession negotiations with the European Union in March. CNA GG/EC/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1755:CYPPRESS:03[03] Bases - fireNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- A blaze which has forced the evacuation of houses in the Episkopi Garrison has been contained, according to a British Bases spokesman.Mervyn Wynne Jones, Chief Public Relations Officer for the Sovereign Base Areas told CNA here Monday that the fire, which started in the afternoon in the Happy Valley area situated in the Bases, "has been contained". The blaze started around the slopes which surround the area and contain scrub and foliage. He said 80 houses have been evacuated around Happy Valley mostly for precaution. However the fire has caused smoke damage to some of the houses but there were no reports of injuries. Jones said around 300 soldiers and firemen are fighting the blaze while a helicopter from RAF Akrotiri is using a rainmaker to combat the fire. Britain has retained two sovereign military Bases in Cyprus since 1960 when the island gained independence from British colonial rule. CNA EC/DP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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