Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-08-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Famagusta occupation

[02] SOCCER: Cypriot clubs - European cups

1000:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Famagusta occupation

Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Political parties and organisations have denounced the continuing Turkish occupation of more than a third of Cyprus' territory, reaffirming their determination not to give up in their struggle for freedom and re-unification of the island.

In press releases on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the second phase of Turkey's invasion against Cyprus which resulted in the occupation of 37 per cent of the Republic's territory, parties also made special reference to agreements reached regarding the resettlement of the ghost town of Famagusta, which were never respected by Turkey.

The eastern coastal town of Famagusta, once a thriving tourist resort, today remains a desolated "ghost town" and some 35.000 Turkish troops in the occupied areas prevent the return of its Greek Cypriot legitimate inhabitants.

In May 1979 then President Spyros Kyprianou and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash agreed on a 10-point programme for the resettlement of Famagusta based on previous high level agreements and relevant UN resolutions.

Under the new accord priority was given to negotiations for the resettlement of the Greek-Cypriot area of Varosha - a suburb of Famagusta abandoned by its inhabitants in the face of the Turkish military advance - under UN auspices.

The accord also called for the demilitarisation of the island. Hopes for a breakthrough were, however, crushed when Denktash tabled a document calling for a bizonal state in Cyprus. This brought intercommunal talks to a deadlock until August 1980.

Denktash has repeatedly used Varosha as a blackmail card, threatening to settle the fenced area.

Security Council resolution 550 of 1984 "considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations."

This resolution was endorsed in many other UN resolutions that were approved by the Security Council since 1984.

"The illegal occupation of Famagusta and other Cyprus territories, continuing for 24 years now, is a disgrace for civilised society", said town's Mayor Andreas Pouyiouros.

He called upon "human rights' defendants" to see to the implementation of international resolutions on Cyprus.

Speaking on behalf of the 60.000 legitimate inhabitants of the Turkish- occupied town, Pouyiouros also stressed their determination not to give up until their return to Famagusta.

The first phase of the Turkish invasion started on July 20, 1974, with Turkish forces landing on the coast, five miles west of the northern coastal town of Kyrenia.

Some 200.000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties by the Turkish invasion troops. About 6.000 people were killed while 1.619 were listed as missing persons.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] SOCCER: Cypriot clubs - European cups

Yesterday, Apollon of Limassol beat away Ekranas Panevezhys (Lithuania) 2-1 for the Cup Winners' Cup.

The return match will be played on August 27, at Tsirion Stadium in Limassol.

On Wednesday in Athens, Cyprus champions Anorthosis, a refugee club from the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, were defeated 2-1 by Olympiakos Pireaus for the qualifying round of the European Championship Cup.

This result allows the Cypriot club to hope for the return match on 26 August, in Larnaca.

On Tuesday, Cyprus League runners-up Omonia of Nicosia scored a home impressive 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna, for the first leg of UEFA second qualifying round.

The return match will be played on August 25, in Vienna.

CNA GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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