Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-08-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Occupation regime - Syrian fishermen

[02] Athens - Clinton - Kyprianou

1445:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Occupation regime - Syrian fishermen

According to today's Turkish Cypriot press, the seven fishermen were illegally captured last Friday and appeared before an illegal court yesterday.

The Syrian embassy in Nicosia told CNA today it had no details about the incident.

UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus spokesman, Waldemar Rokoszweski, told CNA "we are not dealing with this issue, neither have we been requested nor is it within our mandate."

Asked if the Force dealt with similar cases in the past he said "no, we only deal with people who are crossing the buffer zone or the extension of the buffer zone into the sea."

"We are focusing mainly on the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and are also dealing with cases of third nationals who are not represented in Cyprus by their respective authorities," Rokoszweski explained.

The Turkish Cypriot press identifies the seven Syrian fishermen as: Faiz Serhan, 41, the captain and owner of the fishing boat, Fahd Nassehe, 32, Mohammed Nasseh, 25, Hussein Serhan, 16, Nebil Balta, 32, Ammar Marouve, 20, and Haysem Serhan, 38.

It says they are illegally being held in the so-called "central prison", in Turkish-occupied Nicosia.

The Turkish Cypriot newspapers say an "imprisonment" was imposed, instead of a so-called fine, in a bid to avert Syrian fishermen from entering into the seas the puppet regime claims it controls.

It is not the first time the regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974, illegally captures Syrian fishermen.

In April 1995 Turkish occupation troops opened fire against a Syrian ship, killing one of the four men on board and abducted the rest.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Athens - Clinton - Kyprianou

The assurance was given to Athens eight days ago, he told delegates of the councils of the International Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA).

The councils are holding a four-day conference, in Nicosia, which ends tomorrow.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Athens said that "all hellennes around the world must make, and are making Cyprus, the centre of their concern."

Acknowledging that it is very difficult for Greek Americans to make the US administration and the Congress put Cyprus on the top of their agenda, Athens said efforts were continuing.

"They are over focused on defence, missiles in Cyprus, rather than the Turkish occupation and the presence of Turks. But we do not give up hope", he said.

Athens said he spoke to President Clinton in person eight days ago, where he informed the US President about SAE's activities, "our frustrations and even anger".

"And he (Clinton) said to me, looking in my eyes, 'Andrew, don't give up on me on Cyprus.' He said this twice in our conversation", Athens said.

The SAE President told delegates that Clinton asked him to wait for the confirmation of Presidential Emissary on Cyprus , Richard Holbrooke (to the position of US Permanent Representative to the UN) "and I will assure you we will pursue fresh and new initiatives," he quoted Clinton as saying.

Athens urged millions of Hellenes abroad to continue to push and "intensify our efforts on a global basis", noting they "should be vigilant and have unity, understanding and love."

Referring to SAE's activities, Athens said "we are in the process of creating unique and historic events in promoting Hellenism and Orthodoxy," acknowledging that "global Hellenism is now a reality."

Athens announced a plan of action in six countries of the former Soviet Union where 500.000 Hellenes reside. He said these people in Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazhakstan, Armenia and Russia desperately need basic health amenities.

For this reason, SAE has undertaken a three-year programme, which will cost 50 million dollars.

"This is the largest undertaking by overseas Hellenes ever. It is also the first time ever, that Hellenes from around the world, jointly with people from Greece and Cyprus acted as an organised group to raise funds to support another group of Hellenes in need.

Athens said that if these people "prosper in the independent republics, they will be a living witness of Hellenism and Orthodoxy".

Furthermore, he said that "much has been done in projecting our culture, language, schools, education, religion, and unity but there is much more to be done".

Meanwhile, the councils of POMAK and PSEKA were received today by the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou.

In statements, Kyprianou said the new US initiative should be based on internationally recognised principles.

Kyprianou said the current US initiative has developed in such a way that it reinforces the Turkish positions.

He said the US administration has shown that Washington's priority is Turkey's European perspective.

The House President said "we have reached the point where President Clinton does not refer to invasion in his bimonthly report to the Congress on the situation in Cyprus but to a bicommunal dispute.

CNA GG/KN/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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