Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-02-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] House of Representatives - Ocalan

[02] President - Shipping Council

1345:CYPPRESS:01

[01] House of Representatives - Ocalan

The House also called for a political settlement of the Kuridsh issue as a top priority and said it must be ensured that Turkey complies fully with its obligations from international legal instruments.

"The House condemns the illegal abduction and arrest of Mr. Ocalan by the Turkish authorities, an action which violates international law and all pertinent international conventions, most particularly the European Convention on Human Rights. The House therefore strongly supports his immediate release," a letter by House President, Spyros Kypianou, to the President of the European Parliament said.

The letter notes that Europe's responsibility on the criminal prosecution of the Kurdish leader "cannot and must not be overlooked," given Europe's awareness of the cruel genocide perpetrated by Turkey against the Kurdish people.

It also notes that Europe bears responsibility on the "insane and most irrational, for European and international law standards, legal system in Turkey."

The system allows for simulated trials behind closed doors with no legal representation for the defendant.

"Before the heavy responsibility we all bear, as members of the European family, we urgently call upon all international organisations and national parliaments to do everything in their power so that a fair trial be granted to Mr. Ocalan and the presence of international observers thereat be allowed by the Turkish authorities."

The letter calls these organisations to "have as a top priority on their agenda the political settlement of the Kurdish issue and the use of all political means to this end."

Furthermore, it calls for Turkey's full compliance with its obligations emanating from all pertinent international legal instruments.

CNA MM/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President - Shipping Council

He also stressed that Cyprus aims to restore the image of its flag by upgrading safety standards and implementing measures set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

In his address to the tenth Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus Shipping Council, read by the Minister of Communications and Works, the President said his government places "great importance on the close cooperation of the Council with the Maritime Administration and our achievements in the maritime sector in the past ten years have been the outcome of such joint effort and cooperation."

"These have bestowed upon us a high credibility in the international shipping community and a particular advantage in our efforts towards accession to the EU," he pointed out.

The island's European course, he explained, will speed up efforts to secure Cyprus as an important shipping centre.

"Our main aim is to restore the image of our flag with the upgrading of our fleet's safety standards and we will continue to work on the implementation of the measures set by the IMO," the President added.

He said the Department of Merchant Shipping will be strengthened with four more marine surveyors, the network of inspectors will be expanded and the ships' safety records will continue to be computerised.

These measures are expected to have a curbing effect on the detention rates of Cyprus ships, he added.

CNA MM/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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