Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Ecevit

[02] Cyprus - Ecevit

[03] Cyprus - Kranidiotis proposal - Turkey

[04] CYTA - Press Conference - 1998 Report

[05] EDEK - Cuba visit

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Ecevit

Commenting on statements made yesterday by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Serezis noted that Ecevit himself had ordered Turkish troops to invade Cyprus in 1974 and occupy 37 per cent of its territory, an act which was internationally condemned.

The Turkish politician "expresses views which do not conform either with international law nor with the way in which states think in the 20th century," the Spokesman added.

"The medieval theory that one country has the right, through the use of force to solve international issues," Serezis said, is "something which should concern Europe, if it wants Turkey to join its ranks."

Ecevit claimed yesterday that the Cyprus problem was solved with the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Serezis said that if this was the case, then "why are UN, the European Union, the Group of Eight, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth" involved in efforts to solve the longstanding Cyprus problem.

He said why then the European Court of Human Rights issues verdicts against Turkey for violating human rights in Cyprus.

The Cypriot official further noted that because of the prolongation of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriot population also suffer because of the unbearable conditions created in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

He said many of the Turkish Cypriots staying in the occupied areas are forced to emigrate for another reason; Turkey' designs to change the island's demographic character.

Before the Turkish invasion there were some 120.000 Turkish Cypriots, making 18 per cent of the island's population.

According to Turkish Cypriot press reports there are now less than 60.000 Turkish Cypriots in the occupied areas.

Turkey has implanted more than 80.000 Turkish colonist settlers in those areas, in addition to 35.000 heavily armed Turkish soldiers.

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Ecevit

Commenting on statements made yesterday by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Serezis noted that Ecevit himself had ordered Turkish troops to invade Cyprus in 1974 and occupy 37 per cent of its territory, an act which was internationally condemned.

The Turkish politician "expresses views which do not conform either with international law nor with the way in which states think in the 20th century," the Spokesman added.

"The medieval theory that one country has the right, through the use of force to solve international issues," Serezis said, is "something which should concern Europe, if it wants Turkey to join its ranks."

Ecevit claimed yesterday that the Cyprus problem was solved with the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Serezis said that if this was the case, then "why are UN, the European Union, the Group of Eight, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth" involved in efforts to solve the longstanding Cyprus problem.

He said why then the European Court of Human Rights issues verdicts against Turkey for violating human rights in Cyprus.

The Cypriot official further noted that because of the prolongation of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriot population also suffer because of the unbearable conditions created in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

He said many of the Turkish Cypriots staying in the occupied areas are forced to emigrate for another reason; Turkey' designs to change the island's demographic character.

Before the Turkish invasion there were some 120.000 Turkish Cypriots, making 18 per cent of the island's population.

According to Turkish Cypriot press reports there are now less than 60.000 Turkish Cypriots in the occupied areas.

Turkey has implanted more than 80.000 Turkish colonist settlers in those areas, in addition to 35.000 heavily armed Turkish soldiers.

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - Kranidiotis proposal - Turkey

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides told the Athens News Agency (ANA) Tuesday that once again the Greek government had exhibited its dedication towards Cyprus.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis told Reuters yesterday it would be preferable if Turkey met the requirements that EU leaders have set for it to be designated an EU candidate.

However he said Greece would allow Turkey to become a candidate if first, there was a statement that Cyprus accession to the EU would go ahead unhindered by a political solution being a prerequisite and second, a public statement of solidarity from the EU on the Aegean.

Kasoulides said "we agree with Kranidiotis' statements". The Cypriot minister will be in Athens on July 20 for talks with Kranidiotis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou, ANA added.

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:04

[04] CYTA - Press Conference - 1998 Report

Presenting the report, CYTA Chairman Michalakis Zivanaris, said that "in these times of rapid development and change, CYTA is being asked to play one of the leading roles, which will be crucial for its own future, but also for the future of the country."

He said that by the end of the year 2002, Cyprus will liberalise telecommunications and so CYTA is trying to make the necessary changes early so that "liberalisation takes place properly."

Zivanaris stressed that "we are making preparations" both internally and externally to successfully face the new challenges.

"We believe", he said, "that Cyprus' ambition to become established as an international business centre and a telecommunications hub in the region can become a reality."

He also said that in 1998 the number of direct exchange lines reached 404.710 or 60,7% of the population, "a ratio that exceeds significantly the European Union average".

Zivanaris noted that "the infrastructure of the mobile telephony service was expanded further" and that "in 1998 the CYTAGSM service had 108.183 subscribers, with penetration per 100 of the population reaching 16, 24."

In his review of the financial results for 1998, Zivanaris said that they showed a surplus after tax of 39 million pounds (1 CY pound equals to 1.75 US dollars) compared with 27m pounds in 1997. Total revenues increased by 21,1m pounds or 17% to reach 146,5m pounds, while expenses were 96,5m pounds, an increase of 7%.

Zivanaris said that "1998 is yet another successful year to be added to the list of Cyprus' achievements in the telecommunications sector" but stressed that this does not make CYTA "complacent" nor is it "resting on its laurels."

Zivanaris said it is necessary for CYTA to become more flexible and stressed that "the time remaining for preparation is so little, that there is no longer room for further delay."

Lastly, he said that "Cyprus can have a place in tomorrow's telecommunications world."

CNA RG/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1945:CYPPRESS:05

[05] EDEK - Cuba visit

He was speaking to CNA after returning from a week-long visit to Cuba at the invitation of Castro.

The Cypriot politician said he informed the Cuban leader about developments and initiatives on Cyprus, stressing that Cyprus needs everyone's support.

He said they discussed the role of progressive movements in the international arena and how less developed countries could find ways to become involved in international affairs.

"The rich (countries) have found a way to cooperate but with the absence of the Non-Aligned Movement and other organisations which could contribute, we must admit that the involvement of less developed countries in the international arena is at the worst phase it could ever be", Lyssarides added.

The Socialist leader said he agreed with Castro to continue the dialogue "even through correspondence".

During his stay in Havana, Lyssarides met with members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the National Assembly of People's Power, Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada and other officials.

CNA AA/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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