Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS US TERRORISM

[02] GREEK ARMY CHIEF VISIT

[03] BAKOYIANNIS - CYPRUS

[04] DE-MINING DEMONSTRATION

[05] MOLLER - PARTIES

[06] PASHIARDIS - ANNAN PLAN

[07] BAKOYIANNIS - IACOVOU

[01] CYPRUS US TERRORISM

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Police Chief Iacovos Papacostas said a total of 140 members of the Alien and Immigration Department, the Criminal Statistics Services and the Criminal Investigation Department participated in the programme that was held between 7 and 30 March, noting that they ``acquired invaluable knowledge and experience.``

Consul Henri Hand said that through its actions, the government of Cyprus has showed how important the issue of combating illegal immigration and trafficking of persons is.

[02] GREEK ARMY CHIEF VISIT

An official statement said Hinofotis will be received by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and will also meet House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias and Minister of Defence Kyriacos Mavronicolas.

[03] BAKOYIANNIS - CYPRUS

She was speaking at Larnaca Airport on her arrival for a three-day official visit. Welcoming her, Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou said this official visit «has great practical significance and great symbolism».

``We look forward to the cooperation we will have over the next two days with Mrs. Bakoyianni and we will exchange views on a series of issues,`` he added.

Noting that she maintains close bonds with the island, Bakoyianni said Greece and Cyprus` fundamental aim is ``one and only, the final, viable and just solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution based on international law, international legality, relevant Security Council resolutions and the acquis communautaire, a solution which will benefit the people of Cyprus in its entirety, a solution of peace, stability and growth in the region.``

She added that the solution of the Cyprus problem is a firm aim and the first priority of the Greek foreign policy, noting that today`s visit is part of the ``continued cooperation and coordination of the actions of both governments.``

[04] DE-MINING DEMONSTRATION

Moller was speaking at a Mine Awareness De-mining Demonstration in the buffer zone in Nicosia, organised by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, in cooperation with the Mine Action Centre (MAC) in Cyprus.

In the framework of the event, a de-mining demonstration was held in the presence of Moller, the UNFICYP leadership, ambassadors and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Cyprus, Head of the European Commission Representation in Nicosia Themis Themistocleous, leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, and reporters from both communities.

Moller said that ``now we must focus on the remaining minefields both inside and outside the buffer zone`` but noted that ``ridding the buffer zone of mines will take an estimated 6 million euros more, while a further 5 million euros is required to achieve the ultimate goal of a mine-free Cyprus.``

During the demonstration, Michael Raine, Programme Manager for the Partnership for the Future (PFF)-MAC said the EU had funded this programme with 4 million euros for 2004-2006, Canada with 250,000 US dollars and Slovenia with 25,000 US dollars.

The project is being carried out by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and is carried out by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with the technical support of the UN Mine Action Centre and the operational facilities of UNFICYP.

A total of 31 staff are involved in the de-mining process, which began on 18 November 2004 with National Guard minefields, the clearing of which was completed in July 2005.

Regarding the Turkish forces` minefields, MAC said the clearing operation began in August 2005 and so far a total of 1,336 antitank mines and 982 antipersonnel mines have been retrieved and destroyed, with a total of 900,741 square metres of land freed from mines.

Areas cleared include Nicosia, Kaimakli, Kokkinokremmos, Dhenia, Ayios Dhometios, Kato Pyrgos, Lefka, Zodhia, Skouriotissa and Omorphita.

Referring to the first-ever International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, Moller said ``it marked the launch of a new international initiative to help sustain efforts to end the scourge of landmines and it also aims to make more countries, Cyprus included, mine-free.``

He added that ``there is a clear message that must be heard, that landmines have no place in any civilized society`` and expressed hope that today`s demonstration of de-mining techniques ``will help spur an even more determined effort on the part of both communities to rid the island completely of its lethal landmine heritage.``

"A world without landmines, once seen as requiring decades to achieve, can now be attained in years. Certainly, this is true for Cyprus,`` he noted.

Moller said that in November 2004 de-mining began in a National Guard minefield in the buffer zone and ``to date, 20 of the buffer zone`s 48 minefields have been cleared and more than 900,000 square metres have been cleared for return to normal use.``

``In the process, the way has also been cleared for new crossings, enabling the two communities to move about more freely, and opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce,`` he pointed out.

[05] MOLLER - PARTIES

``It was extremely useful for me and I told them that I would be quite pleased to have the opportunity to continue that discussion in the future and I am ready to accept any invitation from them whenever they think it is useful,`` Moller told to journalists after the meeting of political parties from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot Communities.

``I was very pleased to accept invitation today from the leaders of all the parties of both communities. They gave me an opportunity to exchange views with them and to hear their point of view and on the way forward in Cyprus,`` Moller said.

Asked if the decision for technical committees was raised, Moller said they ``talked about all the issues, but the discussion was how to move forward on the Cyprus problem in a manner that is acceptable to both sides and in a manner that will ensure that we have a successful end of the day.``

``I am not going to comment on individual issues we have discussed if you dont mind, because we are still on the process of getting the two sides to agree on how we move forward,`` he stated.

[06] PASHIARDIS - ANNAN PLAN

Commenting on remarks by Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyianni, who is on an official visit to the island, that the Annan plan is history, Pashiardis said ``departed persons and past events belong in history.``

Pashiardis noted that ``everyone today or almost everyone acknowledge the need for these substantial changes and thus any references to reintroducing the Annan plan, as it is, are without meaning and out of discussion.``

He added that ``if and when these changes are made, it will not matter what the plan is called, but only its content will matter.``

[07] BAKOYIANNIS - IACOVOU

She was speaking after talks here Wednesday with her Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou, where she added that the new momentum on Cyprus should be supported so the new opportunity is not lost.

Welcoming Bakoyiannis, Iacovou said that we have come to the common conclusion that after the Paris meeting between President Papadopoulos and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a new climate prevails and there is an expectation from many capitals that there will soon be developments.

``We call on Turkey to accept what is foreseen in the Paris statement and to come forward to the technical committees, Iacovou added.

The Cypriot minister said that during their discussions they examined Turkeys European course, noting both Greece and Cyprus supported this course. ``However, Turkey has undertaken commitments towards the 25. And there will be no concessions on these commitments, Iacovou stressed.

He also said the two countries discussed the wider EU enlargement, the situation in the western Balkans where both countries have a great interest and concern adding that Bakoyiannis visit on the island will benefit our pursuits in Europe and elsewhere.

Bakoyiannis said that they achieved close and effective coordination on these issues which will be dealt with by the next Foreign Ministers councils.

The Greek FM described the discussions as extremely productive and substantial, adding that they agreed over the new momentum on Cyprus and this effort should be supported so we do not lose the new opportunity as it appears.

Bakoyiannis said I would like to reiterate that Greece believes and has supported Turkeys European course. It will be important for Turkey itself but mainly for the Turkish people to live in a modern, European democracy. It is also important for Turkey to accept and fulfill its obligations towards Europe and accept the acquis communautaire.

To a question on the Annan Plan and whether the plan is not considered anymore by Athens as a basis for negotiations, Bakoyiannis replied that the Annan Plan as it was proposed and voted against by the people of Cyprus, is history. A new agreed proposal for a solution that will be tabled again before a referendum to the people of Cyprus, should be based on decisions taken by the UN, the work carried by the UN because 9.500 thousand pages of work should not be thrown away, and at the same time the new reality should be taken into consideration. Cyprus is a member of the EU the last two years. It is a new reality and any effort should take into consideration these three points I have mentioned, she said.

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