Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-04-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] US SECRETARY OF STATE - CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] DE-MINING DEMONSTRATION

[03] CENTRAL BANK INTEREST RATES

[04] MOLLER - PARTIES

[05] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

[06] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - INDIA - OFFICIAL VISIT

[01] US SECRETARY OF STATE - CYPRUS QUESTION

Replying to a question before the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee by Representative Steven Rothman why the US has zeroed out funding the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus in the presidents 2007 budget, Rice said we have not provided funding for the peacekeeping force, adding that if it remains needed, we`ll find a way to deal with its needs.

Rice said she did not think anybody could misinterpret U.S. interest in Cyprus or a Cyprus settlement.

During the time of the Annan plan, the United States all the way to the level of the president worked tirelessly to try and get that plan accepted. We believe that it was a good compromise for both sides. We recognize that the Greek Cypriots did not agree, and they voted it down. But we`re back at it. We`ve -- we`re working again very hard to see if we can help narrow the differences, he added.

She noted that she talked with the Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis when she was in the US, just last week, about this exact problem.

And so I don`t think anybody can say that the United States is not totally devoted to trying to find a Cyprus settlement. We are, she added

[02] 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.

[03] CENTRAL BANK INTEREST RATES

The official interest rates of the Central Bank of Cyprus, that is the interest rates on the main refinancing operations, the marginal lending facility and the overnight deposit facility, remain unchanged at 3.25%, 4.25% and 2.25%, respectively.

[04] 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.

[05] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - CYPRUS QUESTION

Commenting on US intentions to help the start of discussions at bicommunal committees of everyday issues, Lillikas said that the agreement reached in Paris, during a meeting between the UN Secretary-General and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on February 28, was ``plain and clear.``

[06] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - INDIA - OFFICIAL VISIT

During his visit in India, President Papadopoulos will hold official talks with his Indian counterpart, the Indian Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh, and other members of the Cabinet, with whom he will discuss the Cyprus problem, ways to enhance the Cyprus India relations, the United Nations reform, as well as other international matters.

According to an official press release, during his stay in India, President Papadopoulos will address the business symposium organized by the Chambers of Commerce of New Delhi, and he will be the key speaker at a conference by the ``Indian World Affairs Council``.

President Papadopoulos will also visit Mumbai and Bangalore, where he will meet with local Governors and officials of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He will also visit indian industries of high technology.

President Papadopoulos will be accompanied by Foreign Minister George Iacovou, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, George Lillikas, Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Christos Patsalides and the Presidents special advisor Chrysis Pantelides.

Moreover, a delegation of Cypriot businessmen and academics will accompany the President during his visit.

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