Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-28

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] LEDRA STREET PASHIARDIS BRIDGE

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - ELECTIONS

[03] CYPRUS - GREECE - EDUCATION

[04] CYPRUS DROUGHT MEETING

[01] LEDRA STREET PASHIARDIS BRIDGE

Earlier Thursday a statement issued by the office of the Turkish Cypriot leader said that Mehmet Ali Talat had decided the removal of a footbridge the occupation regime constructed last year at the northern end of the UN-controlled buffer zone dividing Ledra Street in the old town of Nicosia, with the purpose of contributing to the decision of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides to resume the comprehensive settlement negotiations within the first quarter of 2007 and also, to the promotion of the cooperation sense of the two peoples.

In a press release the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said it welcomes this positive contribution to efforts to realize the opening of a crossing point at this location. UNFICYP stands ready to assist both sides in agreeing on practical arrangements to move this much anticipated process forward.

Asked to comment on the Turkish Cypriot leaders decision Cyprus Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis recalled that the Greek Cypriot side put forward end of 2005 and on 8 July 2006 to the United Nations a set of proposals regarding the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point.

He told CNA that we insist on our proposals that we consider rational and constructive and we are ready and willing to enter a dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side for a smooth, unhindered and without political expediencies opening of the Ledra Street crossing point with an aim to achieve contact and communication between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as lawful citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

Earlier Thursday, when asked to comment on press reports suggesting that the Turkish side was about to announce the demolition of the bridge to allow opening of the Ledra Street crossing point, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos stated that we have submitted our proposals on this topic to the United Nations about the removal of the bridge as well as all the symbols that indicate a border crossing and not a crossing point.``

Among the measures that the Greek Cypriot side had put forward to the UN for a new crossing point at Ledra Street were the dismantling by the National Guard (Cyprus Army) of the wall with, in parallel, removal by the Turkish side of the new bridge, military disengagement at and around the crossing point, end of Turkish Armed Forces patrols in the area, removal by both sides of the emblems, flags and materials of offensive and provocative nature and restoration of buildings in the area for civilian use.

At the same time, implementation of safety measures, such as de-mining to the extent necessary to ensure safety of persons using the crossing, checking of and repairs or structural support of all buildings adjacent to the crossing to ensure that passage and passers-by are not endangered and construction and surfacing of the passage-way so that it is at ground level, easily passable and hurdle-free.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

There are another five crossing points between the government controlled areas and the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - ELECTIONS

Asked during a special function at the presidential palace about a possible bid for re-election, the President referred journalists to earlier statements he had made to the daily Xaravgi on the matter, adding that at this stage he does not allow himself to deal with such a prospect.

[03] CYPRUS - GREECE - EDUCATION

During her visit, Yiannakou will be received by Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and House President Demetris Christofias. She will meet with Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades, with whom she will sign the memorandum of cooperation.

[04] CYPRUS DROUGHT MEETING

Photiou presided a meeting to examine the situation and ways to save water.

In statements, Photiou described the drought problem as ``huge`` and announced that in early February there will be cuts in water used in irrigation, adding that if there is no satisfactory rainfall within the next few months the cuts will also cover potable water.

The Agriculture Minister said that according to the facts studied at the meeting, dams have reached dangerous levels with only 22 percent capacity, compared to 47 percent in the same period last year.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article