Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - MISIAOULIS - KAVAZOGLOU

[02] CYPRIOT FM - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[03] CYPRUS - SLOVENIA - DAVIS CUP

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - MISIAOULIS - KAVAZOGLOU

Speaking at a memorial service, at the Peoples Associations Building in the Nicosia district village of Dali, for the martyrs for Greco-Turkish friendship Costas Misiaoulis (Greek Cypriot) and Dervis Ali Kavazoglou (Turkish Cypriot), assassinated in 1965 by Turkish Cypriot terrorist organization TMT, President Christofias said that although this year there is a more positive political climate, he is aware that things are not effortless and it is not easy to reverse the facts created by the invasion, the occupation and division of the island.

In his speech, President Christofias referred to the slaying of Dervis Ali Kavazoglou and Kostas Misiaoulis, both members of left wing AKEL party. The two were shot to death on 11 April 1965 when they were ambushed on the Nicosia Larnaca road by members of TMT (Turkish Cypriot fascist terrorist organisation). Both were fighting against chauvinism and fascism during the intercommunal fighting.

Kavazoglou had undertaken the heavy duty to convey the message of peace, friendship and brotherhood among the two communities. He was accompanied by his friend and comrade, Kostas Misiaoulis, AKEL member and trade union PEO official, said Christofias, who added that their sacrifice became a symbol of struggle. The ideals which they fell for have proved to be stronger than fanaticism and bigotry. And as time goes by and as the fight for rapprochement becomes stronger, the more we feel their presence alive in this noble struggle, the President added.

Christofias stated that this years events to commemorate the death of the two AKEL members are being held in a different climate than other years. With AKEL taking over the presidency of the Republic and the 21st March meeting between Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the opening of the Ledra Street crossing and the setting up of the working groups and technical committees which are expected to begin work this week, as well the interest of the international community, all these developments are sending a hopeful message: «That there has been a good start, he said.

We note what has been achieved so far in this short period of time, the President said, adding that from now on, we have no illusions. We know that things are hard. We realize that it is not easy at all to reverse the facts created by the invasion, the longstanding occupation and division of our homeland. We know that we are not dealing merely with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, he said.

Christofias repeated that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to face with determination, flexibility, good will and political readiness the difficulties and obstacles and expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot leadership will continue to be positive.

Cyprus belongs to its people and the solution, primarily, must serve the people of Cyprus, he added.

He said that the framework for a solution is established, it is made up of the UN resolutions on Cyprus, the High Level Agreements which provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, the international and EU law. A federal solution, he added, surely provides for political equality, but the UN gives a clear interpretation on what it implies and we cannot but depend on this interpretation, the President added.

The solution must end the occupation and colonisation, provide for the Republic of Cyprus demilitarization, safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots including the right to return and property of refugees, reunite the state, the people and the economy. These are the fundamental principles of the Cyprus issue which we must insist on because without them we cannot have a fair, under the circumstances, viable and functional settlement, he added.

President Christofias underlined the role of the international community, noting that more than ever, we need the international community as far as exerting pressure on Turkey. Because we repeat, once again, that if Turkey does not alter its policy on Cyprus, the road for a solution will not open, in spite of the good will on our side.

For this reason, the President called on the UN, the five permanent members of the Security Council, the EU, which Cyprus is a member of and Turkey aspires to join, to turn their attention, their influence towards Ankara to change its policy on Cyprus.

He also said that he is concerned over the political developments in Turkey. We hope Cyprus will not pay the price of the internal dispute in Turkey, President Christofias said, adding that a stable, democratic development in Turkey will be to the benefit of the people in the country, to the benefit of the struggle for a Cyprus settlement.

Earlier, during a ceremony at the Sts. Constantine and Eleni Cemetery in Nicosia President Christofias, laid a wreath in memory of Kostas Misiaoulis.

He said that those who murdered the two, thought they were murdering the Republic of Cyprus, adding they will not be justified. You will be justified, we will be justified and the many years of our movements struggle will be justified because it expresses the interests of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 21 March 2008 to ask their respective advisers, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, to meet with a view to set up a number of working groups and technical committees to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations.

The leaders also decided to meet again in three months to review the work of the committees dealing with aspects of the Cyprus problem, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices for a solution.

[02] CYPRIOT FM - CYPRUS PROBLEM

In statements before departing to The Hague, Kyprianou also commented that the forthcoming visit by Joan Ryan, British Prime Minister`s Special Representative to Cyprus, will be to monitor how developments on Cyprus are progressing.

Referring to the work carried out by Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talats adviser, Ozdil Nami, the Cypriot FM acknowledged that there was indeed a complication concerning a specific committee and during the weekend each side would review its position.

We have said from the start that this would be a difficult, complex procedure and we should not be surprised if there are some problems during the procedure. What matters, he added, is to maintain the good will on both sides in an effort to find the necessary solutions.

[03] CYPRUS - SLOVENIA - DAVIS CUP

The final matches will take place in the National Tennis Centre, between Marcos Baghdatis and Marko Tkalec and between Photos Kallias and Blaz Kavcic.

Yesterday, Cyprus made a decisive step towards winning the tie with Slovenia, as Baghdatis and Kallias beat the Slovenian duo, Luka Gregorc and Grega Zemlza with 3-2 (7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1), in a match that lasted more than four hours.

Cypriot tennis team Captain, Giannos Hadjigeorgiou said his players gave everything for the victory. He added however that nothing is over, as ``we need another victory,`` to secure the tie.

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