Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] IACOVOU - MEETINGS

[02] SPOKESMAN - TALAT

[03] MARATHON - MISSING PERSONS

[04] CABINET - TRIPLETS

[01] IACOVOU - MEETINGS

Iacovou, who is the coordinator of the Greek Cypriot members of the working groups and technical committees, said the working groups had already entered substantive aspects of the Cyprus problem, such as the constitutional court and the authorities of the federal government.

On Friday, Iacovou held successive meetings with the Greek Cypriot leaders of the working groups and technical committees to review the work done so far.

He announced that next week he would be meeting with Ozdil Nami, adviser to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and coordinator of the Turkish Cypriot members, as well as with Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar, who will be departing from the island at the end of next week.

``In general I can say that everyone has determined that the good climate is still maintained in the working groups and technical committees. Taking into consideration that the committees and working groups are of an investigatory nature, I think that the exploration of the intentions of the two sides is proceeding smoothly,`` Iacovou said, adding that ``there have been no specific problems in carrying out these investigative contacts and I hope this will continue in the future.``

Iacovou clarified that, ``since we are entering a certain depth in the various issues, at least in the working groups it is possible to stumble on issues on which we disagree.``

[02] SPOKESMAN - TALAT

Invited to comment on Talats statements, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that what is being said by the Security Council of Turkey or is being repeated by the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Mr. Talat does not lead to optimism that the process that has begun at the level of working groups and technical committees will bear results to allow fully-fledged negotiations on the Cyprus question.

Stephanou noted that the Greek Cypriot side is working with calmness, patience and consistence so that the process will be successful, and has clear positions on the settlement of the Cyprus question, that must terminate occupation, the illegal settling, and will reunite the island in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, within which a political equality will be established as described by the UN relevant resolutions.

[03] MARATHON - MISSING PERSONS

Speaking at a press conference for the Marathon of Love for Missing Persons, Kallis added that of the 300 remains exhumed believing to belong to Greek Cypriot missing persons, many belong to known and unknown victims, adding that there are 500 cases of persons who were buried in specified or unspecified grounds.

This year`s events begin on May 5, when representatives of relatives of missing persons will hand over memoranda to the Embassies of the UN Security Council permanent members and the EU member states. On May 7, a delegation of the Marathon foundation and the Committee or Relatives of Missing Persons will fly to Brussels to meet with members of the European Parliament and foreign press.

[04] CABINET - TRIPLETS

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou told reporters after the cabinet meeting that this was the first time there had been an increase since the decision to establish the grant in 1987.

Stephanou added that the allowance was extended to citizens of other EU member states, as long as they are permanent residents of areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. It also covers women who are longstanding residents of Cyprus and political refugees of third countries.

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