Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-08-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS ZAKYNTHOS

[02] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS - PRESS CONFERENCE

[03] ACTIVISTS - GAZA

[01] ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS ZAKYNTHOS

The Archbishop, who is currently in the Greek island of Zakynthos for the feast day of St. Dionysios, patron saint of the island, said that Europe and the US remain cold hearted as regards the impingement of the human rights of the people of Cyprus, the Turkish occupation of 37% of the islands territory and the destruction and looting of Christian Orthodox Churches in the occupied part of the country.

We pray to St Dionysios, the Saint of love and forgiveness, to help the powerful ones on earth to give justice to the tried people of Cyprus, ahead of the commencement of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, aiming at reunifying the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, he said.

According to the Athens News Agency, the Archbishop also referred to the role of Great Britain on the island, saying that it still continues its policy of divide and rule to secure its military bases in Cyprus.

He denounced recent statements made by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the solution of the Cyprus problem would be based on two states.

Noting that the solution can not be named federation and at the same time be a confederation, he said that the solution should provide for a central and powerful government.

The Archbishop explained that the Church of Cyprus had to accept a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation and noted that no more concessions can be made.

He also said that soon the Church of Cyprus will be ready to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey for the destruction of Cyprus religious heritage in the Turkish occupied areas of the island.

Since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus about 550 churches have been desecrated and 15,000-20,000 icons are missing, believed to be stolen or sold on the black market.

Some Orthodox Churches situated in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus have been converted to mosques, military camps, barns, mortuaries or silos.

Bishop of Zakynthos Chrysostomos wished for justice in Cyprus and said the Greek Orthodox Christians pray for the return of the refugees to their homes and churches.

[02] OVERSEAS CYPRIOTS - PRESS CONFERENCE

Overseas Cypriots, who held in Nicosia the 22nd Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the 4th Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), said they were satisfied with the information they received from the government of Cyprus about the recent developments regarding the Cyprus problem, but noted the need for strengthening the enlightenment campaign.

POMAK President Haris Sofoklides said that during the Conference, the Cypriot overseas organisations received encouraging messages as regards the need to place greater emphasis on enlightenment and added that the government of Cyprus appreciates this.

PSEKA President Phillip Christopher said he was satisfied with the positive response of the government of Cyprus regarding the proposals of the overseas organizations on how to strengthen the enlightenment efforts especially ahead of the direct negotiations which will begin September 3rd between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, with the aim to reunify the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

[03] ACTIVISTS - GAZA

Two boats carrying 46 peace activists arrived without incident in the Gaza Strip from Cyprus on 23 August, despite warnings from the Israelis. Thousands of Palestinians were on hand at the strip`s fishing port to welcome the activists aboard the Free Gaza and the Liberty.

Speaking to CNA from Gaza, one of the activists, Israeli professor Jeff Halper said that we broke the siege of Gaza, adding that the reason Israel let us through was because we did not constitute a security threat.

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