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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-03Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUS TALKS - UN TEAMThe UN Secretariat team dealing with the Cyprus problem has reached the conclusion that the process of direct negotiations to solve the island`s political question is moving at a slow pace.The conclusion was reached after a briefing of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe by the UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer. Downer has concluded the first phase of his contacts at UN headquarters on Thursday. After his meetings on Friday in Washington with State Department officials, he will return to New York to wrap up his meetings. His position was that the two sides in Cyprus have not shifted from their main points and views, which does not help the process move forward. He also spoke of fatigue, due to the exhausting negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, noting that if this continues, the rhythm will slow down. Despite the fact that neither Downer nor Ban with Pascoe have found any solutions to this, they are deliberating the possibility of bringing back bicommunal working groups to discuss the details of various aspects of the Cyprus problem, leaving political decisions up to the leaders. For the time being, Downer is meeting with all major players to hear their views on how to facilitate the process, within the parametres agreed on by the parties. After a meeting he is scheduled to have on Monday with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Downer will fly to Brussels to meet EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. On Wednesday he will be in Cyprus for the next meeting between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, scheduled for October 10. Before returning to Australia, he will fly to London for meetings with the British government. President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in talks since early September, with a view to reach an agreement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Technical committees and working groups, comprising experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, have been set up to help the work of the leaders by preparing the ground for the start of direct negotiations which began on 3 September. [02] KAPARDIS - INTERVIEWA bicommunal technical committee, operating in the context of UN-led peace talks, has proposed measures to combat crime on both sides of the divide in Cyprus, Professor Andreas Kapardis, the head of the Greek Cypriot team sitting at the committee has revealed, adding that the UN can help in promoting and implementing the proposal. In an interview with CNA, Kapardis, Law Professor at the Department of Law at the University of Cyprus and member of the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters, has said that crime, in a reunited federal Cyprus, will rise significantly, pointing out however that problems can be overcome with proper planning and good will from both communities. The professor was critical of the absence of long-term planning with regard to crime investigation, of overcrowded prisons, delays in bringing suspects to justice.In the interview with CNA, Kapardis noted that crime rates are higher in the areas of the Republic under Turkish occupation since 1974, where the legal government of Cyprus is prevented from exercising its jurisdiction by the massive presence of the Turkish military, compared to the southern government controlled part of the country, adding that, despite the fact that there is no conclusive data, this comparison was legitimate. He expressed optimism that through proper planning and good will from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, problems will be overcome. Kapardis said in the areas under Turkish occupation offences related to drugs, attacks, explosives, guns, theft, robberies and burglaries are on the increase. Children of illegal settlers from Turkey are mainly involved in such offences, he added. The University professor believes that in a federal Cyprus, there must be services, properly manned, to help deal with crime and related problems. [03] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - ARCHBISHOP OF TIRANAArchbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania Anastasios who is visiting Cyprus, was received by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias.Archbishop Anastasios, who was accompanied by Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, was briefed about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the latest effort to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, held at the Presidential Palace, Archbishop Anastasios he wished President Christofias that ``God gives him wisdom, patience and determination to lead Cyprus the soonest possible, in this difficult period, to an overall solution.`` Archbishop Anastasios, who is on a visit to the island, will leave on October 8. [04] UEFA - APOEL - OMONIACypriot teams APOEL FC and Omonia AC of Nicosia have been eliminated from the UEFA Cup.APOEL secured a 1-1 draw in ``Veltins Arena`` with Germany`s Schalke, which advanced in the Cup`s Group stage after its easy victory over APOEL in Nicosia with 4-1 for the UEFA Cup first leg of the first round. Omonia suffered a second defeat from Manchester City with 2-1 in the City of Manchester. In the fist leg match, held in GSP stadium in Nicosia, Manchester City beat Omonia with 2-1. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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