Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-09-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

[02] CYPRUS PEACE TALKS - NEW MEETING TUESDAY

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - TURKISH INTRANSIGENCE CONTINUES

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS - COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

This is the fifth day of the Commissions public hearings concerning the deadly blast at the Evangelos Florakis naval base, near Limassol.

Following the blast, on July 11, the government appointed a commission of inquiry, headed by lawyer Polis Polyviou, to investigate the circumstances that led to the massive explosion of munitions, which killed 13 people and destroyed the islands main power station. The commission will also look into possible political responsibilities.

The blast occurred in containers full of munitions, which Cyprus stored at the naval base, after confiscating the load from Monchegorsk, a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009. Cyprus was acting according to UN Security Council resolutions, imposing sanctions on Iran.

Head of the commission of inquiry Polys Polyviou has stated that the report of the commission will be concluded by September 30, and according to a recent decision by the Cabinet, it will become public.

Polyviou has said that that President Christofias might be asked to answer specific questions by the commission. Several government and army officials have also been called to testify.

The President himself has told me to investigate everyone, including himself, and I believe it is an honour for the Republic that the first citizen of the country is asked questions that fall within the framework of the mandate set by the Cabinet and the President, Polyviou pointed out.

He has however emphasised that the commission is not a court of justice, clarifying that he will attribute political responsibilities which have led to the tragedy.

I am determined to prepare a report which will apportion responsibilities where those exist, without fear, without passion and without prejudice. This is my commitment, this is what I have told the President of the Republic, the President of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General and the relatives of the victims, Polyviou said.

[02] CYPRUS PEACE TALKS - NEW MEETING TUESDAY

An UNFICYP press release states the meeting will take place in the morning at the residence of the UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim, in the UN-protected area in Nicosia.

The two leaders are set to continue discussions on the issues of territory and property, following their previous meeting on Friday in which they presented documents.

According to UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, their representatives are due to meet today to take on the discussion in relation to these documents in order to ensure not just clarifications but with a view to come into convergences.

Downer is to meet with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Stavros Lambrinides in Athens today and discuss the Cyprus issue with the UN Security Council via a telecommunications link up on Wednesday.

Christofias and Eroglu are expected to have a third meeting with the UN Secretary General in October, in New York. In their previous meeting, in July, they agreed to intensify the pace of the talks.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The leaders of the two communities are currently engaged in UN-led talks, with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

[03] HOUSE PRESIDENT - TURKISH INTRANSIGENCE CONTINUES

Speaking at the memorial service of the hero Demostenis Gheorgiou, Omirou stressed that the Greek Cypriot side must move towards three directions. It must inform the international and European community about Turkish maneuvers and pinpoint the intransigence of the Turkish side, which does not allow any progress.

He said that tactics at the negotiating table and the strategy in the overall handling of the Cyprus problem must be reviewed.

Omirou stressed that Turkeys European course must be the basic lever of pressure and the main weapon to convince Turkey to rationalize its behaviour and comply with international and European law.

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