Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

30/12/96

CONTENTS

• [01] New initiative ''most important'', says Clerides
• [02] Russia welcomes 1997 Cyprus talks as stipulated by latest UN resolution
• [03] Cyprus government deplores demographic disfigurement in Turkish- occupied areas
• [04] Demographic report for 1995
• [05] News in brief

[01] New initiative ''most important'', says Clerides

In his New Year message to overseas Cypriots, President Clerides describes the initiative, expected to be launched early in 1997, as the "most important" so far and notes our aim is "to find a solution ensuring our future on the land of our ancestors".

The President calls on overseas Cypriots to play their role in enlightening public opinion and influencing the government, the parties and the mass media in the countries where they are living, in order to persuade them to support efforts for justice in Cyprus.

[02] Russia welcomes 1997 Cyprus talks as stipulated by latest UN resolution

In an interview to Novosti press agency on Friday 27 December, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mikhail Demurin also said Russia views the practical steps proposed by the UN on unmanning of military posts along the Green Line as a necessary requirement for achieving the goal, set by the UN Secretary-General and the international community, of resuming a direct dialogue in Cyprus, of seeking a comprehensive solution and a gradual demilitarisation of the island.

"In this light", he said, "we consider very important the setting out of a time framework in resolution 1092 for preparing for direct negotiations between the leaders of the two sides within the first six months of 1997".

The Russian diplomat applauded the reference in paragraph 14 of the Security Council resolution that "a settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship".

Finally, Demurin called for an early meeting between the Security Council's permanent five members with the participation of the European Union for a detailed discussion of the Cyprus problem and co-ordination of plans for further actions.

Moscow also reiterated its proposal for the establishment of a special team within the Security Council which would support the Secretary-General, noting its implementation would be timely and extremely important.

[03] Cyprus government deplores demographic disfigurement in Turkish- occupied areas

The "census" carried out on 15 December by the illegal regime in occupied Cyprus showed a sharp increase in population. There are now 198.215 people living in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, compared to a total of 104.000 Turkish Cypriots living all over the island in 1960.

''If one takes into account that thousands of Turkish Cypriots emigrate, it is clear that the (Turkish) settlers are far more than the indigenous Turkish Cypriots'', Cassoulides said.

Estimates of non Cypriot settlers in the north put their number at about 80.000, but Ahmet Bulunc, a Turkish Cypriot official in charge of the "census" admitted to 25.000, according to 1992 data.

Although so-called officials in the occupied areas say the exact number of Turkish settlers will not be released, the results of the "census", carried out on Sunday, concern individuals with dual "nationality".

The Denktash regime, which is recognised only by Ankara, consents to the influx of Turkish and other Muslim settlers and grants them ''citizenship''.

Concern about widespread emigration of indigenous Turkish Cypriots is widely shared and local Turkish media published reports that around 30.000 have left Cyprus since conditions worsened in the occupied north in recent years.

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Yeni Duzen" reported that the bogus state should be included in the Guinness Book of Records because, despite the fact that thousands of Turkish Cypriots emigrate every year, the population there increases.

Opposition newspaper "Ortam" notes that among those listed as "citizens" of the illegal entity are "immigrants", tourists, soldiers and students.

[04] Demographic report for 1995

The fertility rate is 2,13 children per woman, which remains still above the replacement level of 2,10.

Mortality is at very low levels, estimated at 7,7 deaths per thousand population.

The demographic report for 1995 also refers to trends in marriages and divorces and points out that there is a rising trend in the number of divorces in recent years.

Finally, the net migration for 1995 was 2.000 persons.

[05] News in brief

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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