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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-04-29Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateTuesday, 29/04/97CONTENTS[01] Pangalos christens Isaac's daughterAt a ceremony in Paralimni yesterday, Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos christened the daughter of Tassos Isaac, beaten to death by Turkish extremists during an anti-occupation protest last summer.Pangalos represented the Greek government, which has undertaken the cost of the child's upbringing. Tassos' daughter Anastasia was born one month after his death and her 19 year-old widowed mother, Maria, named the baby after its father. President Clerides, House President Spyros Kyprianou, party leaders or representatives, Ministers, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, and Members of the House of Representatives were also present at the christening. [02] President's Easter messageIn his Easter message to the people of Cyprus, President Glafcos Clerides expressed the hope for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, an end to the occupation and the reunification of the island."I hope we can all celebrate next Easter in a united, peaceful and happy Cyprus," Clerides said. [03] Apostolos Andreas visit cancelledAn Easter Sunday trip to Apostolos Andreas by 600 Greek Cypriots - the first on such a scale since 1974 - part of UN-sponsored goodwill measures to promote confidence-building between the two communities, was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to conditions laid down by the Denktash regime.The cancellation came about as a result of moves by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to veto names on the proposed list of Greek Cypriot visitors, banning journalists and members of the Karpass Committee - a solidarity group for the enclaved, from entering the occupied area. "The Turkish Cypriot authorities allowed themselves to apply certain censorship and crossed out a number of names on the list presented, and this led to the cancellation," said UN spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski. "It goes without saying that any form of censorship or interference with the list of names presented was unacceptable," he added. The visit was to be part of a religious exchange which saw 400 Turkish Cypriots visit the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque in Larnaca the previous week. That trip was described as a success by the government, which was hoping the Denktash regime would cause no obstacle in allowing hundreds of Greek Cypriots to do likewise. [04] UN Security Council permanent members to discuss Cyprus todayThe UN Secretary General's Spokesman Fred Eckhard said last Thursday that this week will be Cyprus week at the UN.He said that the week would begin with internal consultations at the UN Secretariat as to what the Secretary General's approach should be in his effort to achieve direct talks between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities. In addition he said that the five permanent members of the Security Council will meet in New York today to review efforts for a Cyprus settlement. Moreover, the UN Secretary-General's representative in Nicosia, Gustave Feissel, speaking after an hour-long meeting with President Glafcos Clerides last Thursday (24.4.97), confirmed the meeting would take place and added that "senior persons from the capitals" (Washington, Moscow and Paris) will also be present. "It will provide a good opportunity to review the situation, give them a chance to express their views on what is going on, and co-ordinate their own approach to the effort and support of the Secretary General," he added. Feissel said he will not be presenting a report at the meeting, "but we will of course brief the permanent five about what we have been doing and where things are." He added a new procedure to move forward the Cyprus question is not expected to be discussed, as the meeting will be held "to review things and to share comments and thoughts on how things are and what might be done." [05] Church goes to court for stolen iconsThe Church of Cyprus will begin a legal battle before the International Court of Justice in the Hague on 1 May to secure the return of four icons it believes were stolen from a church in the occupied areas after the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.The icons from the Antifonitis church were found in the hands of a Dutch art collector in Rotterdam in 1995 who is claiming he bought the icons from a reputable dealer in good faith. [06] Educational statistics for 1995/6Just over 9 thousand Cypriots choose to study abroad, according to the latest statistics on education for the 1995/6 academic year.Of these 41 per cent study in Greece, 28 per cent in the UK, 20 per cent in the US and 11 per cent elsewhere. As regards enrolments at primary and secondary school levels on the island, the vast majority, 80 per cent, attend state run institutions. At all levels 1196 educational establishments functioned, with 160,130 pupils/students and 10,422 teachers. Enrolments per sector were as follows: pre-school - 26,254; primary - 64, 660; secondary - 59,845; tertiary - 8,874; and specialised education - 497. The number of students attending extra classes reached 98,784. [07] Air transport committee adopts measures to boost air travelA ministerial committee on air transport last week adopted several measures to boost air travel, including lower fares to specific destinations and certain perks for students and summer travellers.The committee decided to allow charter flights from Israel over the summer period and also approved a proposal for revised prices offered by the national carrier, Cyprus Airways, for the summer season. The proposal covers special categories of air fares which will not affect the cost of tourist packages to Cyprus. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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