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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-05-05Cyprus 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 UpdateMonday, 05/05/97CONTENTS[01] Cyprus hopes Labour government will implement promisesIn a congratulatory telegram sent to the newly-elected British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday 2.5.97, Cyprus' President Glafcos Clerides said he was confident that the Labour Party's declared positions on Cyprus will be effectively promoted and that Mr Blair's government "will pursue further the efforts for a just and viable solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem and the accession of Cyprus to the European Union".Moreover Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said "we have been satisfied by the position of the British government but we expect the new Labour government to implement its pre-election promises." Mr Christofides was referring to statements made by the Labour party calling for accession of Cyprus to the EU, irrespective of whether a solution to the Cyprus problem is found, and putting an end to the Turkish occupation of part of the Republic. Noting that we are at a very critical stage of the Cyprus problem, Christofides said everybody's assistance is necessary, especially that of Britain." He said that the government of Cyprus has always worked closely with Britain and pointed out the special ties between the two countries. [02] President Clerides and World War II prisoners honouredSome 80 Greek and Turkish Cypriots former prisoners of World War II, including Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, were honoured at a special ceremony yesterday, organised by the Pancyprian Association of World War II Veterans.Addressing the event, President Clerides noted that 52 years after the victory of the allies against Nazism and fascism, "we realise that humanity has not yet managed to make its vision a reality, for a new world order on the basis of morality and justice and in conditions of social justice, prosperity and permanent peace." "The Cyprus problem is a striking example of how much still remains to be done if the vision for a new world order is to become a reality," Clerides pointed out. "With one third of Cyprus under Turkish occupation and living under continuous threats against the free areas, with the problem of refugees and missing persons still unresolved, we are still continuing the struggle against a nightmare similar to the one experienced by humanity half a century ago", he said. The President pledged to continue the struggle for justice to be restored on the island, "on the basis of the same principles and values for which the allies had fought". He recalled that a total of 25.000 Cypriots were enlisted as volunteers in the Cyprus Regiment and an additional 7.000 to 8.000 served in various other services during World War II. They fought nearly on all fronts, as can be seen from the fact that graves of 650 Cypriot fighters are found in military cemeteries in 15 countries. About 2.500 Cypriot prisoners of war were held in 10 concentration camps in Germany, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Italy. Some of the prisoners died from deprivation, hardship and forced labour, while others were executed. [03] Andrew Athens decoratedPresident Clerides at an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Friday 2.5.97, decorated the President of the Council of Overseas Hellenism an President of the United Hellenic American Congress, Mr Andrew Athens for the work that he has done for 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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