Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-06-30

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

News Update

Monday, 30/06/97

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides flies to Athens
• [02] Renewal of UNFICYP approved
• [03] Interior Minister leaves for Luxembourg
• [04] New finds at ancient theatre

[01] President Clerides flies to Athens

During his three-day visit, the President will be meeting Greek Premier Costas Simitis, President Costis Stephanopoulos, as well as Greek party leaders.

[02] Renewal of UNFICYP approved

The resolution reiterates that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and reaffirms that a settlement must provide for a bi- communal and bizonal federation, that will not allow union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession.

It adds the state of Cyprus should have "a single sovereignty and international personality and a singe citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two politically equal communities".

It describes a European Union decision to open accession negotiations with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference as "an important development that should facilitate an overall settlement".

The Council, moreover, underlines the importance of agreement by both sides to the reciprocal measures for the reduction of tension along the cease- fire lines proposed by UNFICYP, deeply regretting that neither side has so far accepted such measures as a package. It also reiterates its concern with the "continuing excessive levels of military forces and armaments" in Cyprus.

[03] Interior Minister leaves for Luxembourg

The harmonisation of Cyprus' legislation with EU directives for TV without frontiers and the EU-Cyprus agreement for participation in the MEDIA II programme, are among the issues to be examined at the meeting.

On Friday the Minister will fly to Geneva to take part in a ministerial committee meeting on Civil Defence, that will examine the reinforcement of the role of civil protection on an international and national level.

It will also discuss the possibility of creating a non-governmental international association to support activities for the protection of civilians throughout the world.

[04] New finds at ancient theatre

Earlier estimates had put the capacity at 4.500.

The new discoveries were revealed by the Ministry of Communications and Works, announcing the end of the third season of excavations under Sydney University Professor J.R. Green.

A definite number has still to be determined since both ends of the stands lie under paved roads.

A major part of the third season was devoted to defining the shape and orientation of the theatre, which has now been found to have faced southwest rather than due south as originally thought.

Re-examination of the fragmental inscriptions in the upper part of the seating area suggests that it must have been constructed no later than the early part of the 3rd century BC, at about the time of the foundation of the city of Paphos as the capital of Cyprus under the Ptolemies of Alexandria.

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

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