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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-26Cyprus 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 UpdateThursday, 26/03/98CONTENTS[01] Cyprus celebrates Greek Independence DayGreek Cypriots yesterday celebrated the anniversary of Greek Independence Day which commemorates the Greek uprising of 1821 for independence against 400 years of Ottoman Rule .The celebrations began with a church service followed by a students' parade outside the Greek Embassy in Nicosia. Parades were also held in other towns. In a brief statement afterwards President Clerides praised the Greek nation for its struggle against Ottoman rule and pointed out that Greek Cypriots are inspired by their strength in their own struggle for justice and freedom. In congratulatory messages to Greek President Constantinos Stefanopoulos and Greek Premier Costas Simitis to mark the anniversary, President Clerides thanked Greece for its unwavering support and solidarity towards the struggle of the Cyprus people for independence. [02] Pangalos criticises Turkish military superiority over CyprusGreek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos criticised the international community for turning a blind eye to Turkey's overwhelming military superiority over Cyprus.Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Tuesday (24.3.98), Mr Pangalos pointed out that since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, it has modernised and increased its occupation troops and has upgraded its tanks, heavy artillery and military equipment to such an extent that it has full superiority over Cyprus. Pangalos stressed that Turkey has full monopoly of the air and pointed out that Turkey's modern warplanes are only 5 minutes away from Nicosia. The Cyprus government's decision, Pangalos explained, to purchase the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles was a justified move in bringing about less inequality and in bolstering the country's defences. The international community must be more concerned about Turkey's upgrading of its military equipment and occupation forces and less about the procurement of the anti-aircraft missiles, he said. Asked to clarify his proposal for a 'no fly' zone over Cyprus, Mr Pangalos explained that he proposed a UN decision for a no fly zone because it would be binding on the two parties and there would be independent monitoring, guarantees and accountability. In conclusion, Mr Pangalos pointed out that there would be no need for a 'no fly' zone or deployment of the S-300 missiles if there were no aircraft. This would be the first step towards the demilitarisation of Cyprus, he said. [03] Australian Liberal Party reaffirms its support for CyprusThe Liberal Party of Australia has expressed its continuing commitment to the Cyprus struggle through a motion presented on 15.3.98 to the Liberal Party Federal Council by Trish Worth, Member for Adelaide and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services.The motion expresses the Party's desire for a just solution to the problem of Cyprus. The Liberal Party, conscious of the pain and suffering of the people of Cyprus, deplores the Turkish invasion of 1974, and the lack of progress towards a significant reduction in the number of foreign troops. It condemns actions to create a separate state in northern Cyprus and affirms its support for relevant UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 541. It affirms its support for the principles of freedom of movement, settlement and ownership of property as envisaged in the High Level Agreements. Finally, it encourages the two communities to demonstrate goodwill and the international community to support them in this endeavour. [04] UN Human Rights Committee examines report on CyprusThe UN Human Rights Committee examined on Tuesday 24.3.98 in New York, the Third Periodic Report on Cyprus Civil and Political Rights. Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zackheos, referred to developments regarding the issue of the missing persons. Zackheos stressed that the relatives of the missing have a right to be informed about the fate of their loved ones based on convincing evidence.Mr Zackheos briefed the Committee on recent developments and pointed out that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's intransigence and his unacceptable demand for the recognition of the pseudostate are contrary to the UN Secretary General's good offices mission which envisages negotiations between the two communities based on Security Council Resolutions. [05] Cyprus signs two Council of Europe ConventionsCyprus yesterday signed the Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region and the European Convention on the recognition of the legal personality of international non- governmental organisations.Ambassador Thalia Petrides, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, signed the Conventions in the presence of Daniel Tarschys, Secretary General of the Organisation. The Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region is the first joint Council of Europe/UNESCO Convention ever. It covers 54 countries, including the Council's 40 member countries. 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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