Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-05-25

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News Update

Monday 25/05/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Report to Congress says four other missing American Cypriots are probably dead
• [02] US will persevere with Cyprus effort
• [03] Cypriot Foreign Minister returns from four-nation tour
• [04] Drop in number of travellers to Cyprus
• [05] Film statistics

[01] Report to Congress says four other missing American Cypriots are probably dead

State Department Spokesman John Rubin said the report confirmed the death of one, Andreas Kassapis, outlined the developments which had led to the discovery of his remains, and concluded that the other four, "in all likelihood", did not survive.

The report says Andreas Kassapis was killed shortly after his capture on August 20, 1974, very likely by Turkish Cypriot militiamen, and buried in a field near his hometown of Asha. His partial remains, found there by a US forensics team in December 1997, were identified through DNA analysis and other evidence.

It says Socrates Kapsouris in all likelihood died from physical hardship stemming from captivity in the northern mountain range above Karavas on August 8, 1974. Kyriacos Hadjichristoudias and Christos Libertos very likely died in separate killings carried out by Turkish Cypriot fighters in the Mesaoria region between August 15 and August 21, 1974. Kyriacos (Jack) Sophocleous disappeared August 16, 1974 in the company of several unidentified Turkish or Turkish Cypriot persons who he apparently believed were helping him escape, but who may very well have robbed and killed him.

The investigation team, led by Ambassador Robert S. Dillon, former American Ambassador to Lebanon, worked closely with the Committee on Missing Persons on both sides of the island and found that despite the lack of "physical evidence" of the deaths of the other four, it would be "unrealistic" to hope that any were still alive, particularly since the youngest would now be 84 years old and the other three over ninety.

[02] US will persevere with Cyprus effort

Speaking at a lunch organised by Europe Magazine in Washington, Mr Pickering said the US was disappointed with the outcome of Holbrooke's mission, and in particular with Turkey for raising preconditions for further talks, including the recognition of the "TRNC" and the suspension of Cyprus EU accession talks.

"But that disappointment is not going to deter us. We will keep moving in that area", he said, adding that the disappointment was no reason to abandon the process.

The US was, Pickering concluded, justifiably anxious to get somewhere on Cyprus, as the situation always posed a threat to stability, tensions and security in the region.

[03] Cypriot Foreign Minister returns from four-nation tour

Speaking at Larnaca airport, the Minister said that during his contacts in Washington, concern had been expressed over the deployment of the Russian- made anti-aircraft missiles.

He stressed that the missiles would be deployed, unless the reasons why they had been ordered ceased to exist.

However, he added that "any concern on this matter should be accompanied by concern over the presence of 35 thousand Turkish troops in Cyprus and the feeling of insecurity among the people of Cyprus, due to Turkey's aggressive stance and Ankara's perpetual threats."

The Minister also said that he had had the opportunity in all the countries he had visited to brief his interlocutors on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and explain the Cyprus government's positions.

[04] Drop in number of travellers to Cyprus

The majority of travellers to Cyprus came from European countries (86 per cent), particularly from the UK with 36 per cent.

[05] Film statistics

According to the annual report of the Cyprus Board of Film Censors, the vast majority of films (194) shown came from the USA, followed by the UK with 7.

Three Cypriot films were also shown.

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