Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-11-29

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

Wednesday, 29 November 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Foreign Minister addresses OSCE meeting
• [02] British MPS table motion on human rights abuses in the Turkish- occupied area of Cyprus

[01] Cyprus Foreign Minister addresses OSCE meeting

Mr Kasoulides stated that the OSCE should be proud of the fact that the fundamental principle for the respect of human rights is, through its efforts, gaining ground and is becoming "a core issue" in regulating international affairs. "This fundamental principle must remain at the heart of our approach to international relations, both collectively and individually," he added.

He pointed out that at the beginning of the 21st century among the issues and problems the OSCE will be confronting are threats such as aggressive nationalism, religious, ethnic and other manifestations of intolerance, xenophobia, corruption, organized crime and terrorism.

The OSCE, he said, has been instrumental in helping the search for solutions to recent crises and hot spots by implementing and upholding the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and in particular the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of their borders and the adherence to UN resolutions.

Mr Kasoulides pointed out that the task is enormous as there will always be some kind of boundaries between states and within states between their ethnic, cultural and other constituent components.

"However, the OSCE, in close cooperation with other international institutions operating in the region covered by the OSCE, should aim at making these boundaries less divisive," he added."

The Cyprus Foreign Minister called for increased common efforts to tackle threats and problems such as violent attempts to alter internationally recognized state borders and old and new threats to security, such as new forms of international crime, terrorism, illicit drug production, trafficking and consumption as well as the trafficking of human beings.

Cyprus is willing to contribute within its means to the implementation and success of the Rapid Experts Assistance and Cooperation Team (REACT), he said and welcomed the adoption by the Forum for Security and Cooperation of the Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons. He also said that Cyprus attaches particular importance to the adoption of the OSCE Action Plan on Gender issues.

Referring to Yugoslavia Mr Kasoulides underlined that its admission into the OSCE family, will enhance its efforts to bring peace and stability in South Eastern Europe. He also welcomed the presence of Japan, Korea and Thailand, saying "it is a reminder of the universal nature of the notions of peace, security and stability to which adherence is imperative in our interdependent world."

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Foreign Minister informed his counterparts, especially from European Union member states, on the latest threats by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, not to participate in the 6th round of UN peace talks aimed at reaching a settlement in Cyprus.

He also had a private meeting with his Yugoslavian counterpart, Mr Slivanovic to whom he conveyed the Cyprus government's support for a peaceful settlement of the problems of Yugoslavia based on the principles of territorial integrity and the respect of boundaries.

The two ministers, agreed to keep in touch to discuss a number of practical issues of immediate concern, especially the issue of accounts Yugoslav nationals have in Cyprus.

[02] British MPS table motion on human rights abuses in the Turkish- occupied area of Cyprus

The motion entitled "Cyprus" states that the House "fears that the situation in Northern Cyprus is becoming more dangerous at a time when a solution and accession to the European Union is being discussed". It notes "that at 2am on 27 November the printing works where the newspaper Avrupa is printed was attacked with Molotov cocktails; notes this follows the arrest last July of the editor Shener Levent, trials of Turkish Cypriot politicians who have had articles published arguing for disengagement of the Turkish army from Turkish Cypriot civilian life and for a federal solution to Cyprus in Europe, and demonstrations and strikes since July about the economic situation in the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

It also "notes that on 20 November the civilian trials against Izzet Izean and Ozger Ozgur of the Patriotic Unity movement, which have been postponed repeatedly since May, were suspended but may reactivated at any time; notes this follows attacks in the late 1980s on political party offices and the murder of Kutlu Adaly, a journalist in 1996".

Moreover, the House "is concerned that events this year in the north of Cyprus, in response to demonstrations conflict with European ideas of human rights, freedom of speech and democracy and believes that the people who live there feel that their voices and interests are not being heard in the international discussions taking place on the future of the island".

The House "calls on Her Majesty's Government to make urgent representations to Turkey to institute a full independent investigation with international observers of these abuses of human rights and press freedom".

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

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