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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-05-07
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 07 May 2003 UN Spokesman says a lasting Cyprus settlement is
needed
[02] British MPs welcome "opening of the Green Line" in Cyprus
[01] UN Spokesman says a lasting Cyprus settlement is needed
The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Fred Eckhard, made reference
to Cyprus during yesterday's press briefing, saying that the UN was pleased
with the recent crossings of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots across the
ceasefire line, but stressing that freedom of movement cannot in itself
bring a lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem. The UN Spokesman's
statement on Cyprus was the following: "According to figures provided by
the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), as of May 4th, approximately
170,000 Greek Cypriots had crossed from south to north while 75,000 Turkish
Cypriots had done the reverse trip. We are very pleased that Greek Cypriots
and Turkish Cypriots are crossing the buffer zone, and that people are
patiently enduring the practical inconveniences which have put a strain on
both sides and on the UN mission. In general, the flow of people across the
buffer zone has proceeded without major political problems or serious
incidents. Nevertheless, with several traffic accidents and arrests related
mainly to crossing. The mission has been working around the clock to make
the crossing facilities smoother and more efficient.
The Chief of the UN mission, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, met yesterday Greek
Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and is meeting today with Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to share information and exchange views on the
current situation. While freedom of movement would be a key element in any
settlement, it must be lasting, and in any case all the other core issues
remain."
[02] British MPs welcome "opening of the Green Line" in Cyprus
The British Labour MPs Andrew Dismore, David Drew, Tom Cox, Valery David
and Linda Perharn submitted recently before the House of Commons a "notice
of motion" on Cyprus entitled "Green Line in Cyprus", by which they welcome
the crossings along the ceasefire line on the island and urge the British
government to work with the Turkish government so that a permanent solution
to the Cyprus problem can be reached. The full text of the notice of motion
reads as follows: "That this House welcomes the opening of the Green Line
in Cyprus from 23rd April allowing thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots
to cross to the other side to visit towns, villages, homes and friends for
the first time for nearly 29 years and the announcement by the Cyprus
Government of a package designed to improve conditions for the Turkish
Cypriots; believes that the warmth of the hospitality received puts the lie
to any claim that Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together in a
common country in the near future; notes that this partial lifting of
restrictions follows the signing by President Papadopoulos at the Athens
Summit on 16th April of the EU Accession Treaty, the huge Turkish Cypriot
demonstrations in favour of a settlement and EU membership and the creative
work of many bicommunal groups in preparing the ground for reunification;
concludes that this reinforces the need, rather than substitutes, for a
political settlement; and therefore urges Her Majesty's Government, working
within the EU and the UN, to support this process of reconciliation, and
work with the new government in Turkey in its attempt to make progress
towards a Cyprus solution and its own route to EU membership, so that a
permanent solution can be reached long before 1st May 2004 and a reunited
Cyprus can join the European Union.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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