Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-11-05

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] National Council favours dialogue after elections

[02] Cyprus protests against Turkish provocations

[03] Cyprus' first ambassador to Ireland

[04] Turks reject plans to restore Monastery

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] National Council favours dialogue after elections

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent letters to this effect to President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Party leaders outlined their views after today's meeting of the National Council (top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem) which dealt with Annan's letter.

Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) leader, Nicos Anastasiades, said there is agreement for a new dialogue but pointed out that, such a dialogue should be "substantial and productive".

"We do not advocate talks for the sake of talks", he said, adding that in the reply to the UN Chief, reference will also be made to the negative Turkish Cypriot stance that has hindered talks so far.

Similar views were expressed by main opposition left-wing AKEL Secretary General, Demetris Christofias, who said "our side is always ready for dialogue", noting that the Cyprus problem can only be solved through peaceful means.

Describing the position of Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as "negative", Christofias called on the international community to direct its attention towards the Turkish side.

President of centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros Kyprianou, said there was no disagreement among party leaders regarding the reply to the UN Chief.

"In my view there was unanimity as far as the reply to the UN Chief is concerned", he said.

On his part, Socialist EDEK leader, Vassos Lyssarides, pointed out the Greek Cypriot side should avoid making further concessions because already it has gone beyond the safety net of concessions.

"A successful dialogue should be based on the will of both sides to contribute in that direction", he said, noting that neither Ankara nor Denktash display good will.

Leader of United Democrats, George Vassiliou, expressed satisfaction with the decisions taken, stressing the Greek Cypriot side should enter a dialogue without any preconditions.

"Denktash's completely negative attitude should not affect the way we respond" to Annan's letter, Vassiliou pointed out.

The view that the Greek Cypriot side's answer should be positive, was also expressed by Nicos Rolandis, leader of the Liberal party.

"The approach of the carrot rather than the stick", should be applied, Rolandis suggested, explaining that in Turkey's case, the carrot could be its own European aspirations.

New Horizon's leader, Nicos Koutsou, stressed that "the issue is not whether to enter a dialogue or not but in what framework and on what basis talks will take place."

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus protests against Turkish provocations

The Republic's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zakheos, stressed in a letter to Annan that the new provocative actions increase tension on the island.

These actions, the letter pointed out, violate the sovereignty and integrity of Cyprus as well as international law, the UN Charter and General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.

Zakheos requests that his letter circulate as an official document of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

CNA RG/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus' first ambassador to Ireland

The committee comprises Senior Judge Liam Hamilton, President of Parliament Seamus Pattison and Senate President Brian Mullooly.

Hamilton conveyed through the Ambassador his warm wishes to President Glafcos Clerides. Ambassador Mavroyiannis communicated the President's greetings to the committee.

Cyprus' embassy in Dublin opened recently and Mavroyiannis is the first Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

CNA RG/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Turks reject plans to restore Monastery

The occupation regime has also denied access to the Monastery, in the eastern tip of the island, by a team of Greek Cypriot exerts to study the damage the building has sustained.

A Foreign Ministry official told the House Refugee Committee that the illegal regime gave its reply to the government request yesterday through the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus.

He said the occupation regime has no objection to the Cyprus government paying for the restoration and even proposed ways by which money can be transferred to the regime.

The Cyprus government proposed that a group of professionals, including architects, archaeologists, topographers, civil engineers and technicians visit the Monastery and examine the damage.

They would then prepare a study and Greek Cypriots living the Karpass peninsula since the 1974 Turkish invasion would begin restoration work.

The destruction of Cyprus' cultural heritage in the Turkish occupied areas was discussed at the Committee meeting.

Church of Cyprus expert and former Antiquities Department head, Athanasios Papageorgiou, told MPs there is no single church in the occupied areas which has not been pillaged.

He also said priceless icons and frescoes have been stolen from churches, and that churches have been turned into stables, warehouses and even toilets.

The Foreign Ministry official put forward a proposal for the establishment of a body that would deal with the destruction of Cyprus' heritage in the occupied areas.

CNA SD/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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