Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Refugees elect mayor

[02] Clerides' message on Commonwealth Day

[03] Cypriot Minister in Berlin

[04] Clerides receives US State Department envoy

[05] Miller: Report on five American missing soon

[06] Book on Cyprus division to be launched in London

0945:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Refugees elect mayor

Tofias, mayor between 1991-1996, secured 55,64 per cent of the vote (2.978 votes) against his rival, Costis Costeas, vice mayor, who garnered 44,36 per cent (1.657 votes).

All 4.325 registered voters cast their ballots at 14 polling stations throughout the government-controlled areas of the island.

The by-election was held following the death of mayor, Ionas Papaioannou.

In statements, Tofias reassured that he will work for the unity of all the refugees of Lysi, until the Turkish army leaves Cyprus and the refugees can return to their homeland.

Tofias will be declared mayor during a ceremony today in front of the Lysi Heroes Monument in the coastal town of Larnaca.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Clerides' message on Commonwealth Day

In a message on the occasion of today's Commonwealth Day, President Clerides points to resolutions the Commonwealth has adopted calling for a Cyprus settlement "based on international law and condemning Turkish efforts to consolidate the status quo on the island".

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the Republic's territory in 1974.

President Clerides said Cyprus will continue its dedication "to the principles and aims (of the Commonwealth)" and reassured "of our commitment to further strengthening the bonds which unite us with other member states".

The President also expressed the hope that the Commonwealth's international role will be strengthened.

The Cyprus Republic is a member of the Commonwealth, consisting of Britain and states that were former colonies, since it gained its independence from British rule in 1960.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Cypriot Minister in Berlin

Cyprus participates with its own pavilion. A total of 60 Cypriot tourism businesses, including hotels and travel agents, associations and local authorities are represented in the fair.

Rolandis returns on Tuesday.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] Clerides receives US State Department envoy

Miller, who is also expected to see tomorrow Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, said he had a "very good meeting" with Clerides.

He then left for a meeting with Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Takis Christopoulos.

Miller is expected to give Christopoulos the information regarding the confirmation of the death of Andreas Kasapis, a Greek Cypriot of American citizenship, who was missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

According to the resolution which the Congress had approved for the setting up of an investigation to ascertain the fate of the five American nationals missing, all information found is to be conveyed to the Cyprus government to help efforts to ascertain the fate of Greek Cypriots also listed as missing.

After the conclusion of his Cyprus visit, Miller travel to Athens and Ankara.

CNA MCH/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[05] Miller: Report on five American missing soon

Miller met today with Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Takis Christopoulos, to discuss the issue of missing persons in the light of the confirmation of the death of Andreas Kasapis, one of the five missing Americans.

Describing the meeting as "a good exchange of views", Miller said he briefed Christopoulos on the case of Kasapis, aged 16 in 1974, who was confirmed as dead after DNA tests.

Asked about the four other American citizens of Greek Cypriot origin, missing since 1974, Miller said "a report should be coming out in the relatively near future", which as he explained, "will be updated based on this latest information on the Kasapis case."

Pointing out that the gates to a resolution of the problem of missing persons "were already open with the agreement that the two leaders signed last July", Miller expressed the hope that the Kasapis case "can stimulate progress on these humanitarian cases".

"We very much look at this as a humanitarian issue as I know both sides (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) do and that was clearly specified in the agreement that they had last July", he added.

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash signed an agreement on July 31, 1997, for the exchange of information on missing persons, including the location of graves.

"We hope that any efforts that we have been able to make in our examination will provide progress to answer the questions of the many families of those missing and end the agony and suffering they have been going through the last twenty-three and a half years", Miller said.

The US Special Coordinator said he will also "be talking to the Turkish Cypriots about the missing".

A total of 1619 people were listed as missing persons since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Miller had a meeting earlier today with President Clerides, which he described as "very good", but refrained from making further comments.

Tomorrow he will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. He will give a press conference before traveling to Greece and then to Turkey.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[06] Book on Cyprus division to be launched in London

Entitled "The Green Line: the division of Cyprus - a photographic record by Doros Partasides", the book covers an area of 112 miles of the dividing line.

It is divided into four parts, showing Cyprus before the 1974 Turkish invasion, the time of the invasion, the so-called Green Line and the role of the UN in solving the Cyprus problem.

The main emphasis of the book is placed on the barbed wire dividing the free areas from the occupied north.

The cover depicts a close up of a rusty barbed wire, while the numerous pictures show that "it is inconceivable that as we approach the second millennium, there is still the stigma (of the invasion) in Europe and the international community", Partasides told CNA.

He said the main purpose is to enlighten politicians and people who have a role to play in solving the Cyprus problem.

The Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, which has undertaken the publication of the book, will distribute it to politicians and all British MPs.

"The book is dedicated to the people who will work to remove the barbed wire which symbolises the division, the occupation and the time that has gone by", he said.

"It is a testimony of what I have seen for the last 24 years, through my eyes and captured by my camera, which is the weapon of my indignation and protest", Partasides added.

The book contains extracts from speeches by Conservative former British Defence Secretary, Michael Portillo, MP Dr. Ian Twinn, and Labour MPs Eddie O'Hara and Alan Meale.

It also features extracts from early motion resolutions, and statements by political personalities such as UN Secretary -General Kofi Annan and US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

A 180-kilometre buffer zone, patrolled by UN peacekeepers, divides Cyprus since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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