Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-22

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] South Australian opposition leader writes to Annan about Cyprus

[02] UN envoy leaves today

[03] Minister stresses need to save water

1325:CYPPRESS:01

[01] South Australian opposition leader writes to Annan about Cyprus

Congratulating Annan on his "outstanding efforts to secure peace in the Middle East", Rann stressed that "a similar, intensive effort by you is needed in 1998 to secure a resolution for the Cyprus problem."

"A concentrated and reinvigorated effort in Cyprus would bring further credit to you and to the UN," he said in his letter sent last week.

The South Australian opposition leader added that "more importantly a settlement of the Cyprus problem would end nearly a quarter of a century of injustice and oppression."

He expressed hope that Annan's efforts to solve the Cyprus question "will guarantee to all Cypriot people the three freedoms of movement, settlement and ownership, as well as ensuring the right of refugees to return to their homelands in safety and establish a unified and independent Cyprus."

Rann also pointed to the Australian Labour Party's "deep concern with the lack of progress in intercommunal talks."

He added that the Party's new policy calls for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops and settlers from the Cyprus Republic and for the repeal of the secessionist declaration of the illegal "state" in the areas occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974.

The Australian official said his party considers the pseudostate, unilaterally established in 1983 and recognised only by Turkey, as "illegal and invalid".

He also stressed the rights of some 500 Greek Cypriots that continue to live in the Turkish occupied areas should be "seriously addressed before confidence building measures or talks about a constitutional settlement can make real progress."

CNA MA/KN/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN envoy leaves today

After spending a day in the Greek capital, Cordovez will pay a two-day visit to Ankara and will then fly to Geneva.

After a six-day mission to Cyprus, the UN envoy did not manage to break the deadlock in efforts to resume the peace talks between the two sides aimed at settling the protracted Cyprus problem.

He told a press conference Saturday that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash "refused to return to the negotiating table" unless the talks are carried out between "two states".

In accordance with an agreement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides and Security Council resolutions, the talks have so far been held between the leaders of the two communities.

Denktash is refusing to return to the peace talks in a bid to achieve recognition of his illegal regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus, unilaterally established in 1983 and recognised only by Turkey.

UN resolutions call on member states not to recognise or in any way facilitate the illegal regime, set up in the areas occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974.

Denktash is also reacting strongly to a European Union decision to open negotiations with the Cyprus Republic end of this month, claiming that the internationally recognised government of Cyprus cannot speak on behalf of Turkish Cypriots.

President Glafcos Clerides' invitation to Turkish Cypriots to nominate representatives to be included as full members in the negotiating team that will be conducting the negotiations, has been turned down by Denktash.

Cordovez said yesterday he will now seek guidance from the Security Council on how to proceed.

CNA MA/KN/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1335:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Minster stresses need to save water

In a message on the occasion of today's international day for water, Themistocleous said "Cyprus is facing a drought for the third consecutive year."

Describing the situation as "drastic", he said the government will promote immediate measures aiming at saving water.

"Everybody should realise that water is scarce, not only in Cyprus but in many countries of the world, and we have an obligation to manage it carefully and exert every effort to save water," he concluded.

The UN has stressed that as the earth's population is increasing the need for potable water also increases and by the year 2025 available drinking water for every person will be restricted to half of what it is today.

CNA MA/KN/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article