MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (13/08/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki 13, August 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] THE FUNERAL OF THE GREEK-CYPRIOT BEATEN TO DEATH BY THE TURKS IN DERYNIA WILL BE HELD TOMORROW

The funeral of greek-cypriot Anastasios Isaac, who was beaten to death by the turks in Derynia, will be held in his native town of Paralimni at 11am tomorrow and not this afternoon, as it had been announced earlier.

The delay is due to the autopsy that is being carried out on the body of the young greek-cypriot, which began at 2pm today and has not been completed yet.

The autopsy is carried out in the Larnaca Hospital in the presence of a UN doctor, after the approval of the Cypriot government.

Earlier, forensic experts had carried out an inspection at the place where Anastasios Isaac was killed and according to Attorney General, Alekos Markidis as soon as the suspects of the savage killing are identified, the Cypriot government will issue arrest warrants that will be sent to all the countries with which Cyprus has signed agreements for the extradition of criminals in order to be arrested and extradited to Cyprus.

Meanwhile, according to information, the greek- cypriot forces and the turkish occupation forces are in a state of preparedness along the demarcation line.

[02] CYPRUS DENOUNCED TO THE UN THE SAVAGE KILLING OF THE GREEK-CYPRIOT PROTESTER

Cyprus' charge d' affaires in the United Nations, mr.Kornilios Korniliou denounced to the UN Security Council President the barbaric killing of young greek- cypriot protester, Anastasios Isaac who was savagely beaten by the turks and asked to be informed on the issue all the UN Security Council members.

Also, he had separate consultations with the representatives of the permanent UN Security Council members.

Meanwhile, cypriot Foreign Minister, Alekos Michailidis commenting on last night's statements made by UN Secretary General representative ms.Sylvana Foa, stated that it appears that the UN places on an equal footing the barbaric killing of Anastasios Isaac and the buffer zone crossing by the greek-cypriots, who were protesting against the violations of their human rights.

Cypriot Deputy Police Chief, Andreas Stefanou stated that the UN did not allow the cypriot police to enter the buffer zone in order to help the greek-cypriots who were savagely beaten by the turks.

Mr.Stefanou mentioned that in the Police Headquarters Conference Room last Sunday was present and an UNFICYP officer, who can confirm the efforts made by the security authorities of the Cypriot Republic.

[03] THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT NEWSPAPERS CONFIRM THE PARTICIPATION OF THE "GREY WOLVES" IN SUNDAY'S CLASHES

Today's publications in the turkish-cypriot press are another proof that members of the turkish terrorist group "Grey Wolves" were present and participated in Sunday's attacks against greek-cypriots in the "green line" that separates free Cyprus from the turkish occupied northern part of the island.

Based on the publications, the "Grey Wolves" arrived in the occupied territories with the blessings of Rauf Denktash, who is regarded by those terrorists as one of them. According to the turkish-cypriot newspapers, Rauf Denktash has honoured a group of 150 members of the terrorist organization thanking them for their help.

[04] A MILITARY COURT IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES DECIDED THE 3-DAY DETENTION OF A GREEK-CYPRIOT AND A GREEK NATIONAL

Greek embassy charge d' affaires in Nicosia, mr.Dimitris Anninos delivered a demarche to UN Secretary General Special Envoy, mr.Gustav Feissel calling for his intervention for the release of greek national Christos Zacharopoulos who was arrested yesterday by the turkish occupation forces, together with greek-cypriot Kiriakos Hatzidimou, when the two lost their direction and entered the region of Strovilia through the Dekelia British Base.

As it is stressed in a greek Foreign Ministry statement, the greek government will make all the necessary moves in order to secure the quick release of the arrested greek citizen.

Meanwhile, the turkish-cypriot authorities characterized the region, where the two men were abducted by the turkish occupation forces, as restricted military zone and announced that a military court has decided their 3-day detention in Famagusta.

[05] SAE PRESIDENT FOR THE REGION OF N&S AMERICA CONDEMNED THE ATTACK AGAINST THE GREEK-CYPRIOTS AS BLATANT VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) for the region of North and South America President, mr.Chris Tomaras characterized as blatant violation of human rights the turkish attack against greek-cypriots during an anti- occupation march in the regions of Derynia, Ahna, Vrisoules and Sopaz, which resulted in the cold-blooded killing of 24yearold Anastasios Isaac and the wounding of other 41 demonstrators.

The Council of Hellenes Abroad for the region of N&S America lodged a protest to the US Congress Human Rights Sub-Committee calling for the clarification of the conditions of the young protester's death. It should be noted that the US Congress is currently discussing the financing of Turkey.

Mr.Tomaras characterized as unacceptable the position adopted by the UNFICYP forces, which were looking on as the turks were savagely beating the young greek-cypriot marchers in the region of Derynia without making any move to save them. He said that this is another proof that the international community's policing in Cyprus does not have neither will have the right results, stressing that in the case of Cyprus a immediate and decisive solution is necessary.

[06] A GREEK NAVY TRAINING SHIP ARRIVED IN LIMASSOL TODAY

The Greek Navy training ship "Aris" arrived in the port of Limassol today within the framework of the Navy cadets' training programme. The training ship's visit will last until Friday.

Of its 450member crew, 272 are Navy cadets, among them 10 cypriots. It is the second time this year that the "Aris" is visiting Cyprus.

[07] THE DODECANESE UNESCO GROUP LAUNCHED AN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON ST.SOFIA CHURCH IN CONSTANTINOPLE

An international information campaign was launched by the Dodecanese UNESCO Group on the St.Sofia Church in Constantinople, one of the greatest monuments of the world cultural heritage, which is at risk to lose its character as a monument and a museum after the threats by members of the turkish government to turn it into a mosque.

The Dodecanese UNESCO Group in a letter to international mass media, personalities, organizations, institutions and to over 1.500 UNESCO Groups in 60 countries, condemns those plans that aim at altering this great monument of Christianity.

[08] GREECE CANCELLED THE FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN NEW YORK AFTER THE NEW PROVOCATIONS BY FYROM

The greek government decided to cancel the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Greece and FYROM scheduled to take place in New York in September, after indications of provocative intransigence on behalf of FYROM on the issue of the name under which this state will be recognized.

In an interview to an austrian newspaper, FYROM's Foreign Minister Liubomir Frtskofski maintained that the positions of Athens regarding the name "Macedonia" are not legally justified and characterized them as rediculous.

In a statement the greek Foreign Ministry mentions, that the recent statements by FYROM's Foreign Minister created a negative climate in bilateral relations and within this framework renders unecessary any meeting of the two Foreign Ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting.

Meanwhile, Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras asked for the immediate end of negotiations with FYROM and accused the greek government that it has given orders for a final compromise on the issue of the name. He also characterized as "play-acting that fools none" the decision to "freeze" the talks in New York.

[09] GREEK EURO-DEPUTY TABLED A RESOLUTION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CONDEMNING THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION FORCES IN CYPRUS

Euro-deputy from the greek party of PASOK, Yiannos Kranidiotis tabled a resolution for adoption to the European Parliament which condemns the behaviour of the turkish occupation forces in Cyprus and the savage killing of greek-cypriot, Anastasios Isaac and calls for the punishment of the murderers, who were watched by millions of TV viewers all over the world as they were beating their victim to death. Also, calls for the adoption of measures against Turkey in order to be forced to fulfil the obligations it has undertaken within the framework of its relations with the European Union. Mr.Kranidiotis, also calls for the "freezing" of funds allocated to Turkey in the 1997 Community Budget.

The greek Euro-deputy calls for the undertaking of an EU initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the UN resolutions, underlining the responsibilities of the International and the European Community regarding the situation in Cyprus and also, Turkey's aggressive policy, which operates in violation of the international law and order being the region's trouble-maker.

Within the framework of the European Parliament's briefing, mr.Kranidiotis undertook the initiative to send the video cassette with the savage killing of the greek- cypriot to all the European Parliament members, which will be accompanied by written information on the situation in Cyprus.

[10] JOINT US-ALBANIAN MILITARY EXERCISE BEGINS IN ALBANIA TODAY

Over 1.000 albanian and american soldiers participate in the joint military exercise that begins today within the framework of the preparation for a possible cooperation with NATO forces in former Yugoslavia, as it was announced today by the albanian Ministry of Defence.

The military exercise, code-named "Peaceful Eagle 96", is being held under the auspices of the NATO programme "Partnership for Peace" and includes training in guns and defusing of landmines and also, training in search and rescue missions.

[11] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT ALBANIA ON AUGUST 31

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos will visit Argyrocastro on August 31 in order to inaugurate the new building, where the greek Consulate will be housed.

According to a statement by the greek Foreign Ministry, after the inauguration of the new building, mr.Pangalos will visit Avlona on an invitation by albanian President, Sali Berisha where he will have talks with his albanian counterpart, mr.Tritan Shehu.

[12] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT AND THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENCE WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI THIS SUNDAY

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis and greek Defence Minister, Gerasimos Arsenis on their way to Thrace will stop over for a few hours in Thessaloniki on Sunday, August 31.

Mr.Kliridis and mr.Arsenis will visit Thrace to attend events that will be held within the framework of the programme "Cyprus-Aegean-Thrace".

During their short stay in Thessaloniki will meet with local authorities in the Government House and at noon Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Philippos Petsalnikos will give a formal dinner in their honour.

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