More "News" from the Mediterranean Front

16 August 2007

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

FM: We will not accept forceful division of Cyprus by Turkey

“The Cypriot government insists on creating the preconditions which will contribute to preparing a new round of negotiations to achieve an overall Cyprus settlement”, said here Thursday Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou – Marcoulli.

Speaking at a gathering organized by the Municipal Council of Morphou, to mark the 33rd anniversary since the town was seized by the Turkish army in 1974, Marcoulli said “this can only be achieved with the implementation of the July 8 2006 Agreement and through the Gambari process, that is to operate the technical committees and working groups to create the necessary climate and lessen the gap between the positions of the two sides”.

Marcoulli said the refugees of Morfou as well as all the refugees stand firm and are not compromised by the fait accompli of the invasion and occupation and strive for their return to their homelands.

“We are here today to shout out loud that we will not accept the forceful division of our country and people, the alteration of the demographic character of the island, the flagrant violation of human rights and the illegal seizing and exploitation of our properties”, the Minister stressed.

“With indignation we look at the provocative and unacceptable stance of the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot leadership which promotes, encourages and strengthens the embezzlement of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas and their sale to foreigners”, Marcoulli remarked.

She pointed out that “we have sent a message to all directions that we will not accept unacceptable compromises which will sanction the results of the Turkish offensive. We will not accept the consequences of the occupation. We continue the fight for reunification of our island and people and restoring our freedom and human rights”.

“Unfortunately, the Turkish Cypriot leadership, under the tight cluster of Ankara, continues to raise obstacles in the implementation of the Agreement and seems to refuse, once again, to honour its signature”, Marcoulli said, and expressed the hope that “the recent move by the Turkish Cypriot leader is sincere and soon a meeting will be held just as the President of the Republic had asked for five weeks ago”.

Furthermore, Marcoulli pledged the government’s stand for a solution which will reunite Cyprus within a bizonal, bicommunal federation “which will exclude foreign interventions, foreign armies and settlers and will reunify the people, the economy and the state’s traditions”.

Cyprus President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of the then UN Undersecretary General Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

16 August 2007

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Russia says demilitarisation key to Cyprus settlement

Russian Embassy Counsellor Vladimir Maystrenko said on Thursday that the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem was in the demilitarisation of the island and the withdrawal of Turkish troops and assured that his country would make every effort towards reaching a just settlement.

Maystrenko received a delegation of the Municipality of Morphou, which handed over a resolution deploring the 33rd anniversary of the seizing of the town by Turkish invaders in 1974.

The Russian diplomat expressed hope that, despite recent difficulties, efforts would continue towards finding an acceptable basis for comprehensive negotiations that would lead to a solution respecting the legitimate interests of both communities.

He said that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has always played an active role in drafting all resolutions on Cyprus, insisting that these resolutions included the fundamental principles for a settlement, such as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

''Russia has always insisted on the implementation of these resolutions and first of all the withdrawal of foreign troops, the elimination of the military presence and this we believe is the key to a Cyprus settlement,'' he said.

Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas expressed gratitude for Russia's stance and support over the years.