Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-10-16

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

16/10/96

CONTENTS

• [01] UN Security Council condemns killing of Greek Cypriot by Turkish troops
• [02] International condemnation of killing of unarmed Greek Cypriot by Turkish occupation troops
• [03] Greece protests to Security Council members
• [04] Funeral of the latest Greek Cypriot victim of Turkish troops

[01] UN Security Council condemns killing of Greek Cypriot by Turkish troops

A statement read out by Security Council President Gerardo Martinez Blanco, of Honduras, following a closed-door consultation said "the Council deeply regrets the serious incident in Cyprus which resulted in the death of an unarmed Greek Cypriot civilian. The Council condemns in the strongest terms this unjustified act, that only contributes to an increase of tensions on the island.

The statement further called on the parties to renounce violence and "avoid confrontation at all times".

The Security Council statement was issued even before Cyprus Permanent Representative at the UN Nicos Agathocleous handed a strong letter of protest to the Secretariat and the Council. In the absence of UN Secretary- General Boutros Ghali, Agathocleous handed the letter to Under Secretary General for Peace Operations Kofi Annan. The Cyprus Government document cites the circumstances of the killing and points out that this was the fourth murder by the Turks of unarmed Greek Cypriots near the ceasefire line, who had posed no threat to the occupation troops whatsoever. The document says that it appears that the killings are the result of a deliberate shoot-to-kill policy decision by the occupation regime.

[02] International condemnation of killing of unarmed Greek Cypriot by Turkish occupation troops

Burns went on to say that "the United States urges all sides in Cyprus to avoid violence, to work closely with the United Nations, to establish mechanisms for peacefully addressing events along the buffer zone. And we support ongoing efforts to promote negotiations aimed at a just and lasting resolution of the problems there".

In Russia the Foreign Ministry's Spokesman G.P. Tarasov made a statement Tuesday (15.10.96) which began: "The news of a another demonstration of inhuman atrocity in Cyprus is cause for serious concern. The unprovoked murder of an unarmed Greek Cypriot by Turkish soldiers is an unacceptable and terrible fact, deserving the most decisive condemnation.

It is clearly evident that the series of recent bloody events on the island demand a relevant examination and more drastic action on the part of the Security Council and the Secretary General of the UN", the statement said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman added that "the latest events in Cyprus are indicative, once more, of the need for effective efforts for achieving an early, just, comprehensive and viable Cyprus settlement, for the benefit of all Cypriots, of peace and security in Eastern Mediterranean".

Similar condemnations came from other countries, among them Israel, whose Ambassador in Nicosia, Shemi Tzur, expressed in a message to Cyprus Foreign Ministry his "regret and sorrow". He said Israel "strongly condemns the unprovoked killing of Petros Kakoullis by the occupation troops".

Britain's ruling Conservative party said through its Chairman of the International Department Sir Geoffrey Pattie, that "the shooting of Petros Kakoullis was an unreasonable act and like the division of Cyprus itself, should have never taken place".

[03] Greece protests to Security Council members

Greece has called on all Council members to denounce the murder, noting that it is an act leading to the conclusion that there is a Turkish policy to kill and use violence unreservedly and indiscriminately.

[04] Funeral of the latest Greek Cypriot victim of Turkish troops

Kakoullis was shot by soldiers when he had strayed a few metres into the Turkish occupied area to collect snails. He was unarmed with his hands up as the soldiers took aim and shot him.

In a funeral address, Finance Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou said their base action would not succeed in striking fear into the Greek Cypriots. For we are determined to inform the world of the true dimensions of the brutality they have committed, he said.

Christodoulou said the message Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash wish to convey to the world by brutally murdering Kakoulli and also Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou last August is that there is tension and conflict on the island and that Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together.

"It is for his very reason, we must remain calm, united and disciplined, he said.

The Governments of Cyprus and Greece, are handling the situation wisely and decisively, he said.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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