Cyprus Properties
Cyprus
In May the ECHR ruled that the Government of Turkey was responsible for violations concerning the homes and properties of Greek Cypriots displaced during the 1974 Turkish military intervention, as well as violations of the rights of Greek Cypriots still living in north Cyprus. ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cyprus
There were also numerous press reports that some Greek Cypriot supporters of the Annan plan were verbally and physically harassed for their political views by opponents of the plan. Some supporters were reportedly intimidated to the point that they would not publicly identify themselves as plan proponents. "Yes" stickers in favor of the plan were removed from public and private properties and replaced with "no" stickers, and some "yes" billboards and information kiosks were vandalized. In one incident, a threat was made against a teenager at his school in the form of graffiti that reportedly identified the student by name and stated that "the 'no' [to the Annan plan] would be written in your blood." After reporting the incident, one newspaper received a phone threat that the teenager would be "the first victim after the referendum." ... [Read More]
Cyprus
Government authorities discouraged travel to Turkish Cypriot areas. The Government did not legally restrict Greek Cypriots from traveling to the northern part of the island, but generally discouraged them from staying at former Greek Cypriot-owned properties or gambling there. The Government permitted foreigners only to take day trips and sometimes arbitrarily refused non-Cypriots permission to cross the buffer zone. The Government deported two groups of Israeli tourists on the suspicion that they planned to stay overnight and gamble at facilities in the north. It remained illegal to enter Cyprus except at authorized entry points in the south, effectively barring entry into the government-controlled area by foreigners who arrived through entry points in the north. ... [Read More]
Documents 26-54
Further factor which Embassy considers essential to any lasting solution is some form of assisted emigration for Turks who are convinced they can no longer live with Greeks in Cyprus. This should involve setting up of commission to handle transfer of properties on equitable basis as well as other details of moves, including some provision for compensation for damages. Agree with Department's observations para 3 Deptel re best course of action for Mediator except with regards manner handling proposals once formulated. Experience with Cyprus "solutions" which presented publicly or leaked in some fashion not encouraging in past and no reason believe one or other side would not act same way now, particularly given existing inflamed and emotional situation. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: White House Report April 21: 911 Commission, Iraq, Sharon Plan, Cyprus
He outlined the main features of Annan's plan saying, "The plan foresees the return of over 120,000 Greek Cypriot refugees to their former properties; the reduction of tens of thousands of foreign troops to several hundred; and the enshrinement of human rights and democratic freedoms in a new state with workable governing institutions." ... [Read More]
Documents 98-127
Referring to Lausanne Treaty provisions for Tendos and Imbros, Costopoulos pointed out that (aside from fact Turks had not carried out provisions) situations were not parallel. Argument was that purpose Article 14 was to ensure that people on island, who mostly Greeks, should have local self-determination. Applying this to Cyprus, he contended that, even with current abnormal concentrations of Turkish population in certain sections of island, there is no single unit under present Cypriot administrative system in which Turks actually constitute majority. (We suggested this depended on how one drew the lines.) In those areas where Turks are temporarily most heavily concentrated, Costopoulos maintained economic factors alone would prevent continued existence these concentrations: i.e. Turkish farm lands and properties are in many cases remote from proprietors temporary abodes, while permanent installation in these areas of temporary concentrations could only be accomplished by dislocation ... [Read More]
Daily Press Briefing for May 29 -- Transcript
MR. BOUCHER: No. For the moment, I'm saying that the individuals don't have diplomatic status and I'm checking on the status of properties. ... 8-1111Status of Former Diplomats Accredited to Old Regime9-12 11Status of Diplomatic Properties in Iraq ... [Read More]
Daily Press Briefing for December 10 - Transcript
As some of you may know, Secretary Powell met earlier this morning with the Foreign Minister of Macedonia, Ilinka Mitreva. We have a statement on that. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister signed a cultural preservation agreement. Before that signing, they discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues focusing on Macedonia's reform agenda and its NATO accession aspirations, and then following that meeting they signed this agreement on the Protection and Preservation of Certain Cultural Properties, which will help both governments to identify and preserve places of worship, cemeteries, monuments, historic sites and archives. So I call your attention to that. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Transcript: White House Daily Briefing, April 21
The plan foresees the return of over 120,000 Greek Cypriot refugees to their former properties; the reduction of tens of thousands of foreign troops to several hundred; and the enshrinement of human rights and democratic freedoms in a new state with workable governing institutions. These historic achievements are now within reach. ... [Read More]
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