IT IS PAPADOPOULOS HIMSELF WHO SHOULD BE CONVINCED

 

            TRNC Presidency responded to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos’ claim that ‘it took him one and a half hour to convince President Mehmet Ali Talat on a settlement formula based on bi-communal, bi-zonal federation and political equality’.

            TRNC Presidency Spokesman Hasan Ercakica in a written statement noted that: “the discussions both prior to decisions taken on 8 July 2006 and the studies continued afterwards have clearly demonstrated that if there is someone to convince on a federal settlement formula it is Papadopoulos himself. President Mehmet Ali Talat has devoted his life for peace and settlement in Cyprus and he is a leader who believes that peace and settlement in Cyprus could only be possible with a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal settlement based on political equality. Papadopoulos’ witness is not needed to prove this.”

 

MISSING PERSONS COMMITTEE IS STARTING A NEW PROJECT

            The Autonomous Missing Persons Committee, which has been working for years in order to find the missing persons in Cyprus, is starting a new project.

            In a written statement issued yesterday (24 August) the Committee stated: “after intensive studies, which have been continuing for months, ‘Project of Exhumation of Missing Persons, Identity Identification and Handing Back the Remains” will start.

            Within this framework, Committee members yesterday got together with 4 Argentinean members of the EAAF (Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team) at Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone.

            According to the statement, Turkish and Greek Cypriot archeologists and anthropologists under the guidance of EAAF will carry out the exhumation program throughout the island.

            Remains to be taken out of the graves will be taken to the Anthropology Laboratory, set up in UNPA (UN Protected Area) around Nicosia Airport in the buffer zone, by the Missing Persons Committee.

            In the said laboratory a group of Turkish and Greek Cypriot anthropologists will carry out studies under the guidance of scientists from EAAF.

            The project will continue for two months. In the event of providing the necessary funds the excavations will continue until completing all the areas where missing persons known to be buried.