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Anastasiades: UN has Shown a 'Positive shift' in Attitude on Missing Persons in Cyrpus Issue

 
cyprus missing personsCyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has stated that the UN “have for years shown a non-constructive attitude with regards to the issue on missing persons.”
Anastasiades noted that there has been “a positive shift in the stance of the UN with regards to our position and I am looking forward to a more effective collaboration, which will give a new impetus to our efforts.”
The President was addressing a ceremony at the Presidential Palace during which honorary diplomas were presented to the relatives of individuals missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Anastasiades reiterated there can be no solution to the Cyprus Problem without “specific and clear results that will establish the fate of the missing persons.”
The President stressed that “there can be no excuses for war crimes,” adding that “information has been kept hidden and responsibilities have been covered up for 42 years.”
He added: “The fact that until today we have managed to locate and identify only a few of the missing persons is an unbearable burden for the state and us as a leadership,” noting that for decades Turkey has been showing an unacceptable and inhuman stance.
“In recognizing the crime they committed, the Turkish army relocated the remains in some cases to mislead the competent authorities,” claimed Anastasiades.
The President assured the relatives that “we will continue to search and to use all means at our disposal to find the answers that we all seek soon.”
Anastasiades added that the government has activated new mechanisms and has made use of new information for exhumation sites.
“Following concerted action and strong representations, Turkey has allowed for excavations to take place in 30 military zones in the next three years,” adding that Turkey must also allow access to its army’s records.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and illegally occupied its northern third. As a result of the invasion, many Greek Cypriots were listed as missing, most of whom soldiers or reservists, who were captured on the battlefield.
A Committee on Missing Persons was established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning the remains of missing persons to their relatives.
Source: CNA

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