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Statement by the Government Spokesman on the forthcoming reopening of Ayios
Mamas Church in Morphou
"The firm policy of the Government of the Republic of
Cyprus was and still is the safeguard of its citizens' right to free movement on
the whole territory of the Republic, without restrictions. The Government does
not intend to deviate from this position in relation to the pilgrimage and the
reopening of the Church of Ayios Mamas in Morphou, on 2 September.
In order to secure the pilgrims'
unimpeded access to Ayios Mamas without any formalities, the Government
proceeded to consultations with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and
requested that there should not be any formalities on the crossing by Greek
Cypriots, following the same policy that the Authorities of the Republic had
followed in the case of Turkish Cypriots crossing to Kokkina, on 7 August 2004.
The United Nations informed us that they had agreed with the so-called
'authorities' of the occupation regime that, for purposes of facilitating the
pilgrims, the usual formalities would not take place. That is, that there would
not be an individual check when crossing the demarcation line at the
checkpoints. A list would be given to the United Nations with the particulars of
those who wished to go to Morphou, only for their own use. The Morphou
Municipality would have the responsibility of preparing the
list.
While this had been agreed through
the United Nations, there was a retraction and the occupation 'authorities'
asked to have the list and to proceed to an individual
check.
The Government additionally
evaluates various information, press reports, announcements and events by
extremist elements in the occupied areas regarding the creation of tension and
incidents, following the recent bomb attack against the historic Church, in
Morphou. It has, in fact, requested from the United Nations Peacekeeping Force,
through a written statement, to evaluate the pilgrims' safety conditions not
only during the trip to the Church of Ayios Mamas, but also during the liturgy
and the pilgrims' stay there, and inform the Government on the guarantees that
the Peacekeeping Force can give on the safety of the pilgrims. It believes that
the security of the whole event falls within the duties of the Peacekeeping
Force.
The Government supports every
effort of goodwill or event that contributes to the creation of a climate of
cooperation and understanding between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; it is
obvious, however, that due to the occupation and the inadequacy of exercising
control over the area of Morphou, the Government cannot undertake any other
measures for the security of the pilgrims."
2004-09-01
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