Cyprus-Forum.com

by **joe** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:48 pm

Article from the Cyprus Weekly below.
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Famagusta assembly endorses new return initiative
By Philippos Stylianou
Aninitiative by the new Municipal Council of Famagusta to involve all refugee inhabitants of the occupied city in the struggle to return to their homes got under way last night in Nicosia.
Mayor Alexis Galanos invited an impressive assembly of Famagusta representatives to work for the endorsement of a proclamation emphasising the rightful inhabitants’ desire to return.
The proclamation to be signed by all of the Famagusta refugees, will spearhead a campaign by the Municipality to raise international awareness about the plight of the Famagusta people. The collection of signatures will take place between 14-22 of April.
“The issue is a humanitarian one and it is exactly how it should be addressed,” Galanos told a press conference earlier this week, and added:
“Famagusta has priority according to Resolution 550 of the Security Council of the UN, and also according to the agreement made between Denktash and Kyprianou, which Turkey keeps breaking.”
He expressed the conviction that the issue of return to Famagusta will be a floodgate for the vindication of the entire refugee community of Cyprus. “The resettling of Famagusta by its lawful inhabitants would set an excellent example of cohabitation to the two communities and of working together for economic and social development,” Galanos said.
During yesterday’s gathering, the Municipal Council informed the participants about the details of the effort and asked for their support and contribution towards a successful outcome.
A draft of the declaration was placed before the assembly, while the final text will be approved in due course. Well over 20,000 Famagusta refugees are scattered across the free areas of Cyprus since being expelled by the Turkish invading army in 1974, while many thousand have sought refuge abroad. According to Galanos, Famagusta refugees overseas will be invited to endorse the proclamation via the internet.
Yesterday’s gathering took place symbolically at Nicosia’s Famagusta Gate which, as its name suggests, used to be the gateway eastwards to Famagusta in the old days.
Responding to the call were Famagusta MPs from all parties, former Mayors and other personalities of the town, as well as representatives of refugee associations, trade unions, the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce, refugee sports clubs, the prestigious Famagusta Lyceum and other refugee schools, welfare associations and many other organisations.
Famagusta and especially its modern sprawling extension, including the hotel seafront and beaches, is fenced off with barbed wire by the Turkish army of occupation for 32 years now and has been described as a ghost city by the foreign media.

by **Viewpoint** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:14 pm

And what will happen after that??

by **DT.** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:18 pm

Viewpoint wrote:And what will happen after that??

probably nothing.

by **Viewpoint** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:28 pm

DT wrote:
Viewpoint wrote:And what will happen after that??

probably nothing.

Nothing new then...lets hope one day a compromise will be found so they can all go home.

Another option is the property committee why dont they all apply on mass and force Turkeys hand, then if it didnt work they could rightfully go to the ECHR, just an idea.