CYPRUS GOVT. OFFERS RIGHTS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 19

CYPRUS GOVT. OFFERS RIGHTS

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) > NICOSIA, October 12. The Cyprus Government yesterday told the United Nations it was prepared to offer the Turkish Cypriots some measure of autonomy and guarantee certain rights to settle the island’s problems.

The Government statement, called a declaration on minority rights, was handed to the United Nations SecretaryGeneral (U Thant) in New York by the Cyprus Foreign Minister (Mr Spyros Kyprianou). Details of it were released in Nicosia later. Declaration Rejected Last night the Turkish Cypriot Vice-President (Dr. Fadi Kutchuk) rejected the declaration of minority rights which he described as a Greek manoeuvre. He said: “The rights of the Turkish community are entrenched in internationallyagreed and guaranteed treaties and cannot be taken away or usurped by the Greek community under any circumstances.” The declaration includes a code of fundamental rights and freedoms in accordance with the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, and autonomy for all minority communities in education, culture, relig-

ion, personal status and related subjects. Minority participation in Parliament and representation on local government bodies according to numbers are also provided for.

It offers minorities the right to use their own languages in personal, official and legal dealings, and says the Government is prepared to accept U.N. observers and advisers for a reasonable transition period in Cyprus.