Further articles:
SHOCKING REVELATIONS ON THE FATE OF 14 MISSING... (Macedonian Press Agency)
Note (Mar 19): these revelations have been proven unsubstantiated.

Nicosia, Mar 18 (CNA) -- Relatives of missing persons have called on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to end their drama by securing evidence about the whereabouts of their beloved ones.

The relatives' appeal was included in a petition, which was delivered here today to the embassies of the big "5", by representatives of the Coordinating Council of the Committees of Relatives of Missing Persons in Cyprus.

"We appeal to you once again in order to emphasize the bitterness and the agony of the thousands of relatives of missing persons in Cyprus, due to the standstill for 24 years, on the purely humanitarian problem of missing persons," it said.

The relatives of the missing said the five permanent members of the UN Security Council have a duty "to perform a serious role in putting an end at long last, securing the restoration of the human rights of the missing persons and their relatives."

It said this can only be accomplished by the determination of the fate of all missing, through a thorough and an in-depth investigation into each case, "completed by a strengthened and effective Investigatory Committee (CMP) under the auspices of the UN."

It also noted that every possible influence must be exercised on the Turkish side to persuade it leave its inhuman attitude and sincerely cooperate.

A total of 1587 Greek Cypriots and Greeks were listed as missing after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

The CMP was set up by the UN in 1981, and consists of a Greek Cypriot representative, a Turkish Cypriot representative and a third member appointed by the UN Secretary-General.

It had been inactive for the past three years, since the retirement of Paul Wurth, of the International Red Cross Society.

Earlier this month it was announced that Swiss Jean Pierre Ritter will replace Wurth in the CMP.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides today said the government did not consider "serious" information reported by local media, alleging that 14 Greek Cypriots listed as missing were living in a neighboring country.

The Minister appealed for an end to public statements on this tragic issue.

A Greek Cypriot businessman in Canada, Michalis Kyprianou, had informed Reverend Christoforos, head of a committee of relatives of missing persons, that 14 missing persons, were alive in a country, near to Cyprus. He did not name the country and did not reveal the names of the 14 missing.

Meanwhile, Acting President of the Republic, House President Spyros Kyprianou had a meeting today with representatives of the committees of missing persons.

He said afterwards that he had a telephone conversation with Michalis Kyprianou, who is in Canada, adding that the issue should be further examined.

The Acting President said that all agreed that there should be a "blackout" because public statements on the matter create problems.

Copyright &Copy; 1998 Cyprus News Agency

SHOCKING REVELATIONS ON THE FATE OF 14 MISSING GREEK CYPRIOTS

Note (Mar 19): The following revelations about the fate of 14 missing Greek-Cypriots have been proven unsubstantiated. Father Christoforos has already admitted that in public and has apologized. The Cyprus General Attorney's Office is considering the possibility of suing Mr. Kyprianou for causing public disturbance by transmitting false news.

Nicosia, Mar 18 (MPA) -- Cypriot businessman Michalakis Kyprianou, who lives in Canada, made shocking revelations on the fate of 14 missing Greek Cypriots.

Mr. Kyprianou revealed that the 14 live in an Arab country neighboring to Cyprus which, as he said, "does not have friendly relations with Cyprus" and that they are being protected by Greeks, who live there. He also announced that very soon he will have in his possession photographs that will be shown on an international television channel. He also said that he knows the names of the 14 missing Greek Cypriots, and responding to the question why they have not contacted their relatives, he said that "they are being afraid of the Turkish secret services".

The revelations made by Mr. Kyprianou were not disputed by president of the Pan-Cypriot Committee of Relatives of the Missing Nikos Theodosiou, who pointed out that they need to be examined immediately.

The whole issue came to light by Father Christoforos, president of the National Struggle Committee on the Missing.

Copyright &Copy; 1998 Macedonian Press Agency