E. Article 6- Paragraphs 1 and 2

In addition to what has already been stated under para D above:

(a) The Government assigns public educational officers to Armenian Schools and private schools attended by Maronites, for the purpose of teaching the Greek language. Also Maronite priests are paid £110 per month for teaching religion to Maronite children.

(b) Efforts are being made in the fields of education and research, so as to further knowledge of the culture, language and religion, for example by including more references about religious groups-in school text books

(c) In promoting participation in cultural life, there is access to the State media, in the form of daily radio programmes broadcasted in the language of the community or group.

(d) Special programmes are broadcoasted over the radio. In the Greek and Turkish languages as well as in the Armenian and English languages.

(e) Wide publicity is given by the mass media to all relevant United Nations Resolutions as well as those emanating from international conferences, condemning the policy of racial discrimination.

(f) Decisions taken by the Committee Against Racial Discrimination are given to the Press and Information Bureau for publication and dissemination to the Mass Media.

(g) Since the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the forceful eviction of almost all Greek Cypriote living in the occupied area of Cyprus, the possibilities of economic interaction between the two major communities are practically non-existent. The Turkish occupation forces pursue a conscious and systematic policy of keeping the two communities apart. Repeated efforts by the Government of Cyprus, including the latest offer by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Clerides for T/C participation, in the Cyprus negotiating team, involved in the accession negotiations between Cyprus and the E.U., have always been scorned by the Turkish side.

The same attitude has also been exhibited by the Turkish side to third party proposals for rapprochement between the two communities. Having said that, it should be stressed that on its part the Government of Cyprus has continued throughout the years to exhibit the behaviour that one would expect from any responsible Government towards its citizens, and has been providing the T/C community with electricity - in fact free of charge -, as well as with medical facilities. Also, it has maintained the payment of pensions to T/Cs entitled to such. In relation to the T/C living in the Government controlled area, special care is taken by the Government in order for them to lead a normal, like any other Cypriot citizen life.

In his relevant report No. E/CN 4/1998/55 of 9.3.1998 to the Human Rights Commission, the U.N. Secretary General states that the Government of Cyprus, and I quote, "has implemented a// the recommendations made by UNFICYP in the 1995 Humanitarian Review with regard to T/C living In the Government controlled area. Indicative of the positive situation of these T/C is fact that they have made no use, as the Secretary General states, of the UNFICYP Liaisons Office opened in December 1996, for receiving possible T/C complaints and dealing with any problems they may face".

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said about the Greek and Maronite Cypriote living in the occupied area.

(h) On February 28th 1998, the President of the Republic, appointed a Presidential Commissioner for Religious Groups, Overseas Cypriote and Repatriates. This appointment shows the serious commitment of the State towards the strengthening of religious groups. For example, through meetings held with Representatives of religious groups, problems are identified and every effort is made to facilitate their solution with the relevant governmental and non- governmental organisations involved. Areas are also identified where further strengthening of the participation and or representation of the religious groups is warranted, and every effort is made towards strengthening and expanding this participation.