FAMAGUSTA CYPRUS

Early day motion 86, tabled 12 December 2000 by Tom Cox (Labour). Signed by 49 members.

That this House pays tribute to Mr Andreas C H Pouyouros, the Mayor of Famagusta and to the Deputy Mayor, Mrs Sophie Phitides and all members of the Famagusta Municipality for their ongoing and dedicated campaigns to seek the return of the town of Famagusta to its citizens and the Republic of Cyprus; further notes that following the brutal military invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish army in July 1974, that thousands of residents of Famagusta were forced to flee their homes, properties and businesses, leaving Famagusta an unoccupied ghost town; therefore fully supports the campaign of Mr Pouyouros and his colleagues for the return of their town, homes and property; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to do all within its power as one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus, and in view of Cyprus' membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to work with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for the return of Famagusta to its people, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Signatures by party: Labour 45, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.