MORE ABOUT THE CONCERT IN CYPRUS, 19/5/1997

As all is set for tonight's controversial UN- sponsored bicommunal
concert by Greek and Turkish pop stars, the Cyprus government said
it will not attend but repeated its support to holding the event.

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said it was the
government's political decision for the President and officials not
to attend the concert because they wanted the concert to be purely
a "UN and young people's gathering".

However, he expressed the hope that similar concerts will be held in
the future, covering the island's population.

At the same time, the spokesman reassured that all security measures
are being taken by the UN to safeguard the security of all those to
attend the concert.

"Tonight's concert message is the encounter of the youth of Cyprus,
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots", Christofides said.

His statements echoed those of Justice and Public Order Minister,
Nicos Koshis, who expressed the conviction that everything will run
smoothly at the bicommunal concert and that measures taken will
prove in the end, "unnecessary".

The Minister said he had no reports about the discovery of a bomb at
the venue of the concert, as published in a Greek daily.

The concert has sparked criticism in both Cyprus and Greece, not only
about the venue but also about the choice of date, the singers and
the absence of an anti-occupation slogan.

Today, May 19, marks Kemal Ataturk Day, (the founder of modern
secular Turkey) and has been declared the anniversary of Turkey's
massacre of Pontiac Greeks on the Black Sea, between 1916-1923.

In the Turkish-occupied areas, the right extremist group "Grey
Wolves", responsible for the killings of Greek Cypriots last summer
during peaceful demonstrations, claimed they wouldn't have been
responsible for the safety of those attending the concert, if the
Turkish singer Burak Kut had come to Cyprus via Athens and Larnaca.

Kut arrived yesterday in Cyprus through the illegal Tymbou airport
in the Turkish-occupied areas.

The Turkish Cypriot press today referred to death threats by
the "Grey Wolves" against Kut.

The extremist organisation called on all Turkish Cypriots to boycott
the concert, claiming racial discrimination because Turkish settlers
were refused tickets.

An hour before the concert, the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation and the
Pancyprian Anti-occupation Movement, will stage a demonstration at
central Eleftheria Square in Nicosia against the concert.

In Greece, Government Spokesman Demetris Reppas said the two singers
should not avoid the nature of the Cyprus problem and the possible
repercussions it might have.

Meanwhile, Greek pop star Sakis Rouvas, who kept everyone guessing
until the last minute whether he would attend the concert, arrived
on the island early today in a private jet.

Rouvas was whisked at the Police Headquarters for a briefing from
senior police officials and officers of the United Nations Peace-
keeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on the security measures taken by
the island's security authorities and the UN.

Police spokesman, Glafcos Xenos, told reporters Rouvas is not
worried at all about tonight's concert and that he is sure all
necessary measures have been taken.

Xenos said the Police was satisfied about the level of measures
taken and noted that around 500 officers will be on duty to ensure
the concert goes ahead smoothly.

However, he emphasised that UNFICYP bears the sole responsibility
for the security of those attending the event at the abandoned
Turkish Cypriot "Cetin Kaya" football club pitch, situated in the UN-
controlled buffer zone.

Rouvas made his first appearance around midday, when he was taken to
the site of the concert for a general rehearsal.

Dressed casually in faded jeans and a T-shirt, Rouvas, whose
appearance on the island on other occasions caused a sensation
amongst the Greek Cypriot female population, did not answer to
questions on the reaction his presence has caused but just smiled.

Rouvas and Kut will give a joint press conference at the end of the
concert at the Ledra Palace hotel in the UN buffer zone, opposite
the concert venue.

Meanwhile, the Greek board of the "Abdi Ipekci" award, given to
Greeks and Turks who promote Greco-Turkish relations, applauding the
two pop stars decision to hold the concert despite the furore, said
it will propose Rouvas and Kut for the award of friendship and
peace.

The concert, for which UNFICYP gave out some 6.000 free tickets to
both communities, will be attended by representatives of the
majority of the island's political parties and foreign diplomats.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and
occupied 37 per cent of Cyprus northern territory.


CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY, 19/5/1997