Violence erupts at funeral of Greek Cypriot

A SECOND Greek Cypriot, Mr Solomos Spirou Solomou, was killed and 11 people wounded yesterday in the UN controlled buffer zone at the village of Dherynia, overlooking the Turkish occupied port city of Famagusta on the south eastern coast of the island.

Two of the injured Greek Cypriots, a man and a woman, were in critical condition with gun shot wounds in the abdomen last night and seven others, including two policemen, were not seriously injured. One British soldier serving in the United Nations peacekeeping force was hit in the arm, and another in the lower back.

The shootings followed the funeral of Mr Tassos Isaac, a 24 year old Greek Cypriot beaten to death on Sunday by Turkish Cypriot or Turkish militiamen, allegedly from the ultranationalist "Grey Wolves" movement, during clashes provoked by an anti occupation demonstration mounted by Greek Cypriot motor cyclists.

Confrontation became inevitable yesterday when scores of Greek Cypriots on motor bikes, on foot and in jeeps bedecked with the flags of Cyprus and Greece streamed round police road blocks and entered the buffer zone to lay wreaths on the spot where Mr Issac was killed.

Mr Solomou (26) is a refugee from Famagusta, occupied by the Turkish army 22 years ago to the day. He is also a cousin of the youth slain on Sunday. Mr Solomou was shot in the throat, face and body while trying to scale a flag pole on the ceasefire line in order to bring down the Turkish flag.

A UN spokesman, Mr Waldemar Rokoszewski, said: "Pulling down a national flag is not a friendly gesture but shooting the fellow was more than a disproportionate response. He should have been arrested."

Fearing that just such a confrontation might follow Isaac's funeral, the Cyprus government twice postponed the service. However this meant it was held on the highly emotive anniversary of the flight of the Greek Cypriot population of Famagusta as the Turkish army moved into the city.

Isaac's funeral, held at his home village of Paralimni about 15 minutes drive from Dherynia, was a national occasion. It was attended by President Glafkos Clerides, members of the government and parliament and leaders of Greek Cypriot and Greek political parties. Archbishop Chrysostomos of the Cyprus Orthodox Church conducted the funeral mass and Isaac's coffin was carried through the streets of Paralimni on the shoulders of black shirted bikers. Church bells throughout the republic tolled.

Mr Solomou's funeral on Saturday is likely to be an even more "Hellenistic" event. It is to be attended by the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis.

. It was Turkish security forces who opened fire on Greek Cypriot demonstrators, killing Mr Solomou in the UN patrolled buffer zone, Reuter reported witnesses as saying.

Reuter report from Washington and New York: The United States called last night for Greeks and Turks in Cyprus to prevent further incursions into their buffer zone. "We believe it's very important that both sides on Cyprus move quickly and strongly to prevent any further incursions into the buffer zone," the State Department deputy spokesman, Mr Glynn Davies, said. "We're sending this very vigorous message to parties that provocative acts really have to stop."

The UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, called on the leaders of the communities to calm tempers and resolve their difference through dialogue and negotiations. The Security Council president, Mr Tono Eitel of Germany, said members were "issuing a warning against any escalation" and calling for restraint.

. Turkey's Foreign Minister, Ms Tansu Ciller, yesterday called for an end to "provocative acts of protest in Cyprus.

Ms Ciller called for action on the part of the United Nations and other involved parties to prevent such protests.

Nuala Haughey adds: Ten gardai on duty in Dherynia during yesterday's violence escaped injury, according to Chief Supt Liam Quinn. Two British soldiers were shot but not seriously injured in the incident. Supt Quinn said he hoped that the violence of recent days was isolated.

But Irish UN sources said "a lot of anger" has been directed at the UN force by the Greek Cypriot population, fuelled by media accusations that it is pro Turkish.

There are 15 gardai and 30 Irish soldiers serving with the UN on the island. Army personnel are based in Nicosia and the gardai are based in the eastern towns of Famagusta, Pyla and Athienou.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not advised against travel to Cyprus, but has cautioned Irish tourists to "take normal care and listen to local advice".