Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-22

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Government sticks to its guns

[02] Arms programmes to continue as planned

[03] French Centre to host important exhibition

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Government sticks to its guns

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides has expressed the government's displeasure at efforts to include a reference, in a UN Security Council resolution, to a proposed purchase by Cyprus of the S300 surface-to-air missiles from Russia.

The US, backed by Britain, favours such a wording in the resolution, expected to be adopted on Monday for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, but following Russian objections and French reservations about the draft text, attempts are being made to amend it.

It is believed the text will express grave concern about the increased level of military forces and equipment of the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which these are upgraded, including sophisticated weaponry.

The draft is expected to note with concern the absence of progress towards a significant reduction of the number of foreign forces in the Republic of Cyprus, which threaten to increase tension on the island and the region and render a political settlement complex.

Minister Michaelides told Cyprus radio the government has an obligation to boost its defences, and noted that nobody has complained in the past 22 years about the illegal transfer to the island, by Turkey, of its military machine.

The UN estimates that there are over 30,000 Turkish troops in the northern occupied areas of the Republic since the Turkish invasion in 1974, in addition to some 4,500 Turkish Cypriot troops, making the ''northern part of Cyprus one of the most densely militarised areas in the world.''

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Arms programmes to continue as planned

Speaking during a visit to army camps on Saturday, Eliades, accompanied by National Guard Commander Nicolaos Vorvolakos and members of the House Defence Committee, said the purchase of military hardware acts as a deterrent.

''We believe the effort to boost our defences is effective and I can assure the people of Cyprus that their contribution to these efforts are not in vain,'' Eliades said.

The statements came amid calls from the US and Britain for a halt in the government's plans to buy the S300 surface-to-air missiles from Russia.

House Defence Committee president, MP Takis Hadjidemetriou, reiterated the Minister's comments and stressed that, the Republic's weaponry, unlike Turkey's military hardware in occupied Cyprus, is to deter any possible offensive against the country.

Hadjidemetriou also noted the sudden concern of the US and the international community about the Republic's defence-boosting programme, which renders Cyprus' defence capability a far cry from Turkey's military might.

In Greece, Defence Minister Akis Tsohazopoulos told the Greek Parliament Greece aims to upgrade the country's defence capabilities in order to promote the necessary policy and meet the national interests.

This policy, he said, incorporates the search for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus question.

Cyprus and Greece agreed in November 1993 to a joint defence policy, which provides for Greek military air, land and sea cover for Cyprus in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive against the island.

The Greek government has often said that any such military advance against Cyprus would mean a casus belli.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:03

[03] French Centre to host important exhibition

The grand exhibition, due in Nicosia in mid-January, will reflect Greek civilisation through maquettes (small model) of archaeological sites the Athens School has brought to light during the past 150 years.

Cyprus will be represented in the exhibition with maquettes presenting finds from Amathus (one of the island's ancient kingdoms), the Temple of Aphrodite and other archaeological sights.

The exhibition will open in Athens and then move to Cyprus, before going to Paris and other European capitals. Visitors will be able to wander around archaeological sites through the use of modern technology, including CD-Roms.

A series of lectures will also be organised by eminent academics during the month-long exhibition which opens on January 17th, outlining the island's archaeological treasures.

CNA MM/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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