Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus government denies shooting incident

[02] Letter to Cook to set record straight on rotating presidency

[03] Political leaders agree on defence, disagree on expenditure

[04] UNFICYP investigating Louroudjina shooting

1515:CYPPRESS:05

[01] Cyprus government denies shooting incident

He noted, however, there is no information presently of the possible involvement of civilians in some sort of an incident.

Speaking to the press after a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, Cassoulides said ''I categorically deny anything emanating from Ankara, which are completely untrue.''

He said the National Guard has examined the allegations, came in contact with the United Nations and has concluded that none of its members had been involved in any action despite the allegations.

Cassoulides said no one has been injured or missing and stressed that the National Guardsmen's weapons have been checked and not a single one was fired.

He said international news agencies, with sources in Ankara, have reported a shooting incident took place along the demarcation line near the Louroudjina area with injuries and an exchange of gun fire.

The Spokesman added that according to the UN peace keeping force here, a ''small pool of blood'' has been found in the area the incident is alleged to have taken place, and ''investigations are under way to determine whether the blood belongs to a human or an animal.''

Cassoulides said ''there is nothing from our side, either from the National Guard or civilians, which we were informed of regarding their participation in such a possible incident.''

The only thing that remains, he added, is that National Guardsmen heard shots being fired around 0200 local time today, which originated from the direction of Louroudjina, inside the Turkish-occupied area.

Cassoulides said ''this time, the incident was not real but imaginary, it seems.''

Responding to a question whether the possibility of civilian involvement in an incident may be dismissed, the Government Spokesman said ''this is something that we cannot know and that there is no mention of civilian involvement by police.''

He did not dismiss however, the possibility that ''smugglers'' might have been involved or that something else happened.

Cassoulides added that information regarding an incident was perhaps given by certain circles to international news agencies to create ''false news and propaganda''.

Last summer the Turkish occupation troops and Turkish extremists killed three unarmed Greek Cypriot men.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:06

[02] Letter to Cook to set record straight on rotating presidency

Government Spokesman, Yiannakis Cassoulides, said the Labour MP must have misinterpreted President Clerides' clarifications on the matter, during their meeting in Nicosia last month.

At a press conference before leaving Cyprus, Cook advocated the idea of a rotating presidency ''with both communities participating in the election of the candidates proposed from whichever community has the right to nominate''.

Cook was reported to have told Socialist party leader Vasos Lyssarides, in London, that this idea originated from President Clerides and he presented it hoping it would help.

''Cook must have misinterpreted the clarifications President Clerides gave him on the right of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots to elect and be elected through a common ballot,'' Cassoulides said.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:08

[03] Political leaders agree on defence, disagree on expenditure

Ruling party, DISI, centre-right party, DIKO, and socialist EDEK support the five year defence expenditure programme, whereas left-wing, AKEL, and centre party United Democrats, have expressed reservations.

The military expenditure programme was discussed today during a meeting of the National Council, the President's top advisory body on the Cyprus problem, attended by Defence and Finance Ministers, Costas Eliades and Christodoulos Christodoulou.

The parties will express their final positions on the issue during a discussion in the House of Representatives.

In statements made today, the ruling party expressed its full support to the programme, noting arms expenditure is necessary for defence purposes.

DISI deputy leader, Nicos Anastasiades, said both the government and the political parties believe in a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue and reminded that President Clerides' proposal for Cyprus' demilitarisation is still on the negotiating table.

Anastasiades also said the Finance Minister had given reassurances that Cyprus' economy can take the expense, and noted that some programmes could be reconsidered, if any problems come up.

AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias questioned whether the arms expenditures reflect the message the Greek Cypriot side wants to send and expressed the opinion the island's economy cannot withstand it.

The main opposition leader noted the political leadership should send the message that they seek ''a solution through peaceful means'' and that ''the defence programme is necessary due to the presence of Turkish troops."

DIKO leader Spyros Kyprianou fully backed the government military policy and noted that ''priority given to defence does not mean we underestimate the importance of having a steady economy.'' He added that Cyprus is not preparing for military confrontation, but needs arms for defence purposes.

EDEK leader Vasos Lyssarides said his party not only supports the defence programme, but believes it was delayed. ''I believe our economy can take the expenses we have before us,'' he added.

On his part, United Democrat leader, George Vasiliou noted the ''defence expenses will increase nearly threefold'' and said the government arms programme ''has a negative effect on the economy.'' However, he agreed with the need to build up defences.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Defence Committee today concluded its discussion of the 1997 Defence Budget, which, according to its Chairman, Takis Hadjidemetriou, is 203 million Cyprus pounds (about 406 US dollars).

Speaking after a meeting, Hadjidemteriou noted that despite some reservations expressed, all parties approve of the budget.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2035:CYPPRESS:09

[04] UNFICYP investigating Louroudjina shooting

UN Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Spokesman, Waldemar Rokoszewski, told CNA ''the tension which increased consequently decreased and the situation is back to normal''. He added the Force is investigating into the issue.

''Our investigation is not completed'' he said and noted ''the UN talked to both sides and to the higher level in Nicosia.''

Replying to a question, Rokoszewski said ''there is speculation from the sides as to what caused the shots to be fired,'' but refrained from commenting any further.

He said UN Headquarters in New York ''will be fully informed'' on the outcome of the investigation carried out ''in cooperation with both sides.''

Rokoszewski said UNFICYP confirmed ''about ten shots were heard'' in Louroudjina, 20 kilometres southeast of Nicosia, shortly before 3.00 am local time (1.00 GMT).

He added that immediately after UNFICYP deployed additional troops to the area, increased its mobile patrols and had a helicopter patrol.

The UN Spokesman noted that both sides, as well as the UNFICYP observation post, which is positioned about one kilometre from the scene, have reported hearing shots.

Asked if there were any injuries, Rokoszewski said "at this stage I have no substantiation of this'' and added that reports on blood found in the area ''were immediate reports.''

The Force ''often gets reports about shots being fired and shootings occur along the buffer zone,'' the UNFICYP Spokesman concluded.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus Police announced that no person that could be connected to the shooting has been taken to a hospital or private clinic.

A police statement said an investigation had been carried out, on orders from the Police Chief, and ''no injured person that could be connected was found.''

It also cited ''information from UN sources'' as saying the blood found in Louroudjina does not carry on into the buffer zone or the government- controlled area of the Republic.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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