Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-03-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Duma President endorses missiles deal

[02] President Clerides guided only by the national interest

[03] Cyprus government awaits "answers"

[04] Fisherman pleads not guilty to infecting woman with AIDS

[05] Cyprus solution found in UN resolutions, Duma President says

1550:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Duma President endorses missiles deal

He has also described a parliamentary cooperation protocol, signed here today with the House of Representatives, as "very important." The protocol is one of ten such protocols the Russian Federation has signed with other countries.

"No third country has the right to tell an independent state anything concerning any agreements it enters into nor does it have the right to obstruct any, whether the contract relates to oranges or missiles," Seleznev told the press here today at the signing ceremony.

He said Cyprus can resist the pressure exerted on it because of its decision to purchase Russian-made surface-to-air missiles.

On his part, House President, Spyros Kyprianou, said the cooperation protocol aims at safeguarding close cooperation between Cyprus and all parties represented in the Russian Duma.

"The Cyprus question is one of few issues for which the Russian Duma has approved a unanimous resolution," Kyprianou noted.

Today's visit, he pointed out, is a historic day as it marks the beginning of a new era to the benefit of both countries.

Later on, Seleznev was received by President Glafcos Clerides who thanked him for the unanimous resolution the Duma adopted in October last year which stipulates that the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus prevents a solution of the Cyprus question.

The resolution calls for the demilitarisation of the island, and backs the establishment of a multi-national force, as proposed by President Clerides to the UN in 1993.

The Duma also stressed the need to safeguard the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and demanded the restoration of fundamental freedoms and individual rights.

"This was a unique case when all deputies voted in favour of the same resolution," Seleznev said after his meeting with the President.

The cooperation protocol signed today calls for a joint parliamentary committee, whose chairmen and rules will be determined by the two parliaments.

The committee will aim at enhancing existing ties through consultations and exchange of information on matters of mutual interest.

The protocol has an immediate effect and is valid for three years. It is renewable at the end of the three-year period unless one of contracting parties wishes to revoke the agreement.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides guided only by the national interest

"If need be, the President of the Republic will use his own judgement and will do his duty with only the national interest as his guide," a written statement, read out today by Government Spokesman, Yiannakis Cassoulides, said.

The President's statement comes amid increasing press speculation that his coalition partner, Democratic Party leader Spyros Kyprianou, who is also House President, has warned him against engaging in direct talks on the Cyprus problem, if no common ground is found between the views of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot sides.

Cassoulides said the President wanted to cast aside any misconceptions that Cyprus is in the grasp of a pre-election campaign and that certain political interests may prevent him from making a reasoned assessment of what the national interest is.

President Clerides' statement notes that his decision to have direct negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot side will have "as its sole criterion the national interest and not any other party or political expediencies".

The President also repeated that in its most recent meeting the National Council unanimously agreed to assess the results of the ongoing proximity talks, and then decide if any common ground was reached to allow fruitful direct talks to take place.

The statement notes that the President is only bound by unanimous National Council decisions, and underlined that the President is not bound by majority decisions, but is at liberty to use his own judgement. CNA KK/MH/MA/97

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus government awaits "answers"

Government Spokesman, Yiannakis Cassoulides, said today he did not wish to comment on where the proximity talks are headed, but noted that Turkish occupation regime leader, Rauf Denktash, has asked for some more time before he expresses his position on some issues discussed during the proximity talks.

Abiding by an embargo on statements, Cassoulides said the government awaits "some answers" but refrained from clarifying on which issues or whether they deal with good-will gestures the UN expects both sides to take, which would help move the process forward.

"The talks will show whether Denktash has the willingness to discuss and change his well-known positions on basic aspects of the Cyprus issue," he added.

The proximity talks are being conducted by UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel, with President Clerides and Denktash, as a prelude to direct negotiations.

Cassoulides explained it is up to Feissel to decide what he will convey from one side to the other, and pointed out that the two sides have agreed the UN Representative will not "necessarily" convey the positions of each side.

He stressed, however, that messages will be conveyed if and when one of the two sides believes its is necessary.

CNA KK/MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Fisherman pleads not guilty to infecting woman with AIDS

Famagusta District Court heard that Pavlos Georgiou, 40, knew he carried the HIV syndrome but sometime between September 1993 and January 1996 had acted in a way by which there was a possibility he could infect 44 year-old Jeannete Elizabeth Pink.

Public Prosecutor, Sotiris Kokkinou, told the Court that Pink, reported be in the advanced stages of the syndrome, is expected to come to Cyprus between May 19 and 31, to testify against the accused.

Judge, Antonis Liatsos, postponed the trial until May 22 when Pink will be able to testify.

The Court let Georgiou free on bail and ordered him to hand in his passport to the police.

Pink had moved to Cyprus in 1993 and had an affair with Georgiou, from Ayia Napa tourist resort, in the south east of the island.

Georgiou, who has four children, alleged earlier this year that Pink was aware of his condition but had said she did not care.

Pink claimed that Georgiou not only lied about his condition, but also that his wife, who later died, had AIDS.

The trial is the first of its kind in Cyprus, since the disease made its appearance globally.

CNA TA/MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2050 :CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus solution found in UN resolutions, Duma President says

Speaking at a press conference with House President, Spyros Kyprianou, Seleznev said Russia does not believe in separate initiatives which aim to distance the basis for a solution from UN resolutions.

"There is a basis for a solution in Cyprus, there are the numerous UN Security Council resolutions on ways towards a solution, all that remains is their implementation," Seleznev said.

Highlighting Russia's awareness of its obligations towards Cyprus, the Duma President reiterated his country's full support for the Cyprus' government's policy for re-uniting the island.

He also described Turkey's threats against the Cyprus government's decision to purchase Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles as an "outright provocation".

"It's incomprehensible that Turkey reacts in this way," Seleznov said, adding that if the threats continue, the international community must deal with the matter.

The Russian official said the S-300 missiles are purely defensive weapons and pointed out that no one criticises Turkey when it purchases surface-to-surface missiles.

On his part, Kyprianou described as "bizarre" the reaction of other countries to the missile purchase.

"They weren't concerned with Turkey's arms purchases and its continuing occupation of part of Cyprus for 23 years," the House President said.

He noted Cyprus' "right and duty to strengthen our defence to the highest possible degree" and called on all those who are concerned to "contribute towards the total withdrawal of all military forces and the demilitarisation of Cyprus".

The House President described Seleznev's visit to Cyprus as "very significant" and said this proves that "Russia will be more actively involved in international efforts to solve the Cyprus problem."

"We welcome the fact and we consider it very important because it can effect things towards the right direction," Kyprianou added.

Commenting on the cooperation protocol signed between the two parliaments earlier today, Kyprianou said a new chapter in Cyprus-Russian relations has opened.

On his part, Seleznev said the protocol has set "strong foundations for furthering Cyprus-Russian relations" and noted relations between the two countries "have been built over many centuries".

Earlier today the President of the Russian Duma called on the Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, and had separate meetings with party leaders.

CNA MH/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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