Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] US on Turkish violations

[02] UN may name CMP third member

[03] No change in Austria's position on Cyprus

[04] Holbrooke to be named Clinton's emissary on Cyprus

1010:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US on Turkish violations

Washington, Jun 4 (CNA) -- The US has said conflicting information it received from Cyprus and Turkey about violations of Cyprus' air space cannot be corroborated through independent information.

Furthermore, the US has reiterated its support for a suspension of overflights as "the best way to begin lessening tensions in the Aegean."

"The Cypriot government informed our embassy in Nicosia that three Turkish F-4 jets overflew the island of Cyprus near Kyrenia, penetrating at least three nautical miles inland before exiting Cypriot air space. This is the allegation made by the Cypriot government," US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said here Tuesday.

"Such flights, if they did occur, would in fact be a deviation from Turkey's unilateral decision to suspend military overflights over Cyprus," he added.

According to Burns, the Turkish government told the US Administration that Turkish planes were in the area but did not violate Cypriot air space.

"That is the Turkish government line with us and we do not have any independent information that would corroborate the story of either government," Burns noted.

Burns reiterated the Administration's "very strong belief that the unilateral actions taken last month by Cyprus and Turkey to suspend overflights were very valuable."

Expressing the hope that these decisions taken by both governments (Cypriot and Turkish) will be continued, Burns said "we hope there won't be any overflights because that is the best way to begin lessening tensions in the Aegean."

Asked if the US monitors the moratorium (of overflights), Burns said the US has not taken upon itself "the responsibility to be the party that monitors this agreement on site."

"Here today we have a statement by the Cypriot government and a contrary statement by the Turkish government. We are not in a position to confirm either one. We do not have the ability to monitor on site," he explained.

The Spokesman also pointed out that the US is "a friend of Turkey and Cyprus, and as well as Greece."

"And of course we will look at all this very carefully," he added.

On Tuesday, Cyprus Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said three Turkish jets violated the Republic's air space and representations would be made to the UN and others.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1020:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN may name CMP third member

This is stated in a report by the Centre for Human Rights submitted recently to the General Assembly, on its proposed programme budget on human rights for the biennium 1998-1999.

The UN programme is proposing 458,800 US dollars for the costs related to the third member of CMP, reflecting a growth of 109,500 dollars. "The increase of 109,500 dollars is attributable to the expectation that the third member will extend his presence in Cyprus in 1998-1999 to 380 days," it said.

The UN is responsible only for the expenses of the third member of the CMP, his two assistants and the miscellaneous operating expenses of their offices in Cyprus, New York and Geneva.

It noted the CMP was established in April 1981 by agreement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus. It is composed of a member appointed by each of the two and a third member selected by the International Committee of the Red Cross and appointed by the Secretary- General.

The Committee did not begin its work until May 1984 after having agreed on its procedural rules, it added. However, it noted that "differences of view on the basis for concluding the cases have prevented the Committee from making progress."

"The Secretary-General has on a number of occasions expressed his concern to both communities about the lack of progress and has made specific proposals of overcoming existing difficulties," the report added.

UN chief has not appointed a new member, pending agreement on his proposal. The place has been vacant since Paul Wurth resigned in March 1996.

Relatives of the 1.619 Greek Cypriots listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory have been calling for the appointment of a third member.

However, they reject suggestions the missing should be classified into categories, including that of "presumed dead".

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1045:CYPPRESS:03

[03] No change in Austria's position on Cyprus

At the same time, it attributed to a "misunderstanding" earlier statements by an Austrian official.

The Athens News Agency (ANA) reported from Vienna that the Austrian foreign ministry assured the diplomatic representations of Cyprus and Greece that Austria undoubtedly supports the European Union's decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Austria also assured that it recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the only partner in accession negotiations with the EU and that any contrary impressions created were the result of a "misunderstanding".

The Austrian assurances followed representations by the Cypriot and Greek embassies in Vienna after remarks made by Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in a speech during a business function in the Austrian capital, Monday night.

Ferrero-Waldner, who belongs to the government partner right-wing People's Party, had said that Turkish Cypriots would also take part in accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU.

Noting initially that accession depends on Cyprus itself, Ferrero- Waldner was quoted as saying that the EU does not yet know which part of the island or which community it will negotiate with.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Holbrooke to be named Clinton's emissary on Cyprus

"We know that the American government will appoint an emissary (on Cyprus) for President Clinton and that the US President has decided to appoint Mr. Holbrooke," President Clerides said.

The Cypriot President replied negatively to a question whether with Holbrooke's appointment there was a great possibility for a Dayton type solution to the Cyprus problem.

"I have no such fears. Perhaps, others may have," President Clerides said.

He described Holbrooke as "a tough and capable career diplomat, but I do no underestimate our own capabilities..."

Holbrooke was the key architect of the peace agreement reached in 1995 on Bosnia Herzegovina, after lengthy negotiations between the warring parties in the Bosnian crisis, held at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio, USA.

CNA MK/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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