Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] US wants more democracy in Turkey

[02] British MPs express hope for Cyprus solution

1010:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US wants more democracy in Turkey

Washington, Jul 16 (CNA) -- The US wishes to see a democratic Turkey that is looking for a better relationship with Greece and for progress on the protracted Cyprus question, a high-ranking American official has said.

This was stressed here by the designate Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, Marc Grossman, who was outlining US policy regarding Turkey, Greece and Cyprus during his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In his opening statement, Grossman said post Cold War Europe presents real challenges and among them "in the Aegean, where I hope to continue to be part of our effort to improve Greek-Turkish relations and to find solutions to the Cyprus problem."

Replying to a question by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) regarding the situation in Turkey, Ambassador Grossman said "the problems Turkey faces are real" and noted "the reason we talk about democracy first is Turkey needs more democracy. Turkey needs a better relationship with Greece," he pointed out.

Ambassador Grossman also gave a description of what the US wants to see from Turkey in the future.

"We need a Turkey that is focused on how to enhance democracy, a Turkey that is looking for a better relationship with Greece and for progress on Cyprus."

In another question the designate Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs said "there is no solution to Turkey's problems, it seems to me, without more democracy in Turkey."

Referring to the recent agreement between Greece and Turkey in Madrid, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Grossman said he was pleased of the accord and expressed hope the US can build on this.

He said it was "a tremendous accomplishment by Secretary Albright in Madrid of getting the Greeks and Turks together and then speaking about principles for their relationship. And I hope we can build on that."

Grossman also stressed the need for Turkey to focus on the region, as all the countries do in the Eastern Mediterranean.

CNA DA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] British MPs express hope for Cyprus solution

Speaking in the House of Commons at a special gathering on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus, 18 MPs were also optimistic that the US would contribute to efforts towards a solution and that European Union (EU) accession negotiations with Cyprus would prove to be a catalyst to a solution.

US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke has said the US government is "deeply involved" in solution efforts, while the European Commission yesterday invited Cyprus for EU accession negotiations in view of the Union's next enlargement.

Labour MPs addressing the gathering assured that the British government would also help solution efforts, while other MPs stressed the need for coordination between the US and the EU to press Turkey to abandon its intransigent policy on the Cyprus issue.

The gathering, organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in Great Britain, was chaired by Mps Tom Cox and Allan Meale.

Federation President Charis Sofoklides conveyed the Cypriot community's thanks for the MPs' efforts on Cyprus.

Meanwhile, members of the Great Britain Committee of the Relatives of the Missing held a demonstration earlier in the day outside the House of Commons.

July 20 marks the 23rd anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

Turkey continues to occupy 37 percent of the island's territory, in violation of repeated UN Security Council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the occupation troops.

CNA KT/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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