Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus seeks clarifications from US

[02] Cyprus welcomes Euro-Parliament resolution

1420:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus seeks clarifications from US

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met with Kenneth Brill for explanations concerning statements made by the US State Department spokesman.

James Rubin said yesterday that "everything" would be discussed at the security talks, from the withdrawal of troops from the demarcation line, to trying to improve confidence building measures along the line.

Kasoulides said the meeting was held so that Brill would reaffirm matters already agreed upon with US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller.

The Cypriot Minister said he hoped that Rubin would clarify his statement.

He noted that spokespersons sometimes say things when not fully informed, that may not fully reflect reality.

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have agreed to hold talks soon on security issues. This was announced on Monday by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during a stopover in Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriot side has said that issues such as President Clerides' proposal for the demilitarisation of the island would not be discussed.

Clerides said issues concerning the ongoing UN-mediated dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces would not be discussed either.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA MK/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus welcomes Euro-Parliament resolution

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, told his daily press briefing the government was absolutely satisfied with Thursday's resolution.

"We consider it as one of the best resolutions ever approved on the Cyprus problem," Christofides said.

The Spokesman noted the European Parliament resolution covered in detail all aspects of the problem and referred to all necessary measures to be taken to help a Cyprus solution.

The resolution, tabled by all political groups in the Euro-Parliament, denounced the joint declaration and the implementing measures signed by Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus as "illegal, provocative and not conducing to creating the right negotiating climate for the talks" on Cyprus.

The declaration threatened to annex the Turkish-occupied part of the island to Turkey.

The European Parliament reminded the Turkish government that "constructive relations between Turkey and the EU depend partly on the Turkish government's policy on Cyprus."

CNA KN/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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