Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] US warns Turkey over threats

[02] US clarifications on security talks

[03] Checkpoint protest economic blow to occupation regime

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US warns Turkey over threats

An official statement issued yesterday warns Turkey that the US is "firmly opposed to threats to address the missile question militarily".

"Therefore, we note with concern Turkish Prime Minister Yilmaz's statements earlier today (Friday) regarding the missiles," it adds.

Mesut Yilmaz announced that his government had told the army to take "supplementary measures" against the S-300, ordered in January and expected to be deployed in Cyprus next year.

The State Department reiterates US opposition to the purchase and calls on "all interested parties to avoid statements which exacerbate the tensions over this issue".

CNA DA/MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1035:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US clarifications on security talks

"There are no preconditions on this meeting and there is no specific agenda. Which questions the two leaders discuss is up to them," James Rubin said clarifying previous statements he had made.

His statements came after a meeting between the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and US ambassador in Nicosia, Kenneth Brill.

Kasoulides asked for explanations over Rubin's statements that everything, including the withdrawal of troops from the demarcation line to improving confidence building measures along the line would be discussed.

"Any suggestion that I may have made on Wednesday was not in reference to any particular set of measures," Rubin said.

"President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have agreed to meet soon to discuss security issues", he said referring to the announcement made Monday in Cyprus by US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, during a stop over.

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

The State Department spokesman also said that "the fact that they are discussing these key issues is itself positive. Making progress here will help create a positive climate for engaging on the remaining core issues of a Cyprus settlement".

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of the island's territory. Efforts to reach a solution have so far failed.

CNA DA/MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1355:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Checkpoint protest economic blow to occupation regime

The President of the anti-occupation movement (PAK) told CNA today that the protest has had grave economic consequences on the occupation regime, unilaterally established in 1983 in the areas Turkey occupies since its 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

This weekend marks one year since relatives of missing persons and other Greek Cypriots began the sit-in at the Ledra Palace checkpoint, the only place through which one can cross to the occupied areas, in a bid to inform tourists about Turkish atrocities in Cyprus.

It began in response to the killing of three Greek Cypriots last year by Turkish troops and extremists.

A concert, as well as memorial services for persons murdered and a prayer for the Greek Cypriots missing since the invasion, will be held this weekend.

Last year, on August 11, Tasos Isaak, 24, was beaten to death during a peaceful demonstration against the occupation. Also, Solomos Solomou, 26, was shot in cold blood three days later, during a demonstration held after Isaak's funeral in the eastern coast of the island.

A third Greek Cypriot, Petros Kakoulis, was shot a few weeks later while gathering snails.

CNA MK/MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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