Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Russia on missiles, Turkey's reaction

[02] Britain calls for reduction of tension

1645:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Russia on missiles, Turkey's reaction

"Turkey is basically trying to turn the S-300 missile issue into a confrontation between East and West," Georgi Muratov told a press conference.

He stressed that for Russia "the cold war era is over".

The Cyprus government ordered the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system in January, expected to be deployed on the island in mid 1998.

President Glafcos Clerides has said the deal will be cancelled only if there is progress in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.

He also stressed repeatedly the missiles system is for purely defensive purposes and is to serve as a deterrent against a fresh offensive from Turkey, which occupies one third of Cyprus since its troops invaded the island in 1974.

"Russia and Cyprus are sovereign states and they have every right to come to bilateral agreements, including the one on the S-300," Muratov said.

In reference to a letter sent to NATO by Turkish military complaining about Greece, Muratov said "no third country has the right to meddle into other countries' bilateral relations."

The Turkish military is reported to have sent a letter to NATO and individual countries berating Athens for backing the S-300 deal with Cyprus.

Tension between Turkey and Greece heightened after a military exercise held in Cyprus earlier this month, during which Turkish aircraft twice buzzed the plane transporting the Greek Defence Minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

CNA KN/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Britain calls for reduction of tension

It has also told Turkey it expects a constructive approach in both the Cyprus issue and its relations with Greece, if it wants to join the European family.

Britain's positions were outlined by Minister of State at FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) Douglas Henderson, during a debate in the House of Commons on the Cyprus problem.

Henderson expressed disappointment that more progress was not made during the two rounds of Cyprus peace talks held between the two sides this summer, in New York and Montreux.

"One of the things I pointed out in talks in Ankara and Athens is that all people of Cyprus will benefit as a result of a solution, and anything which causes tension and puts obstacles are to be condemned," he said.

"We also told the Turkish government that if you want to be part of the European family, and we want you to be part, we expect a constructive approach on a wide range of issues," he said.

Henderson said Turkey must be constructive in its relations with Greece and its ties and influence on Cyprus' northern occupied part.

He said Britain told Athens to persuade the Cyprus government to do what it can to reduce tension and repeated that the UK does not believe a decision by the Cyprus government to buy Russian-made surface to air missiles is helpful.

Henderson said Britain's European Union (EU) presidency, beginning in January 1998, will move accession talks with Cyprus forward "as fast as possible".

He commended the work done on the Cyprus issue by Britain's special envoy Sir David Hannay and said the former British diplomat will also be special EU representative for Cyprus during the country's six-monthly rotating presidency.

"We desperately want to see success in the (Cyprus) peace talks," Henderson said, adding that "at the end of the day it is the parties in Cyprus who must bring peace.

Renewed UN efforts this summer to settle the problem in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory in 1974, came to a deadlock.

The Turkish side refused to negotiate unless the EU withheld its decision to begin accession talks with Cyprus early next year.

CNA KT/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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