Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] State Department on Albright's statement

[02] Fifth arrest in international drug cartel case

1045:CYPPRESS:01

[01] State Department on Albright's statement

Rubin was asked here Friday to elaborate more on a statement Thursday by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that the US is pressing Turkey to be of greater assistance in Cyprus.

"What the Secretary was intending to signal there is that we expect settlement negotiations under UN auspices to resume following the Cyprus presidential elections," the spokesman said.

Speaking before the House International Relations Committee Thursday, Albright said that the US are pressing on Turkey to "be of a greater assistance in Cyprus."

The US "have had discussions with the UN about the timing of travel by UN and US representatives to Cyprus," Rubin added, noting that "over the last several weeks we have continued our efforts to promote an atmosphere conducive to successful talks."

According to the spokesman "Ambassador Holbrooke has stayed in touch with leaders in the region by telephone."

US President Bill Clinton had appointed last year Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the Bosnian peace accord, as presidential emissary on Cyprus.

"The end of the elections period will mark a time when efforts to try to promote a peaceful resolution of this dispute will begin again," The State Department spokesman said.

The presidential elections in Cyprus will be held tomorrow.

Rubin said "the US will want to work both with Cyprus and all the parties, including those that may have influence, and that is what the Secretary was referring to."

Asked to comment on recent action by Turkey to submit five proposals to Greece for resolving the problems between the two countries, the spokesman said the US is "encouraged by recent expressions of willingness by both Greece and Turkey to move forward energetically to resolve long-standing disputes."

Rubin said "the US is committed to supporting our Greek and Turkish allies in the effort to achieve genuine security and partnership in the region."

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA DA/MK/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Fifth arrest in international drug cartel case

George Andreou, 45, from Nicosia and now in Bulgaria, was arrested last night. He appeared Saturday before the Larnaca District Court which remanded him in custody for seven days.

According to Police, Andreou's paper manufacturing factory in Bulgaria was used for packaging the drugs.

Cyprus Police, in cooperation with Interpol in Bulgaria, Greece and Britain, have managed to smash the international drug cartel that pushed marijuana in Cyprus and other countries, through Bulgaria.

A 32-year-old Greek Cypriot, Demetris Frangou, believed to be the mastermind of the operation, was arrested in Athens yesterday and procedures for his extradition are underway.

Three other Greek Cypriots including a 58-year-old woman, were arrested in Cyprus and remanded in custody yesterday while another arrest warrant is pending against a second Greek Cypriot living in Bulgaria, in connection with the case,

The compressed drugs were transferred to Cyprus and other countries, from Bulgaria, in containers with bags of charcoal.

CNA EC/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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