Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Israel apologises for Nicosia FIR violations

[02] Cyprus hails Ulster peace deal

[03] Clerides rejects reports on Dayton type process

1430:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Israel apologises for Nicosia FIR violations

Shambos told CNA today the government considers the whole issue "closed" after the Israeli apologies.

On his part, the Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus Shemi Tzur categorically denied violation of Cyprus air space, but acknowledged that an Israeli aircraft came close to the island's shores.

Shambos said both the Foreign Ministry and Cypriot Ambassador to Israel, Evripides Evryviades, had lodged protests with the Israeli authorities over the violation of the Nicosia FIR last Wednesday by six F-16 jet fighters.

He said the Israeli authorities had admitted that their aircraft had violated the international civil aviation regulations.

"Israel has apologised and said it was a mistake, admitting that its authorities had not communicated with Cyprus Civil Aviation Department, as they ought to in compliance with international regulations," he said.

"At this stage, we consider the issue regarding the incident as closed, " he said and expressed hope there will be no similar future incidents.

The Israeli Ambassador told CNA today last Wednesday there was regular training of Israeli aircraft in the Mediterranean.

"During the training, at one point, one of the aircraft came near the shore of Cyprus, close to 30 kilometers. They neglected to inform FIR Nicosia and for that we apologise," he added.

Tzur said there was no prior coordination between the aircraft and FIR Nicosia.

He said the apology was made by the Director General of the Israeli foreign ministry to the Cypriot ambassador in Tel Aviv.

He added that later on he received a call and was told that Cyprus "accepted our apology and I agree it should not have happened," he said.

"We admit it was a mistake. This mistake did not put anybody at risk and since February this is the first case of violation of FIR Nicosia," the Israeli ambassador said.

Tzur yesterday sent a letter to local daily "Machi", which last Thursday had reported the violations, saying the report was based on "unsubstantiated information and incorrect assumptions" concerning the Nicosia FIR.

"I wish to clarify that the Israeli aircraft did not fly over Paphos and did not hurt Cyprus' sovereignty and to reiterate that Israel has never violated the air space of Cyprus," it added.

Also, local daily "Cyprus Mail" reported today that the Israeli embassy had last week complained to the newspaper over comments published about its reported violations of Cyprus air space.

According to "Cyprus Mail", the embassy had denied that Israel violates Cyprus air space, but added that in the past "there have been a few misunderstandings concerning the FIR, but not the air space," which were "solved in joint meetings held in Nicosia and Jerusalem."

CNA RM/AP/KN/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus hails Ulster peace deal

In a written, statement released here today, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said the deal shows that "wherever there is a political will by the parties involved, as well as international support, long-standing and difficult problems can finally be resolved to the benefit of peace and prosperity for all."

"After achieving the accord on North Ireland, a continuation of present situation in Cyprus and the occupation of 37 percent of the island's territory by Turkey, constitutes an historic anachronism and poses a great responsibility for everyone of us in resolving the Cyprus problem".

The Cypriot Foreign Minister expressed hope that the international factor, will now decisively turn its attention towards Cyprus, in reaching a just solution.

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

CNA RM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides rejects reports on Dayton type process

Asked today to comment on these reports, the President said "many things are said and written (on the issue), but none of these corresponds to reality."

President Clerides refrained to comment on reports concerning a Russian intention to boost the Cyprus issue in the UN Security Council.

The President was speaking to journalists this morning at Larnaca, before taking part in a charity cruise, organised to raise funds for the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.

CNA KN/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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