Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-30

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides invites Israeli President to visit

[02] Turkish violations risk to regional peace, says Commander

[03] Government hopes for resumption of talks

[04] US coordinator here for talks

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Canadian High Commissioner presents credentials

[07] Cyprus complies with UN resolution on Yugoslav embargo

[08] Government backs decision to buy missiles

[09] Solution must safeguard independence, says President

[10] Sides meet on issue of missing

[11] Turkey a destabilising factor, says Defence Minister

[12] Denktash as intransigent as ever

1440:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides invites Israeli President to visit

The announcement was made by Clerides at yesterday's reception, hosted by Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Shemi Tzur, to mark 50 years since the establishment of the state of Israel.

"I look forward to his visit," President Clerides said.

Congratulating Israel on its 50th anniversary, Clerides said bilateral ties, which he described as friendly and good, have "advanced in the past few years to the benefit of both countries."

"We have some similarities, your independence was a long road with impediments, which required patience and persistence," he told his Israeli hosts.

Since independence, Cyprus "has also had a long road with difficulties and impediments and I think it is to the mutual benefit of both our countries that peace and security and stability be established in our region," he added.

The President reiterated his government's determination to "find a just and viable solution to our own problem."

In his remarks, Ambassador Tzur said his country "will do everything in our power to ensure that peace will prevail" and underlined that this part of the world has had enough troubles, wars and conflict.

"End the conflict and our region will become a paradise - for us and our children," he stressed.

Tzur also outlined his country's achievements over the past 50 years, noting in particular its education system, economic development, medical advancement and expertise in hi-tech.

Referring to bilateral relations, he expressed the wish that "soon there will be a solution" to the Cyprus question, and wished "peace and prosperity" to Israel and Cyprus.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Turkish violations risk to regional peace, says Commander

Former National Guard chief Nicolaos Vorvolakos also said these violations pose a risk to regional peace and security.

Vorvolakos, who left Cyprus today after serving four years at the helm of the Republic's armed forces, said "Hellenism has a legal, moral, historical and national duty and right" to be here in Cyprus, more than any other third party.

His comments appear to be an all but thinly veiled warning to those who criticise Cyprus' intention to deploy anti-aircraft missiles as a deterrent to possible Turkish aggression and those critical of flights by Greek military aircraft over Cyprus, at the invitation of the Cyprus government.

"I refuse to accept that only flights by Greek aircraft are a provocation to peace and security and I wonder whether the Turkish violations form the right basis for the initiatives we have before us," he said.

Speaking on departure, Vorvolakos said he would remain "engaged in the Cyprus question until justice is done, and justice cannot mean anything but the application of international law and UN resolutions."

Thanking the island's political leadership for the trust they have shown in him, he said he saw no reason why Cyprus should not acquire its own air force when there is permanent presence of foreign aircraft on the island.

During his years of service here, the governments of Greece and Cyprus agreed on a joint defence pact whereby the Greek military would provide air, sea and land cover in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government hopes for resumption of talks

"The government considers the visit by Richard Holbrooke as very important and hopes this would lead to the restart of the dialogue on the basis of UN decisions and resolutions, under UN auspices for a bicommunal, bizonal federation," Stylianides said.

The spokesman refrained from further public statements, citing the government's commitment to confidentiality "to facilitate the climate".

The American President appointed Holbrooke as his special emissary for Cyprus last year.

"The government has nothing to add or to subtract from its well known views on attempts to resume the talks and on the solution we are seeking," he told his daily briefing.

There has been a lot of press speculation about the content of Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus, the second in as many months.

During his previous visit, Holbrooke failed to get the leaders of the two communities to the negotiating table.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will not participate in peace talks unless his illegal regime in the areas occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised.

The illegal entity unilaterally declared in 1983 is recognised only by Turkey and numerous UN resolutions call on all states not to facilitate it in any way.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US coordinator here for talks

No statements were made at the airport and Miller was led away by US embassy staff.

Miller was in Cyprus last week, on April 20, for a very brief visit during which he met with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The US coordinator is due to meet Denktash later this evening and tomorrow morning he will be received by the President.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    94,24 ( 0,22)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 110.50 ( 0,38)
Approved Investment Companies          68,33 ( 0,78)
Insurance Companies                    67,54 ( 0,57)
Industrial Companies                   81,98 (-0,06)
Tourist Industries                     75,25 ( 0,13)
Commercial Companies                   55,01 (-0,78)
Other Companies                        78,03 (-1,10)

Trading Volume                        2358931.689

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Canadian High Commissioner presents credentials

Presenting her credentials to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Bugailiskis said "Canada's longstanding interest in Cyprus has not lessened".

At the present crucial juncture of the Cyprus problem, "Canada stands ready once again to lend its full cooperation to all the parties involved in the search for a peaceful resolution", so that a just and lasting solution can be found that will ensure peace and prosperity for all Cypriots, she pointed out.

Referring to the existing relations between the two countries, Bugailiskis said her country's "long involvement in Cyprus itself has provided the best opportunity to forge links of mutual confidence and friendship".

The thousands of Canadians who have served in the UN peacekeeping forces in Cyprus since 1964, "had an opportunity to discover the legendary beauty of your country and the warmth of its people", she added.

In reply, President Clerides reiterated his appreciation "for Canada's support in our quest for a just, viable and lasting solution".

He stressed that in spite of the Turkish side's persistence in its intransigent positions, "the government of Cyprus remains committed to a peaceful solution".

"A solution which will reunify Cyprus, will guarantee the rights of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike, and will bring peace and prosperity for all", he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus complies with UN resolution on Yugoslav embargo

An official press release, issued here today, said "the implementation of measures was considered immediate, taking into consideration the international legal commitment of UN member-states to implement the decisions of the Security Council."

The government also took into account that the Security Council acted on Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which stipulates that the implementation of such decisions is compulsory for UN member-states.

Resolution 1160 (1998) calls for an arms embargo against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Government backs decision to buy missiles

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides stressed that the government of the Republic is solely responsible for defence and security matters.

The spokesman's comments came in response to statements by White House spokesman Mike McCurry that the deployment of missile technology to Cyprus would be "destabilising."

McCurry said the US had made its concerns known to the Greek Cypriot leadership over the purchase of Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

At the same time, the White House spokesman said Turkish threats against Cyprus were equally alarming.

Stylianides told his daily press briefing that "the order of the missiles is a correct political move, which was part of our strategic goals and the joint Greco-Cypriot strategy."

Invited to comment on the reference to "Greek Cypriot leadership", instead of the government of Cyprus, Stylianides pointed out that the US has repeatedly stated it recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the legal government, led by President Glafcos Clerides.

The Cypriot official was speaking only a day before US top envoy for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, arrives for what many have described as important in efforts to make headway in the stalled peace effort.

The government decided to buy the Russian S-300 missiles as a deterrent to any possible future Turkish offensive against the island. The missiles are expected to be deployed later this year.

Turkish military aircraft often violate Cyprus' air space and Nicosia FIR, in contravention of international law and civil aviation regulations.

Such violations have occurred twice in the recent past and the government strongly protested in writing to the UN Secretary-General the new violations of the Republic's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

These violations, Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zakhaeos, said in his letter "constitute flagrant disregard of the UN Charter, the UN decisions on Cyprus and international regulations of civil aviation."

Earlier this week, Turkish fighters violated Cyprus' air space while conducting military manoeuvres.

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

CNA KK/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Solution must safeguard independence, says President

The President also stressed he will not accept any settlement that would not ensure the survival of Cypriot Hellenism.

According to an official announcement, the President told a group of mayors from Greece, visiting Cyprus, that developments in the Cyprus question will probably continue in a more intensive manner.

"I would like to assure you that no matter how much pressure there is, and there will be pressure not only on the other side but also on us, we are not going to accept a solution which would not safeguard Cypriot Hellenism in this land," the President said.

He noted this was made clear both to the UN Secretary-General and the US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke.

"That is why I insist that it is more important, instead of discussing constitutional issues, to see how to safeguard the future of the independence and the territorial integrity of Cyprus," the President was quoted as saying.

This, he said, is a fundamental matter.

The President's comments come only a day ahead of Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus which aims at restarting the stalled intercommunal dialogue between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has demanded recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before he returns to the negotiating table and calls for "inter-state" talks.

The Greek Cypriot side, in compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, believes talks should continue between the two communities on the basis of UN decisions.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Sides meet on issue of missing

The 90-minute-long meeting, under the auspices of the top UN envoy in Cyprus Gustave Feissel who brokered the July agreement last year, took place at the Ledra Palace in the buffer zone, in Nicosia.

"I am very pleased," the Greek Cypriot representative, Takis Christopoulos said after the meeting.

The Turkish Cypriot representative, Rustem Tatar, did not make any statement to the press.

The two men discussed various issues and agreed to meet again, but no date has been set for a new meeting.

Both sides are believed to have exchanged ideas on procedural matters on how to go about implementing the July agreement, which calls for the return the remains of missing persons proved to be dead.

No decisions were taken at today's meeting as the initial discussion will be pursued.

The July agreement was hailed as a breakthrough in efforts to settle the problem of missing persons and Christopoulos and Tatar met in January this year to exchange information about missing persons.

CNA KN/MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:11

[11] Turkey a destabilising factor, says Defence Minister

His comments come only hours after White House spokesman Mike McCurry criticised the proposed deployment of Russian missiles in Cyprus as destabilising.

"The Cyprus question is a political problem of immense dimensions, it concerns violation of international law and not missiles," the Minister said.

McCurry told his press briefing yesterday that the US considers the introduction to the island of missile technology would be destabilising, just as Turkish threats against Cyprus are.

Turkey has threatened to launch a pre-emptive strike to prevent the deployment of the Russian surface-to-air missiles, scheduled to arrive on the island later this year.

"We believe that when there is a reference to the Cyprus problem, this must focus on the violation of international law and the need to find a solution that would respect this and not in relation to the Republic's arms acquisition programmes," Omirou said.

The deployment of the missiles aims to counterbalance Turkey's air superiority and offer Cyprus air cover in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive.

The government has repeatedly said the missiles are a purely defensive weapon and would not be used to attack.

Commenting on recent violations by Turkish aircraft of Cyprus' air space, the Minister pointed out that such action proves that Turkish intransigence continues.

The violations occurred earlier this week when fighters entered without permission the Republic's air space as part of annual military manoeuvres.

"These manoeuvres create tension in Cyprus and the wider region because they are conducted by an occupation force as opposed to those carried out by the Cypriot and Greek military, in the exercise of their sovereign rights," Omirou added.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:12

[12] Denktash as intransigent as ever

Denktash openly accused the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union of having killed the intercommunal dialogue at the UN- sponsored talks in the summer of 1997.

A few hours before US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke arrives in Cyprus, Denktash told the internationally recognised government of Cyprus "you are not my government, you are not my people's government, you will never be, so understand this."

He also said "there can be a united Cyprus based on the existence of two states", something which, he claims, could lead to "any other solution, to federation or confederation in the future."

Denktash claimed intercommunal talks were dead and referred to the possibility of holding inter-state or inter-governmental talks.

"You used the dirty word, intercommunal," Denktash told the press just before his meeting with US State Department Cyprus Coordinator Tomas Miller.

"Mr. Clerides killed the intercommunal talks in Glion and the European Union put the (tomb)stone," Denktash said.

Asked if he supported a united Cyprus, Denktash launched into an attack against the government saying that "if you think that we are going to sit at the negotiating table and help you to destroy the Turkish partnership over Cyprus, through the European Union, then you must think that we are fools."

"We are not fools," he said.

Denktash insisted his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus is "as good a government" as the internationally recognised Cyprus government and added "we are going to insist on this forever."

In his remarks after the hour-long discussions with Denktash, Miller said he had a "good meeting" and Holbrooke will continue the talks tomorrow.

"I am not going to talk about optimism or pessimism or anything else," he told the press but refused to disclose anything else.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article