Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] AHEPA Convention - peace for Cyprus

[02] Australia - Cyprus envoy

[03] Clerides - S300 - Greek official

[04] National Council - decision

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[01] AHEPA Convention - peace for Cyprus

Burns made the statement in a keynote address during the Supreme Convention of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) in Orlando, Florida.

Outlining the five challenges for the future of relations between the US and Greece, Burns said first the two nations must bring their leaders and peoples together in a stronger relationship and establish trust between the two countries.

They must also strengthen and maintain the US military alliance with Greece and rebuild economic trade.

Referring to Cyprus, Burns said, "we must realise the importance of peace in Cyprus and between Greece and Turkey".

The ambassador noted Greece and Turkey have not succeeded in finding solutions and Cyprus remains a divided nation.

During the banquet, Cyprus' ambassador to the US, Andros Nicolaides was presented with the 1998 Aristotle Award. Nicolaides retires from the diplomatic service in September.

Receiving the award, Nicolaides thanked AHEPA Cyprus and Hellenic Affairs Committees for its dedication and support for the people of Cyprus.

Noting that Cyprus is fighting for the very same principles the US is dedicated to, liberty and justice, he called on AHEPA "to continue your fight for the just cause of Cyprus."

Referring to the island's defence, Nicolaides said the people of Cyprus have the right to defend their land at any cost.

He also said that Cyprus will become a member of the European Union in three to four years, "regardless if it is a divided nation".

In a speech, Greece's newly appointed ambassador to the US, Alexandros Philon, referred to national issues "with the major priority revolving around the question of Cyprus".

"The continued occupation and no progression have been disastrous occurrences in recent years" but Greece is working very hard and intends to go beyond the past to find solutions.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

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[02] Australia - Cyprus envoy

Spender, who is also Australia's Ambassador to France, was appointed Australia's first special envoy to Cyprus by Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer.

According to the President of the National Justice for Cyprus Committee (PASEKA), Spiro Constantinou, the meeting was very productive with strategic approaches for Spender's role in Cyprus being discussed.

"We are very positive that this upgrading of Australia's interest in the issue will have greater benefits to the negotiation process between the two sides", Constantinou said.

Furthermore, "Australia's experience with federalism, a system proposed for Cyprus, and Australia's positive experience with multiculturalism, could be of immense value", the PASEKA president added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions, calling for the withdrawal of its occupation troops from the island.

CNA EC/GP/1998

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[03] Clerides - S300 - Greek official

Clerides made this statement before chairing a session of the National Council, the top advisory to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem.

The body made up of political party leaders was to examine ways to divert attention to the substance of the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Greece's Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis exchanged views here today on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

President Clerides told a delegation of refugee organisations from the Turkish-occupied villages of Lapithos and Karavas that foreign officials were making suggestions to the Cyprus government on the missile system, to which the government replies accordingly.

Foreign governments, especially the US administration and the British government, have opposed the deployment of the S-300 surface-to-air, expected later this year.

President Clerides had proposed the island's complete demilitarisation. The Cypriot President criticised the mass media for "exaggerations" in their reports about the missiles.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Clerides believed that there would not be any developments before the Turkish elections in April 1999.

Meanwhile, Kranidiotis briefed Kasoulides about his meeting in Athens earlier this week with US Ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns.

Kasoulides said the discussions which US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller had with the Cyprus government were identical with the discussions Burns had in the Greek capital.

During his recent visit to Cyprus, Miller brought ideas on security issues and the resumption of the stalled UN-led process.

Kranidiotis will meet Clerides during a lunch hosted by the President at noon today.

CNA KN/EC/GP/1998

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[04] National Council - decision

Speaking to reporters at the end of the Council's two-and-half-hour meeting, Kasoulides said that President Clerides will meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, on August 27, in Athens.

Clerides will then head to Durban, South Africa, to take part in the Non-Aligned Movement Summit.

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, will convene before political party leaders travel to New York.

Kasoulides said President Clerides briefed the members of the Council on his recent talks with US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator, Thomas Miller, and the envoy of Britain and of the Austrian Presidency of the European Union on the Cyprus problem, Sir David Hannay.

Asked if there is any change of the government policy on the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system, Kasoulides replied: "You know there is a decision. Today you have heard what's been said. What you know is what applies."

President Clerides pledged earlier today that the Cyprus government would submit to pressures regarding the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, expected to be deployed later this year.

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

CNA AA/EC/GP/1998 ENDS CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY CNA ENDS

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