Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-10-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - US ambassador

1030:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - US ambassador

After a meeting today with President Glafcos Clerides, Brill said the US administration would report to Congress on the outcome of the investigation to establish if there were American arms in Cyprus, in violation of the US law, the soonest.

The American diplomat said they discussed issues relating to the Cyprus problem, bilateral and other issues.

"We talked about our strong support for the UN effort. I am not going to say anything about that, obviously, but we do support very much what the Secretary-General and what Dame Ann Hercus are trying to do," Brill said.

UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus began shuttle talks with the two sides on Friday, with a meeting with President Clerides. She is scheduled to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Wednesday and again President Clerides on Thursday.

The UN goal is to reduce tensions and promote progress towards a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

To a question why the US does not ask Turkey to comply with UN resolutions, Brill said "we have a very robust dialogue on the Cyprus issue with all players."

"We are very consistent and direct in our discussions and we will continue to be," he added.

Asked about US probe into American arms in Cyprus, Brill said "we are working ahead on it.

"We expect to be reporting to the Congress as soon as we can and we are trying to do everything we can to make sure our law is being upheld."

The American ambassador explained that they are "trying to make sure that all people who have received US military equipment in one way or another have done it in compliance with the law that was passed in December 1987."

He added that the law applies to the whole island and said that "if there are any indications that there is American equipment anywhere on the island we will be interested in that."

US law forbids the transfer of American equipment if it furthers the severance or division of Cyprus."

In 1975, a few months after the Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus territory, the US Congress imposed an arms embargo on Turkey for using American weapons to invade Cyprus, in violation of US laws. The embargo was lifted in 1978.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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