Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-01-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides - UN representative

[02] China - Health - Cyprus

[03] House President - Congressional staffers

[04] President - US Ambassador

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[01] Clerides - UN representative

UN Resident Representative, Dame Ann Hercus, met this morning with President Glafcos Clerides.

In a short statement after the meeting, Dame Ann said that "the shuttle talks have re-commenced" and that she met "with His Excellency Mr Clerides today".

Dame Ann said she would be meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, "later in the week" and would be meeting "early next week" with President Clerides.

The UN-sponsored shuttle diplomacy began in mid-October 1998 in a new bid to revise efforts for a settlement to the protracted Cyprus problem.

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

CNA RG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] China - Health - Cyprus

Wang arrives in Cyprus on Wednesday heading a three-member delegation at the invitation of Health Minister Christos Solomis.

The Chinese official will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and House President Spyros Kyprianou.

He will also have meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and other officials.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] House President - Congressional staffers

Kyprianou was speaking after a meeting with eight US congressmen staff members, who are on a three-day visit to discuss the Cyprus question with Cypriot political leaders.

"What is needed is that Europe and especially the US, should make Turkey feel that she must abandon her policy towards Cyprus if a settlement is to be found," Kyprianou said.

The House President underlined that any settlement in Cyprus must be based on principles adhered to within the US itself and said such a solution would also be to the benefit of America.

Michael Hutton, Chief of Staff of Democrat Congressman Bob Menendez, said they are here "hopefully to know how the US Congress can help resolve the Cyprus problem."

"It is a very complicated problem and one that requires that we understand as much as possible about the country and hopefully when we go back to Washington we can advise our members on what they can do," he added.

Hutton said Congressman Menendez would support the demilitarisation of Cyprus as proposed by President Glafcos Clerides, including the withdrawal of US weapons from the island.

He also acknowledged that "we need to deal with the government in Turkey" and said "hopefully we will work with the government of Turkey and try to resolve this (the withdrawal of US arms)".

Hutton backed Cyprus' bid to join the European Union and commended a decision by the government not to deploy the Russian-made S300 defence missile system on the island.

The government had ordered the S300 in a bid to boost its air defence but at the end of last year it decided not to deploy them here and to discuss with Moscow its possible deployment in the southern Greek island of Crete.

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

CNA FZ/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] President - US Ambassador

He gave top marks to UN resident representative in Cyprus, Ann Hercus, for the work she has done so far towards a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem and reiterated American support for her task.

Brill also said Russia and Greece will have to sort out the deployment of Russian anti-aircraft missiles in the Greek island of Crete, following a decision by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides not to deploy the S300 missiles in Cyprus.

Speaking after a meeting here today with President Clerides, Brill said the US is determined to "work very hard to seize the opportunities created by the President's decision" and pointed out that there are no specific targets or deadlines.

Asked to identify the opportunities he sees, the Ambassador said these refer to support for the UN Secretary-General's initiative and opportunities to engage on the core issues of the problem but refused to be more specific than that.

"We plan to work very closely in support of the UN chief's initiative and with others to move the situation in Cyprus forward and bring about a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and deal with other issues in the region," he said.

Asked if one should expect any move from the US, he replied "moves will become apparent when they are made, you will see us working consistently in a way that is designed to get results, not make headlines."

He expressed the view that Hercus works "very hard and skillfully and the effort she has made provides a foundation for very sustained efforts this year."

She is doing a fine job and the US want to help her any way we can, he remarked.

Brill reiterated his President's support for the "courageous" decision President Clerides has taken and stressed the US continues to support a bicommunal, bizonal federation in Cyprus.

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

Invited to outline his views about the idea of NATO dealing with the security of Cyprus, Brill indicated very clearly that such a notion is not on the cards at present.

"NATO is a very jealous organisation and does not like people who are not connected with it talking about it, what they may or may not do. Frankly, I do not know if this is on the NATO agenda or not," he said.

He acknowledged that security is very clearly a core issue which must be addressed in a comprehensive way for the ultimate solution.

"How that is done is dependent on what the parties will support and find effective," he explained.

Asked if the US objects to the deployment of the Russian missiles in Crete, Brill said the American position is that "it is up to the Russians and the Greeks to sort that out."

Commenting on the Turkish elections, scheduled for April, in relation to moves in the Cyprus problem, Brill said everybody will be working very hard before the elections and efforts will continue without being tied to a specific date of election.

"But we have to be realistic," he concluded.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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