Compact version |
|
Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
|
Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-02-06Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0850:CYPPRESS:01[01] SOCCER: Greece 1 Belgium 0Nicosia, Feb 6 (CNA) -- Greece's national soccer team won here last night a four-nation international football tournament organised by the Cyprus Football Association.Greece beat Belgium 1 - 0 in the final match played at GSZ Stadium in Larnaca. Cyprus won the third place after defeating 2 - 1 Finland in the extra time, at Paralimni Stadium. Greece had qualified for the final game after beating Finland 2 - 1. Belgium had defeated Cyprus 1 - 0. CNA GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY0945:CYPPRESS:02[02] US - Cyprus - Greece - Turkey - AidNicosia, Feb 6 (CNA) -- US President, Bill Clinton, requested from US Congress the maintenance of 15 million US dollars in economic aid to Cyprus, as well as the end of military aid to Turkey and Greece.Clinton requested 35.000 US dollars of funds for Greece (up from 25.000 last year) and 1,5 million for Turkey (the same amount as last year) for the International Military Education Programme. Greece has not received US economic aid over the years, Turkey received up to 125 million dollars in economic support funds. From 1994 to 1997, the US Congress cut this aid to Turkey in an attempt to send a message of US disapproval of Turkish actions with regards to Greece, Cyprus, Armenia and its Kurdish population. This annual process of appropriating foreign aid to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey is separate from the process of approving the sale of US manufactured military equipment - such as naval frigates, Super Cobra and Seahawk Helicopters, and ATACMs missiles - to Turkey. CNA FZ/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1210:CYPPRESS:03[03] Arbatov - Cyprus - NATO forceNicosia, Feb 6 (CNA) -- The withdrawal of foreign troops from Cyprus is possible with the application of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Vice-chairman of the Russian Duma Defence Committee, Alexei Arbatov, has said.Commenting on the possibility of the deployment of a NATO force on the island, the Russian politician pointed out that the Cyprus problem is not between Greece and Turkey but it is an international problem which has been the concern of the UN for many years. President Glafcos Clerides had suggested a multinational force, made up of different countries, including NATO members, in the framework of his proposal for demilitarisation of the island. Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, has recently repeated this proposal. "Any decision on Cyprus could only pass through UN Security Council procedures and decisions," Arbatov stressed in an interview to Russian news agency Novosti. He pointed out that no one would complain if Greece and Turkey agreed for the deployment of a NATO force on the island provided that such an agreement would be "consolidated by the UN Security Council, since it is not possible for NATO as a military alliance to replace the UN by signing an agreement with two separate states". Arbatov also expressed the view that the Cyprus government is at this stage under great diplomatic pressure from Western countries, while there is increased military pressure on the part of Turkey as well. This is what has led President Clerides to decide not to deploy Russian S-300 defensive system on the island, he remarked. Concluding the Russian politician expressed scepticism over recent statements by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, in Athens, that President Clerides' decision over the S-300 would contribute towards confidence building measures in the Aegean. CNA CG/MCH/RM/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1245:CYPPRESS:04[04] Cem - Illegal visitNicosia, Feb 6 (CNA) -- Turkey's Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, is on an illegal visit to the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus to discuss the course of the Cyprus problem with members of the break-away state unilaterally set up after the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.Arriving at the Turkish occupied northern part of the Cyprus Republic, Cem claimed Turkish Cypriots were no longer facing any threats as a result of Turkey's decisive position on the issue of deployment of S-300 defensive system by the Cyprus government. He also claimed in a most provocative manner that a proposal put forward, when he last visited the Turkish occupied areas last August, for a confederation of two states in Cyprus was gaining ground. Cem together with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash announced their proposal in a press conferene on August 31 1998 for a confederation. This proposal is contrary to all UN resolutions on Cyprus calling for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation. CNA SA/FZ/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |