Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign Minister - Balkans conference

[02] Foreign Minister - Cyprus peace talks

[03] Greek Cypriots - Turkish troops

[04] Russia - Cyprus - Civil defence

1040:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Foreign Minister - Balkans conference

Cyprus has been invited by the European Union to participate with an observer status.

Kasoulides leaves Cyprus on Thursday for Athens from where he will go to Serajevo with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou on a Greek military carrier C130 on Friday.

The Cyprus Foreign Minister will depart for Athens on the same day and will return to the island on Saturday.

Around 24 European countries plus the US, Russia, Canada, Japan as well as international organisations are expected to take part in the Serajevo meeting for the rebuilding of the Balkans.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1045:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Foreign Minister - Cyprus peace talks

Replying to questions Sunday, Kasoulides expressed certainty that the international community will insist that no conditions will be put forward in the Cyprus peace talks, expected to take place later this year.

He said it would be impossible for a dialogue to take place if the preconditions put forward by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for recognition of the illegal entity in the occupied areas is accepted.

Kasoulides added the Greek Cypriot side will decide whether it will participate in peace talks or not when it receives an invitation from the UN Secretary-General.

The Foreign Minister welcomed statements made by British government envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay, with which he rejected claims by Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit that the Cyprus problem was settled after the Turkish invasion.

According to weekly Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Londra Toplum Postasi", published in London, Sir David said if the Cyprus problem has been settled why are 30 thousand Turkish troops still stationed in the occupied areas of the island, why negotiations have been held so far and why are Greek Cypriots spending money on armaments.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1045:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Greek Cypriots - Turkish troops

He is Spyros Koushioumis, 22, from Dhali village. He was abducted Sunday by Turkish soldiers while driving his car near St. Nicolaos area of the British Bases, southeast of Nicosia.

Sarah Russell, spokeswoman of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP), told CNA that "we are trying to make contact" with Koushioumis.

Meanwhile, the other Greek Cypriot who was abducted on Wednesday by the Turkish forces, was expected to appear later today before an illegal court in the Turkish-occupied areas.

Rogiros Georgiou, 48, a Canadian citizen of Greek Cypriot origin, was on Friday ordered to remain in "custody" for three days.

CNA FZ/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Russia - Cyprus - Civil defence

The announcement was made here Monday after a meeting between Cyprus Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou and Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouradov.

Christodoulou said he will go to Moscow in October to sign the agreement and to ascertain the way the system works in Russia.

Cooperation will concentrate on Russia's experience in dealing with natural disasters.

Mouradov said the agreement will determine all possibilities of cooperation in the field of civil defence.

CNA AA/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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