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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-09-24Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateTuesday, 24 September, 1996CONTENTS[01] Cypriot leaders congratulate new Greek PremierCyprus President Glafcos Clerides congratulated yesterday Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on his re-election on Sunday (22.9.96). In a congratulatory message to Simitis, President Clerides wished him every success, adding that he looked forward to continuing their close co- operation in all fields.The President of the House of Representatives, Democratic Party Leader Spyros Kyprianou also welcomed Simitis' election victory. He expressed the conviction that Greece not only would continue its Cyprus policy and its strong support for the island's application to join the European Union, the joint defence doctrine and internationalisation of the Cyprus problem, but also would exert greater efforts in promoting a settlement. In similar messages all other party leaders in Cyprus welcomed the outcome of the elections. [02] Turkey uses Greco-Turkish dialogue as a ployCyprus President Glafcos Clerides responded to Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's statement about a Greco-Turkish dialogue on the Cyprus problem, by clarifying that this proposal was used as a ploy by Mrs Ciller in the Greek pre-election period and clearly aimed at creating impressions."I believe that if Turkey intended to change her position on the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem then this can open the way to a solution" Mr Clerides said, adding that if Turkey has something new to say on Cyprus, she can do it either through Greece, the UN Secretary General, or the United States. Replying to a question on the consequences of the incidents of violence in August, President Clerides said that these sad incidents will not make us deviate from the road to a solution of the problem based on the relevant UN resolutions. He also said that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has not replied to his letter of 11.9.96, which invited him to direct talks on the demilitarisation of the island. President Clerides further underlined that the recent events in Cyprus teach us that in areas where there is no permanent peace, where there is armed confrontation, violent flare-ups occur and we then have victims. "The best way to avoid this is to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem," he stressed. [03] British MPs decry American position towards TurkeyA visiting delegation of four British Members of Parliament belonging to the ruling Conservative party said that it must be explained to American politicians that: "There are many entrenched views in the US which place Turkey's strategic position much more importantly on their agenda than they ought to be doing".Speaking after a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou, MP Ian Twinn also said: "I would not belittle American efforts. The US is serious about democracy, but that has to be applied across the whole world. The message we want to get across to them is that they cannot be selective about it". Making special reference to American comments following a resolution of the European Parliament condemning Turkey's violent behaviour in Cyprus that "strongly encouraged" Europeans to "have positive relations with Turkey", Mr Twinn stressed: "There really needs to be continuous pressure on American politicians for them to understand quite what their relationship with Turkey is doing to us in Europe". Europe's ties with Turkey must be based on "mutual trust", Twinn added, which at the moment is non-existent. "I do not think the Americans are helping us as Europeans live comfortably within our own region. I think the Americans need to understand that", he said. For his part, Mr Kyprianou said there was disappointment with the US attitude not only in Cyprus but also among its friends abroad, after the European Parliament resolution. "Europe has decided to exert some kind of pressure on Turkey, the US step in and basically encourage Turkey not to take the resolution seriously". From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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