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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-01-23Cyprus 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 UpdateThursday, 23/01/97CONTENTS[01] Let the US guarantee us, says Cyprus SpokesmanThe Cyprus government yesterday challenged the US to support its long- standing proposal for the complete demilitarisation of the island and guarantee the security of the free areas of the Republic and of the Turkish Cypriots."If they do, then we will open a new chapter in the Cyprus problem", Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said. Asked to comment on the fact that the US is disappointed with the government's decision not to accept the moratorium proposal, the Spokesman said "this disappointment may be short-lived". "The US will see we will unilaterally go ahead with what they are asking from us, if and when - during efforts for a solution - we judge that measures should be taken to improve the climate and help efforts for a Cyprus solution", he added. [02] US will continue to push for flight moratoriumThe US believes that the flight moratorium on Cyprus is a proposal that can make a difference in improving the relations of Greece with Turkey and Cyprus with Turkey."We think this proposal is a winner. We think it's good for everybody concerned. We'll concentrate our efforts on that through the offices of our American Ambassador Ken Brill", US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said in Washington yesterday. Asked why, as in the case of Cyprus, the US does not also ask Ankara not to buy weapons for a specific period of time, particularly in view of the fact that the Turkish government has ordered new advanced US-made weapons worth over $500 million, Mr Burns said that Turkey is a NATO ally of the United States, they have a defence relationship and so there will be arms sales between the US and Turkey, and Turkey will purchase arms from other countries. "Turkey has legitimate defence needs, as does Greece, as does Cyprus. We've made a determination in the case of the anti-aircraft system for Cyprus that it is not helpful to the search for a peace on Cyprus", he said. Mr Burns added that Mr. Cavanaugh's mission "was meant to reiterate the well known American concern over the last three decades to play a role in the search for peace in Cyprus and to diminish the conflicts along the boundary lines that have resulted in the deaths of two people in the last six months, and to search for a solution on some of these overflight problems". [03] Socialist International urged to help solve the Cyprus problemThe Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has called on the Socialist International to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and take all possible initiatives to show its concern for the lack of progress and the continuing division of the island.In an address before the Socialist International Council in Rome on 22 January, Mr Simitis said the continuing Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, "constitutes a threat to peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean" He accused Turkey of following a policy of aggression and threats towards Greece as well in an effort to upset the existing status quo in the Aegean in defiance of international law and international treaties an called on her to show restraint and respond positively to Greek initiatives to solve their problems. Moreover the President of the Cyprus Socialist pary EDEK, Dr Lyssarides, also called on the Socialist International "wherever you are in government to take active steps of a proper solution to the Cyprus problem, and where you are opposition to exercise pressure on your government so that we shall have a Cyprus united with all the people working together with happiness and progress". [04] News in Brief- Britain's shadow Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, who arrived on the island yesterday for a familiarisation visit, pledged that if Labour wins the next British general election it would put the Cyprus problem much higher on the international agenda.- Greek Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, George Paschalides, paid a one-day visit to the island yesterday, during which he met with President Clerides and was the key-speaker at a seminar on "Hellenism-Turkey- Europe". 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 |