Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-01-28

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Tuesday, 28/01/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Van den Broek: EU will respect its own timetable regarding Cyprus EU accession
• [02] Cyprus not interested in buying Tor-M1 missiles
• [03] British Bases exercices to be moved away from Akamas

[01] Van den Broek: EU will respect its own timetable regarding Cyprus EU accession

He stressed that the question of whether the whole of Cyprus or part of it will gain access to the Union is not a concern at the present time, "it is not on the agenda", he observed. Van den Broek also said, referring to the so called missile crisis in Cyprus, that the situation is now cleared and he noted President Clerides assurances that no missiles will be installed for the next 16 months, a period during which serious efforts for a Cyprus solution are expected to be made.

He expressed the hope for progress towards a solution of the political problem, observing that both the American President and the new State Secretary have placed the settlement of the Cyprus problem among US priorities.

The Foreign Affairs Committee held a discussion on Cyprus' EU application. Presenting the subject, Euro MP Bertens noted that the EU Parliament's resolution of July 1995 does not in any way connect the question of a Cyprus solution with its accession to the EU.

On the S-300 missile purchase, Bertens said the issue must be viewed within the actual realities of the situation. Which is, he said, that for 23 years, a third of the island is occupied by Turkey, and that the Turkish Cypriots, 100,000 of them, are the most "protected" persons in the world: There are 35,000 Turkish troops, 400 tanks and scores of thousands of Mainland Turks in the occupied north of Cyprus. He then compared the very limited defence capabilities of the legitimate Cyprus Government facing Turkey's threats to attack again. He defended the right of the government to decide on measures for its defence.

Finally, Mr. Bertens suggested that a question be put to the Plenary of the EU Parliament, asking the Council of Ministers and the EU Commission how they plan to act in view of the threats against Cyprus, and the various positions expressed regarding the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

[02] Cyprus not interested in buying Tor-M1.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, on Monday (27.1.97), Eliades expressed surprise of a report by the Russian Itar-Tass News Agency, which quoted a Russian General saying Moscow might sell the Tor-M1 to Cyprus. The Minister denied all such information, saying "we are not interested" and added that such reports "raise many questions".

[03] British Bases exercices to be moved away from Akamas

He said the Foreign Ministry has been talking with the British authorities on the matter, but until a new site has been found, the government is bound to honour its contractual obligations with Britain.

Yesterday (27.1.97) Cyprus police forcibly removed twelve demonstrators from the Akamas shooting range. A large police force and a helicopter took part in the operation. Several dozen Cypriot environmentalists were protesting against the military exercises by some 30 British Bases soldiers, in an attempt to halt further damage to the ecologically valuable environment of the Akamas peninsula.

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides told CyBC radio that the British are willing to switch to a new practice area, as soon as one is indicated by the Cyprus government and that one of the National Guards shooting ranges is the most likely choice.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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