Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-02-14

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News Update

Friday, 14/02/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Kofi Annan sees signs of a "cooling off" in Cyprus
• [02] British High Commissioner surprised at Denktash's threats to settle Varosha
• [03] Albright and Cohen comment on Cyprus
• [04] Rifkind's remarks were misinterpreted, says British spokesman
• [05] Cyprus ranks third in university graduates worldwide
• [06] House approves defence budget

[01] Kofi Annan sees signs of a "cooling off" in Cyprus

"We are attempting to defuse the tensions and I think we have seen an improvement already. And I hope none of the leaders would do anything to escalate matters", he said.

Mr Annan said tension on the island had been increased by the import of military systems, but there were signs of a cooling off.

[02] British High Commissioner surprised at Denktash's threats to settle Varosha

The news took the British High Commissioner in Nicosia Mr David Madden by surprise last night, prompting him to warn that "if it is true, the Security Council will react".

The UN's Resident Representative on the island, Gustave Feissel, also expressed surprise at the reported statement.

"This is news to me", he said. "We would have to look into this".

Denktash was quoted as telling a foreign news agency that "the clean-up has started in Varosha" in order to prepare it for resettlement by Turkish Cypriots. He referred to the "social and economic integration of the town into the rest of the occupied district", but did not set a time frame.

When the "Cyprus Weekly" confronted the British High Commissioner with Denktash's statement, he declared that "it is absolutely clear that Varosha should not be used by the Turkish Cypriots but should be returned... Quite clear".

Mr Madden went on, "if there is any validity to this piece of news... not only will the High commission on the island react, but the whole of the Security Council will react".

Varosha, the Greek Cypriot sector of Famagusta, was the island's main tourist resort before the 1974 Turkish invasion. Its 50.000 Greek Cypriot residents became refugees and forced to settle elsewhere on the island.

In 1984, Security Council Resolution 550 deplored Turkish threats to settle Varosha and said that attempts to settle any part of the town by people other than its rightful inhabitants was inadmissible. It also called for the transfer of the town to UN administration.

[03] Albright and Cohen comment on Cyprus

She added, the US Administration will "spend a lot of time on Cyprus" and expressed disappointment about the situation along the demarcation line and the "instability created by the sides."

During her testimony before the US House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Secretary Albright noted that she "spent a lot of time last year looking at the issue of Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations about Cyprus" and described the recent tension as "most unfortunate and a cycle that I think is dangerous to the stability in the region."

Responding to a question on US support to Turkey's integration to the EU despite the lack of a solution in Cyprus and her plans towards a reunification of Cyprus, Albright replied "there is time of opportunity now that we need to somehow work on, but not give away anything."

She also said the US considers the region "strategically important" and added "we have to use some American influence in terms of getting the process moving."

In his testimony before the US House National Security Committee, US Defence Secretary William Cohen said Cyprus "is one of the real flash points that we have to be very concerned about."

"I think it could provoke a conflict. I would like to see less weaponry going into the region than more," Cohen said.

Commenting on the Cyprus governments' decision to purchase Russian surface- to-air missiles, Cohen said "should one side acquire certain types of missiles, that would perhaps provoke the other side to try and take those out. I think it is a very dangerous situation which ought to be avoided if at all possible."

He expressed the hope that the US "can persuade both sides to exercise restraint in this regard. I think the rhetoric is getting pretty hot as well as the prospects for acquiring different types of systems."

[04] Rifkind's remarks were misinterpreted, says British spokesman

"His point on Cyprus was a different one. He said that there was every reason why there should be a settlement, but that there had been a lack of political will in both Cypriot communities", the spokesman said.

He added that Mr Rifkind had made these comments "in the specific context of the disagreement between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean such as we saw over Imia".

"Britain will remain active and determined in support of the UN's efforts to help the two communities achieve a settlement", he concluded.

[05] Cyprus ranks third in university graduates worldwide

It will be the fourth International Education Fair in Cyprus and it will be open between 19-23 February 1997. It is being organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Cyprus State Fairs Authority.

The themes of this year's exhibition focus on the threatre, music and art and there are 104 exhibitors (educational institutions) from Cyprus and 15 other foreign countries including Britain, USA, Australia, Belgium, Greece, Germany and France.

[06] House approves defence budget

The budget includes a deposit for the Russian S-300 missiles.

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