Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-06-04

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

News Update

Wednesday, 04/06/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Foreign Minister meets with British Foreign Secretary
• [02] Britain's special envoy for Cyprus arrives on the island Sunday (8.6.97)
• [03] New Turkish military airspace violations over Cyprus
• [04] Mexican officials reaffirm support for Cyprus.

[01] Cyprus Foreign Minister meets with British Foreign Secretary

Kasoulides is on one-day visit to London on his way to Washington, where he will have talks with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on 6th June, in view of UN-led direct talks expected to start early next month near New York between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

In statements before leaving Cyprus on Tuesday (3.6.97) Mr Kasoulides stressed that the Greek Cypriot side will attend direct talks with an open mind and determined to work constructively towards a solution of the Cyprus problem. Kasoulides said he will brief Albright on Cyprus government views and stance.

He added that US active involvement in the process is expected. "We are definitely interested in seeing how the US intend to assist efforts towards a Cyprus settlement", he said.

Kasoulides said the government has not been officially informed by the US regarding the replacement of Presidential Emissary on Cyprus, Richard Beattie.

[02] Britain's special envoy for Cyprus arrives on the island Sunday (8.6.97)

Cyprus News Agency (CNA), quoting a diplomatic source in Nicosia, said that Sir David will bring with him "some specific ideas on all the major aspects of the Cyprus problem".

"Sir David will be here for a series of meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as well as other parties involved in the Cyprus question, such as the UN and the US", they said.

Commenting on the substance of his talks with President Clerides and Denktash, the same sources said Sir David "will be using" previous documents, presented by Britain's former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind and the country's then shadow FS and Rifkind's successor, Robin Cook, during his talks on the island but "neither of those ideas will be presented as such" to his interlocutors. The British diplomat is credited with the preparation of the ten-point document presented by the then Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind on his visit to Cyprus.

Sir David is due to have a working breakfast with President Clerides on Monday morning and then have separate meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou.

Later on the same day he will see US ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill and on Monday afternoon he will have talks with Denktash.

On Tuesday (10.6.97), Sir David is scheduled to have lengthy discussions with the President and Denktash again.

Sir David will also see UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel, and give a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

[03] New Turkish military airspace violations over Cyprus

"Turkey has chosen the path of provocation and violations of international law and order", said government spokesman Manolis Christofides.

A government press release said three Turkish F-4 warplanes violated Nicosia FIR (Flight Information Region) between 10am and 10.30am. Two more F-4 fighters violated Nicosia FIR at 13.52pm.

According to another government press release, 20 Israeli fighter jets violated Nicosia FIR on Monday (2.6.97) and Tuesday (3.6.97). The planes flew towards Turkey before returning to Israel.

Turkey is conducting air and naval maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean and the overflights are believed to be connected to the exercises.

The Government Spokesman said the Turkish airspace violations would not cause Cyprus to reverse its decision to suspend Greek military flights. "We will stick to an earlier decision to halt overflights by military aircraft over Cyprus ahead of direct talks", he said.

Christofides said the government enforced the flight ban on Greek jets to show good will and create the "right atmosphere "for direct talks between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Dentkash in July.

Since the suspension of Greek military flights, Turkish overflights have been "sporadic" rather than frequent, defense sources say.

Tuesday's flight violations followed an infringement of Cyprus territorial waters by two Turkish patrol boats on Monday night (2.6.97).

[04] Mexican officials reaffirm support for Cyprus

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Palacios said they discussed several issues and problems that concern the two countries.

On his part, Villanueva pointed out that both Cyprus and Mexico have been victims of aggression and have striven for freedom and independence. He underlined Mexico's firm support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Cyprus Republic as well as the UN-led efforts towards a solution of the protracted Cyprus problem.

He also noted that Mexico will promote the Cyprus case at the Union of Latin American Chamber of Deputies as well as other international fora, while working towards strengthening of bilateral relations.

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

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