Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-04-23

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

News Update

Thursday, 23/04/98

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides' statement on Karamanlis death
• [02] Foreign Minister on US initiative and on Cyprus' relations with West European Union
• [03] Greek army Chief of Staff in Cyprus

[01] President Clerides' statement on Karamanlis death

"Constantinos Karamanlis, who towered over the political life of Greece for forty years, was one of the great political figures in modern Greek history. Constantinos Karamanlis made a valuable contribution to the Greek people's colossal effort to reconstruct Greece after the destruction and great catastrophes brought about by the Italian and German occupation and the Greek civil war. Also invaluable was his contribution as regards the restoration and consolidation of democracy in Greece after the fall of the junta and as regards Greece's accession to what is today the European Union.

Constantinos Karamanlis' historic decision to make Greece a member of the European Economic Community, as it was called then, was a landmark in modern Greek history. The importance of this decision was borne out by subsequent developments on the international political scene.

At the same time Karamanlis worked systematically and persistently, with patriotism and political wisdom, in tackling the national issues of Greece.

He was involved in the Cyprus problem since the start of the EOKA liberation struggle as Prime Minister and later as President of Greece. From time to time he had the opportunity to participate decisively in charting the strategy and handling of the Cyprus problem. He always had the political courage to speak his mind without resorting to demagogy, guided by the national interest.

Constantinos Karamanlis was a great visionary with a realistic approach to problems who steadily tried to obtain the best possible results under the circumstances. He was a statesman with a European stature who paved the way for Greece's entry into the 21st century."

[02] Foreign Minister on US initiative and on Cyprus' relations with West European Union

He pointed out that the government has also welcomed Russian initiatives for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

"We support the efforts of any Security Council member state that would bring about results," Kasoulides added.

Speaking after a meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday, he also pointed out there was as yet no question of a four-party conference, bringing Greece and Turkey to join the bi-communal talks.

Asked if there are indications that the Turkish Cypriot leader has moved from his intransigent positions, after his meeting with the US State Department Cyprus Co-ordinator, Kasoulides said "unfortunately, not yet".

"For the time being, we have not been informed of any change in Denktash's positions," he added.

The Foreign Minister also confirmed that Cyprus has been involved in talks with the Western European Union (WEU), the military arm of the European Union, for more than two years now.

He said that Cyprus had applied for associate partnership status with the WEU and that this was a natural step for any country aspiring to join the EU.

Kasoulides confirmed these reports, and added: "We have been in dialogue (with the WEU) since 1995, talking to the WEU twice a year."

"We will continue this dialogue with the aim of upgrading our relations (with the WEU)," he said.

Ten countries - including Greece, France, Germany and Britain - are members of the WEU and another 18 states are linked through partnership or association agreements.

[03] Greek army Chief of Staff in Cyprus

This is the first official visit to Cyprus by a Greek army chief of Staff and aims to assess the course of the joint defence pact agreed between Greece and Cyprus in 1993.

During his stay, Mr Tzoganis will also have meetings with the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, and Greek ambassador to Cyprus Kyriacos Rodousakis and will visit the Republic's newly-built military air base in the western coastal district of Paphos.

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

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