Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-08-27

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

News Update

Thursday, 27/08/98

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides in Athens for talks
• [02] All Hellennes around the world must make Cyprus the centre of their concern

[01] President Clerides in Athens for talks

In a brief statement before his departure from Larnaca airport, President Clerides said that during the meeting with the Greek Prime Minister there will "be an exchange of views on the current phase of the Cyprus problem, future handling, the island's European Union accession course, the Joint Defence Pact between Cyprus and Greece, armaments and the Russian S-300 missiles". The meeting will also be attended by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou.

Asked if there were any developments which necessitated postponing the deployment of the missiles, scheduled for later this year, President Clerides pointed out that "no decision has been taken, other than the National Council decision, which is well known to all" adding that "even if such a decision is taken, it will be taken in Cyprus by the National Council".

Referring to the Joint Defence Pact between Cyprus and Greece, Mr Clerides said both countries discuss various issues and take joint decisions adding that in some matters Greece's view weighs more, and in others, the Cyprus Republic's view is more important.

From Athens the President will travel to Zurich and then to South Africa where he will attend the Non-Aligned Movement's Summit. He will return to Cyprus on 5 September.

[02] All Hellennes around the world must make Cyprus the centre of their concern

Speaking at the Conference of the Councils of the International Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee- Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) yesterday, currently being held in Nicosia, Mr Athens told delegates that US President Bill Clinton had given him his personal assurances, when he spoke to him a week ago, that the United States will undertake new and fresh initiatives on the Cyprus problem.

Acknowledging that it is very difficult for the Greek Americans to make the US administration and the Congress put Cyprus on the top of their agenda, Athens said efforts were continuing.

The President of the International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) Philip Christopher also called on the delegates to continue their concerted efforts in the struggle for a just settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the role of PSEKA he noted the most important achievement of the Committee was the passing of the legislation on missing persons which led to the tracing of the fate of one Greek-American missing person.

Moreover in his speech the President of the Parliamentary Committee for Overseas Greeks Parliamentarian Gregoris Niotis stressed that the Cyprus problem is one of the priorities of the World Council of Hellenes and that during the next five years an international campaign must be organised to this end. He also underlined the need for a thorough coordination and planning of all Greek lobbies as well as for an approach of the European Forum.

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

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