Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-08-28

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

News Update

Friday, 28/08/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus and Greece in full agreement on handling of the Cyprus problem
• [02] Missiles aren't the issue but how to break the deadlock

[01] Cyprus and Greece in full agreement on handling of the Cyprus problem

In a joint communique, issued after talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday, the two countries stress that the Cyprus problem is a question of invasion and occupation and should be solved on the basis of UN Resolutions.

Both Greece and Cyprus "insist that Cyprus' accession to the European Union will be a catalyst in efforts to solve the political problem, it will bring the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities closer together and create conditions for a just and lasting settlement to the benefit of all the people of Cyprus."

Both governments "insist that the defence of the integrity of Cyprus is a fundamental right of its government and an obligation of Greece."

Moreover, the Greek government makes it clear to everyone that "the Joint Defence Pact is a commitment that Greece has undertaken, governed by the decision to defend Cyprus militarily in case of a threat."

The two sides reiterate their desire to avoid tension and confrontation, noting that their only concern is to defend Cyprus against the continually increasing provocations from Ankara and the massive upgrading of its military equipment in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

The anti-aircraft system, the communique says, "is not a means to an end" but aims exclusively to provide Cyprus with air defence. Both countries reiterated their intention to "consolidate peace and security in the region, defend the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and safeguard international law."

Both countries would have no objection, in principle, to the establishment of a guaranteed no-fly zone, provided this is part of the UN framework and a process leading to gradual disarmament.

Furthermore, it adds, President Clerides is willing to listen to other ideas which would contribute towards the consolidation of peace through a gradual reduction of armaments with a view to demilitarisation.

The Greek government, supports the positions of the government of Cyprus and will back every effort in this direction. it concluded.

[02] Missiles aren't the issue but how to break the deadlock

The core of the issue is not whether or not to deploy the anti-aircraft missile system in Cyprus, but how to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and ways to overcome the current deadlock, the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis told the press.

"The S-300 missile system is not an end in itself, it is not the main issue of the Cyprus problem, and those who want to make it appear as the main problem, are being led in the wrong direction", he said.

Mr Simitis said that no decision has been taken to postpone the deployment of the missiles.

On his part President Clerides added that the Cyprus government was ready to resume the dialogue on the substance of the Cyprus problem, as well as on issues which create tension, such as armaments, within a framework leading to the island's gradual demilitarisation and welcomed the statement that Greece would defend Cyprus militarily in case of a threat.

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

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