Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-01

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CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus, Egypt sign cooperation programme in agriculture

[02] Greek Premier arrives in Cyprus

[03] Greece fully supports Cyprus' struggle

[04] Clerides, Simitis take salute of military parade

[05] Russian T80-U tanks in Cyprus military parade

[06] Russian T80-U tanks in Cyprus military parade

[07] Simitis fully backs joint defence pact

[08] Greek airforce and navy to take part in Cypriot manoeuvres

[09] Cyprus: 36 years of independence

[10] Clinton and other statesmen congratulates Clerides

[11] Greek Premier meets Cyprus President and Archbishop 0915:CYPPREESS:01

[01] Cyprus, Egypt sign cooperation programme in agriculture

Nicosia, Oct 1 (CNA) -- Cyprus and Egypt have signed a cooperation programme in the field of agriculture.

The programme was signed in Cairo by Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Costas Petrides and Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Land Reclamation Yousuf Amin Wali.

During his stay in the Egyptian capital, Petrides, who returned to Cyprus yesterday, discussed the issue of Cyprus' beef exports to this neighbouring country.

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Greek Premier arrives in Cyprus

He was met at Larnaca International Airport by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, House of Representatives President and former President Spyros Kyprianou, cabinet members and military and police chiefs.

During the red carpet welcome, the Greek Premier inspected a National Guard guard of honour detachment while the military band played the national anthem of Greece and Cyprus.

Simitis arrived in Cyprus aboard an Olympic Airways aircraft accompanied by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, the Minister of Press and Government Spokesman Demetris Reppas and other officials.

The two leaders will have a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. Simitis will lay a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Cyprus Republic, late Archbishop Makarios.

Later in the morning, the two leaders will take the salute of a big military parade in Nicosia, marking the 36th anniversary of Cyprus' independence from Britain.

CNA GP/1996

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[03] Greece fully supports Cyprus' struggle

The Greek Premier arrived in Cyprus this morning for a two-day official visit. He was met at Larnaca International Airport by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Welcoming the Greek leader, Clerides noted that Simitis' presence in Cyprus on the Independence Day, ''is another manifestation of Greece's support to Greek hellenism''.

He said ''I want to publicly express my thanks to the Premier and his government for their help to us to face the foreign threat.''

The Greek Premier noted that this was his first visit abroad after his re-election last month, underlining the importance the Greek government attaches to the Cyprus problem.

He said his visit coincides with the anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus (October 1, 1960).

''We want to state, by this way, that we support the independent Cyprus Republic and we want to help it, in every way, to struggle for the restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty throughout the island,'' Simitis said.

He repeated that the Cyprus problem is the top issue of Greece's foreign policy.

The Greek Premier said his country's firm position, ''and we stress it in every direction, that the Cyprus problem is a question of foreign occupation and therefore our firm target is to find a peaceful solution through efforts at diplomatic level.''

At the same time, Simitis said international experience has taught us that a dialogue could not yield results if you are not strong enough in the defence field.

He referred to the joint defence pact agreed upon by President Clerides and former Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou, in November 1993.

Referring to his talks here, the Greek Premier said they will focus on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and bilateral cooperation in all fields.

He will also discuss humanitarian issues, such as the questions of the missing persons and the enclaved people in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island.

Simitis referred to the brutal murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriot demonstrators by Turkish troops and extremists in August in the UN-controlled buffer zone, at Dherynia.

He said their sacrifice has not been forgotten and that it reminded the international community that the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.

He noted that the international community has started realising that the illegal occupation in Cyprus could not perpetrated. This was proved by the recent resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, which condemned the Turkish aggressiveness and behaviour, he noted.

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[04] Clerides, Simitis take salute of military parade.

Simitis arrived earlier today in Cyprus for a two-day official visit during which he will hold talks with President Clerides and the island's political leadership on the Cyprus problem and bilateral issues.

After the meeting, Simitis laid a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Cyprus Republic, Archbishop Makarios.

The two leaders went to the southern outskirts of the divided capital Nicosia to take the salute of a big military parade, on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of Cyprus' Independence.

They are standing on a dais on the Troodos Avenue, at the southern suburban area of Strovolos.

Clerides and Simitis are flanked by the island's Defence Minister Costas Eliades and National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Nicolaos Vorvolakos.

Present are the whole cabinet, Greece's Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos, other Greek officials, as well as Archbishop Chrysostomos, House President Spyros Kyprianou, political party leaders and foreign diplomats and military attaches.

Thousands of people under a bright sunshine lined the streets to see from a close range the new weaponry acquired recently by the National Guard.

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[05] Russian T80-U tanks in Cyprus military parade

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis are taking the salute of the military parade.

The modern Russian tanks were acquired by the National Guard recently, despite Turkish efforts to cancel the purchase.

The newly-acquired Russian tanks have reinforced the defence capabilities of the Cyprus Republic, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[06] Russian T80-U tanks in Cyprus military parade

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis took the salute of the military parade, standing on a dais at Troodos Avenue, in Nicosia's southern suburban area of Strovolos.

The two leaders were flanked by Cyprus Defence Minister Costas Eliades and National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Nicolaos Vorvolakos.

Scores of foreign dignitaries, including foreign diplomats, military attaches and UN officials, watched the impressive parade together with Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and other Greek officials, Archbishop Chrysostomos, House President Spyros Kyprianou, members of the cabinet and the island's political party leaders.

Thousands of people under a bright sunshine lined the streets to see from a close range the new weaponry acquired recently by the National Guard.

The modern Russian tanks were acquired by the National Guard recently, despite Turkish efforts to cancel the purchase.

The newly-acquired Russian tanks together with the French AMX-30 B2, also shown in the parade, have increased the National Guard capabilities, in order to face the superiority in tanks held by the Turkish occupation army in the northern part of the Cyprus Republic.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Some 1.200 UN men patrol the 180-kilometre-long buffer zone across this east Mediterranean strategic island.

French-made Gazelle and US-made Bell helicopters flew over the marchpast today.

Among the weaponry shown were personnel carriers other armoured vehicles land-to-see missiles, anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft rockets and other anti-aircraft weapons, long range artillery guns and mortars.

Taking part in the parade were infantry, commando, artillery, air force and navy units of the National Guard, including women volunteers and homeguards. Police and fire brigade units also took part.

CNA GP/1996

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[07] Simitis fully backs joint defence pact

Simitis, who was re-elected last month, together with Clerides took the salute of a big military parade, marking the 36th anniversary of Cyprus' independence from Britain.

Newly acquired Russian tanks T80-U as well as modern weaponry purchased recently by the National Guard were shown in the military parade.

Speaking to the press soon after the parade, President Clerides said today's parade has boosted the morale of the Cyprus people.

He specifically praised the performance of the homeguards units, saying that they are ready to defend their homeland. Clerides congratulated all units which took part in the parade.

Premier Simitis said in Cyprus ''there is a force capable to prevent (any attack) and cause heavy blows on the enemy, who must think twice before any action''.

He said today's military parade had shown the fighting condition of the Cypriot army and its high morale to face Turkish aggressiveness.

Simitis assured the Cypriot people that Greece would continue to support the Greco-Cypriot joint defence pact because ''Cyprus' defence is Greece's defence, it is the defence of the whole of hellenism, and we'll continue this course.''

Greece has warned Turkey that any Turkish troops advance towards the government-controlled southern part of Cyprus would mean war between Greece and Turkey.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Cyprus House of Representatives President, former President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou said this year's military parade was the most impressive ever held.

He praised the work done within the framework of the Greco-Cypriot joint defence pact, providing guarantees for the future of Cyprus hellenism.

He noted that the joint defence policy between the two countries ''strengthens our negotiating position''.

Kyprianou declared that the Cyprus people would struggle for a just solution to the Cyprus problem, safeguarding their inalienable rights.

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[08] Greek airforce and navy to take part in Cypriot manoeuvres

The Cypriot Minister was speaking after a big military parade today in Nicosia, marking the 36th anniversary of Cyprus' independence from Britain.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who arrived earlier today for a two-day official visit, took the salute of the parade.

Eliades said the exercise ''Nikiforos'' will take place within the framework of the joint defence pact agreed upon by Greece and Cyprus in November 1993.

The two countries have joined forces to face Turkish expansionist designs against them.

Greece has warned Turkey with war in case the Turkish occupation troops in the island's northern third advance towards the government-controlled southern part of this east Mediterranean strategic island.

Minister Eliades said the National guard will continue to modernise its weaponry and upgrade its operational capability.

He was referring to the newly-acquired Russian tanks T80-U, which were shown in the military parade.

Eliades said he will visit the arms exhibition which opened in Greece while on Thursday he will have a meeting with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohantzopoulos.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[09] Cyprus: 36 years of independence

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis took the salute of the parade.

Simitis arrived earlier today in Cyprus for a two-day official visit. It is his first visit abroad after his re-election on September 22, 1996.

In the past 36 years the people of Cyprus have tasted the sweet wine of Democracy, economic growth and social achievement, yet found it was laced with the bitter pill of indercommunal strife, foreign designs against its sovereignty culminating in the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of over a third of the country's territory.

Cyprus is the third biggest island in the Mediterranean. It has an area of 9.251 square kilometres and a population of about 700.000 of which 80 per cent are Greek Cypriots, 18 per cent are Turkish Cypriots and about two per cent are Maronites, Armenians and Latins.

Cyprus' turbulent history is largely explained by the island's strategic geographical position at the crossroads of three continents (Asia, Europe, Africa) and the meeting point of great civilisations. It was settled by Mysencean Greeks in the 12 century BC, and later by the Achaeans, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Ptolemies, Romans, Arabs, Lusignans, Venetians, Ottoman Turks and the British.

Cyprus was for three centuries (1571-1878 AD) part of the Ottoman Empire. It was ceded to Britain in 1878.

It later became a British crown colony (1925). From 1955 to 1959, Greek Cypriot freedom fighters waged a liberation struggle against the British. Under the London and Zurich agreements in 1960, Cyprus gained independence.

Under the Treaty of Establishment, Britain has retained two sovereign military bases on the southern coast and some other military facilities elsewhere on the island. Britain, with Greece and Turkey, were the guarantors of Cyprus' independence.

The first President of the newly-born Cyprus Republic was Archbishop Makarios III, who combined his spiritual duties with those of head of state until his death in August 1977.

He was followed by Spyros Kyprianou, President from 1977 to 1988, and George Vassiliou, from 1988 to 1993, when Glafcos Clerides took office for a five-year term.

The Republic of Cyprus has followed a non-aligned foreign policy and is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which has today 102 member-states.

Cyprus became a member of the United Nations in 1960. The following year, it joined the Council of Europe. It is also an active member of the Commonwealth and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The young Republic suffered its first main setback in 1963, when intercommunal strife broke out between extremist underground organisations in the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, the island's biggest.

There were serious constitutional differences. The following year, Turkish warplanes bombed the north-western part of the country. Ankara threatened to invade the defenseless island. The then US and Soviet Presidents warned Ankara against such a move.

A United Nations peace-keeping force (UNFICYP) was established on the Island, monitoring a cease-fire between the two sides. UNFICYP (the longest peace-keeping operation in the world) today has some 1.200 men.

What Ankara had dreamt of for so many years materialised in the summer of 1974, even though relations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots had dramatically improved by the end of the 1960's.

On 20 July 1974 Turkey, using as pretext an Athens-engineered coup against the democratically elected President of the Republic, landed thousands of invasion troops in the northern part of the island, which is just 60 km from the Turkish mainland. They were supported by battle ships, warplanes and heavy tanks.

The military junta which took power in Greece in 1967 after toppling the legitimate Government staged its Cyprus coup on 15 July 1974. The junta was aided by the EOKA B terrorist group, which fought for union with Greece.

The coup gave Turkey the opportunity to effect its long-standing plan to partition Cyprus. The existence of such a plan explains why, despite the swift collapse of the coup eight days later, Turkish forces went on to occupy 37 per cent of the island's territory and forcibly uproot 200.000 Greek Cypriots (one third of the Island's population) from their ancestral homes.

Thousands of people were killed and ill-treated, many women were raped and 1.619 people are still missing. Ancient sites, monuments and churches were destroyed and looted while priceless treasures were smuggled abroad.

To this day, Turkey maintains a 35.000-strong force in the island's occupied part. It continues to alter Cyprus's demographic character by bringing in thousands of Turkish settlers form Anatolia.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, there are now about 80.000 Turkish settlers in the occupied north, where native Turkish Cypriots are forced to emigrate because of unbearable conditions.

Under the UN auspices, Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders signed in 1977 and in 1979 two high-level agreements, providing for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

However, the Turkish side has been unwilling to this day to accept an honourable solution to the Cyprus problem and has used various methods and delaying tactics to avoid a settlement.

With the occupation of its norther third, Cyprus lost 70 per cent of its gross output, 65 per cent of its tourist accommodation capacity, 87 per cent of hotel beds under construction and 83 per cent of general cargo handling, among other losses.

The island republic applied for full European Union membership in July 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972. In October 1987, the two sides signed a customs union agreement.

In March 1995, the EU Council of Ministers gave Cyprus a firm date for the start of membership talks, six months after the EU Intergovernmental Conference.

Long discussions are held whether Cyprus will enter the EU as a full member with its political problem unresolved.

The Cyprus government has made it clear that it prefers to have its problem resolved before the island's entry into this economic and political European grouping but it could not wait for too long Turkey to decide about a Cyprus settlement.

Turkey has opposed Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to its own. But the EU stressed that Turkey could not have a veto right to any decision taken by the Union.

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[10] Clinton and other statesmen congratulates Clerides

Wishing the people of Cyprus ''happiness and well-being and the realisation of real progress toward a safe and secure future'', Clinton also notes ''the excellent ties our two countries enjoy'' and expresses the hope that ''these bonds will continue to deepen in the coming months.''

''It is also our strong hope'', the US President adds, ''that Cyprus will emerge from the current period of intercommunal difficulties and embark on a reinvigorated course to peace.''

Finally Clinton reaffirms US friendship to Cyprus, and stresses his country's ''support efforts which lead to intercommunal accord and a united island.''

In his congratulatory message to President Clerides, Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos reaffirms that coordinated efforts between the two countries for a solution to the Cyprus problem would continue.

Stephanopoulos notes that Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU) will benefit all Cypriots and will contribute to peace and progress on the island.

Congratulatory messages were also received from many heads of state and government and world personalities.

Among them are Pope John Paul II, German President Roman Herzog, Australian General Governor William Deane, French President Jacques Chirac, Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, President of Islamic Republic of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Pakistani President Benazir Bhutto and Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

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[11] Greek Premier meets Cyprus President and Archbishop

Both President Clerides and the Greek Premier, refrained from making any statements after their meeting, the second in the day.

Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides told the press that they should draw their conclusions from the military parade held in the morning to celebrate Cyprus' Day of Independence.

Clerides and Simitis, who arrived in the morning for a two-day official visit, took the salute of the Independence Parade.

On his part, Archbishop Chrysostomos, who received Simitis at the Archbishopric in Nicosia, urged him to assist efforts for a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Simitis was meeting this evening House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou and political party leaders.

He will later attend a reception held at the Presidential Palace to celebrate the Independence Day.

Tonight he will attend an official dinner given in his honour by President Clerides, at the ''Hilton Hotel''.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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