Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-29

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides and Papoutsis discuss accession process

[02] Comments submitted on UN-proposals in military dialogue

[03] Euro-Parliament supports Cyprus' accession

[04] Efforts to end military exercises in Akamas stepped-up

1650:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides and Papoutsis discuss accession process

The two men discussed the Republic's course of accession to the European Union (EU), and Kasoulides briefed Papoutsis on recent developments concerning the Cyprus problem.

Conveying the Commission's satisfaction, Papoutsis expressed certainty Cyprus will be fully harmonised before accession talks begin, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, according to an EU decision of March 6 1995.

Papoutsis also emphasised it is important for Cyprus to be present in all EU developments.

CNA NB/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Comments submitted on UN-proposals in military dialogue

"Neither side has any official information concerning the others comments, and the UN have not yet evaluated the suggestions or observations submitted", Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said today.

The UN proposals concern the extension of an unmanning agreement, concluded in 1989, the code of conduct and the removal of loaded weapons from outposts where the two sides are in close proximity since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of Cyprus' territory.

With regard to the extension of the 1989 unmanning agreement, Christofides stressed the government's determination to protect the citizens of the Republic. "This is our basic aim and our proposals have been along these lines", he noted.

Christofides also expressed appreciation for the clarifications UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel, made to Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, that no components of the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, which the government of Cyprus is buying, have been brought to the island.

According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press, Denktash claimed that parts of the S-300 have arrived in Cyprus.

"As representative of the UN, Feissel's duty is to see that peace prevails on the island, while Denktash's aim is to aggravate the situation with false claims," the Spokesman said.

Noting that Feissel must have had official reassurances before his meeting yesterday with Denktash, during which he put the record straight, Christofides said the UN envoy "refuted Turkish attempts to create tension."

CNA MM/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1955:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Euro-Parliament supports Cyprus' accession

The reassurances were given today by President of the European Parliament, Hose Maria Gil Rombles, during a meeting with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, in Brussels.

The Parliament President also said there is no obstacle for the Republic's accession to the EU if the Cyprus problem remains unresolved.

Negotiations for Cyprus-EU accession are expected to begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, after an EU decision in 1995.

The Foreign Minister briefed the Spanish Euro-MP on government efforts to prepare for EU accession, and thanked him for the Parliament's steady support for a solution in Cyprus.

Kasoulides described his meetings in Brussels as very useful and made special reference to his discussion with Foreign Relations Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, on negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, expected to begin in early June, in New York.

He also reiterated the government's political will for a solution and said President Glafcos Clerides will participate in negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in good will.

Kasoulides noted that there could be a breakthrough in efforts for a solution if the Turkish side also has a positive stand during the face-to- face talks.

CNA NB/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Efforts to end military exercises in Akamas stepped-up

A group of demonstrators, holding banners calling for a halt to British military exercises and for turning Akamas into a National Park, gathered today outside the Foreign Ministry and handed a petition to a Ministry representative.

In the petition the environmentalists ask the government to demand from Britain not to conduct military exercises in this south-western peninsula and to declare Akamas, famous for its rare fauna and flora, into a national park. They also call for the support of all political parties.

Speaking to CNA, George Perdikis, representative of the Environmentalist Movement, said the British have cancelled their military exercises scheduled to take place next month as a result of recent developments.

He added, however, that British officers have said the exercises will take place in September.

"If they try to come to Akamas in September they will find us there and we will continue our struggle until British military exercises in the region come to a definite halt," he stressed.

The British government has consented to ending military exercises in Akamas if an alternative site is proposed by the government of Cyprus.

Britain retains two sovereign bases in Cyprus since it granted the island independence, in 1960, and also has the right to carry out military exercises in designated areas, including Akamas.

CNA RM/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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