Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] US changes its tune on Imia sovereignty

[02] China to play active role in Cyprus peace efforts

[03] Russian Patriarch condemns Turkish sacrilege in occupied areas

0940:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US changes its tune on Imia sovereignty

Washington, Jun 20 (CNA) -- The US has admitted to making a "mistake" in its assessment of the sovereignty of a Greek island in the Aegean, (Imia), which had brought two NATO allies, Greece and Turkey, on the brink of war, following the latter's claims on the island.

"I mistakenly said that the Aegean island of Imia is under Greek sovereignty. In fact, the sovereignty of that island is in dispute between Greece and Turkey," Pentagon spokesman Kevin Bacon said.

He said the US has a long-standing policy "not to take position on conflicting claims to sovereignty or on other countries' boundary disputes."

He pointed out this policy helps the US to act, where appropriate, "to facilitate the resolution of such disputes."

A State Department spokesman told CNA that geographical names and their spelling (in maps) do not "necessarily reflect the recognition of political status of an area by the US government."

Pentagon sources explained to CNA that the controversy was attributed to an incomplete press guidance Bacon had at the press briefing and added that the person who prepared the briefing was not aware of the official US policy regarding the Imia issue.

In past comments, Bacon said a US 1996 map "makes it very clear that the island is under Greek sovereignty, as it always has been."

Bacon explained that the State Department's official geographer decided the appropriate nationality of properties around the world.

The reason for which the previous map listed Imia as "disputed or undermined sovereignty" was that a "mistake" was made, he added.

Hours after this statement, the Pentagon revoked its earlier statement and said an "error" was made.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:02

[02] China to play active role in Cyprus peace efforts

Reliable sources told CNA that the Chinese position was set out here today by the country's Assistant Foreign Minister Ji Peiding during a meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

China will play a more active role as a permanent member of the 15- member UN Security Council, the same sources said.

Meanwhile, speaking through an interpreter, after his meeting with President Clerides, Peiding stressed China's firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

"China respects the non-aligned status of the Republic of Cyprus", he added.

Peiding expressed satisfaction with the "friendly" meeting he had with President Clerides, during which he conveyed "cordial greetings" from President Jiang Zemin.

Prior to his meeting with the Cypriot President the Chinese official had talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Kasoulides and Peiding signed a protocol for cooperation between the two countries' foreign ministries.

After the Presidential Palace, the Chinese official went to the House of Representatives, where he had a meeting with the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Later today, he will have a meeting with Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades, who will guide him to the cease fire line, making Nicosia the world's last divided capital.

CNA KN/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Russian Patriarch condemns Turkish sacrilege in occupied areas

Speaking after a meeting with a Cypriot House delegation on an official visit to Moscow, Patriarch Aleksei admonished Turkey for what he called unacceptable phenomena occurring in the occupied part of Cyprus, such as the destruction of churches, illegal sales of historical monuments, icons and other Orthodox holy objects.

The Patriarch added that no respect is imparted to religious objects, a fact he described as unacceptable.

Turkey occupies 37 per cent of Cyprus since it invaded the island in 1974.

Turkish art smugglers have illegally sold many priceless treasures from occupied Orthodox churches to international black markets dealing in religious art.

The Cyprus Church has waged numerous legal battles abroad to reclaim the stolen treasures.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Aleksei thanked the Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, for his recent decision to donate land to the Russian Church in the southern coastal town of Limassol for the construction of a church to serve Russians presently residing in Cyprus.

"We are grateful to Archbishop Chrysostomos and the Cyprus Orthodox Church, which is demonstrating great care for our compatriots who are temporarily living in Cyprus," the Patriarch said.

Patriarch Aleksei expressed his determination to the Cypriot delegation that they will feel the friendliness of the Russian people towards the people of Cyprus.

"We stand by your side and we feel the difficulties which you are facing as a result of the occupation of a part of your island," he added.

The Patriarch noted the delegation's visit to Russia will open a new chapter in relations between the two countries on all levels.

On his part, Cyprus House President Spyros Kyprianou said the feelings of the Russian people towards Cyprus were felt by delegation members during their first moments in Moscow.

The delegation, composed of Greek Cypriot political party leaders or representatives, is conducting an official visit to Moscow, at the invitation of Russian Federation State Duma President, Gennadi Seleznev.

CNA CHG/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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