Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Russia reiterates support for Cyprus solution

[02] No solution by Fall, Clerides says

1200:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Russia reiterates support for Cyprus solution

This position was stressed Saturday to Novosti press agency by Russia's First Vice President, Boris Nemtsov, after a meeting he had in Moscow with a Cyprus House of Representatives bipartisan delegation.

Nemtsov also said Russia wants to see that after a solution of the protracted Cyprus problem, both the political and social freedoms will be secured for every citizen of the island.

The Russian official also referred to an agreement for the purchase of the Russian anti-aircraft missiles S-300 by the Republic of Cyprus and said his government will honour the time schedule for their despatch.

Russia would be ready to reconsider its decision only if the course for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement leads to the complete demilitarisation of the island, Nemtsov told Novosti.

Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon the House delegation, which was in Moscow for a five-day official visit at the invitation of Russian Duma President, Gennadi Seleznev, returned to Cyprus.

The delegation said Russia had assured Cypriot deputies it will keep a close eye on the forthcoming direct face-to-face talks between President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

The UN-sponsored direct talks are scheduled to take place between July 9 and 13 near New York.

The Cypriot delegation has also been assured that Russia will actively and substantially be involved in the New York talks, aiming to pave the way for a Cyprus solution, through its representative at the talks.

House President, Spyros Kyprianou, headed the delegation and was accompanied by Democratic Rally President, Nicos Anastasiades, AKEL Secretary General, Demetris Christofias, United Democrats President, George Vassiliou, as well as Parliamentary Spokesmen of the Democratic Party and Socialist EDEK, Tassos Papadopoulos and Yiannakis Omirou, respectively.

CNA AP/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:02

[02] No solution by Fall, Clerides says

President Clerides was commenting on yesterday's press reports that the US and Britain expect that a high level agreement can be reached on Cyprus by this Autumn.

It is expected that in Autumn this year direct talks will be suspended, in view of February 1998 presidential elections in Cyprus.

However, President Clerides said he expects some developments on the Cyprus issue in 1998, when a US State Department team, being currently set up by Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, will be actively involved in efforts for a Cyprus solution.

Cyprus radio quoted Saturday a Greek high-ranking diplomatic source in New York as saying that the US and Britain expect a high level agreement to be reached by Autumn 1997 between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, at their UN-led face-to-face talks, commencing July 9 near New York.

The same source had also said the US and Britain will arrange so that Cyprus' accession negotiations with the European Union will be conducted by a bicommunal delegation of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, according to another Cyprus radio report Sunday, the US and Britain are trying to coordinate their efforts for a set of ideas which they will promote through the UN during the direct talks.

For this reason, it added, Holbrooke had a meeting yesterday in London with Britain's special envoy for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.

The report also said that US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, flew yesterday to London, where he had a lengthy discussion on Cyprus with Holbrooke.

CNA AP/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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