Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Jordan appreciates Cyprus' role

[02] Jordan wants to strengthen relations with Cyprus

[03] Australian MP says government shows good will

[04] Cyprus protests to UN over Turkish statements and actions

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[01] Jordan appreciates Cyprus' role

This was stressed here today by Jordan's Speaker of the House of Deputies Saad Hayel Srour, who is currently visiting the island at the invitation of House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou.

Speaking after a meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Srour said they discussed the Cyprus and Middle East problems and "exchanged views on matters of common interest in our region".

He particularly referred to Cyprus' contribution to the Middle East peace process.

The Jordanian official said he discussed with Kasoulides ways of working together at parliamentarian and governmental levels in an effort to further enhance relations between Cyprus and Jordan."

CNA KN/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Jordan wants to strengthen relations with Cyprus

Speaking after a 30-minute meeting here today with President Glafcos Clerides, Srour said he conveyed King Hussein's regards to the Cypriot President.

He stressed that King Hussein "is concerned about developing the relations between Jordan and Cyprus to the benefit of the two countries and the two peoples".

Srour also mentioned President Clerides' concern "in developing those relations" and expressed his conviction that "in the near future, we will see visits and meetings between the ministers from both sides, so as to find the suitable way to develop economic, cultural or political relations".

He added "I am sure that we can do a lot concerning the development of the relations between Cyprus and Jordan" and pointed out that "we have the determination to do more and more".

The Jordanian official is on a three-day official visit to Cyprus at the invitation of House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.

CNA RG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Australian MP says government shows good will

At the same time, he expressed satisfaction with the views expressed during his meetings with government officials.

Speaking after separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Melham, pointed out the need for good will from both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, noting, however, that "there is certainly good will on the part of the (Cyprus) government."

Melham described his meting with President Clerides as "very informative" and said the President gave him "a frank account of recent developments."

"I think his assessment was an honest one", he said, noting he was "very impressed by President Clerides' attitude."

"My assessment is that it is a process that needs to be supported by the international community", he said, pointing out that his country would certainly assist efforts in that direction.

"The world is watching. This is a problem that needs to be solved", Melham said, noting that personally he does not "want to see a 25th anniversary of the occupation."

The Australian MP stressed the need for talks at all levels, noting they "are the only way even if you do not necessarily achieve immediate results. If you are taking there is always a chance to reach a solution", he added.

"People need to talk not necessarily on an official capacity. Sometime informal talks are great foundation for something to come in the future", he said.

Asked whether he intents to have meetings with the Turkish Cypriot side, Melham said, "not at this stage" as this was a very "quick visit", adding that he intends to do so in the future.

On his return to Australia Melham will be reporting his findings to opposition Labour Party leader, Kim Beazly. He leaves Cyprus tomorrow.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] Cyprus protests to UN over Turkish statements and actions

In a letter, circulated as a UN document, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Nicos Agathocleous, referred to the visit of Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, to the occupied part of Cyprus for this occasion. Ecevit was the Prime Minister who ordered the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Agathocleous noted the "joint declaration" issued by Ecevit and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, concerning the gradual integration of the occupied areas of Cyprus with Turkey.

He said these actions and statements are "yet another manifestation of the continued violation by Turkey of its international obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus" and they are in contravention of the provisions of the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions on Cyprus.

In his letter, Agathocleous also referred to the new violations of the Cyprus airspace and of the Flight Information Region of Nicosia by Turkish air force military aircraft between July 19 and 21 and the docking of Turkish warships in ports of the occupied areas.

"These recent events and actions by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, take place at a most sensitive period, just a few days after the first round of the UN-sponsored direct talks between the two Cypriot communities at Troutbeck", Agathocleous said.

He stressed that "such actions could adversely affect the good climate that has emerged from these talks and seriously impede the efforts towards the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

A new round of direct talks is scheduled to take place between August 11 and 16, near Geneva, Switzerland.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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