Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Albright on Cyprus

[02] Spokesman on Turkey's accord with illegal regime

[03] President comments on illegal agreement

[04] Greek Ambassador presents credentials

[05] Greek-Cypriot side to participate in peace talks

0850:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Albright on Cyprus

Speaking at a National Press Club luncheon on the Middle East Peace Process, Albright said, "this (Cyprus) very long-running dispute is in a place where there could be some resolution, especially as they move towards a desire to be part of the EU."

She noted that she had been there "a number of times" and that she had "in the past and now taken a great interest in the Cyprus negotiations."

Asked if the US has any plans to become more actively involved in helping the parties in Cyprus to resolve their differences, Albright noted the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus and added "he is taking an active role in that."

"This is an important time," the Secretary of State said.

CNA DA/MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1125:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman on Turkey's accord with illegal regime

Commenting on yesterday's agreement between Ankara and its puppet regime in occupied Cyprus for "partial integration", Christofides told Cyprus radio (CYBC) the signing of the agreement was in line with Turkey's routine political tactics of creating problems, whenever talks for a Cyprus solution are looming.

Pointing out that Turkey had threatened with annexation of the part of the island it occupies since 1974 if Cyprus proceeds with accession talks with the European Union (EU), Christofides stressed that "our European course is of vital importance and we will take all necessary measures to safeguard it."

He said representations will be made to international fora about the accord.

Christofides noted that Turkey has a "unique" way of blackmailing Europe and the UN and of trying to force them to agree with and adopt its positions.

The Spokesman described as "absurd" claims by Deputy Turkish Foreign Minister, Inal Batu, that the annexation of the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus aims to upset the balance of power in the region.

Turkey, he pointed out, has a huge military machine in Cyprus and yet it reacts to the inalienable right of the Republic of Cyprus to build up its own defences.

"If Turkey is so concerned with the arms race, then all it has to do is to accept President Clerides' proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus," Christofides added.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1155:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President comments on illegal agreement

"The aim of the accord between Ankara and the self-styled regime in occupied Cyprus for partial integration with Turkey is to get such a response from us as to (lead us) not to attend the talks," President Glafcos Clerides said here today, before a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body on the handling of the Cyprus issue.

The agreement, the President said, was also made "for internal consumption" and aims at justifying the decision of the Turkish Cypriot side to attend the talks, from August 11 - 16.

Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, had threatened not to go Glion but eventually conceded to go, pointing out that he would walk out of the negotiations if he feels he is being led into a trap.

Yesterday's agreement will be discussed during today's meeting of the National Council. The National Council will also discuss remarks on a UN non-paper presented to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides at the first round of negotiations in Troutbeck, New York.

CNA EC/MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greek Ambassador presents credentials

Presenting here today his letters of credence to President Glafcos Clerides, Rodousakis said the Greek side will make every effort to salvage the UN-led direct talks and find a just and viable solution in Cyprus, despite Turkish efforts to undermine attempts for a settlement.

"Greece's diplomatic machine is at the disposal of the Republic of Cyprus to help bring this round of talks to a successful conclusion," Rodousakis said.

On Cyprus' accession course, he said Greece shall not be influenced by any interventions and will apply all available means within the EU to facilitate Cyprus' entry into the Union.

Rodousakis pledged to intend with all his might to "enhance and further develop all bilateral ties with Cyprus" and pointed out that the Greco- Cypriot defence pact, agreed by the two governments in 1993, "is an integral element of Greek defence policy."

Greece, he added, always monitors developments in Cyprus and supports diplomatic efforts by the Republic of Cyprus and the international community, under UN auspices, in which a lot of hope has been invested for a lasting settlement.

In his remarks, President Clerides said Greece stands by Cyprus in its effort to find a negotiated settlement and added "Nicosia and Athens, in close cooperation, have already decided jointly how to wage the struggle for justice in Cyprus."

"The active implementation and effective operation of the Joint Defence Pact is a testament not only of the highest degree of cooperation between Athens and Nicosia but also of the resolve of Hellenism to defend Cyprus," the President noted.

The function of Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus assumes the role of a "national mission", he said, noting that the perfect cooperation between the two countries shows that both are working together to promote common principles.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Greek-Cypriot side to participate in peace talks

They have also decided on future targets and studied an agreement signed between Ankara and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the occupied part of Cyprus.

Speaking after a three hour meeting of the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said it "decided unanimously to go to Montreux" for the UN-led negotiations.

The negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will take place in Glion, Switzerland, between August 11-16.

The leaders of the two communities held a first round of talks on the Cyprus issue in Troutbeck, New York, July 9-12.

Christofides said the National Council "examined in detail issues relating to strategy and appropriate ways to handle the situation", but refrained from taking any questions from the press or elaborating on the content of the discussions.

He said the political leaders "also studied developments as these have emerged after Wednesday's agreement between Ankara and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus and took decisions on the matter for short-term and long-term objectives."

Yesterday, only five days before the Cyprus peace talks, Ankara signed an agreement for the "partial integration" of the Turkish occupied part of the Republic.

The agreement, signed during a one-day visit to Turkish occupied Nicosia by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, calls for "gradual economic and financial integrations and partial integration on security, defence and foreign policy matters."

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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