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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 97-10-12Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1315:CYPPRESS:01[01] Foreign Minister on Russian missilesNicosia, Oct 12 (CNA) -- Turkey's threats against Cyprus render the deployment of Russian anti-aircraft missiles on the island more necessary, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has said.He also expressed the view that Britain's insight into the fine details relating to the Cyprus question and US influence on Turkey could help the Cyprus peace effort. Moreover, he said the government does not wish to make any commitments on the Cyprus question and is somewhat concerned about the military cooperation between Israel and Turkey, which continues to occupy part of the island since its troops invaded in 1974. In an interview with the Greek Cypriot daily "Fileleftheros", the Minister said "the US understand the substance of the Cyprus question will be discussed after February's presidential elections and on our part, the government does not wish to make any commitment at present." On Turkish threats to launch a preemptive strike against Cyprus and integrate the Turkish occupied part of the island if the missiles are deployed, Kasoulides said "the more threats levelled against us, the more imperative it is to get these missiles." "These threats render the prospect of non-deployment of the missiles difficult," he said. Cyprus has repeatedly stated it would not deploy the missiles if there is sufficient progress towards a settlement or an agreement for the demilitarisation of Cyprus. Referring to a military cooperation agreement between Israel and Turkey, the Minister said despite Israeli assurances this agreement is not against Cyprus, "there is some kind of concern and sensitivity, not because there are any military repercussions emanating from the agreement but because regional balance should seriously take into account the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus." On British-US cooperation in the Cyprus peace process, Kasoulides acknowledged that Britain along with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey "is the only country which knows exactly the fine details of the Cyprus question." "If this and American influence on Turkey are combined in the right direction, they would help efforts for a solution," he concluded. CNA MM/KK/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1325:CYPPRESS:02[02] President vows to work for justiceLondon, Oct 12 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides has repeated his pledge to work through peaceful means towards a just and viable settlement in Cyprus that would allow peaceful coexistence of all its citizens."I shall never accept to sign any solution that would undermine the security of Cypriot hellenism and question the future of Cyprus," he told a dinner marking 75 years since the establishment of the Archbishopric of Thiateron in Great Britain. "The only commitment I have made is to work for freedom and justice for our people and I shall not renege from this pledge," the President said. In his remarks to more than 1,000 guests, British Culture and Sports Minister Chris Smith said efforts for a solution in Cyprus should be redoubled. He said he shared the vision of many of his constituents that one day Cyprus will be reunited. Present at the dinner were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Government Spokesman Manolis Christophides. CNA MM/KK/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1350:CYPPRESS:03[03] President calls for more active engagementNicosia, Oct 12 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides has called on the international community to engage itself more actively in efforts to settle the Cyprus question to secure a just and viable solution.He also repeated earlier statements that Cyprus will continue to boost its air defence capability until the threat emanating from the continuing Turkish occupation is lifted. "I am optimist that if the international community is engaged more decisively than in the past, the road towards a just, workable and viable solution in Cyprus will open,"the President said in a message to a rally protesting the occupation of Morphou village, on the northwestern coast of Cyprus. The message, read by Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Kosis, reiterated the President's pledge that he would not "tie my hands behind my back and allow the Turkish air force to bomb our towns and villages at will, as it has done in the past, without being able to defend ourselves." The President said there was unprecedented world interest in Cyprus, to culminate after February's presidential elections. CNA MM/KK/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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