Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-26

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides leaves for London

[02] Russia warns Turkey

1115:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides leaves for London

Kasoulides will meet Thursday with Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.

According to press reports, the Minister will protest to Hannay on his recent controversial statements about the Turkish settlers in a local daily.

The British envoy had claimed that settlers in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus married to Turkish Cypriots have acquired the pseudostate's so-called "citizenship" and, therefore, they would remain on the island after a Cyprus solution is reached.

Kasoulides briefed Monday the House Foreign Affairs Committee he had already protested strongly to British High Commissioner in Nicosia, David Madden, both verbally and in writing.

The Foreign Minister will brief Sir David on last week's visit here by UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez.

He will also meet members of the House of Commons, before returning to Cyprus, on Friday.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1125:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Russia warns Turkey

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) said Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, Georgi Muradov, stressed Tuesday night that, according to international law, when a country bombards another country's ships this is considered a "casus belli" (cause of war).

The Russian diplomat, who had earlier this year warned Turkey of "casus belli" on the same issue, was speaking at a Larnaca Rotary Club gathering.

His country, Muradov added, would in no way confine its military cooperation with the legitimate government of Cyprus, noting that the current situation in Cyprus, did not result from the deal to purchase the missiles but from the 1974 Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of the island's northern third.

The Cyprus government had earlier this year signed a contract with Russian manufacturers for the purchase of surface-to-air S300 missiles, scheduled to be deployed by mid-1998.

Turkey reacted angrily to the Cyprus government decision to buy the Russian missiles and threatened with military action.

Turkey has also threatened not to allow ships carrying the missiles through the Bosporus Strait and launched a policy of merchant ships inspections suspected of carrying missile components to Cyprus.

The Russian Ambassador said a Cyprus settlement, based on a federal and united state would mean ratification of international law on the solution of regional conflicts, and would positively influence international politics, like reinforcing stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the improvement of Greco-Turkish relations, the radio added.

Muradov also stressed that Moscow was against the use of double standards policy on international issues.

Moscow stated recently that the Russian missiles would not be deployed in Cyprus only if the proposal of President Glafcos Clerides for the island's demilitarisation were accepted. CNA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article