Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides thanks US President

[02] AKEL party leader refers to developments

[03] Britain will work towards Cyprus settlement, says Cook

[04] Women AIDS patient to be sentenced next Monday

[05] Greek army chief to visit Cyprus

[06] No four-party Cyprus conference has been proposed

[07] Cyprus' EU course discussed

[08] Greek, US Defence Ministers discuss S-300

[09] British exercises at Akamas spark strong reactions

1430:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides thanks US President

In a written statement, read for him by Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides, the Cypriot President reiterated his willingness to cooperate, under UN auspices, for a Cyprus settlement.

Replying to questions, Stylianides dismissed reports that a four-party meeting for the Cyprus problem, attended by Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, and representatives from Greece and Turkey, was being scheduled.

In his statement, President Clerides notes that the visits here by US President's Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, and State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator, Tom Miller, "are part of the initiative, that will be stepped up in May."

"The Cyprus government thanks President Clinton for placing the solution of the Cyprus problem within US priority issues and for entrusting the promotion of the American initiative to Mr. Holbrooke, an experienced, tried and tested negotiator," he adds.

Holbrooke, accompanied by Miller, had visited Cyprus beginning of this month and is expected back early May.

Miller was in Cyprus yesterday and met both President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The Spokesman refrained from commenting on Monday's meeting, because of a blackout.

"The Greek Cypriot side is ready to cooperate constructively in any initiatives under the UN umbrella, to back the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission, aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, " the President says in his written statement.

He adds the solution must be based on UN resolutions on Cyprus and two high-level agreements reached between the two sides in 1977 and 1979, stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Commenting on reports about a four-party meeting on Cyprus, Stylianides said "this issue has not been raised with us by anybody."

"The Cyprus government believes that any procedures or consultations must be carried out under UN aegis," he added.

Foreign envoys involved in the Cyprus peace effort have been trying to persuade Denktash to return to the negotiating table, after he announced he would not participate unless his illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus was recognised.

The illegal regime, unilaterally declared in 1983 in the areas occupied by Turkey since 1974, is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA MM/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:02

[02] AKEL party leader refers to developments

Christofias was speaking to the press at Larnaca airport before departing today for Cuba, where he will have meetings with government and Communist Party officials.

Referring to the US role on Cyprus, Christofias said what this country wanted to achieve was to settle the problem, "regardless of what the settlement will be."

"We want the problem to be solved and we must be sending this message continuously to both the international community and our Turkish Cypriots compatriots", Christofias pointed out, adding that the solution has to be based on UN principles.

Asked to comment on the US initiative on Cyprus, he said it depends on Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

"If Denktash insists on any kind of recognition (for his self-style regime) no important development should be expected", Christofias added.

The AKEL General Secretary noted that the framework and the basis of every initiative were essential factors, explaining that the framework of UN-sponsored intercommunal talks should not be abandoned.

Christofias declined to further comment on Richard Holbrooke's mediation effort, noting that he needs more detailed information on that.

Referring to Russia's role on the issue, Christofias praised this country's stance, adding that the Russian diplomacy was based on the UN principles and the 1977 and 1979 high-level agreements between the two sides in Cyprus.

Christofias also called for a strategy which would make Russia's role on Cyprus "more useful, as it should be".

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

CNA MAN/GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Britain will work towards Cyprus settlement, says Cook

Replying to a question, during a press conference Tuesday on human rights, Cook also expressed regret that the Turkish Cypriot side has rejected an invitation by President Glafcos Clerides to participate in the Republic's team negotiating accession to the EU.

Asked whether Britain will take an initiative to break the present deadlock in Cyprus peace talks, by inviting the leaders of the two communities to London, Cook said:

"We did have President Clerides in London, at the London conference (in March) and both Tony Blair and I had very useful meetings (with him)."

The British official said "one of the positive outcomes of those meetings was the very fair and reasonable offer that President Clerides made to Mr. Denktash for a mixed delegation of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to take part in the negotiations for accession to the EU."

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash rejected the proposal to nominate representatives in the official Cyprus delegation that will carry out the accession talks, which got underway in Brussels on March 31.

"I very much regret that Mr. Denktash has turned down that (offer) and has also turned down an invitation we had given to come to London to discuss it," he added.

Cook reassured "we will certainly continue to do what we can to promote the dialogue in Cyprus and to find a way in which we can achieve the twin end of Cyprus as a member to the EU and Cyprus as a single sovereign island without the present division."

Foreign governments are trying to convince Denktash to return to the negotiating table, after he announced he will not participate unless his illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey in 1974 is recognised.

Denktash announced his decision after the EU reconfirmed in December that accession talks with Cyprus were to open as scheduled.

CNA KT/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Women AIDS patient to be sentenced next Monday

Chryssavghi Zarzour, 26, has admitted she did not tell two young men that she suffered from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) before having sex with them.

Zarzour's defence today asked for the Court's leniency as she has full- blown AIDS and is in a bad psychological state, due to the society's prejudice against AIDS patients.

The prosecutor told the Court that Zarzour had repeatedly been warned by her doctor and welfare officer of her responsibility towards fellow citizens, but noted that she failed to cooperate.

The Court will pass down a sentence on the defendant next Monday, April 27, the judge ruled.

Meanwhile, she will be kept under police guard at the Gregorios AIDS treatment clinic, in the southeastern coastal town of Larnaca.

Zarzour, a British born Cypriot hairdresser who came to Cyprus from London in 1987, initially faced charges of having intercourse with four men from November until March without telling them of her condition. She insists she always asked them to use a condom.

Prosecutors dropped two of the counts after she switched her plea to guilty from not guilty last week.

The Court heard today that all four men have been tested negative for the HIV virus.

Zarzour faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of 1, 500 Cyprus pounds (one pound is around two US dollars) or both.

She is charged under a 50-year-old law introduced by the then British colonial authorities of Cyprus to combat the spread of cholera and typhoid.

She will be the second person in Cyprus to be sentenced under the same law for knowingly passing the AIDS virus.

Last July, the Famagusta District Court sentenced fisherman Pavlos Georgiou Kremastos to 15 months in jail for negligently passing HIV to his British lover.

CNA KN/AP/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Greek army chief to visit Cyprus

It will be the first official visit to Cyprus by a Greek army chief of staff and aims to assess the course of the joint defence pact, agreed between the two countries in November 1993.

Cyprus National Guard sources told CNA Tuesday that discussions will focus on the implementation of the pact so far and future steps to be taken.

On Wednesday, Tzoganis will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and will later meet with the Primate of the Cyprus Orthodox Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

The following day he will have meetings with the House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou, Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, and Greek ambassador to Cyprus Kyriacos Rodousakis.

Before his departure on Friday, Tzoganis is expected to visit the Republic's newly-built military air base in the western coastal district of Paphos, to be named after late Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou, who spearheaded the joint defence pact.

The defence pact provides for Cyprus' air and sea protection by Greece, in case of a new Turkish offensive against the island.

Turkey has been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974.

CNA AA/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:06

[06] No four-party Cyprus conference has been proposed

Kasoulides also said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has not moved from his demand to participate in negotiations as the leader of his illegal state, which is unacceptable to the government.

Replying to questions, the Foreign Minister said US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator Tom Miller "did not hand a proposal or a formula to the President of the Republic, during their meeting Monday evening."

Miller was in Cyprus yesterday and met both President Clerides and Rauf Denktash, in view of a visit here early next month by US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke.

Kasoulides reiterated that the government aims at the resumption of negotiations to settle the Cyprus problem as early as possible, under UN aegis and based on the international body's resolutions on Cyprus.

"We have often asked the five UN Security Council permanent members to back the Secretary-General, as he cannot overcome difficulties in the present deadlock alone," he added.

Kasoulides stressed that "we will not return to the negotiating table satisfying the conditions set out by Denktash. Denktash should raise the issues he wants at the negotiating table."

The Turkish Cypriot leader told the UN he would not participate in peace talks unless his illegal regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 was recognised.

The illegal regime is recognised only by Turkey, in violation of numerous UN resolutions calling on all states not to recognise or facilitate it in any way.

Asked if there are any indications that Denktash has moved from his demand, the Cypriot Foreign Minister replied: "Unfortunately not".

He added that a dialogue between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash should take place, and did not rule out the possibility of representatives from Greece and Turkey being present.

"We all agree that we cannot solve the Cyprus problem, without Turkey being present," the Foreign Minister said.

He pointed out that some formula could be found, as was the case in the two rounds of talks held last summer in the United States and Switzerland, when many envoys were in the wings, following developments.

"It would not be a four-party meeting but something else," Kasoulides added, refraining from elaborating.

Meanwhile, Greek Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas also dismissed reports that the US is proposing a four-party meeting.

"Much is being written that is not true, such as the convening of a four-party meeting," he said, adding "no such issue is being discussed."

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus' EU course discussed

"The meeting was held within the framework of the preparation of our positions that will be presented during the accession process," Kasoulides said.

He added "there are many political repercussions from the acquis screening that must be examined carefully, with the help of the Attorney General and government departments."

Replying to questions the Foreign Minister said data that would be presented in Brussels were discussed.

European Union accession talks with Cyprus got underway in Brussels on March 31, 1998.

Attorney General Alecos Markides, Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Alecos Shambos, Planning Bureau Permanent Secretary Panicos Pouros and other government officials attended the meeting.

A ministerial committee on EU accession will discuss all issues examined at today's meeting.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Greek, US Defence Ministers discuss S-300

In statements after a meeting in Athens with his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Cohen also described Turkish threats not to allow its deployment as a "mistake".

"I believe each of us have an obligation to reduce tension... It is a mistake to deploy the S-300 missiles and it is a mistake on the part of Turkey to engage in hostile threats towards Cyprus," he said.

The US Defence Secretary said the correct thing to do is to find ways for Cyprus' two communities to negotiate a settlement.

Cohen clarified he did not ask his Greek counterpart for assurances that the S-300 would not be deployed in Cyprus and said he reiterated the position he expressed yesterday in Ankara, that everyone has the obligation to help reduce tension.

The Cyprus government ordered the antiaircraft system in January 1997 and it is expected to be deployed here later this year, in a bid to improve the Republic's air defence.

The American Defence Secretary, who ended a tour of the region, pointed out that both his country and Greece would offer their good services to reduce tension.

On his part, Tsohatzopoulos defended the Cyprus Republic's right to decide on the S-300 and to reinforce its defences.

"It is the right of any country and especially of a small country to improve its defence in every possible way," he said, noting "these are defencive weapons and pose no threat to Turkey."

Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece, as one of the three guarantor powers of the Republic's independence (the others are Britain and Turkey), will stand by Cyprus, for as long as a Turkish threat exists and Turkish troops remain on the island.

Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory in 1974.

The Greek Minister stressed that everyone would welcome the acceptance of a proposal by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides for the complete demilitarisation of the island, noting this would lead to the cancelation of the deployment of the S-300.

The Cyprus government has repeatedly said it would not deploy the S- 300's if demilitarisation was achieved or if there was sufficient progress in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.

Cohen also called on Greece and Turkey to negotiate their differences, noting "the important thing is to sit down and negotiate."

CNA KI/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:09

[09] British exercises at Akamas spark strong reactions

The British Bases authorities reiterated that the infantry exercises of some 80 soldiers, to start tomorrow in Akamas, cause minimum damage to the environment.

The Cyprus government said it would be preferable if the British soldiers were not using live ammunition, but noted that despite its reservations it would take the necessary measures to assure that the exercises would be held in compliance with the 1960 Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides told the press today that efforts to find an alternative training location for Wednesday's exercises did not bear fruit timely.

"A meeting at the Defence Ministry decided to offer them a National Guard exercise place for just once. But this alternative was not considered satisfactory, so we are obliged to comply with the Treaty of Establishment for tomorrow's exercises," he said.

Under the 1960 Treaty of Establishment, granting Cyprus its independence from British colonial rule, Britain retained two military Bases on the island and the right for military exercises on specific areas, including Akamas.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides had earlier today said "efforts to find an alternative training area are continued, but we would prefer that no live ammunition is used at Akamas."

President of the House Committee on the Environment Demetris Eliades told CNA Tuesday the British military exercises in this area were a "continued barbarity".

He noted they were contrary to a recent resolution unanimously adopted by the House calling on the Cyprus government, Britain and other fora to put an end to them.

"It's unacceptable to tolerate the destruction of this environmentally sensitive area by the British troops, when the government and the Parliament are discussing the implementation of a plan providing for Akamas' protection and management," he said.

A 1995 World Bank "Conservation Management Plan" is in line with local environmentalists' demand that Akamas should be declared a protected national park.

The Akamas peninsula, situated on the island's northwestern tip in Paphos district, is considered unique for its flora and fauna. It is also one of the few places where the Green and Loggerhead turtles are nesting.

George Perdikis, a spokesman for the Ecological and Environmental Movement, who camped in Akamas, told CNA the protestors would stay in the area overnight.

He blamed the government, saying once again it had not handled the Akamas issue with "relevant responsibility".

Perdikis was also critical at the House Committee on the Environment that it never gave relevant consideration to the issue in order to take measures, denounce and react at what he described as "the government's mistakes".

Kyriacos Tsimillis, a spokesman for the "Friends of Akamas" group told CNA that Britain, as a European Union member-state should with its policy "reflect Europe's sensitivity on environmental issues".

He expressed the view that the Cyprus government was not willing to exert pressure on the British government to put an end to the British military exercises at Akamas, at a time when the Greens worldwide had expressed their willingness to help.

Meanwhile, British Bases spokesman Mervyn Wynne Jones, told CNA the exercises cause absolutely minimum damage on the Akamas.

"We are definitely not destroying the environment. The effect of these weapons, these rifles, is absolutely minimum and has no more effect than a shot-gun," he said.

He said the number of fires caused by the British soldiers on the Akamas in comparison with those raging across Cyprus every summer have no substantial impact on the environment.

"I would stress too that the Bases are not insensitive. We are sensitive to the concerns of the environmentalists," he said.

Jones reiterated that the British troops "have every right to train there" and expressed the conviction that the "Republic of Cyprus Police will as always ensure that law and order is maintained."

CNA DA/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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