Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] State Department on Albright's statement

[02] Government cautious about developments

[03] Cyprus, Israel to iron out FIR problem

[04] Turks will convert church into casino

[05] Inquiry into fall of soldier

[06] Demou takes over National Guard

1045:CYPPRESS:01

[01] State Department on Albright's statement

Rubin was asked here Friday to elaborate more on a statement Thursday by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that the US is pressing Turkey to be of greater assistance in Cyprus.

"What the Secretary was intending to signal there is that we expect settlement negotiations under UN auspices to resume following the Cyprus presidential elections," the spokesman said.

Speaking before the House International Relations Committee Thursday, Albright said that the US are pressing on Turkey to "be of a greater assistance in Cyprus."

The US "have had discussions with the UN about the timing of travel by UN and US representatives to Cyprus," Rubin added, noting that "over the last several weeks we have continued our efforts to promote an atmosphere conducive to successful talks."

According to the spokesman "Ambassador Holbrooke has stayed in touch with leaders in the region by telephone."

US President Bill Clinton had appointed last year Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the Bosnian peace accord, as presidential emissary on Cyprus.

"The end of the elections period will mark a time when efforts to try to promote a peaceful resolution of this dispute will begin again," The State Department spokesman said.

The presidential elections in Cyprus will be held tomorrow.

Rubin said "the US will want to work both with Cyprus and all the parties, including those that may have influence, and that is what the Secretary was referring to."

Asked to comment on recent action by Turkey to submit five proposals to Greece for resolving the problems between the two countries, the spokesman said the US is "encouraged by recent expressions of willingness by both Greece and Turkey to move forward energetically to resolve long-standing disputes."

Rubin said "the US is committed to supporting our Greek and Turkish allies in the effort to achieve genuine security and partnership in the region."

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA DA/MK/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1110:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government cautious about developments

Government sources told CNA today that "we are waiting for concrete indications which may come up or be confirmed during Holbrooke's visit here."

Holbrooke is expected to visit Cyprus next week in a bid to break the deadlock and get the two sides back to the negotiating table.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has said he will not participate in negotiations unless his illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus is recognised.

Meanwhile, President Glafcos Clerides and Greek Premier Costas Simitis had an hour-long meeting in Athens yesterday.

The sources refrained from revealing the issues discussed, saying the content of the discussions is confidential.

President Clerides, who is on a private visit to Athens, is expected to return to Cyprus tomorrow.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1135:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus, Israel to iron out FIR problem

Nicosia, Apr 25 (CNA) -- Cyprus and Israel are working on proposals both sides have put forward to sort out problems arising from flights of Israeli aircraft in the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR).

In an interview with CNA, Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Eytan Bentsur also disclosed that the ideas on the table, to be considered by both sides, are similar and said it is now up to the experts to work out the fine details.

He said Israel is pleased with Cyprus' contribution to the peace effort in the Middle East and noted this role serves as a bridge between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

"We came with a certain idea, your government has a certain idea, now we will try and work it out into a fully agreed mechanism and I believe that this will solve the problem," Bentsur said referring to the flights.

Asked if Israel has proposed a formula to sort out the problem, he replied "absolutely, we thoroughly discussed it and what we have in mind is enhanced mechanisms."

In the past few weeks the government of Cyprus has made official complaints about unauthorised flights of Israeli aircraft in the FIR Nicosia.

After a recent such incident, Israel apologised to the Cyprus government, stressing however that flights of Israeli military aircraft do not affect Cyprus' security.

The Israeli official refrained from revealing anything about the details of the proposals, saying he was not familiar with the "technical terms and technical ramifications" of these ideas.

He said that both sides "have certain proposals on the matter but the details have still to be worked out."

Assessing the two set of proposals, Bentsur said "I would say they converge and almost symbiotically converge" adding that the details of an agreed mechanism would be worked out by civil aviation experts.

"Discussions on this issue are on the right track," he noted.

Commenting on the size of Nicosia FIR, which spans well beyond the Republic's shores, Bentsur indicated he did not wish to put the government of Cyprus on the spot on this particular detail.

"We take Nicosia FIR as it is but we would like to avoid any misunderstanding to the extent we possibly can," he told CNA.

Replying to questions, the Israeli official said the Cypriot government did not raise any concerns about his country's defence cooperation agreement with Turkey at Friday's talks here.

"The government did not raise concerns because we gave so many assurances and reassurances, and they know the agreement is not designed in any way, not even remotely, against any third country," he remarked.

On bilateral relations, Bentsur said Cyprus should aim to host as many regional meetings in a variety of fields (cultural professional, political) as possible, and curb efforts to render regional gatherings into political discussions.

"In this respect, we got a solemn promise from the Cypriot government that they will do their utmost to prevent the Palermo meeting of Foreign Ministers, within the Barcelona context for regional development and cooperation, from being politicised," he explained.

Asked if Cyprus' good relations with the Arab world could help Israel's efforts to make peace with its neighbours, he said "we hope to have direct negotiations with all our partners."

"But again if Cyprus will do what it does to encourage regional meetings, it will serve as a kind of bridge that we are looking for," the Israeli official added.

Replying to questions, he said he is "absolutely pleased with the efforts the Cyprus government is making so far in this respect."

On cooperation in the high tech industry, Bentsur said the idea was put forward by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a recent meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides in Jerusalem.

"The idea is that local businessmen will meet the prominent leaders of the high tech industry in Israel, gain guidance and look for mutual projects for our mutual benefits," he said.

Netanyahu's idea was to "create the initial contact" and he offered to approach personally a number of high tech people to get things going, Bentsur added.

"The PM also told the President such attempts were made in the past and it worked, between Israelis and others," he added, noting that in the case of Cyprus cooperation could cover the Republic's "specific needs".

The Cypriot government, Bentsur said, responded in a "very positive" manner.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Turks will convert church into casino

The newspaper, considered outspoken for its criticism to the occupation regime, says that the conversion of the Ayia Anastasia church, on the northern coast of Lapithos, has already begun.

Some 500 churches in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since it invaded in 1974, have been destroyed, looted or used for other purposes, such as warehouses, stables or public lavatories.

The Ayia Anastasia church itself is not old, but its icons belonged to an old church.

Some of the churches that have been destroyed date back to the 12th century, while most of their priceless relics have been sold on the international black market.

The systemic plundering of Cyprus' heritage in the occupied areas is considered part of Turkey's ethnic cleansing policy.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Inquiry into fall of soldier

Gregoris Tziogouros sustained serious injuries and was rushed immediately to the Nicosia General Hospital.

The minister, who had also visited Tziogouros at the hospital last night, has given instructions for an inquiry into the incident.

His condition is described as critical and according to an official announcement the next 24 hours are considered crucial.

Tziogouros, who was serving his compulsory military service, was based in the region and fell from the 13th to the seventh floor of the building.

The young soldier underwent surgery for serious head injuries and multiple injuries on his body.

CNA MA/GG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Demou takes over National Guard

Demou replaced Lieutenant-General Nicolaos Vorvolakos, also from Greece, who served here for the last four years.

The new Commander described his duties as head of the 10.000-strong National Guard as "historic and important" and stressed the need for "hard work, seriousness and optimism".

He also praised his predecessor for his work till today.

Vorvolakos, who is leaving Nicosia later next week, thanked the governments of Greece and Cyprus, and especially President Glafcos Clerides, for their "undivided trust".

He also thanked the Greek Cypriot mothers of Cyprus "for the honour they bestowed on me by trusting me their children" as well as all three defence ministers with whom he cooperated.

"Their trust gave me the opportunity to fulfil my duties," the Lieutenant-General said.

He expressed certainty that Demou will be successful in his new duties.

Asked if he may serve the Cyprus National Guard from another post, Vorvolakos reassured that he will always be present.

Vorvolakos served as National Guard chief at a time when efforts to boost the Republic's defence capability began, in a bid to protect the island from a new Turkish offensive.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974.

CNA KK/MA/GG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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