Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Miller says Rubin was not well-informed

[02] Kranidiotis meets US officials

[03] Occupation troops apprehend three persons

1030:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Miller says Rubin was not well-informed

Miller said Rubin had been on a tour of Asia and Europe, escorting Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright and was therefore not well-informed concerning the issue.

Rubin had said that during Holbrooke's recent visit to Cyprus, which ended in deadlock, he said the demand of Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, for recognition of his illegal regime was a key problem to efforts for a settlement, and that the "European Union had to rescind its willingness to have Cyprus join the EU".

"But I do not think he left the other parties blameless", Rubin added.

The State Department Spokesman also claimed Miller had made clear not Denktash, but Ankara was to blame for the obstacles in Cyprus.

The US "work with Turkey, a close ally and friend, on a wide range of important issues", Rubin said and added that "the Turkish leadership is aware of the importance the US attach to the Cyprus issue."

"We believe it is in Turkey's national interests to support a Cyprus settlement", he stressed, pointing out, however, that "primary responsibility for this failure lies with the parties themselves.

"I would urge you before making sweeping statements about who the entire 100 per cent of the blame belongs to, to take a careful look at Holbrooke's press conference", he added.

Responding to questions concerning the Western European Union meeting in Rhodes, Rubin expressed the hope for a breakthrough in Greco-Turkish differences, pointing out, however, that "our expectations in this area are chastened by the difficulties Ambassador Holbrooke had in his most recent trip with regard to Cyprus. So it would be hard pressed to be overly optimistic about any such breakthrough", he added.

CNA DA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Kranidiotis meets US officials

In statements after a meeting with US Undersecretary of State, Strobe Talbott and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Mark Grossman, Kranidiotis said the US government insists that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be based on UN resolutions, providing for a bicommunal, bizonal federation.

Grossman brought up the issue of relations between the European Union and Turkey, in view of the EU Summit in Cardiff.

Kranidiotis reaffirmed the Greek position regarding Turkey's European prospects, pointing out that "Turkey is a member of the European family, but it should abide by the same principles, criteria and conditions, applying for all EU members or applicant countries".

CNA DA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Occupation troops apprehend three persons

The illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas has notified the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), but has refused to give further details about their identity.

Famagusta district chief of police, Savvas Erodotou told CNA the three men might be foreigners and said that until now the Cyprus police had not been notified of any missing persons.

Police continue efforts to identify those three men, he said, adding that he did not know where they were illegally held.

Erodotou said police investigators were in constant touch with the UN and efforts for their immediate release would continue.

"Both the district police and the headquarters in Nicosia are working towards their release," he added.

According to CNA sources, a UN soldier saw the apprehension of the three persons at Strovilia area, in the island's eastern part, and informed the British Bases Dhekelia police stationed in the region.

The UNFICYP soldier said that around 19.30 local time (1630 GMT) he saw Turkish soldiers apprehend three men within the buffer zone, in the Strovilia area.

The illegal regime admitted to the incident but would not hand over to the British Bases police information regarding their identity.

The UN patrols a 180-kilometre long demarcation line, dividing Cyprus since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974, occupying 37 per cent of its territory.

Britain has retained two sovereign military bases on the island, under the 1960 Treaty of Establishment of the Cyprus Republic.

CNA MK/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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