Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] No package deal, says US State Department

[02] Greek warplanes fly over Paphos airbase

[03] Cypriot FM addresses NAM meeting

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] No package deal, says US State Department

The spokesman was commenting whether there is a new US policy on these issues, following the London statements earlier this week by President Bill Clinton.

"No, there is no new policy in this regard. The President's statement speaks for itself in reaffirming long-standing US policy," Rubin said.

In a joint press conference with British Premier Tony Blair, after a London US-EU summit Monday, President Clinton said:

"I do not think we can solve one problem in isolation from the other. I think we must move forward on all these problems, Cyprus, the Aegean, jurisdiction on disputes and the role of Turkey on Europe's future."

On his part, the British Premier said he "agreed entirely" with Clinton's remarks and emphasised the EU's desire for "a good and close relationship with Turkey."

The State Department spokesman pointed out "we want to help Greece and Turkey resolve their problems peacefully. We want to help resolve the Cyprus problem and we strongly support Turkey's EU aspirations."

Rubin made it clear that "the US is not proposing a new set of negotiations or any other approach that would link these issues in some sort of package deal."

"We do, however, believe, as the President indicated, that progress in one area can improve the climate and the atmosphere for progress in another, Rubin added and went on to say:

"But they are still separate issues being dealt with separately, through diplomatic channels."

Asked whether Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, would visit Turkey and Greece, the spokesman said "I don't think any decision has been made on that."

CNA DA/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek warplanes fly over Paphos airbase

The Greek F-16 fighters were taking part in a two-day joint Greek and Cypriot air defence exercise code-named "Toxotis", which got underway Wednesday.

The Greek warplanes left after attacking mock sea targets in the area.

The military airbase, named after late Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou, who spearheaded a joint defence pack with Cyprus, is situated near the western coastal town of Paphos.

The governments of Cyprus and Greece agreed in November 1993 to adopt a joint defence pact, providing that Greece will come to Cyprus' aid in the event of a new Turkish offensive.

Last October, the Greek Air Force and Navy took part in the joint military exercises of the Greek armed forces "Toxotis", which took place in the sea area between Cyprus and the Greek Aegean islands of Rhodes and Crete, and Cyprus' National Guard annual exercise code-named "Nikiforos '97", that followed.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since their 1974 invasion, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA SS/MK/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot FM addresses NAM meeting

Kasoulides addressed Tuesday the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Foreign Minister condemned the Turkish side's effort to achieve recognition of the secessionist entity, described as "legally invalid" by UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983).

Only Turkey recognises the pseudostate, unilaterally declared in November 1983. The UN has called on all states "not to recognise" the self- styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

Kasoulides warned his NAM counterparts of Turkish efforts to change the basis of the Cyprus peace talks by introducing the term "acknowledgement", pointing out that this is contrary to every practice of international law.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refuses to attend further talks on Cyprus unless his illegal regime is recognised.

Up to now, the UN have been conducting Cyprus peace talks between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Kasoulides told the meeting that so-called realities resulted by the use of force and an ethnic cleansing policy followed by the occupation regime are considered by international law as a foreign invasion and occupation.

Therefore, he added, they cannot be accepted by the international community as legally valid.

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

On the sidelines of the NAM Foreign Ministers meeting, Kasoulides had a series of meetings with a number of counterparts.

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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