Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fires under control

[02] S-300s will mot harm anybody, says Russian ambassador

[03] New UN envoy in Cyprus assumes duties

[04] President Clerides receives new UN envoy in Cyprus

0940:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Fires under control

In the Turkish-occupied part of the Tillyria area, the fire burnt 8.750 acres of land. Five villages were damaged and eleven people injured.

The uninhabited village Ayios Ioannis, in the occupied areas, was totally destroyed. Two other villages, Limnitis and Potamos of Kampos, were evacuated when the fire got too close.

Meanwhile, in the free areas of the Republic, the fire burnt woods and wild vegetation over an area of twenty square kilometres. Four forestry workers were slightly injured in their effort to put out the fire.

Four hundred persons worked to put out the fire, including firemen, forestry workers, civilians, and National Guardsmen. Many are still in the area, in case the fire rekindles.

Thirty fire engines and civilian vehicles were used to combat the raging fire, as well as British Bases helicopters.

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Costas Themistocleous, cancelled a scheduled trip to the United States and visited the area, along with Chief of Police, Andreas Angelides, and the Director of the Fire Brigade, Giorgos Karydes.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1020:CYPPRESS:02

[02] S-300s will mot harm anybody, says Russian ambassador

In an interview with the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Kibris", Mouradov said that the S-300 missiles would only be used in case of an air raid.

The Cyprus government signed a contract with Russian manufacturers in January 1997 to purchase the surface-to-air missiles, in a bid to bolster its air defence in case of a new Turkish attack.

The anti-aircraft system is expected to be deployed later this year. Turkey, whose troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, has strongly reacted to the purchase.

The Russian diplomat wondered why Turkey is against cooperation between Russia and Cyprus, while the Republic of Cyprus is not objecting any cooperation between Russia and Turkey.

Mouradov stressed that the crisis created in Cyprus is artificial and mentioned the great imbalance in the military power of Turkey and Cyprus.

Asked what stance Russian will maintain in case of a war in Cyprus over the S-300 missiles, Mouradov said he did not believe such a scenario could materialise, adding that if a country wished to start a war, it could find any pretext, for example the missiles.

At the same time, the Russian diplomat expressed certainty that neither the Cypriots, nor Greece and Turkey want a war to erupt. He said he did not believe Turkey would hit the missiles.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:03

[03] New UN envoy in Cyprus assumes duties

She also made it clear that her work is "totally within the existing UN framework" and indicated this falls within the mandate of the Security Council resolutions.

Dame Ann Hercus, who assumes her duties today as Chief of Mission and Deputy Special Representative in Cyprus, said, as an outsider "without any baggage", she is bringing in a "very practical streak, creativity and integrity", which characterise her native New Zealand, noting she intends to bring in fresh ideas and a different approach in her task.

Speaking to the press, Dame Ann said she was honoured by the appointment and expressed "enormous respect" for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"He reaffirmed to me his determination to pursue intensified efforts to bring about a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem," she said, adding that being part of this effort was "a real challenge" for her.

She said she was appointed on two counts, first as somebody from a country "with no baggage, no particular ties or alliances with this part of the world that would make an even handed approach difficult" and secondly because of the "practical streak, creativity and integrity" that characterise New Zealanders.

"I am here to listen to the two leaders, to offer a new UN perspective from time to time and follow through on initiatives," she said, pledging she will do her best to "help the two sides to arrive at a settlement, which will give Greek and Turkish Cypriots a peaceful, prosperous future which they have been yearning."

She stressed repeatedly the need to orient herself more with the situation and the political leaders here, and announced she is meeting President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash today and tomorrow respectively.

Invited to identify the framework she is working within, she replied "I work totally within the UN framework, I work within the existing framework."

She said she considers herself subordinate to Annan's Special Advisor Diego Cordovez in the sense that she is the deputy special representative but stressed that she works "very closely" with him.

Outlining her own views, she praised the work done so far by UNFICYP here and noted that peace-keeping and peace-making are complementary.

"Peace-keeping involves international troops, peace-making offers people and their leaders a door, a bridge, a room where lasting peace can be brokered in ways which are not hostile in bilateral forums," she said.

Both peace-keeping and peace-making, she underlined, "depend on consent and consent derives from political will."

Explaining her mission here, Dame Ann said her work falls within a "larger environment and a narrower environment" and noted that work is largely within the mandate of the Security Council resolutions but she also has a "specific job description as a chief of mission and deputy special representative."

"These I use as my markers for my work," she explained. Asked to outline her views on the Russian anti-aircraft missiles the government of Cyprus intends to deploy, Hercus expressed Annan's and her deep concern at any activity "which increases tension."

Replying to questions about bringing in a different kind of approach to the peace effort, she said Annan appointed an outsider to the post in Cyprus "who will come with particularly fresh eyes and streak of practicality."

Asked if she is bringing any new ideas, she said "I would be really disappointed if you did not find me bring forward fresh ideas."

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

The United Nations as well as the United States, Britain, Canada and other countries have since then failed to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem because of the negative and intransigent position held by Turkey.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1340:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides receives new UN envoy in Cyprus

Speaking after the meeting, Dame Ann said "it was a courtesy call, the first call of many", adding that she looks forward "to the rest of those calls with anticipation".

Dame Ann will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, tomorrow.

The new UN envoy in Cyprus, who arrived on the island last week, assumed her duties today, replacing Gustave Feissel, who retired.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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