Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - 24 years of Turkish occupation

[02] Turkey - provocations in Cyprus

[03] Russia - missiles - assurances

[04] EU Employment Commissioner in Cyprus

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - 24 years of Turkish occupation

Sirens will sound on Monday early morning, to mark 24 years since Turkey's invasion of Cyprus and the timing of the Turkish offensive which has left some 200,000 people refugees in their own country and more than 1, 600 persons listed as missing.

Scores of anti-occupation events are being organised at home and abroad to condemn once more the continuing violation of human rights by Turkey in Cyprus and reiterate the resolve of the Cypriot people to find a negotiated settlement and live peacefully on the island.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides will address the nation on the eve of the Turkish invasion.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will be the key note speaker at tomorrow's church service, officiated by the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, to pray for the liberation of Cyprus and the return of the refugees to their homes.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides is in Rhodes to attend a three-day symposium dedicated to Cyprus, under the aegis of the local Municipality.

Stylianides is the main speaker at today's commemoration service and on Monday he will give a press conference.

Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides will address a rally in London's Trafalgar Square on Sunday in support of Cyprus' struggle for a just and viable solution of the protracted Cyprus question.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nicos Rolandis is in Canada to attend various events marking the Turkish invasion.

The President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots, Haris Sofoclides, reiterated the resolve of all Cypriots living abroad to continue pressing their respective governments and Parliaments in the countries of their residence for an end to the illegal occupation of Cyprus and the reunification of the island.

Greek Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation, Alecos Papadopoulos, will represent tomorrow the Greek government at events in Cyprus to condemn the Turkish invasion.

A parliamentary delegation from Greece is also here for the same purpose.

Political parties in their statements have condemned the continuing occupation of one third of the country by Turkish troops and called on the international community to help settle the Cyprus question.

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Turkey - provocations in Cyprus

The government of Cyprus is expected to protest the illegal visit of Mesut Yilmaz, and later on in the week Turkey's president Suleyman Demirel to inaugurate installations to bring in water from Turkey to the self- styled Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus.

Yilmaz, accompanied by various government officials and his Minister to the Presidency, Sukru Gurel, will attend various ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the invasion and watch a display by Turkish air force planes before returning to Ankara later the same day.

Six Turkish navy ships have already docked at the occupied port of Kyrenia, on the northern coast, and ten NF-5 military aircraft landed yesterday illegally at the occupied airport in Lefkoniko village for Monday's display.

Meanwhile, Turkish chief of staff General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, has renewed threats to attack Cyprus, should the country deploy anti-aircraft missiles to defend itself against the vastly superior Turkish military might, which according to the latest information has been up upgraded and enhanced by new weapons positioned in an offensive formation in Cyprus.

Turkey, he said during his visit to the US, will not remain idle if the Russian missiles arrive in Cyprus but it will retaliate.

Government Spokesman in Nicosia Christos Stylianides said in a statement yesterday the latest Turkish provocations prove once more Turkey's intransigent intentions on efforts to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus.

Such actions, he stressed, are a provocation and a challenge to the international community to adopt a clear-cut stance against Turkey, the cause of tension and the anomalous situation that exists on the island.

In Greece, President Costis Stephanopoulos and Defence Minister Akis Tsohatsopoulos backed strongly Cyprus' right to defend itself against Turkish aggression with upgraded weapons systems.

They also charged that American-made arms find their way to the occupied part of Cyprus, in violation of relevant US legislation, a much forgotten reality.

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Russia - missiles - assurances

In statements to the Russian news agency NOVOSTI, State Duma Speaker, Gennady Seleznyov said the system will not be deployed if sufficient progress is made on the Cyprus problem, leading to the complete demilitarisation of the island.

Seleznyov said that "under no circumstances Russia would wish to intervene in Turkey or any other country's affairs."

However he noted that "Turkey, the US and other western countries do not consider realistic Russia's military cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus."

The Russian State Duma Speaker, who is on a four day official visit to Turkey, recalled that the Russian government had submitted a proposal entitled "Cyprus' demilitarisation and achieving securing for its citizens" to press on with the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

He said these proposals constitute the foundation on which the parties can achieve demilitarisation.

Seleznyov reiterated Russian support for the UN Secretary - General's mission of good offices for Cyprus.

He said the aim of a substantial dialogue in Cyprus should be "a mutually acceptable solution which will depend on Security Council resolutions and the High Level agreements of 1977 and 1979 (between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides) leading to a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with an international personality and guaranteeing the security of all its citizens."

Seleznyov expressed the hope that the Turkish side will be able to have a clearer perception of the State Duma's views on how to solve the Cyprus problem.

During his visit, Seleznyov is expected to have talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hikmet Cetin, President Suleyman Demirel and Vice President Bulent Ecevit.

According to Itar-Tass News agency, observers believe that the talks will also touch on the delivery of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Cyprus.

Russia has repeatedly said that this is a purely commercial contract and that it will not abandon the deal to deliver and deploy the system.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides repeated his commitment to reconsider the issue of non-importation of new weapons systems to Cyprus, provided that progress is made on a schedule which includes a number of measures and steps leading towards the eventual goal of demilitarisation.

Turkey has rejected the President's proposal and threatened to destroy the system if it is deployed in the government controlled areas of the Republic.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

CNA CG/EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:04

[04] EU Employment Commissioner in Cyprus

Speaking on arrival, Flynn expressed the hope that Cyprus' sound economy will maintain its strength and that the island's accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) will be completed as soon as possible.

He also said he looks forward to having in depth and detailed discussions with Moushouttas.

Welcoming Flynn, Moushouttas expressed the hope that his meetings with the Commissioner will be a "milestone" in Cyprus' efforts to become a member of the EU.

The minister said they will review the situation regarding the labour and social sector and evaluate measures taken to harmonise the existing legislation with the acquis communautaire.

During his visit, Flynn will be received by President Glafcos Clerides. He will hold separate meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Moushouttas and Cyprus' chief negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou.

Flynn will also meet with the social partners and give a lecture at the European Institute of Cyprus on "Social Policy and Enlargement".

He leaves on Tuesday after a press conference. Cyprus applied for EU membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union protocol in 1987.

Along with five Central and Eastern European countries, Cyprus began accession talks on March 30, 1998.

CNA EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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