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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Presidential address - Turkish invasion

1540:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Presidential address - Turkish invasion

Nicosia, Jul 19 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides stressed here today that the existing status quo in Cyprus, a result of the continuing Turkish occupation of part of the country, will not be accepted.

He also told all those who criticise the government's decision to upgrade its defence capability in view of the Turkish military might that he will not accept any restrictions on Cyprus' right to defend itself against Turkish aggression.

The President called on Greek and Turkish Cypriots to make the necessary compromises to enable them to live together again in peace and security, stressing that the past should not dictate "our lives."

In a parallel move, the President called on the international community and especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council to move in a more concerted manner towards Ankara to facilitate a negotiated settlement.

President Clerides pledged to do all he can for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus question and renewed his invitation to the Turkish Cypriots to participate in accession negotiations with the European Union.

In a televised address to the nation, to mark 24 years of the illegal Turkish occupation of the island's northern areas, Clerides said the tragic events of 1974 send the message that there must be "absolute respect for democratic institutions and continuous dialogue among all political forces, tolerance of opposite views, mutual understanding and a consistent effort to reach consensus wherever possible."

The consequences of the criminal military coup, which preceded Turkey's unlawful and barbaric invasion, also teach Greek and Turkish Cypriots that "by respecting ethnic, religious and language differences, should as Cypriots make all those compromises that are necessary if we are to live together again in our common country, in conditions of democracy, security, permanent peace and constructive cooperation."

"If we are not to destroy our future, we should always look forward. The past is useful in that it can make us wiser, but it should not dictate our lives," he stressed.

Noting that the international political scene is now governed by the policy of dialogue, cooperation and mutual support, the President said Cyprus has to join this "consensual and unifying trend of all the people in the world and the sooner we realise this situation, the sooner we shall benefit from its positive elements."

"This is another lesson, the most important perhaps, which Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike will have to accept," he added.

Reiterating his intention and good will to reach a compromise with the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of UN resolutions and international law, he expressed regret that "unfortunately, as the international community has repeatedly established and confirmed publicly the Turkish side does not have the necessary good will to find a solution."

President Clerides referred to the new unacceptable conditions and demands the Turkish side puts forward in the hope that in the end these will be accepted or that the problem will continue indefinitely and will eventually be solved on the basis of the existing status quo.

"As I have repeatedly stated before, we shall not accept the faits accomplis of the invasion just as the international community does not accept them," he said.

Only recently the UN Security Council has rejected, through the resolutions it adopted, the new Turkish demand for recognition of the so- called Turkish Cypriot state and has called on the Turkish Cypriot side in particular to participate in direct talks with the Greek Cypriot side.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash demands that the government of the Republic withdraws its application for accession to the European Union and wants the world community to recognise his breakaway state in Turkish occupied Cyprus.

On the Cyprus -EU course, President Clerides said the EU has sent a clear message that both communities in Cyprus "will have to benefit equally from accession and that the Cyprus problem is not an obstacle to accession."

He repeated for the upteenth time that his proposal for the participation of the Turkish Cypriot community in the Cyprus negotiating team for EU membership "is still valid."

The proposal, which the Union has described as "fair and reasonable", was first submitted to the Turkish Cypriots in March this year, when Cyprus embarked on membership talks.

The President stood his ground on defence matters in the face of opposition from various overseas quarters, which object to Cyprus' resolve to increase its defence capability.

"We shall not accept any restrictions on our right to defence. We have been compelled to exercise this right by the powerful and ever-threatening presence of the Turkish occupation troops who are in attack formation and are able to have immediate cover and reinforcements from neighbouring Turkey," he said.

Cyprus' plans to deploy the Russian anti-aircraft S300 missile system were criticised by the US and the European Union, who believe the deployment of the missiles will add to already existing tension on the island.

They, on the other hand, have not condemned the increase in numbers and equipment of the Turkish occupation troops. "Our decision to continue to strengthen our defence with every kind of defensive weapon which we believe will maximise our security is irreversible," Clerides pointed out.

This aim, he added, is also met through the implementation of the joint defence doctrine between Cyprus and Greece for which he said Cyprus is grateful to Greece.

"The strengthening of our defence will cease only if intercommunal talks resume and there is sufficient progress towards the finding of a solution or if substantive steps are taken towards demilitarisation," the President noted.

He called on the international community to take a "more decisive and coordinated action in the direction of Ankara" to help find a "just, viable and workable solution of the Cyprus problem to consolidate peace and security and safeguard the human rights of all the people of Cyprus."

"Such a solution will also contribute by extension to peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region," he added.

President Clerides vouched to do everything in his power to "improve the prospects for a peaceful settlement which will safeguard the future of the Greek Cypriots in their ancestral lands and secure a better future for all the inhabitants of this long-suffering country."

He said he attached "great importance" to the humanitarian problem of the missing persons and the enclaved in the Turkish occupied areas.

Concluding, he expressed the conviction that the struggle for justice will succeed with the help of overseas Greek Cypriots, with the close cooperation of Greece and the local political leadership as well as the solidarity and active support of other countries and political figures.

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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