Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] US - Greece - Cyprus

[02] AHI - Clinton - Cyprus

[03] UN University - Cyprus

1020:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US - Greece - Cyprus

Asked by CNA to comment on recent statements by Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos that the Greek-American community was considering contributing money to the Greek defence budget instead of US election campaigns, Rubin said:

"The US and Greece have a very broad and deep relationship built up over many years. There are very close ties between our peoples, countries and governments, regardless of party or affiliation and they are NATO allies," he pointed out.

Rubin also said that "Americans do not need any outside advice on how to participate in the workings of our (US) democracy."

Stressing the nature and depth of relations between the two countries, Rubin said "it is hard for the comments of one individual to harm this relationship."

The State Department Spokesman, claimed, however, that "Foreign Minister Pangalos is certainly giving it a college try."

Describing Pangalos' comments as "unbecoming", Rubin argued that "when friends and allies disagree, they should share their concerns privately rather than resort to these kind of insulting and spurious public criticism."

The US "should do all it can do, in cooperation with Greece and other parties, to support efforts to resolve problems between Greece and Turkey and the Cyprus problem... regardless of the remarks of one individual," Rubin said.

Asked to comment on recent threats by Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel against Cyprus in relation to the defensive system S300 purchased by the Cyprus government, Rubin repeated the US position on the issue.

"We do not question Cyprus' right to make decisions about its defence needs. But the S300 deal remains an obstacle to our efforts to jump-start the negotiating process and will raise tensions in the region," Rubin claimed.

He added, however, that the US "oppose any threats to deal with the S300 by military means. We continue to urge the Turkish government to resolve this issue through diplomatic means," he said.

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

The Cyprus government decided in January 1997 to buy Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles to bolster its air defence, in case of a new Turkish offensive.

CNA DA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1210:CYPPRESS:02

[02] AHI - Clinton - Cyprus

In a letter dated 27 July 1998 to President Bill Clinton, Eugene Rossides, President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), focuses on recent statements by White House Spokesman Mike McCurry, who characterised the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus as a "conflict".

"To characterise the Cyprus problem as a 'conflict' is, therefore, not simply, a verbal misstep. It is to ignore and distort the true nature of the problem and to attempt to rewrite history. It is to suggest that the problem is one of routine differences between states which can be solved by traditional 'split-the-difference' diplomacy, says Rossides.

On July 24, McCurry stated that he had received "your personal assurance that you 'had no problem with the statement the counsel prepared' regarding the world 'conflict' and added that 'my government was very well satisfied with my remarks' concerning the question of 'conflict' versus 'invasion'. This position needs an urgent corrective," AHI tells President Clinton.

The Institute reminds Clinton of successive UN resolutions supported by the US, demanding Turkey's withdrawal from the occupied areas of Cyprus and the December 1974 embargo imposed by the US Congress on Turkey because of Ankara's violation of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 by its illegal use of US supplied arms for its invasion of Cyprus.

"There is no mystery about the Cyprus problem", it points out, adding "it is one of Turkish invasion and occupation".

The Institute calls upon the Clinton Administration to adopt "a realistic approach" recognising that "the Cyprus problem is one of aggression and illegal occupation by Turkey".

It also urges the Clinton Administration to promote new talks "on the basis of restoring the status quo ante and the rule of law as it applied before Turkey's 1974 illegal invasion", and "identify Turkey as the responsible party for the Cyprus problem".

The Institute demands an immediate withdrawal of the illegal Turkish occupation forces from Cyprus and Turkey's compliance with all relevant UN resolutions.

It calls on the US administration to institute a realistic diplomatic approach, including coercive measures against Turkey, such as sanctions and denial of assistance from the international financial institutions, in the event of Turkish non-compliance or any further violation of international law in Cyprus.

At the same time, AHI urges the Clinton administration to support Cyprus' sovereign right of self defence, a basic rule of international law enshrined in the UN Charter, including its purchase of the S-300 anti- aircraft defence system.

It says that the administration should concentrate its efforts on the Turkish military and condemn Turkey's measures to incorporate the occupied areas of Cyprus, in violation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.

"These steps reflect the basic US national interest in upholding the rule of law and resisting aggression. If adopted, they would produce a settlement of the Cyprus problem far more quickly than the present approach which is deadlocked", Rossides concludes his letter to President Clinton.

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:03

[03] UN University - Cyprus

The delegation, was received here today by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Ayman Khalil, of the ILA said the group is on a study tour of Turkey and Cyprus.

The ILA programme is based in Amman and is under the auspices of Jordan's Queen Noor.

"We specifically came here to learn more about the Cyprus issue," Khalil said.

During contacts in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus yesterday, the ILA members met officials from the so-called foreign ministry, as well as businessmen and academics.

Asked what the position of the Turkish Cypriots is for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Khalil said there is an "attitude for peaceful settlement" but there are different point of views as to how to achieve that.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory, in violation of numerous UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

A puppet regime in the occupied areas, unilaterally declared in 1983, is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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