Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-02

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Ship

[02] Cyprus - Greek Defence Minister

[03] Clerides - Non-Aligned Movement

[04] President Clerides - Algerian President

[05] Cyprus - UN - Denktash proposal

[06] Denktash proposal - Turkish newspaper

1015:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Ship

Last night Cyprus police and British Bases Royal Air Force helicopters rescued the ten-man crew of "Figther 1" after it sent out an SOS that it had developed a dangerous list following engine failure.

The crew, nine Syrians and an Egyptian, were first flown to Paphos General Hospital for a medical check-up and then taken to a hotel where they spent the night.

The ship had left Limassol, in the southern coast, and was heading for Turkey.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Greek Defence Minister

He will come at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Yiannakis Omirou.

President Glafcos Clerides will take the salute of the military parade to be held in Nicosia.

Meanwhile, Greek military forces will participate in the annual exercise of Cyprus' National Guard code-named "Nikiforos", expected to take place in October, within the framework of a joint defence pact agreed between the two countries in 1993, sources told CNA today.

The same sources said the dogma as well as "Nikiforos" was discussed yesterday in Athens at a meeting between the National Guard Commander, Demitris Demou, and Greece's Chief of Staff, Athanasios Tzoganis.

CNA KN/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides - Non-Aligned Movement

Durban, Sep 2 (CNA) -- The significant role of the Non-Aligned Movement in the new international environment, was stressed here today by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 12th NAM Summit of Heads of State or Government, on behalf of the European member states, President Clerides conveyed "deep thanks and gratitude to the government and the People of South Africa for their most generous hospitality".

Pointing out that "in the new international environment NAM can play a significant role in world politics and economics," he expressed confidence that the Movement:

"Will strengthen efforts for South-South cooperation, while at the same time it will enhance our dialogue with industrialised countries and the international monetary institutions on global economic and financial issues".

He said "the Movement will be an active partner against racial discrimination, eradication of poverty and social justice and in facing the common challenges and dangers in an increasingly interdependent world, marked by globalisation and liberalisation of the economy."

Congratulating South African President, Nelson Mandela on the assumption of NAM Chairmanship, the Cyprus President expressed certainty that under his leadership "the Movement will continue to pursue its important role in the world affairs and the promotion of its lofty goals and objectives".

"Under South Africa's leadership our voice will be heard in support of peaceful resolution of conflicts, on the basis of international law and the UN Charter," President Clerides noted.

He also paid tribute to Colombia "for its successful guidance and contribution in strengthening the unity and solidarity of our Movement in the last three years" and welcomed Belarus to the NAM.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides - Algerian President

Zeroual expressed his country's support at a meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, in Durban, South Africa, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit.

The two presidents discussed the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, cooperation and security in the wider Mediterranean region as well as NAM issues.

A forthcoming visit to Algeria by Cyprus' Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides was also discussed.

The Cyprus President briefed his Algerian counterpart on the Cyprus issue and the government's positions, to which Zeroual showed understanding, according to sources.

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

Algeria is presiding the seven-nation Non-Aligned Contact Group for Cyprus.

Later today, President Clerides is scheduled to meet his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Khattami.

Meanwhile, Kasoulides met last night with Greek Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is heading a delegation that has come to Durban to lobby for support to Greece's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - UN - Denktash proposal

A letter accompanying Clerides' statement, underlines that the basis of the negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem are two high-level agreements reached between the two sides and UN Security Council resolutions.

It also echoes the President's statement that the proposal put forward by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash earlier this week is unacceptable.

The letter, sent August 31, adds that the proposal violates all UN resolutions on Cyprus and is an insult to the Organisation itself as well as the international community as a whole.

Denktash announced his proposal at a press conference in occupied Nicosia, in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, even before handing it to the UN, for the creation of a "Cyprus Confederation" on the basis of "two sovereign and equal states".

In his written statement issued in Durban, where he is attending the Non-Aligned summit, President Clerides called on the international community to respond in a direct manner to the new Turkish provocation.

He said the proposal is contrary to the two high-level agreements reached between the two sides in 1977 and 1979 stipulating for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus and was against numerous UN resolutions.

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

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Denktash proposal - Turkish newspaper

It also says that two Turkish Cypriot political parties, the "Republican Turkish Party" (RTP) and the "New Cyprus", have expressed serious concerns about the proposal, the way it was formulated and its objective.

According to the newspaper the proposal was discussed in Ankara on August 28 by senior Turkish military officers and diplomats.

It describes it as the last step before integration of the occupied areas of Cyprus to Turkey.

The proposal, already rejected by the government and the political parties of Cyprus as it is not in line with UN resolutions, sets as a basis "two sovereign and equal states".

"Cumhurriyet" says that at a meeting Tuesday the RTP decided to reject the proposal for confederation.

Its leader Mehmet Ali Talat expressed dissatisfaction because he was informed about the proposal at the last minute and said his party has nothing to do with it.

According to the paper, "New Cyprus" leader Alpay Durduran said one wonders about the proposal, noting that it is unheard of to set it as a precondition for negotiations.

CNA SA/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article