Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-10-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] US official - Cyprus problem

[02] New Assistant Attorney General

[03] President - Netanyahu - Message

[04] Kyprianou - Hercus

[05] Cyprus - UN-sponsored shuttle talks

[06] Rolandis - Israel - Cyprus

0900:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US official - Cyprus problem

Speaking in Washington on US - Turkish relations, Talbott also said that tensions must be lowered in order to find a settlement in Cyprus, based on the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

The American official referred to the need for more "path-breaking" statesmanship in Turkish policy towards the Aegean.

"Among the many challenges in the Aegean today, the most pressing is to find a solution to the decades-old conflict on Cyprus," he said, adding that "the US goal in Cyprus remains a bicommunal, bizonal federation."

The Turkish side has put forward a proposal for the establishment of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, rejected by the Cyprus government and the five UN Security Council permanent members.

"Finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem requires lowering tensions and reducing the likelihood that disputes will erupt into war. In this regard the US has made very clear its grave concerns about the introduction of Russian S300 missiles into Cyprus," Talbott said.

He added that "at the same time, we have also made clear that if such destabilising missiles are installed, we will oppose any effort to remove them by force."

Turkey has threatened to resort to the use of force if the Cyprus government goes ahead with its decision to deploy the S300 on the island.

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

CNA DA/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:02

[02] New Assistant Attorney General

Charalambous, 59, gave this morning the prescribed affirmation before President Glafcos Clerides, during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace. Present was Attorney General Alecos Markides.

He succeeds Loukis Loukaidis, who takes over as from November 1, 1998 as judge of the recently established Court of Human Rights of the Council of Europe.

Charalambous studied Law in Athens and London Universities. He was appointed to the Republic's Law Office in 1972.

He has been the first Ombudsman in Cyprus. He was appointed in March 1991.

Charalambous has served in various law, constitutional and administrative committees.

President Clerides wished him every success to his new duties. When asked about the position of the Ombudsman, President Clerides said next Monday he will inform the House of Representatives of the name of the new Ombudsman.

He revealed that he preferred a woman to take over. CNA/GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President - Netanyahu - Message

"The message, conveyed by former Cyprus President George Vassiliou, is of a political nature but its contents are not for publication," Stylianides told his daily press briefing.

Vassiliou, who returned from Israel earlier today, said Netanyahu had assured him of the "very friendly feelings Israel has towards Cyprus and his country's wish to see progress in the Cyprus question."

Describing his meeting with Netanyahu as "very useful", he said he encountered a very positive approach on various issues", including the recent military cooperation agreement between Israel and Turkey.

"Israel does not consider its agreement with Turkey is against Cyprus, but the truth is that Turkey is behaving with a very intransigent and arrogant manner," Vassiliou said on return.

He said he conveyed to Netanyahu Cyprus' concerns about the lack of progress towards a settlement and pointed out that Israel should also be interested in progress in the Cyprus question and in Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

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

CNA MA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1405:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kyprianou - Hercus

Speaking after the one-hour meeting, Kyprianou said he briefed Hercus on the Cyprus problem but refrained from commenting any further, pointing out that he would observe her wish for no statements, "at least for a period of time".

"It was a courtesy call. It was a very useful meeting," Kyprianou said. He also pointed out that he received Dame Ann in his capacity as House President.

On her part, the UN official described the meeting as "useful", and replying to questions, said that "shuttle talks are about to commence", confirming a meeting tomorrow with President Glafcos Clerides.

"I will certainly be making no comments at all about the substance of that," she pointed out.

Asked to comment on earlier meetings in Athens and Ankara with Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers, Theodoros Pangalos and Ismail Cem, the UN official said they were "courtesy calls which any Chief of Mission would hold coming here and those meetings were very successful, useful first visits".

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

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - UN-sponsored shuttle talks

Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides confirmed tomorrow's meeting, adding that the government "awaits clarifications on the chapter reduction of tensions - security".

To a question if the meeting signals the start of the UN envoy's shuttle diplomacy, the Spokesman replied positively, and said "the aim is to clarify several issues and we have already said that after that we can enter a process of proximity talks".

Stylianides said the third stage of the process would be direct talks, if a common ground was found.

Asked if press reports were accurate that the aim of the new effort would be to postpone the deployment of the S300 anti-aircraft missiles, Stylianides said "we are ready to participate in such a process which will aim to solve issues such as reduction of tensions, security and substance (of the problem)".

"Mrs Hercus has not said that this (the postponement of the arrival of the missiles) is the aim of her talks. We insist on the papers of the (UN) Secretary-General that we were given," the Spokesman added.

Stylianides said the government remained firm on the implementation of the UN resolutions and the results of the meetings with the Secretary- General in New York last month.

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

Last month, the Secretary-General announced that after meetings with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, he proposed that his UN Resident Representative Ann Hercus, "develop a process for on- island contacts with both parties, with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement."

Both leaders expressed their support for such process, Kofi Annan added.

CNA MA/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Rolandis - Israel - Cyprus

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Israel, where he attended the Prime Ministers' Jubilee Summit, Rolandis said a trade agreement was signed and an agreement between Cyprus and Israel for the avoidance of double taxation is being discussed.

"We have a lot to benefit from our cooperation with Israel but I must say that we also cooperate with Arab countries in the region," Rolandis said.

He added that the government wants Cyprus "to become a regional centre, a country accepted by all in this region."

Referring specifically to Israel, Rolandis said their assessment is that "prospects for cooperation are good, but a lot of work has to be done."

He said he had a brief meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who referred to Cyprus' achievements and realises the island's future role in the economic, trade, tourism and high technology fields.

Rolandis also met with Israeli ministers of Trade and Industry and Technology and Science with whom he discussed issues of mutual interest.

CNA MAN/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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