Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-10-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Israeli - Turkey - Military cooperation - Cyprus

[02] Israeli Deputy - Cyprus - Turkey

[03] Cyprus - Greek anniversary

[04] Archbishop - Statements

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Israeli - Turkey - Military cooperation - Cyprus

Jerusalem, Oct 28 (CNA) -- Israel believes the significance of its military cooperation agreement with Turkey is greatly exaggerated and defines it as part of normal ties, according to Israeli sources.

The same sources argue that if Israel does not sell arms to Turkey, then someone else will and note the Israeli government would be rather unwilling to sell arms to Cyprus, if asked.

They also point out that Israel needs the green light from the US in terms of certain moves and stress that the arrival of the Russian S300 anti- aircraft missiles in Cyprus will not change the balance of power.

"It is not fair to single out Israel as a power helping Turkey. If we do not sell arms to Turkey, somebody else would", the Israeli sources have said.

Arms sales to Turkey, they note, are not helping Turkey to threaten Cyprus, nor does Turkey need Israeli help to launch an attack.

"We define our ties with Turkey as normal relations between normal countries. The real meaning and significance of our military cooperation with Turkey is greatly exaggerated," the sources said, noting that Israel can do very little without US permit.

Asked if Israel would respond to a Cypriot request for the sale of arms, the sources replied, "I would not say so."

Referring to the solution of the Cyprus question, they expressed Israel's support of the UN resolutions on Cyprus, and stressed there is no official dealing with the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, which is not recognised by Israel.

In fact, they revealed that Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, while on a private visit to Israel, failed to secure any meetings, not for want of trying.

Israel, they recalled, "renews once a year a circular from the Foreign Ministry to cabinet members reminding them not to have any contact with T/C regime.

"The solution to the Cyprus problem cannot come from twisting Turkey's arm but through negotiations, according to UN resolutions," the sources said, requesting anonymity.

Commenting on the arrival of the S300 missile system, which Cyprus has purchased, the sources said "this would not change the balance of power."

"Israel is not worried about S300 in the worst of cases, the S300 would add a dosage of instability," they said.

On the European Union factor in the Cyprus question, the sources said "there exist a linkage between the Cyprus solution and adopting Turkey into the EU." Israel supports both, they noted.

They also called on EU to be more generous to Turkey to make it worthwhile for her to make a move on Cyprus.

Placing Turkey in the second group of countries for accession in return for partial withdrawal of its troops would be one way to entice Turkey to change its tune on Cyprus, they explained.

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

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0935:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Israeli Deputy - Cyprus - Turkey

Jerusalem, Oct 28, (CNA) --Israeli deputy, Yael Dayan of the Likud Party, does not think her country's military agreement with Turkey upsets regional stability but warns that in future it could cause problems.

Speaking to Cypriot journalists, the daughter of Moshe Dayan also said "if we don't sell arms to Turkey, others will," acknowledging that Israel is the fifth country worldwide in military hardware sales.

She explained that "Turkey is regarded as "a crack in the wall of destruction which Israel is facing" and pointed out that one should not put too much value on the agreement "in terms of strengthening the military power of the two countries."

"I don't think the agreement disturbs the stability in the region," Dayan said, but expressed some reservations about it.

"It may prove unwise in the long term," she conceded, referring in particular to future peace negotiations with Syria.

Expressing support for a solution in Cyprus, Dayan noted Israel wants to see a settlement but does not want to take sides in a conflict between two friendly countries.

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

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - Greek anniversary

The anniversary marks Greece's refusal to surrender to an unconditional ultimatum by the Axis forces and is celebrated in Cyprus with church services and parades in all towns.

President Clerides was flanked by Primate of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, Acting President of the House of Representatives, Nicos Anastasiades, Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus, Kyriakos Rodousakis, as well as the political and military leadership.

Archbishop Chrysostomos officiated a church service held at St. John's Cathedral in Nicosia earlier today.

High school pupils, university and college students, scouts and organisations joined war veterans in parades in all towns in the free areas of the Republic.

Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides took the salute in the southern coastal town of Limassol, Health Minister Christos Solomis was in Larnaca, Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou was in Paphos.

Interior Minister, Dinos Michaelides represented the government in Paralimni (for Turkish occupied Famagusta) and Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous, was in Evrhihou (for the occupied town of Morfou).

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

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Archbishop - Statements

He also repeated his objection to a federal settlement of the Cyprus problem, stating it would cause the influx of Turkish settlers.

Speaking after a parade marking "October 28" when Greece refused to surrender to an unconditional ultimatum by the Axis forces, Archbishop Chrysostomos said today's anniversary which is reminiscent of the struggles of the nation to secure its freedom, "makes us realise our problem and the need to be united to face the dangers" to come.

Chrysostomos said it is the first time that an attempt is made to alter the island's demographic structure with the mass influx of foreigners.

The Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus voiced his disagreement with a federal solution, "because, and I must say it, it will lead to the influx of settlers" on the island, "something which nobody will be able to prevent because they will be under Turkish control", he said.

"United, we should all pursue the restoration of the human rights of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers", Chrysostomos added.

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

CNA EC/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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