Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] CoE Rapporteur - Visit

[02] Greek Government Spokesman - Cyprus

[03] Clerides - S300

1205:CYPPRESS:01

[01] CoE Rapporteur - Visit

Barsony, rapporteur of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE on the situation in Cyprus, will be received tomorrow by President Glafcos Clerides and meet House President Spyros Kyprianou.

He will also see Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, party leaders and the Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Takis Christopoulos.

Barsony will meet with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of the CoE member states and UN Deputy Special Representative, Dame Ann Hercus.

CNA EC/MK/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1210:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek Government Spokesman - Cyprus

The committee comprises officials and high ranking members of the Mass Media ministry, the Press and Information office and representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Greece and Cyprus.

Delegations from both sides will hold talks on Monday to coordinate cooperation in the field of enlightenment of public opinion on national issues.

The talks will be chaired by Reppas and Cyprus Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides.

Reppas will be received by President Glafcos Clerides on Monday morning. He will also meet the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou.

CNA EC/MK/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1310:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides - S300

In a speech at an anti-occupation gathering, the President warned that if the government's strategy on the national issue, defence and accession to the European Union (EU) was altered, the Cyprus problem would plunge back to a prolonged stalemate.

Noting that the Cyprus government "insists and continues its diplomatic efforts to open the road for substantial negotiations" which will lead to lifting the deadlock on the Cyprus problem, Clerides said "we continue to strengthen our defence".

He said the issue of defence has taken significant dimensions in the past few years with the implementation of the joint defence pact with Greece.

Clerides stressed that issue of the S300 which is "clearly a defensive anti-aircraft missile system" is part of the framework of strengthening the island's defence capabilities.

"I repeat: The unanimous decision of the National Council (the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem) to deploy the missiles is still valid, as well as the preconditions to postpone their arrival".

The preconditions, he said "are either start of substantial negotiations with prospects to achieve progress regarding the substance of the Cyprus problem or substantial progress on security issues, with the prospect of completing an agreement for the gradual but eventual, complete demilitirisation of Cyprus."

Clerides said "I firmly believe the strategy which we follow on the national problem, the accession course and our defence is correct", adding that it is the only one which can "yield the desired results."

"If we suddenly altered out strategy on all issues which I have mentioned, the Cyprus problem would plunge back to a protracted stalemate and would cast Cypriot Hellenism into uncertainty and insecurity."

The President reassured that the aim is "to first, find through peaceful means, a solution to the Cyprus problem which will be fair, viable and for the benefit of all Cypriots, and secondly, Cyprus' accession to the EU."

Already, he said, one of the aims is being implemented with the official opening of accession negotiations with the EU.

Commenting on the cooperation between Athens and Nicosia, he said if it did not exist, "then the future of Cypriot Hellenism would be bleak."

"Therefore we all have a duty to safeguard this cooperation in all fields," he added.

UN led efforts to reunite Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory, have so far yielded no results due to the intransigent positions adopted by the Turkish side.

The Cyprus government purchased the Russian missiles in an effort to boost its defence capabilities in case of a fresh Turkish offensive.

CNA EC/MK/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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