Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Commerce Minister - Syria - Message

[02] Chinese - Murder - Remand

[03] President - Return - Statements

1250:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Commerce Minister - Syria - Message

During his visit, Rolandis will be received by Syrian President Hafiz Al-Assad to whom he will convey a personal message from President Glafcos Clerides.

The Minister, heading a five-member delegation, will have talks with the Syrian Vice-President and the Ministers of Economy and Industry to examine the possibilities of improving bilateral ties in trade, industry and tourism.

Rolandis returns to Cyprus on Wednesday.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1505:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Chinese - Murder - Remand

Wang Yang, 21, was remanded in custody on December 4 and the Court ordered today a seven-day renewal of his detention.

On Friday, police arrested a second Chinese man wanted for the murder of the two students, a man and a woman, whose bodies were found in a ravine, in the central Troodos mountain plains.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President - Return - Statements

The President, however, did not rule out any possible move from the US or the UN towards this goal and noted that if anything is to emerge it would be before the UN Security Council meets, at this end of the month.

Clerides' statements come amid increasing media speculation about proposals and counter-proposals by the US and the UN to try and avert the proposed deployment of Russian missiles in Cyprus.

Speaking on arrival from Vienna, where European Union leaders concluded their two-day summit, Clerides said "I have no proposal (on the issue of the S300 missiles) and no discussion on the matter took place."

"I must tell you I am very happy that during my five days in Vienna, I did not hear the words S300 or missiles," the President said.

Invited to spell out the current state of affairs as far as attempts to reduce tension on the island are concerned, the President replied "the real picture of the situation is that at present there is nothing on the table, either from the UN or the US Coordinator for Cyprus or anybody else with regard to a reduction of tension."

He also said that "we know everybody is examining this matter but we have not seen any concrete proposal so far."

Clerides said he would meet UN resident representative Ann Hercus Monday morning. "I do not know if she will have anything," he remarked.

Replying to questions, the President said his discussions with various officials related to the government's views on what would help reduce tensions.

"A substantive reduction of military forces and arms on both sides within a timetable and in the framework of a programme for the demilitarisation of Cyprus (would help reduce tensions)," he explained.

Clerides also said that one would anticipate that "if anything were to emerge, this would be before the meeting of the Security Council, if this is to come from the UN."

The Council, he added, is expected to meet at the end of December. The President dismissed press suggestions that the US is working on some kind of formula and said US Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller, who visited the island on Friday, has not been in touch with him.

Asked if he expects any kind of intervention on the part of the US, the President replied "I would not rule this out, just as I would not rule out any intervention from UN resident representative Ann Hercus."

Hercus' shuttle talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, initiated in mid-October, aims at finding "common ground," he explained.

"So far I have nothing specific," Clerides added. Commenting on his meeting in Vienna with Greek Premier Costas Simitis, Clerides said Simitis briefed him on the EU discussions on enlargement.

Clerides said he was "surprised" at press reports that he and Simitis had agreed on a temporary postponement of the arrival of the Russian missiles.

The government of Cyprus has postponed the arrival of the SAM (surface to air missiles) until the end of December.

President Clerides described the EU reference to Cyprus' accession course as "crystal clear".

Referring to enlargement, in the conclusions, EU leaders noted "with satisfaction that the six accession conferences with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have entered into substantive negotiations and reached the first concrete results."

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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