Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] National Council Meeting

[02] National Council - Clerides - Athens

1115:CYPPRESS:01

[01] National Council Meeting

The meeting, which is described as "crucial", comes right after the UN Security Council adopted two new resolutions on the Cyprus problem and is expected to discuss the future of the deployment of Russian defensive system S300.

Party leaders and representatives described the meeting as "important" but refrained from stating whether a final decision concerning the missiles is expected to be reached today.

United Democrats President, George Vassiliou said shortly before the meeting, President Glafcos Clerides would state his views during the meeting but the decision lies with the National Council.

Centre-right Democratic Party leader, Spyros Kyprianou stated that "if the dogmas agreed still stand then the decision should be a joint one" by Cyprus and Greece.

Left wing AKEL Parliamentary Representative Andreas Christou expressed a similar view, pointing out that his party's position is that the decision for the future of the S300 must be a joint one between the government of Cyprus and Greece.

He also described the meeting of the National Council as "important" expressing the hope that it would be "productive".

Cyprus and Greece erached in 1993 a defence agreement. New Horizons leader, Nikos Koutsou, said "the UN Security Council resolutions are no alibi for changing the decision taken regarding the missiles".

President of ruling right-wing DISI, Nikos Anastasiades, as well as Socialist party EDEK President Vassos Lyssarides made no comments entering the Presidential Palace.

The National Council had set as preconditions for the non-deployment of the missiles either the start of substantial negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem or substantial progress on security issues, with the prospect of complete demilitarisation of the island.

CNA RM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] National Council - Clerides - Athens

Speaking after a National Council meeting, which lasted more than four hours and reviewed recent developments in the Cyprus problem in view of two new UN Security Council resolutions, Stylianides confined himself to saying that all views were heard and President Clerides will travel to Athens to brief Premier Costas Simitis.

Stylianides said Clerides would meet Simitis on Tuesday "to brief him on the views of political party leaders and there will be consultations as agreed during an earlier meeting in Athens," held in late November.

The Spokesman pointed out that there would be no new National Council meeting when President Clerides returns to Cyprus, stressing that "the discussion has been concluded and all parties have expressed their views".

He added that it was not yet clear who would accompany Clerides to Athens.

Stylianides refused to answer any questions posed by journalists, while no statements were made by party leaders and representatives taking part in the National Council (the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem).

Today's National Council meeting had been described by political leaders as "crucial" and "important" and was expected to deal with the question of deployment of the S300 defensive system purchased by the Cyprus Republic.

The meeting followed the adoption of two UN Security Council resolutions, 1217 for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Peace-keeping force on the island for a further six months and 1218 on the good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus.

The resolutions were described as positive by Nicosia and satisfactory by Athens, while they were also welcomed by the US, Britain and the European Union.

Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the other hand, rejected them repeating their provocative demands for a confederation of two states on the island.

CNA AA/MCH/RM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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