Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-12-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Journalists - Strike

[02] President Clerides - Departure - Athens - S300 missiles

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Journalists - Strike

President of the Union of Journalists, Andreas Kanaouros said today journalists working in newspapers and magazines decided to go on a 24-hour strike tomorrow, pointing out, however, their intention to call off their decision if the publishers respond positively to their demands.

The journalists' Union has asked for the renewal of the collective labour agreement but as Kanaouros said, publishers demanded in a recent letter to the Union the abolition of existing salary scales.

Asked whether there has been any change in the publishers' position, Kanaouros replied in the negative and added that the deadlock has not been broken.

CNA MEM/MCH/GG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1905:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Departure - Athens - S300 missiles

Speaking shortly before his departure for Athens where he will meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis, President Clerides also said UN assessment about progress in shuttle talks was based on false indications by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Clerides is meeting Simitis tomorrow to brief him on the views expressed by National Council (top advisory body on the Cyprus problem) members on the future of S-300.

Asked whether there are any time limits expiring, concerning the S-300, in the next few days, President Clerides replied in the negative, adding, however, he had promised the Greek Premier to inform him on the Council's views before any of its decisions were publicised.

President Clerides said the current National Council decision was for a postponement of the arrival of the missiles till the end of 1998 and consequently that decision will be valid only till December 31.

Replying to a question, President Clerides said there had been no suggestions for a referendum on the future of the S-300, but if such a suggestion was made it would be examined.

He pointed out, however, that "a referendum will not serve national interests".

Asked whether he will ask the Greek Prime Minister to express his support to tomorrow's National Council decision, he said he would not ask for any statement by Simitis.

The Greek government's position on the issue has been publicised, he noted.

Expressing his own stance on the decision-making process concerning the S300 missiles, he said if tomorrow's National Council decision is unanimous, that decision "will be respected".

If not, the decision will be taken by the President of the Republic himself, Clerides added.

Asked to comment on recent statements by both Denktash and Turkey's President, Suleiman Demirel, Clerides pointed out Denktash's statements prove "the Turkish side's refusal to discuss a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions".

Instead, they demand recognition of the self-styled regime in the occupied north of Cyprus and a solution based on confederation, which is not in line with the UN resolutions, he added.

The Turkish side refuses to accept any commitment to reducing military forces unless a Cyprus settlement, providing also for such a reduction is reached, he pointed out.

Asked whether this Turkish position will be taken into account when the decision on the missiles will be formulated, Clerides said he did not connect the Turkish positions to the decision on the future of the S300s.

Referring to the President of Turkey, he said Demirel supports Denktash's policy which leads to the conclusion that "Turkey supports Denktash and his unacceptable positions, if not guides him".

Asked why the UN Secretary General referred to progress on Cyprus in his latest report given the intransigent positions of the Turkish side, Clerides said: "You have to ask Dame Ann Hercus".

UN Resident Representative of the Secretary General in Cyprus Ann Hercus launched her shuttle talks with President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader in October.

"I can assume the Secretary General was based on Dame Hercus' meetings with Mr Denktash", Clerides added.

The Turkish Cypriot leader may have given her the impression that he was flexible but returned to his intransigent positions in a letter to the UN Secretary General, he said.

The S-300 missiles were ordered by the Cyprus government in January 1997 in a bid to boost the island's air defence, in case of a new Turkish offensive.

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

CNA GG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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