Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU official - Visit

[02] Cyprus - Bulgaria - Yugoslavia

[03] Archbishop Chrysostomos - Kosovo crisis

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[01] EU official - Visit

Lalis, who arrives here today at the invitation of the Ministry of Communications and Works, will be accompanied by Jacques De Dieu, of the same EU Directorate.

De Dieu deals with legal issues and EU policy and relations with the International Maritime Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

CNA MM/GP/1999

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[02] Cyprus - Bulgaria - Yugoslavia

As far as the Cyprus question is concerned, he reiterated his country's support for the relevant UN resolutions and said the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, should be reunited through peaceful negotiations.

"We view the involvement of NATO as the ultimate undesired but unfortunately necessary way to make one of the sides, that is the regime in Belgrade, accept the proposed arrangements by the contact group," Sokolov, currently visiting Cyprus, said, speaking through an interpreter.

The proposals, he said, provide "good foundation for finding a solution to the problem in Kosovo" and added that only a peaceful solution can be a lasting solution.

He said Bulgaria will not be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any military action and in fact it has launched a number of peace initiatives to settle the problem.

"These initiatives have enjoyed the support of all countries in the region without any exception," he added, pointing out that his country wishes to see an end to the conflict as it is facing the gravest economic risks.

Referring to bilateral relations, Sokolov described them as traditionally friendly and said these can be improved.

"We share our European orientation and we decided to join our efforts and help each other," he said.

He said Bulgaria has maintained right from the start a principled position in support of all the UN Security Council resolutions and "we are confident Cyprus should be united through peaceful negotiations."

In his remarks, House President, Spyros Kyprianou, said this visit signals the start of a new and closer cooperation between the two Parliaments in view of their European orientation.

"There is great scope to improve our cooperation," he said. Kyprianou briefed the Bulgarian deputies on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and said he would be in Bulgaria at the end of April to attend a meeting of parliamentary speakers from candidate countries for EU accession with the European Parliament.

CNA MK/MM/GP/1999

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[03] Archbishop Chrysostomos - Kosovo crisis

Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, announced today that the fund raising will take place on April 4, in all churches on the island.

Chrysostomos denounced the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, and implied that the Jewish lobby in the US had played a role in this crisis.

"By allying itself to Israel, Turkey has succeeded in using the Jewish lobby in the US which is very powerful and influences American politics," Chrysostomos remarked.

He told the press that envoys sent to Cyprus to examine the Cyprus problem are Israelis, pointing out that "this is the reason a solution has not been found".

"The Jews on the other hand need Turkey because they are among Muslims, " he said, adding that "Turkey makes false promises it will fight with them and be their protector".

Archbishop Chrysostomos expressed grief for the bombings against the Serbs, and pointed out that they "are taking place because of the Muslim element" in the region.

Asked whether the Kosovo crisis could have political consequences on the Cyprus problem, Chrysostomos said proposals put forward by foreigners for the solution of the Cyprus problem are "unacceptable".

He disagreed with the proposed bicommunal, bizonal federation in Cyprus as this would "legalise Turkey's presence in Cyprus."

The Archbishop also pointed to Turkish attempts to alter the demographic composition of Cyprus by bringing to the northern part of the island they have been occupying since 1974 colonist settlers from Turkey.

CNA NG/MCH/GP/1999

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