Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kyprianou - Milosevic - Belgrade

[02] President Clerides - Russian First Deputy FM

[03] House President - Milosevic - Meeting

[04] Cyprus FM - Russian Deputy FM

1130:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kyprianou - Milosevic - Belgrade

"The President of the House believes that his consultations in the Yugoslav capital will take place in the next few hours," Andreas Constantinou, spokesman of the Democratic Party led by Kyprianou, told CNA today.

Last night, the Yugoslav Senate and Parliament hosted a dinner in Kyprianou's honour, which was attended by the Yugoslav Foreign Minister.

At the dinner, there was a general discussion about the situation in Yugoslavia but no talk about Kyprianou's mission in Belgrade.

"This issue is the sole object of discussion at today's meeting with President Milosevic," Constantinou added.

Replying to questions, DIKO spokesman said Kyprianou spent the night in his hotel in Belgrade, despite the NATO air raids, and for him it was quite an experience.

Asked if there is any communication with the US, Constantinou said last night there was no direct contact with the US but "the House President is in indirect communication with the US through certain channels."

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Russian First Deputy FM

Russia's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Adveyev, said the Cyprus problem, current international developments and bilateral relations were on today's agenda at a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides.

Speaking through an interpreter, the Russian diplomat said Russia appreciates the President's views on the Yugoslav crisis, and added "we will work on these interesting thoughts and ideas President Clerides has outlined on a peaceful settlement of the Yugoslav crisis."

Avdeyev, who arrived here last night, expressed "gratitude to the President for a most useful meeting during which we discussed in depth the increasingly successful bilateral ties, the Cyprus problem and current European issues."

The Russian diplomat said he outlined Russia's position on the situation in Yugoslavia and President Boris Yeltzin's assessment of the Kosovo tragedy and the policy that needs to be adopted on the matter.

"President Clerides has asked me to convey his position to President Yeltzin and we have established that our approaches on this issue are very close and aim at a speedy resolution of the problem," Avdeyev said.

The Russian official is now holding talks at the Foreign Ministry, with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

He is due to leave early this afternoon.

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] House President - Milosevic - Meeting

"The timing of the meeting has not been arranged as yet. House President Kyprianou is expecting to be informed about the time of the meeting," Marios Karoyian, Director of the President's office has told CNA from Belgrade.

All indications earlier today were that Kyprianou would be seeing Milosevic at around noon in a bid to secure the release of three American soldiers, captured by the Yugoslav forces last week.

Karoyian said this morning Kyprianou visited bombed areas outside Belgrade, where last night he attended a dinner in his honour, hosted by the presidents of the Yugoslav Senate and Parliament.

"Talks at the dinner were conducted in a friendly and constructive atmosphere," Karoyian added.

Kyprianou flew to Belgrade on Thursday on board a Greek military transport aircraft C130, which has returned to base.

His mission, as he said, concerns humanitarian issues and efforts will focus on the release of the three American soldiers.

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1530:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus FM - Russian Deputy FM

He also pointed out results on the Cyprus issue will be achieved only if the Turkish side adopts a constructive position.

Avdeyev was speaking after a meeting here this morning with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, with whom he signed a protocol on where convicted offenders from either country would serve their sentences.

He said they discussed thoroughly the two countries' moves towards the solution of the Cyprus issue, "Nato's policy towards the sovereign state of Yugoslavia", bilateral relations in view of the island's future accession to the European Union (EU) and the two countries' relations with the EU.

Referring to the talks the Special Representative of Russia Vladimir Chizhov had here yesterday, Avdeyev expressed "the Russian diplomats' satisfaction for the results of intensive talks in the past day and a half".

He added that a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be prepared.

Responding to a question on the Cyprus question, he said the promotion of the issue on the basis of UN decisions and a bizonal federation was discussed during his talks here.

Russia will back "this idea" and will promote it both in the G8 meeting and the UN, as the country is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Avdeyev pointed out, adding that on that specific issue the two countries' positions are "very close to each other".

Asked when he expected progress on the Cyprus issue, he said results will be achieved "when the other side will have a constructive position".

Outlining the links between the Cyprus question and the Yugoslav crisis, Avdeyev pointed out there is a clear connection in that none of the two issues can be settled "with the use of force, the threat of the use of force or the use of military capability and military alliances".

Answering a question on the Kosovo crisis, he said Cyprus and Russia "are trying to reestablish the dialogue" between the parties involved, adding the two countries agree "on ten to fifteen parameters regarding the cease-fire and the restoration of peace in Kosovo".

On his part, Kasoulides expressed satisfaction for the results of the talks, as there was "full understanding and similar views on all issues".

He added that Avdeyev's visit is proof of the "traditionally friendly relations" between the two countries, which are based on a common civilisation, history and understanding of international issues.

Russia's Special Representative for Cyprus, the country's Ambassador to Nicosia, Georgi Mouradov and Cyprus' Ambassador in Moscow Platon Kyriakides were also present at the meeting. The Russian official was due to leave this afternoon.

CNA GG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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