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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-26Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1145:CYPPRESS:01[01] Clinton - Greek-American leadersWashington, Apr 26 (CNA) -- Prominent members of the Greek American community have called on the US President to tell Turkey that its use of deadly force and threats of deadly force can no longer be tolerated."NATO's credibility and moral authority for its mission in Kosovo and NATO's image will be seriously undercut if Turkey's military occupation of Cyprus is not put to an immediate end and the Cypriots, who were ethnically cleansed by Turkey, are not allowed to return to their homes in safety," a letter to Bill Clinton says. The letter, signed by 115 Greek American leaders, notes that NATO's determined response to the recent ethnic cleansing in Kosovo can greatly help Clinton's desire to end the forcible division of the Republic of Cyprus. If Turkey receives such a message from the US and other NATO allies, "it can come away from this meeting with a very good reason for ending the status quo on Cyprus." Their political and military leaders can begin to see that as their ethnic cleansing policies on Cyprus begin to erode the credibility and moral authority of NATO, so also will Turkey's stature within NATO begin to erode, the letter says. It also points out that the Turkish side has blocked US efforts with unacceptable preconditions whereas the government of Cyprus has shown both political will and positive attitude towards Clinton's efforts. "Its recent courageous and conciliatory decision to cancel the order of surface-to-air missiles is a remarkable example of the positive behaviour of the government of Cyprus," Greek American leaders say. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA DA/MM/GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1340:CYPPRESS:02[02] Finance Minister - Russian ambassadorNicosia, Apr 26 (CNA) -- Finance Minister Takis Clerides and Russia's ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouratov today exchanged views on bilateral relations, focusing on the meetings the Intergovernmental Committee dealing with trade and economic issues will have this year.Clerides said the main issue the Committee will deal with is the "ratification of two agreements already agreed concerning investments in the two countries and the avoidance of double taxation." The Committee also tackles issues such as cooperation in the medical field and veterinary matters. The Finance Minister said experts will convene in the coming one or two months, to propose a Committee meeting for the discussion of issues at hand. Mouratov expressed "satisfaction because relations are developing very positively within the framework of traditional friendly ties between the two countries." He thanked the Cypriot minister for his interest and willingness to further upgrade bilateral relations. CNA MA/GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1400:CYPPRESS:03[03] Russian ambassador - YugoslaviaNicosia, Apr 26 (CNA) -- Russian ambassador to Cyprus, Georgi Mouradov, today said that "the UN Charter must not be violated, either in the case of Yugoslavia or in any other case."Replying to questions after meeting Finance Minister Christos Clerides, Mouradov expressed the view that the forthcoming visits of foreign officials to Moscow "prove that there is real concern with developments in the Balkans and Yugoslavia." US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott is expected in Moscow today and it was announced that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will also visit Russia to discuss the Yugoslav crisis. The Russian ambassador in Nicosia said "these diplomatic efforts and actions show that we must find a political solution to the Yugoslav crisis." He also expressed the hope that these efforts will provide an occasion for "more understanding" regarding agreements Russia has on European and international security, such as its agreement with NATO, as well as documents agreed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Both Clerides and Mouradov said they did not discuss the proposed European Union oil embargo against Yugoslavia. "This is not an issue of concern to Russia, but is the position of a group of countries," Mouradov noted, adding that "Moscow has its own position". He did not elaborate. CNA MA/GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1400:CYPPRESS:04[04] Finance Minister - Parties - Economic dialogueNicosia, Apr 26 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides expects parliamentary political parties to put forward their proposals on economic and social measures, so that the government can formulate its own views.Replying to questions today, Finance Minister Takis Clerides said the President has concluded his first round of meetings with political party leader on the issue. Clerides said that the government is discussing an increase in tax- free income in the year 2000, but said the percentage has not yet been set. Referring to President Clerides' dialogue with the political parties, the Finance Minister said "no details have been set out nor has it been decided what these measures will include." "We expect all parties to submit their views so that the Finance Ministry and the government can set out their proposals that will be submitted," he added. Social measures, the increasing of state income and the decreasing of state expenditure are being discussed. The minister said the time schedule for the second round of talks between President Clerides and political parties has not yet been decided, but expressed certainty "it will end much sooner than the first round." CNA MA/GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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