Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Defence Minister - Visit

[02] Cyprus - Italy - Agreement

[03] Miller - Cyprus problem

[04] UNFICYP - Greek Cypriots

[05] Cyprus - Miss Universe contest

1610:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greek Defence Minister - Visit

Announcing the visit, Greek ambassador to Cyprus Kyriacos Rodousakis said today that during his stay Tsohatzopoulos will discuss cooperation in the military field with his counterpart Yiannakis Chrysostomis.

Rodousakis said that the two sides will reconfirm "cooperation" within the framework of the joint defence pact between Cyprus and Greece agreed in 1993 providing for air, sea and land coverage of the island in case of a new Turkish offensive.

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

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - Italy - Agreement

The agreement was announced here today by Italian Minister for European Community Policies Enrico Letta and head of Cyprus' delegation in the European Union (EU) accession talks George Vassilou.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Letta said cooperation between the two countries will focus on issues related to the European internal market with the aim to accelerate Cyprus' harmonisation process with the acquis communautaire.

Cyprus started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

He said cooperation will begin with "some very concrete subjects", such as legislation on the cooperative system, adding that Italy wants to demonstrate its "good will towards Cyprus".

"We will be very happy to welcome Cyprus in the EU as soon as possible, as Italy needs to have Mediterranean partners in the Union", Letta pointed out, noting that with a "strong South" the EU can achieve progress easier.

"The admittance of Cyprus in the EU will be one important step in this process", the Italian Minister noted.

On his part, Vassiliou said that "hopefully very shortly Italian experts will be here" in order to give lectures on specific EU issues to Cypriot civil servants.

The Italian Minister, who is on a one-day visit to Cyprus, was received earlier today by President Glafcos Clerides and met with Foreign Minister Ioannis Casoulides.

Letta will be leaving the island later today.

CNA GG/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1635:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Miller - Cyprus problem

Miller, who is taking up the post of US Ambassador to Bosnia Herzegovina, noted that it is to the Turkish side's interest to come to negotiations, expected to be take place in New York in the autumn of 1999.

"Our position for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty has not changed ... and I doubt that it will ever change," Miller said, commenting on Turkish demands for a confederation of two states in Cyprus contrary to UN resolutions.

Miller said that "no one comes to negotiations unless they perceive it is in their interest," adding that "our challenge has been to figure out ways to make this to the Turkish interest."

He expressed the view that it is in the Turkish side's interest to come to negotiations and cited two reasons for which the dialogue on Cyprus can serve the Turkish side.

"The Turkish side might feel this (the Cyprus problem) is not a big issue" but "the rest of the international community does. It is going to stay an issue unless it is resolved," Miller said.

The second reason he cited is that "we recognise that both sides have legitimate interests and concerns" noting that "we believe they can be better as a result of the negotiations than with the status quo."

Miller said the US have stressed "to both sides that in any negotiation they are not going to get 100 per cent either side."

The US diplomat said he told "both sides to come to the meeting because there is a lot of pressure" on them.

"Come if you think that it should be a really interesting engagement of give and take," he added.

Referring to the June decision of the Group of Eight on Cyprus, Miller said "it is a message to all those out there who like to believe that this (the Cyprus problem) is not a big problem."

"That's why we did the G8 thing so that we can put on the record clearly", he said.

The US diplomat said it is significant that the G8 stressed there should be no preconditions and that all issues should be on the negotiating table, clarifying that the Group does not substitute the UN.

Asked about the decisions of the UN Security Council on Cyprus and their role, Miller said he considers them "as a catalyst to spur the negotiations", noting they are "part of the history of the problem."

Miller called for talks which "will not be meaningless", stressing the "objective is to get serious negotiations."

"Let us not handicap ourselves before these negotiations get started. Let's create the conditions and environment where you have a chance that these negotiations not only start but succeed," Miller added.

Asked if Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash can raise any issue on the negotiating table, Miller replied "if Denktash wants to... then he should be able to do it", but added that Washington does not support the demand for confederation.

Denktash has said he will not participate in Cyprus peace talks unless they aim at establishing confederation, a precondition dismissed by the UN and the Cyprus government as it is contrary to UN resolutions stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

CNA KI/EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:04

[04] UNFICYP - Greek Cypriots

Spyros Koushioumis, from Dhali village, was abducted by Turkish soldiers and was remanded in "custody" for three days by an illegal court in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

Russell said UNFICYP will be contacting the man's family. A Canadian citizen of Greek Cypriot origin, 48 year old Rogiros Georgiou, is also held by the occupation forces since last Wednesday.

Russell said UNFICYP took Georgiou's brother to see him and give him a change of clothes, cigarettes and other things he needed.

Georgiou will appear before an illegal military "court" on August 3 after the occupation regime charged him with "trespass" in a military area.

Turkish troops illegally occupy 37 per cent of the Cyprus Republic's territory since they invaded the island in July 1974.

The illegal regime unilaterally declared in the northern Turkish occupied part of the island is recognised only by Ankara.

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Miss Universe contest

The decision was officially announced here today by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nikos Rolandis and President of Miss Universe Corporation Maureen Reidy.

Speaking at a press conference Rolandis said the "Miss Universe" pageant will promote tourism, the island's main source of income.

He noted that this is an important international event and Cyprus will try to make it the event of the millennium.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism referred to the connection between Cyprus and Greek mythology according to which Goddess Aphrodite was born here 3200 years ago.

"We will again proclaim the most beautiful woman on earth in the year 2000," he said.

It is estimated that some 2,4 billion viewers world wide will watch the event, that will be broadcasted live by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation network and the American network CBS.

Rolandis said that in order to satisfy expected demand the government is trying to arrange direct flights between New York and Larnaca airport.

On her part Reidy said that Cyprus was selected amongst 12 countries to host the Miss Universe pageant and noted the important part the island's ancient history played in the organisers decision.

She added that the two-hour show will be broadcasted live on CBS and during the programme different destinations within Cyprus will be highlighted.

"The event is approximately three weeks long and the 85 delegates will be here for four weeks", she added.

Reidy said that international celebrities and world wide media will be invited to attend the event.

"It is an international event, celebrating the diversity of women", Reidy concluded.

CNA RM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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