Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-01-07

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Tuesday, 07/01/97

CONTENTS

• [01] President of Zimbabwe calls for the withdrawal of Turkish Troops from Cyprus
• [02] Purchase of anti-aircraft missiles a defence measure against Turkish aggression
• [03] Government Spokesman: Arms purchases justified in the face of the Turkish military presence

[01] President of Zimbabwe calls for the withdrawal of Turkish Troops from Cyprus

Upon his arrival at Larnaca airport President Mugabe stressed that Zimbabwe is against occupation and calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus.

Welcoming the Zimbabwean President, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said that Mr Mugabe is "a great friend of Cyprus who has raised his voice for justice for Cyprus many times".

The two Presidents held talks at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia and were lated joined by Foreign Ministers Stanislaus Mudenge of Zimbabwe and Alecos Michaelides of Cyprus.

During a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Mugabe was bestowed with the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III, the highest honour possessed by the Republic of Cyprus.

Decorating his counterpart of Zimbabwe, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said he is "a friend of Cyprus, who has always supported freedom, justice and non-interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Cyprus".

President Clerides noted President Mugabe's open and strong support to Cyprus in the UN General Assembly, Commonwealth and Non-Aligned conferences.

Addressing a special session of the House of Representatives today, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe stressed that both Zimbabwe and Cyprus, active members of the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations value these multi-lateral fora because of their commitment to international friendship, cooperation and peace. Referring to the transformation of world politics with the end of the Cold War, President Mugabe stressed that now we face new challenges and opportunities in our global village emphasising the challenges of ensuring the dignity of mankind, full respect of international law, the equality of sovereign nations and their right to participate as equal partners at the United Nations.

President Mugabe also referred to the excellent relations existing between Cyprus and Zimbabwe and stressed that the invitation to visit the House of Representatives in Nicosia signals "the desire for closer understanding and cooperation to foster a prosperous relationship between our two parliaments and peoples".

[02] Purchase of anti-aircraft missiles a defence measure against Turkish aggression

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides confirmed this in a statement to a local TV network. He said "the deal is a reality and the relevant agreement signed", adding that the missiles will be delivered at a later date.

Cyprus has no military airforce of its own and the multi-million Russian anti-aircraft missile system would be only defence against the powerful Turkish airforce.

But western powers have expressed grave concern about the government's arms deal.

The U.S., Britain and Germany have expressed their concern over the military build-up in Cyprus, while Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership have threatened with a pre-emptive strike in Cyprus when the S- 300 missiles are installed.

Cyprus Ambassador to the U.S. Andros Nicolaides was summoned to the State Department and told that "these moves may cause difficulties in future steps towards a settlement and create tension", according to Foreign Minister Michaelides.

The Cyprus government's response as expressed by the Foreign Minister is that as long as part of Cyprus is occupied by Turkish troops, estimated by the UN at 35,000, tension on the island will persist.

This deal, he explained, conveys the message that efforts towards a settlement must be intensified and speeded up.

"The missiles will boost our defence capability and are not in any way an act of aggression", he added, noting that President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus is still on the cards.

Michaelides wondered why no representations were made over the continuing illegal presence of some 35 thousand Turkish troops in Cyprus, when the UN chief himself has confirmed this massive military presence, and the repeated violations of the Republic's air space by Turkish military aircraft.

Nicholas Burns, the State Department's Spokesman in a written statement said: "The Cypriot decision introduces a new and destabilizing military element on the island and in the region, at the very time the international community is exploring ways to foster political cooperation to significantly advance a settlement. Cyprus is already one of the most militarized areas in the world. Turkey maintains a very large military force on the island and both sides are very heavily armed.

Regardless of when the system might be deployed, we believe, he added, the conclusion of this sales contract makes any mediation effort that much more difficult and harms the political atmosphere. The action of the Government of Cyprus is a step down the wrong path.

The United States remains committed to pursuing efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. Working with the international community, President Clinton is determined to move forward. For these efforts to succeed, the parties and their partners in the region must also be prepared to make the tough choices needed to achieve peace" the U.S. statement said.

Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, (UNFICYP) Waldemar Rokoszewski, speaking to the Cyprus News Agency Sunday (6.1.97) said: "the military build-up in Cyprus has underscored what the UN Security Council has pointed out for so long, that the status quo in Cyprus is most unstable and is not tenable".

[03] Government Spokesman: Arms purchases justified in the face of the Turkish military presence.

"We think they are seriously mistaken if they believe that the strengthening of our defence system will be an obstacle to peace efforts. On the contrary, we consider it will be helpful towards these efforts because we believe the arrogance and intransigence of the Turkish side is clearly due to its military superiority because of the presence on the island of its occupation troops. We shall not change our political positions, nor our political goodwill for a solution to the Cyprus problem, based on what we have repeatedly stated as reasonable political positions.

The Government Spokesman reminded the United States government that the Turkish occupation troops have been present on the island for over 22 years, they have been militarily upgraded to a top degree a few years ago without attracting any criticism or reaction. He also underlined that the Turkish troops in Cyprus are armed with American and NATO military hardware in contravention of USA laws and NATO regulations.

Cassoulides also stressed that there is no danger to the Turkish Cypriots on the island because of the upgrading of the government's defence capabilities.

Explaining the defensive structure of the Cypriot army, Cassoulides said: "The standard position of the Cyprus government is that it is up to us alone to decide how best to organize out defence, to safeguard the security of the Greek Cypriots, and also about how we consider effective our defence capability.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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