Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-06-19

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

News Update

Thursday, 19/06/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Government Spokesman: "At the face-to-face talks we are all called upon to serve the interests of Cyprus and its people"
• [02] Nicholas Burns on Turkish manoeuvres off Cyprus coast
• [03] France pledges to honour EU decision on Cyprus
• [04] Amnesty International calls for new inquiry commission on the "missing" and "arbitrary killings"
• [05] New Cyprus ambassadors to Iceland and Sultanate of Oman

[01] Government Spokesman: "At the face-to-face talks we are all called upon to serve the interests of Cyprus and its people"

Commenting on the fact that Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, recently received an award for "service to the Turkic world" and on Denktash's threat that if a partnership state is not created, partition will become permanent, Mr Christofides said Mr Denktash has always been a faithful servant of Turkey and hence the award.

But he has never served the best interests of the Turkish Cypriot community whose rights have been trampled upon and are constantly being violated by the Turkish settlers and the occupation forces. A tragic proof of this is the mass emigration of Turkish Cypriots and the dramatic fall in their numbers to fewer than half since the invasion".

He stressed that in the forthcoming New York talks the Greek Cypriot side is seeking to achieve a united Cyprus as envisaged in the high level agreements and the UN resolutions. "The international interest that is being manifested in view of the talks opens a window of hope", he added.

[02] Nicholas Burns on Turkish manoeuvres off Cyprus coast

US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday in his daily briefing that the US has spoken with the Turkish Government regarding its concern over recent reports of Turkish military, naval activity, near Cyprus. He said Turkey has described this as "a naval visit that is routine and not a military exercise but port visits in Cyprus. The Turks say this is periodic and not unusual".

Mr Burns emphasized that the United States is concerned and believes that "all countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey, have a self- interest now, just before the commencement of the UN-sponsored talks on July 9th, not to undertake any provocative military initiatives that undermine confidence, that get people excited, that undermine stability in the Eastern Mediterranean".

The US State Department Spokesman added that "countries need to be transparent in what they are doing. They need to tell other countries what they intend to do so that other countries can have a reasonable confidence in the actions of that country".

He said "we have repeated that to the Turkish Government. We hope that all the countries in that region will take efforts towards peace and not efforts that undermine it".

[03] France pledges to honour EU decision on Cyprus

France's Defence Minister Alain Richard made the pledge during a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades, on the sidelines of the 42nd International Aeronautical and Space Exhibition in Paris.

The French Minister underlined that a settlement to the Cyprus problem will make the island's accession course easier and warned that should there not be a solution, France will carefully examine the situation and take the necessary decisions.

Mr Richard added that Cyprus complies with the economic and other preconditions required for EU accession.

Furthermore, he said that his country will support and complement the efforts of the UN Secretary-General for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus Defence Minister Costas Eliades said that if there is no solution to the Cyprus problem, due to the Turkish intransigence, Cyprus will continue to reinforce its defences.

[04] Amnesty International calls for new inquiry commission on the "missing" and "arbitrary killings"

The report also points out the proposal by Amnesty International to the UN for the establishment of an effective commission of inquiry which will investigate 'disappearances', 'missing' persons and arbitrary killings in Cyprus arising out of the events of 1963 to 1964 and 1974. The organisation called on President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to support the establishment of such a commission.

[05] New Cyprus ambassadors to Iceland and Sultanate of Oman

During a private meeting, following the presentation of credentials, the President of Iceland stressed out the importance his country gives to the role of small states in restructuring a new Europe and expressed the wish for further cooperation and contacts in all fields.

Moreover, Mr Stavros Orphanou presented his credentials to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman as the new Cypriot ambassador.

Sultan Qaboos reiterated Oman's support in efforts towards a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem.

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

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