Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-10-20

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

News Update

Monday, 20/10/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Government responds to Kofi Annan's comments on tension
• [02] Foreign Minister rebuffs US non-committal on Turkish violations
• [03] Appointment of a Special Representative for Cyprus planned by the Commonwealth
• [04] Cyprus Airways celebrates its 50 years
• [05] Cyprus President meets Swiss President in Nicosia
• [06] New major offshore Bank to be established in Cyprus

[01] Cyprus Government responds to Kofi Annan's comments on tension

The government also stressed that this tension necessitates a speedy resolution of the Cyprus question because the absence of a solution poses danger.

"The government considers that the UN Secretary-General's statement falls within his competencies and rights", Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said at his daily briefing on Friday, 17.10.97.

He also indicated it was about time Turkey stopped being so provocative as it has done in the past few days when it violated repeatedly Cyprus' and Greece's air space and harassed the military aircraft carrying Greek Defence Minister to and from Cyprus.

Mr Kofi Annan had on 16.10.97 expressed "concern" about reports of increased tension in and around Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, following belligerent rhetoric from the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities and Greece and Turkey.

The UN chief "strongly urges all parties to act in accordance with recent Security Council resolutions".

"it is important to note that existing tension warrants a speedy settlement in Cyprus and efforts towards this goal should be intensified as Turkey has now revealed its designs", Mr Christofides said.

Turkey, he added, has made it clear it does not want a Cyprus solution and stressed it is high time a solution is sought through decisive tactics.

[02] Foreign Minister rebuffs US non-committal on Turkish violations

Mr Kasoulides said the Republic's Civil Aviation and the National Guard possess "satisfactory technological systems which can provide accurate scientific evidence of violations" of the island's airspace by Turkish warplanes.

Replying to questions on rising Greco-Turkish tension in the past few days, Kasoulides said "the government does not share the view that there is tension on the island".

He said the annual military exercises were carried out as usual and pointed out the difference this year was "Turkey's provocations off Cyprus' coast".

Regarding Turkish statements that they lifted a ban on flights over Cyprus, Kasoulides said "the Turks have never kept any promise they made to the United States".

He pointed out that "we unilaterally stated that during the period of the talks, until September this year, we would not invite the Greek Airforce to fly over the Republic of Cyprus", noting that Cyprus kept its part of the deal.

The US Administration, he said, informed us that the Turkish government promised it would do the same, which it didn't.

"We are not naive, there was never a moratorium between us (Turkey and Cyprus", he said, adding that such views prove that the Turkish side is not trustworthy.

[03] Appointment of a Special Representative for Cyprus planned by the Commonwealth

Speaking during the BBC World Service programme "Question Time", on 19.10.97 about the possibility of appointing a Commonwealth special representative for Cyprus, Mr Anyaoku said:

"I do intend to appoint one who will be present at the future UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus and his or her role would be to try and convey the general feeling in the Commonwealth on the Cyprus question and possibly touch base with the parties to the talks".

Chief Anyaoku also rejected the view that there are situations that do not let themselves to dialogue. "I believe that every situation has to be negotiated and that the possibility of reaching solutions through negotiations always exists", he said.

"My hope is that the Cyprus problem which has been on for far too long should be negotiated and I believe that the leaders, particularly the President of Cyprus is making every effort in that direction, he added.

[04] Cyprus President meets Swiss President in Nicosia

President Koller told reporters after the meeting: "Switzerland is a neutral country and is always ready for good offices" and added he repeated to President Clerides his country is ready to offer any kind of good offices which Cyprus needs.

[05] New major offshore Bank to be established in Cyprus

Credit Suisse First Boston (Cyprus) has so far been licensed to operate as an "Administered Banking Unit" without having a physical presence on the island.

Richard Holbrooke, the US Presidential envoy for Cyprus is a Member of the Board of Director of the international Bank.

[06] Cyprus Airways celebrates its 50 years

President of the Board Takis Kyriakides said Cyprus Airways can be proud of the 50 years of its life and services. But, he noted, the era of certainty and security for Cyprus Airways belongs to the past and added "we will also face the challenge of the new liberalised and competitive environment with the necessary wisdom and the readiness for courageous decisions and radical solutions so as to give Cyprus Airways the necessary tools for surviving and developing".

Today Cyprus Airways has 12 Airbus with a capacity to carry 2,300 passengers and flies to 65 destinations in 23 countries, whereas in 1947 it flew 6 destinations in neighbouring countries. The airline carries more than 1l5 million passengers every year.

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

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