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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-27Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateFriday, 27/03/98CONTENTS[01] US rejects Greek "no fly zone" proposalThe United States has rejected Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos' proposal for the establishment of a guaranteed "no fly zone" over Cyprus.As State Department Spokesman James Rubin explained in his daily briefing on 26.3.98 such a proposal would potentially put one NATO ally against the other. The United States Government, Mr Rubin said, would welcome a permanent moratorium on all combat aircraft flights over Cyprus by Greece and Turkey as a means of reducing tensions and building confidence. Referring to the Greek proposal on over-flights, the US Ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill said that in his opinion the proposal "did not seem very practical". [02] US firm in its position on missile issueThe US government's position on the issue of the S300 missiles remains unchanged. The purchase of the missiles is a serious obstacle in the efforts to reach a settlement to the Cyprus Problem, State Department Spokesman James Rubin said yesterday.He stated that although the US recognises the right to Cyprus to take decisions about its defence, yet it has urged the Cyprus Government to cancel the deal. The US has also urged Turkey to refrain from threats that it will take the missiles out militarily. On the same issue, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides reiterated that the Cyprus government would be willing to look into the possibility of suspending or cancelling the deployment of the Russian missiles if significant steps were made towards the demilitarisation of the island . [03] Diego Cordovez briefs foreign governments' envoysUN Secretary General's Special Advisor for Cyprus Diego Cordovez had a meeting in Geneva yesterday with foreign governments' envoys on Cyprus. Cordovez briefed the envoys on the outcome of his talks in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, aimed at the resumption of UN sponsored peace talks to resolve the Cyprus question.Referring to the Turkish Cypriot leader's demand for the recognition of his illegal regime in the occupied areas, Cordovez reiterated that the Security Council was informed three times and that Denktash's demand was not favourably received. Mr Cordovez stated at a press conference after the meeting, that he attaches "enormous" importance to the forthcoming meeting (tomorrow) between the Secretary General and Rauf Denktash. Denktash would hear from the Secretary General himself, who is the highest authority of the UN, that the search for a peace settlement must continue, Mr Cordovez said. [04] Britain will continue to promote bi-communal contactBritain will continue its efforts to develop further links between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Douglas Henderson, replying to a question tabled by Labour MP Tom Cox in the House of Commons said that the British High Commission in Nicosia was in close co- operation with the UN to promote bi-communal contacts. Mr Henderson referred to British efforts to persuade the Turkish Cypriots to cooperate with the Cyprus government so that the benefits of the EU membership are available to all Cypriots. He expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriots would understand the full implications of the EU membership "including the very substantial benefits" which would flow to the Turkish Cypriot community, and reconsider their refusal to take up the offer made by President Clerides and participate in the delegation to the accession negotiations. [05] Swedish government on CyprusThe Swedish Foreign Under-Secretary on European Affairs, Mr Gunnar Lund commenting on the outcome of his visit to Cyprus referred to President Clerides' proposal to the Turkish Cypriot leader for participation in the negotiating team for the accession talks as "constructive". He expressed the hope that Mr Denktash would review his decision of non participation.Referring to the issue of the purchase of S-300 missiles, he expressed his government's position that the deployment of the missiles would not contribute to the present climate especially in view of the efforts for peace negotiations and Cyprus' European Union accession talks. [06] US House of Representatives refers to CyprusThe US House of Representatives commemorated in a special order on 25.3.98 the anniversary of Greek Independence Day.Among the speakers were Carolyn Maloney, Michael Bilirakis, Frank Pallone, Joseph Kennedy who all referred to the illegal occupation of Cyprus and urged the US government to give priority to the Cyprus question and promote a just, viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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