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Sunday, 24 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-06-01Cyprus 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 UpdateMonday, 01/06/98CONTENTS[01] Government Spokesman comments on Sunday Times reportThe Government Spokesman, Mr Christos Stylianides, commented today on a Sunday Times report (31.5.98) about a contingency plan by Britain to airlift 250,000 people from Cyprus because of mounting fears over war in the island if the Cyprus Government takes delivery of the S-300 missiles from Russia.He said: "Cyprus Government is aware of the position of the British Government regarding the delivery of the S-300 missiles to Cyprus. The British Government was officially informed of the reasons for the purchase of the missiles as well as the Cyprus Government's prerequisites which would make their delivery unnecessary. The leaking of information by the British Ministry of Defence about the plan they have developed in the event of a crisis in Cyprus is unusual. The Cyprus Government believes this step was taken as leverage for the cancellation or non delivery of the missiles to Cyprus. Those who have leaked the information to the Press underestimate our intelligence and determination as well as the Cypriot people's dignity. This action will not make us change our position nor does it contribute to the good relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom". Moreover, the Spokesman said yesterday that the Cyprus government is handling the situation on Russian missiles in a responsible manner to avert unpleasant developments. A spokeswoman for the British Ministry of Defence told the Cyprus News Agency that preparing contingency plans ódoes not mean we do assume there will be war in July or any other timeò explained and added that the Defence Ministry ónaturally follows developments in all trouble spots in the worldò. [02] Russian Foreign Minister reassures delivery of missiles to CyprusRussian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov reassured his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos, after a meeting in Luxemburg on Saturday that the S-300 missile system will be sent to Cyprus.On his part Mr. Pangalos said that Russia will provide every possible missiles-related technical assistance to Cyprus. Invited to comment on Mr. Primakov's remarks, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kassoulides said that since the deadlock in the Cyprus problem continues, the S-300 defence system will be deployed on the island. He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side's intransigent stance is to blame for the current deadlock and reminded that the government is ready to reconsider its decision to deploy the missiles if substantial progress with regard to the Cyprus problem is achieved or if an agreement on the demilitarisation of the island is reached . [03] Kasoulides reiterates government's stance on EU and missilesForeign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides repeated yesterday that Cyprus' course to the European Union is not related to either Turkey's bid for EU accession or efforts to solve the Cyprus question.Mr. Kasoulides, who was speaking on his return from talks in Dublin and Athens, also reiterated the government's decision to deploy the S-300 missiles since the reasons that required their purchase did not cease to exist. 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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