Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-06-19

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

News Update

Friday, 19/06/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus government calmly monitoring situation
• [02] Holbrooke appointed US Ambassador to the UN
• [03] UN still holds Turkey responsible for Varosha
• [04] Third member of missing persons committee appointed

[01] Cyprus government calmly monitoring situation

Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides said today that the government has no intention of "playing Turkey's game" in creating artificial tension and is taking the necessary diplomatic action to condemn the violations.

Yesterday the Spokesman reiterated the government's insistence on the implementation of international law and pointed out the relevance of its proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

Six Turkish F-16 fighters violated the Republic's airspace yesterday and then landed at the illegal Lefkoniko airport in the Turkish-occupied areas.

According to Turkish officials, the violations came in retaliation for the landing of Greek warplanes at the military base in Paphos earlier this week.

In Athens Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that the despatch of warplanes to the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus "is completely illegal".

In Washington the US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said yesterday that both actions by the Greeks and the Turks have unnecessarily raised tensions on Cyprus and the region.

"The view of the United States is that recent activity by both Turkish aircraft and Greek aircraft is the kind of activity that we do not think helps promote peace, and we have made clear to both countries that the situation is not assisted by this type of activity".

"They also undermine international efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. We urge Greece and Turkey to cease such actions", he added.

[02] Holbrooke appointed US Ambassador to the UN

It was announced yesterday that Mr Holbrooke has been appointed the US ambassador to the UN.

Mr Rubin added that nevertheless "resolving the Cyprus dispute is high on the priority list for the Administration".

He said that Ambassador Holbrooke plans to travel to Athens next week to give the commencement address at the American College, and that while there, he will take the opportunity to meet with Greek officials.

[03] UN still holds Turkey responsible for Varosha

Asked whether the UN had changed its stand on this issue in view of the fact that the UN Secretary General's latest report makes no mention of this whereas in all previous reports this phrase had always been included, the UN Secretary-General's Spokesman, Fred Eckhard, said:

"As far as the United Nations is concerned, the status of Varosha has not changed. The UN holds the government of Turkey responsible for the maintenance of the status quo in the fenced area of Varosha. The omission of this statement from the current report of the Secretary-General does not reflect any change in the position of the United Nations on this matter."

[04] Third member of missing persons committee appointed

"The Secretary-General urges both sides to accord the new Third Member their full co-operation with a view to discharging the Committee's responsibilities efficiently and expeditiously", a UN press release said.

The appointment is for an 18-month period beginning on 15 June 1998.

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

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