Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-07-23

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

News Update

Thursday, 23/07/98

CONTENTS

• [01] David Hannay: aim is to achieve resumption of talks
• [02] Stylianides: US officials should not participate in events organised by the illegal regime
• [03] Stefanopoulos: Greece will not tolerate Turkish provocations indefinitely
• [04] Registrations of Motor Vehicles
• [05] Statistical Abstract, 1996

[01] David Hannay: aim is to achieve resumption of talks

Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia before his departure from the island, the EU envoy pointed out the examples of Northern Ireland and the Falklands where "negotiations started with contradictory views and an agreement to disagree".

The aim, he said is to achieve resumption of the intercommunal dialogue adding that it is not necessary to have "a unified view of status of the two parties to have fruitful negotiations".

Sir David pledged that the EU and Britain will continue their efforts and work in a systematic, careful and hard manner in the months to come to break the current impasse.

He stressed that the British government supports the view that a moratorium on military overflights could contribute to the reduction of tension, and indicated his country's readiness to monitor such an agreement. He did not think however that outside guarantees could be "practical" in the case of Cyprus.

On the issue of the Russian S-300 missiles, Sir David warned that their deployment would undermine any plans for direct talks: "I personally believe that if the missiles are deployed it will be that much harder to get the UN process resumed," he said.

Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot leader's refusal to meet him undermined his efforts, the British envoy replied that the limitation was on Mr Denktash rather than on him: "It is not necessarily a limitation on my ability to do the job as a limitation on him to influence other countries".

[02] Stylianides: US officials should not participate in events organised by the illegal regime

He explained that with their presence "they give the illegal regime a legal backing and they are acting contrary to the spirit of Security Council and US Congress resolutions".

Mr Stylianides was commenting on statements made by US State Department Spokesman James Rubin on 21.7.98 that the unofficial presence of US officials at "celebrations" by the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime to mark the 24th anniversary of the Turkish invasion were in "no way an endorsement of the event".

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides was also critical yesterday of another remark made by Mr Rubin that "Turkish combat aircraft did not overfly Nicosia during the celebrations although Turkish Cypriot Cessnas and helicopters may have done so".

"I had no illusions when I made the statement that I was eager to see what reaction there would be to the Turkish provocations," Kasoulides said and added: "I quite simply wanted to make that statement so that we could not be taken for idiots".

Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou also reacted to Rubin's statement: "If any aircraft or vessel enters Cyprus' national airspace or sea waters without prior permission from the Republic it is violating international law".

Mr Omirou warned that "there should be caution when statements on such issues are being made".

[03] Stefanopoulos: Greece will not tolerate Turkish provocations indefinitely

Addressing 40 expatriate deputies composing the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Union, Mr. Stefanopoulos warned that Greece cannot remain impassive forever in the face of Turkish provocations.

These threats , he pointed out might reach realisation at some moment despite Greece's contrary desire.

"If it is supposed that the Turks strike Cyprus, what do you imagine that Greece can do? Is it possible for it to tolerate such a behaviour without protest as we did in 1974, due to the situation prevailing then and our weakness at the time," he asked.

The Greek President called on the expatriate deputies to become apostles of peace, preachers for the implementation of UN principles "weather this concerns Greece or whatever other country in the world".

"We do not request the implementation of these principles for the sake of Greece but for the sake of world peace", he concluded.

[04] Registrations of Motor Vehicles

During the first six months of 1998 the total registrations of motor vehicles increased by 22,8% to 19.688 from 16.030 vehicles in the same period of 1997. Of the total motor vehicles registered 9.025 were new vehicles and 10.663 were used vehicles. All categories of vehicles exhibited an increase on the registrations in the first half of 1998, compared to 1997.

[05] Statistical Abstract, 1996

The Abstract provides comprehensive statistical information on a time series basis since 1960 covering all the sectors of the economy of Cyprus.

The Abstract is available at the Printing Office of the Republic.

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

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