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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-03-19
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 19 March 2003 Government examines the situation created by
the imminent US war against Iraq.
[02] The President of House of Representatives expresses the House's
opposition to the US strike against Iraq.
[01] Government examines the situation created by the imminent US war
against Iraq.
The Acting President of the Republic and President of the House of
Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias presided over a special ministerial
committee meeting at the Presidential Palace yesterday, which examined the
situation created by the imminent US military operations against Iraq.
After the meeting the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, who
also attended the meeting, made the following statement: "Today's meeting
presided over by the Acting President of the Republic and President of the
House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias examined the situation in
relation to the imminent war against Iraq in the light of the various
measures that have been taken by various ministries. We have ascertained
that Cyprus is far from any possible war arena and that it is safe. There
is no reason for concern and a campaign is already underway to curb any
adverse impact on our tourism. Measures have also been taken to reduce any
repercussions on the economy. Cyprus is considered as a refuge and it is a
safe destination for tourism as well as for other needs of international
activity. Cyprus respects the principles of international law and the
United Nations Charter. Its policy therefore is based on this framework and
in view of its accession to the European Union it follows the EU common
policy, something that it is not visible at the moment, in relation to the
developments in Iraq. Cyprus, therefore, will fully cooperate with the
European Union regarding its foreign policy in this direction. The UN
Security Council is, in the final analysis, the competent organ to fully
evaluate the situation. We are a peace loving country and we do not wish to
become involved in any war operations. We do not wish Cyprus to be used as
a base of military operations. The Council of Ministers will examine the
whole issue at its next meeting and the suggestion of today's meeting to
the Council of Ministers will be to restrict any facilities granted, only
to humanitarian and emergency issues. At the same time a special committee
is being set up by Foreign Ministry to continuously monitor the situation.
The whole issue is referred to the meeting of the Council of Ministers
which will convene next Thursday".
[02] The President of House of Representatives expresses the House's
opposition to the US strike against Iraq.
The President of the House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias had a
meeting yesterday with the United States Ambassador to Cyprus Mr Michael
Klosson, to whom he conveyed the House of Representatives/ opposition to
the US strike against Iraq. After the meeting, Mr Christofias made the
following statement: "The objective of the meeting with Mr Klosson was the
discussion of Iraq and the war which the United States of America is,
unfortunately, getting ready to launch, in the next few hours, against the
Iraqi people. You understand that it was not possible to agree with Mr
Klosson, and I analysed the positions of the House of Representatives, I
gave him the resolution passed by the House of Representatives (last week)
and I have made it clear that we consider that the resolution of such
problems has to be done through a dialogue; Even more so, since the USA do
not have the authorisation of the UN Security Council, their allies in the
NATO have not agreed and the European Union does not support such an action
on the part of the United States. In other words I have expressed our
opposition to what the US is getting ready to do." Invited to comment on
reports which imply that Cyprus, further than the economic repercussions,
may be in danger from the war, the House President said:
"I would like to reassure people that there is no danger. Cyprus is very
far from the battle field and military operations, there is no danger
whatsoever, the people of Cyprus must not be worried and there should be no
panic."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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