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USIA - Text: State Dept. Concern Over Recent Violence On Cyprus (96-08-16)
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>
TEXT: STATE DEPT. CONCERN OVER RECENT VIOLENCE ON CYPRUS
(Burns urges both sides to "exercise restraint") (330)
Washington -- State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns urged Greek and
Turkish Cypriots "to exercise restraint, to immediately take steps to
reduce tensions, and to restrain unauthorized entry into the UN buffer
zone."
In an August 16 announcement, Burns expressed the United States' "deep
concern over the recent violence on Cyprus.... The tragic events of the
past few days underscore once again the urgent need to reach a comprehensive
settlement on Cyprus."
Following is the text of the announcement:
(Begin text)
The United States expresses its deep concern over the recent violence on
Cyprus and our shock and sadness over the unwarranted and unjustified
killing of two Greek Cypriot civilians and the injuring of several other
persons, including two UN peacekeepers. We particularly deplore the actions
of the Turkish Cypriot security forces in firing on protesters on
Wednesday. The use of force on this occasion, as well as during the
original incident on Sunday, was disproportionate to the threat posed by
the protesters, notwithstanding the then-unauthorized entry into the UN
buffer zone.
The United States believes that those who were responsible for these acts
should be held accountable. We call on the Turkish Cypriot security forces
and Turkish military forces on Cyprus to adhere to internationally accepted
norms to avoid lethal force in non-life-threatening situations. We also
strongly urge both sides to exercise restraint, to immediately take steps
to reduce tensions, and to restrain unauthorized entry into the UN buffer
zone.
The tragic events of the past few days underscore once again the urgent
need to reach a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus. We intend to continue
our own efforts to seek common ground between the two communities and
achieve a lasting agreement on a bicommunal, bizonal federation that will
enable all Cypriots to live together in a peaceful and prosperous
Cyprus.
(End text)
From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at gopher://gopher.usia.gov
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