USIA - Text: Cavanaugh Seeks To Advance Cyprus Settlement, 97-01-13

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TEXT: CAVANAUGH SEEKS TO ADVANCE CYPRUS SETTLEMENT

(To discuss U.S. concerns with Russian "missile deal") (1040)

In a statement upon arrival at the Lanaca airport January 13, Cavanaugh said, "We may be at a pivotal point regarding the future of Cyprus. The political atmosphere has worsened, tensions and prospects for conflict are rising, the violence on the island this last year was the worst violence seen since 1974."

He said that he would be discussing the "missile deal" while in Cyprus, laying out the concerns the United States has with it and the problems that it poses for diplomatic efforts to advance a settlement of the political conflict there.

Following is his statement and a transcript of the questions he answered:

(Begin statement)

Let me make this perfectly clear: There can be no justification for military action. No aggressive action here can be justified or accepted in any form. We call upon everyone in the region to exercise restraint. The situation is tense; it requires calm; it requires prudence. What is needed now are concrete steps by the parties towards peace. The purpose of my mission here today is to help to diffuse tensions and to encourage those steps.

I would like to point out that a united effort is now poised to try to advance a Cyprus settlement. The United States, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, the European Union are all committed to this goal. President Clinton stressed his intention to do whatever he can to bring about a solution to the problem of Cyprus last month at the U.S.-E.U Summit in Washington. Secretary of State-Designate Albright underscored the same point last week in her confirmation hearings before the United States Senate. We hope, we pray, that a settlement can be achieved. We cannot however, advance this process alone. For any initiative to succeed, the parties and their partners must agree to take steps to reduce tensions and make possible direct negotiations. There can be no movement forward without their full support and commitment. These difficult times demand courage and statesmanship in the pursuit of peace. Only in this way can we move back to the right path, toward a bright future for all the people of Cyprus.

Tomorrow I will meet with two statesmen who I know hold deep in their heart the best interest of their communities. It is my sincere hope that together we can try to find a way to get back to the proper path. The proper path for this island, its people, its neighbors and its friends.

Thank you.

QUESTION 1: Mr. Cavanaugh can you give us more details About the continued steps that you have in mind?

ANSWER: We have been engaged in discussions over the past year, almost, in a wide variety of measures we thought could help address problems and tensions on this island. Some of them are related to measures proposed by the United Nations, some of them are measures that the United States proposed itself.

I would even add that one of those measures was a measure designed to address any threat posed by Turkish aircraft flying over this island, which, had those measures gone forward, would have obviated the need for a missile deal.

QUESTION 2: Would you say that you come with very specific requests concerning this issue of the Russian missiles?

ANSWER: I would say that I come with some very clear ideas of steps I think that, if they're taken, would help international efforts move forward on this island.

QUESTION 3: Will you ask to freeze the agreement?

ANSWER: The agreement has already been made, that is clear, and it is obvious that the United States believes that this agreement was a mistake. We will discuss that. We will discuss a lot of other things as well.

QUESTION 4: Are you going to ask the Greek Cypriots to cancel the missile deal?

ANSWER: I am going to discuss the missile deal and lay out the concerns that we have about it and also the problems that it poses for our diplomatic efforts. I think it should be understood that that deal in many ways represents a setback to the efforts that the international community was trying to achieve on Cyprus. It is not conducive to an atmosphere that would lead quickly to direct talks, that would lead quickly to the settlement that we believe both communities seek. I understand, it is easy to understand, given the history of Cyprus, the impetus behind such a decision. There is no doubt about that. It is clear to understand why people would want to acquire this system. What is less clear is why a decision has been made now to move forward in this direction. There has been no recent threat from Turkey; there has been no new change in the air situation over Cyprus. Indeed, we have been engaged in efforts to reddress precisely that problem and I would add that the Turks have been supportive of those efforts, and we hope that they will continue to be supportive.

QUESTION 5: There has been no progress towards demilitarization. Isn't that cause enough for Cyprus to alter its defenses?

ANSWER: The general impression I would have is that progress towards demilitarization is best achieved not by further militarizing the island.

Thank you.

(End transcript)

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