Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 97-01-09
[02] British representations against anti-missile purchase
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides disclosed today that Britain had made representations to the Cyprus government concerning its decision to buy Russian-made surface-to-air S-300 missiles.
The representations were made to Foreign Minister, Alecos Michaelides, during a morning meeting with Britain's Deputy High Commissioner to Cyprus John Buck.
''The Foreign Minister expressed the government position on the issue'', Cassoulides added, stressing that there is no intention of any military action against the Turkish Cypriots.
''The government'', Cassoulides added, ''concentrates its efforts towards a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem and not a solution by military means.''
The Spokesman expressed the hope that efforts towards a settlement will be intensified during the coming months.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.
CNA MM/MCH/GP/1997
[04] Turkish threats not to be over-emphasised, says Cassoulides
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Turkish threats against Cyprus are not something new, Government Spokesman, Yiannakis Cassoulides, said today, noting that such threats should not be over-emphasised.
War threats against the Republic of Cyprus were expressed yesterday by Turkish Defence Minister, Turhan Tayan, claiming that the Turkish Cypriot community is threatened by the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missiles S- 300.
''Turkish threats are not new and they should not be over-emphasised'', Cassoulides said, reminding the press that similar threats were made in the past by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.
Stressing that there is no ground for military attack, Cassoulides pointed out that a permanent danger to Cyprus is posed by the presence of some 35.000 Turkish troops in the occupied northern part of the island.
Asked whether the installation of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles would give ground for such threats, Cassoulides repeated that efforts are concentrated on a solution to the Cyprus problem through peaceful means.
The Government Spokesman reaffirmed that no danger is posed to the Turkish Cypriot community, while he added that he does not share views of tension on the island.
Commenting on the decision of the Cyprus Republic to purchase Russian- made S-300 anti-missile system, Cassoulides said there is no provision for cancelation of the agreement.
He noted that the foreign governments, who have made representations against the purchase, are those who can exert pressure on Turkey to abandon its intransigent position towards a solution of the Cyprus problem.
The Spokesman was mainly referring to the United States and Britain.
Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.
CNA MM/MCH/GP/1997
[07] Cyprus: Open to discuss any matter with US official
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government is open to discuss any issue with US State Department Southern European Affairs Director Carey Cavanaugh, who will visit Cyprus early next week.
This was stated here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, who expects that Cavanaugh's talks in Cyprus would focus on the preparation of the forthcoming US initiative for a political settlement in Cyprus.
Cassoulides said the Cyprus government is ready to discuss any matter, such as the military dialogue and a proposed-ban of flights of Greek and Turkish military planes in Cyprus' air-space.
Cavanaugh was due to travel to The Hague today, accompanying US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs John Kornblum, to meet European leaders.
After The Hague, Cavanaugh will fly on to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey to discuss developments in the Cyprus problem.
Cavanaugh's four-nation European tour follows strong reactions from the United States, Britain, Turkey and other states to the decision of the Cyprus Republic to buy Russian-made surface-to-air S-300 missiles.
The governments of Cyprus, Greece and Russia have defended the right of the Cyprus Republic, as an independent state, member of the United Nations, to strengthen its defences.
Turkey has threatened Cyprus with war in case the surface-to-air missiles were installed on this Eastern Mediterranean strategic island.
Greece has warned Turkey with war in case the Turkish occupation troops advance towards the government-controlled southern part of the island.
Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.
CNA RG/GP/1997
[08] President Clerides to visit Greece
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will be invited to Athens to discuss developments and strategy to be followed on the Cyprus problem, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced today.
Simitis made the announcement after a three-hour meeting in Athens with the Greek Foreign Ministry leadership to discuss among other things a paper prepared jointly by outgoing Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Christos Rozakis and Greek Euro-MP Yiannos Kranidiotis, on the Cyprus problem, the Athens News Agency reported.
Asked to comment on Turkish reaction to the decision of the Cyprus Republic to purchase S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia, Simitis said the Greek government is facing the Turkish threats and provocations with ''wisdom and insistence on international law and international conventions.''
Meanwhile, Greek National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, commenting on threats expressed against Cyprus by his Turkish counterpart, Turhan Tayan, stressed that no threats can halt efforts for the consolidation of peace in the area or the accession of Cyprus to the European Union (EU).
Tayan had threatened Cyprus with war in case the Russian-made surface- to-air missile S-300 were installed on this Eastern Mediterranean island divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.
Greek Government Spokesman, Demetris Reppas, said all the necessary measures to avert any threats posed against Greece have been taken.
CNA MCH/GP/1997
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