Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 97-01-08
[03] Greek-American leaders express concern over US criticism
Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- Greek-American leaders have expressed concern over the US State Department's criticism of the Cyprus government's decision to purchase the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile system.
The Greek-American leaders had meetings with top US State Department officials, including, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, John Kornblum, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Marshall Adair, and Director of the office of Southern European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh.
According to a press release issued by the International Coordinating Committee - Justice of Cyprus, the Greek-American leaders expressed concern over US criticism.
They said Turkey, which has recently threatened with war against Cyprus if it purchased the S-300's, ''could interpret US criticism of the defence system as an encouragement to pursue its aggressive threats and actions.''
The community leaders said the US strong reaction to the island's air defence system ''is an indication of how committed they are to removing Turkish troops from Cyprus and ending the 22-year-old division of Cyprus.''
The press release added ''the State Department officials indicated that if anyone believes their hard reaction is reserved for only one side, just watch what they do if Turkey acts on its threats against Cyprus or takes actions which might interfere with the delicate Cyprus settlement process.''
CNA MCH/GP/1997
[05] US initiative still on course, says Spokesman
Nicosia, Jan 8 (CNA) -- The US has not warned the government that it would withhold its much-anticipated initiative to push for a settlement in Cyprus, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said here today.
The Spokesman dismissed press reports that American ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill handed President Glafcos Clerides a note warning the US will halt its initiative on Cyprus unless the government cancels the much-publicised arms deal, for the purchase of the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.
''The US has expressed concern about the arms deal. We have made it clear that we do not intend to deploy these missiles against anybody unless others attack us,'' Cassoulides told the press.
''We hope we will not give either the chance or the pretext to anybody to attack. We hope 1997 will be a time for political dialogue which will focus on the search for a political solution of the Cyprus problem,'' he added.
He also said the government awaits the US initiative and ''looks forward to preparing the ground for a political solution to the Cyprus question.''
Replying to questions, Cassoulides said some of the international representations made to Cyprus about the arms deal related the forthcoming moves on the Cyprus question with the missiles agreement.
''These representations, however, do not imply that efforts towards a settlement will be put on halt,'' Cassoulides added.
Commenting on Turkish war-like threats following the arms deal, Cassoulides noted that Cypriots are peace-loving people and their intentions are peace-orientated.
Commenting on Brill's assertion that the acquisition of the Russian long-range anti-aircraft missiles places Cyprus in the Aegean geostrategic sphere, Cassoulides said it's the presence of Turkish occupation troops in Cyprus and the 90 Turkish fighter planes, stationed in southern Turkey, that change the balance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
''If the Turkish air-force had not aggressive intentions towards Cyprus, why has it stationed fighters opposite the island, when it has to oversee a lengthy border line?,'' the Spokesman added.
CNA MM/AP/1997
[07] US role in Cyprus to heighten, says Albright
Washington, Jan 8 (CNA) -- The US is prepared to play a heightened role in promoting a Cyprus solution this year, Madeleine Albright, widely expected to obtain US Congressional approval for the post of Secretary of State, said here today.
In her remarks before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Albright referred to the ''long standing disagreement'' which remains unresolved in Cyprus.
''We are prepared in this new year to play a new heightened role in promoting a resolution in Cyprus,'' she told the Committee hearing, and pointed out that ''for any initiative to bear fruit, the parties must agree to steps that will reduce tensions and make direct negotiations possible.''
Albright told the Committee that in 1996 the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides ''moved no closer to a final decision on the status of the island.''
She said disturbing incidents of violence marred the climate for negotiations and noted that ''related differences between NATO allies Turkey and Greece affect European stability and our vital interest.''
In his opening statement, the Committee minority leader, Democratic Senator Joseph Biden urged both the US President and the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee ''to make the reunification of Cyprus one of our highest diplomatic priorities.''
Biden expressed the belief that ''the most sensible policy is the complete demilitarisation of the island, the withdrawal of all foreign forces and firm guarantees for the safety and right of minorities.''
He also noted that Cyprus remains a divided country for more than 22 years and praised Albright's support in the administration's initiative to appoint a special presidential envoy for Cyprus.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to confirm later today Albright's appointment as the new Secretary of State, the first woman to ever hold this post.
The US is expected to launch an initiative for a Cyprus solution to reunite the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied Cyprus' northern areas in 1974.
CNA DA/AP/MM/1997
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