0900:CYPPRESS:01
[01] US warns Turkey over Cyprus
Washington, Jan 10 (CNA) -- The United States warned Turkey that any military threat against Cyprus it is out of question and that Turkey has no reason to threat the use of military force against Cyprus.
The State Department's Spokesman Nicholas Burns expressed the hope that the reports about the threats are incorrect and they don't shape or form the views of the Turkish government.
''We hope very much that this report from the Anatolia News Agency is incorrect. We hope that it does not reflect in any way, shape, or form the views of the Turkish government''.
Burns warned Turkey to respect the rules. ''No country and specifically in this case Turkey, should threaten the use of military force against Cyprus.''
He repeated that the United States ''has made very clear'' its position on the decision of the Cyprus Republic to buy Russian-made surface-to-air S- 300 missiles, but he said ''there is no reason for the Turkish government to run off and threaten anybody''.
The spokesman stressed that there is a need for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and that the US through the efforts of Carey Cavanaugh, the US State Department Southern European Affairs Director, will try to convince the parties in Cyprus to re-energise the political talks.
Cavanaugh is expected in Cyprus over the weekend to hold talks with both sides. After Cyprus, he will fly on to Greece and Turkey.
''It's no time for the Turkish government to be making wild and dramatic statements which will not, of course, be supported by any sensible member of the international community'', Burns pointed out.
The State Department spokesman said ''it would be completely out of bounds for Turkey to take this action, and we reaffirm that today (yesterday).''
When asked by CNA what kind of actions the US government plans to take if Turkey continues its threats against Cyprus, he said ''as a fellow member of NATO, there can be no question that Turkey must not threaten Cyprus; no question about it. And the Turks know that. We thought we'd remind them of that central fact today (yesterday).''
Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.
CNA DA/GP/1997
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
1140:CYPPRESS:03
[03] Cypriot party expresses disappointment with reactions to S-300
Nicosia, Jan 10 (CNA) -- Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally party (DISY) has expressed great disappointment with reactions from the US, Britain, Germany and Italy to the decision of the Cyprus Republic to buy Russian- made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.
In a written statement delivered to the ambassadors of the four countries in Cyprus, DISY, says they seem ''to deny the people of Cyprus their right to defend themselves against a provocative and aggressive neighbour (Turkey).''
Noting the rejection by Turkey of government proposals for ''demilitarisation of Cyprus and alternative withdrawal of all military troops behind the Troodos and Pentadactylos mountain ranges'' DISY statement wonders ''what other option except strengthening defence is given to Cyprus.''
The statement refers to ''increasingly threatening statements for the integration of the occupied territory with Turkey and aggressive actions which resulted in the brutal murder of unarmed Greek Cypriot civilians.''
It recalls consecutive reports of the UN Secretary-General to the UN Security Council underlining that ''the occupied part of Cyprus has been transformed by Turkey into the most highly militarised area of the world.''
CNA MCH/GP/1997
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
1710:CYPPRESS:06
[06] Government comments on Turkish threats, US warning
Nicosia, Jan 10 (CNA) -- The government appeared pleased with US warnings to Turkey not to take any military action against Cyprus.
''The Turkish threats are a flagrant violation of international law and order. There has never been a question of any state having the right to threaten another independent and sovereign state,'' Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said here today.
The Turkish threats are levelled against Cyprus after the government signed a multi-million dollar agreement with a Russian company for the purchase of S-300 surface-to-air missiles.
US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said ''no country and specifically in this case Turkey, should threaten the use of military force against Cyprus.''
Cassoulides said Cyprus has been under a continuous threat from the presence of some 35,000 Turkish occupation troops, stationed in the island's northern areas since they invaded in 1974, the strong air force in southern Turkey as well as rhetorical threats.
''These realities have forced us to go ahead with a programme to build- up our defence capability, to agree to a joint defence pact with Greece and to strengthen our air defences to a satisfactory level,'' Cassoulides pointed out.
Today's threats from Turkey do not add anything new to the continuing existing threat, the Spokesman said.
Replying to questions, he noted that should the Cyprus question be resolved or if the government's proposal for demilitarisation is accepted, ''the entire effort to boost our defences will be put on halt.''
CNA MM/MA/1997
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
