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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 97-01-13Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0845:CYPPRESS:01[01] US official starts meetings to defuse tensionNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- US State Department Director for Southern European Affairs Carey Cavanaugh is today meeting with Cypriot government officials and Turkish Cypriot representatives in an attempt to defuse tension on the island.Cavanaugh will be received this morning by President Glafcos Clerides and later in the morning he will meet Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides. At noon, he will cross into the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. The US official will leave this evening for Athens for talks tomorrow with Greek officials. On Wednesday, he will have similar talks in Ankara with Turkish officials. Speaking at Larnaca airport on arrival, last evening, Cavanaugh called on both sides (Greek and Turkish Cypriot) on the island ''to exercise restraint'' and noted that the purpose of his trip ''is to help defuse tensions and encourage future steps towards peace.'' The US envoy said ''the political atmosphere has worsened'' and noted that ''tensions prospects for conflict are rising.'' He described the decision of the Cyprus Republic to acquire Russian S- 300 anti-aircraft missiles as a ''mistake'' and ''a step down a wrong path.'' At the same time, commenting on Turkish threats against Cyprus, Cavanaugh stressed ''there can be no justification for military action.'' Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA MCH/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY0945:CYPPRESS:02[02] Eliades: We will not play along with Turkish efforts for tensionNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government will not play along with Turkey's efforts to create tension on the island after the Cyprus Republic's decision to purchase Russian-made S-300 anti-aircarft missiles, Defence Minister, Costas Eliades has stated.Speaking at Larnaca airport, shortly before departing for Athens last night, Eliades said the Cyprus government will continue with its defence military programme, in an effort to avert any external threats against the Republic. He repeated President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for Cyprus' complete demilitarisation. Commenting on the reported decision of Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and Turkish Army Commander Ismail Hakki Karadayin, to visit the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, Eliades described it as another attempt on the part of Turkey to create tension. Playing down Turkish threats of bombing Cyprus if the S-300 missiles are installed on the island, Eliades said the Turkish threats will be discussed during meetings with the leadership of National Defence Ministry in Athens. Eliades is accompanied by National Guard Commander, Nicolaos Vorvolakos and the President and members of the House of Representatives Defence Committee. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MCH/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1230:CYPPRESS:03[03] Turkish General arrives in occupied CyprusNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- Turkey's army chief, General Ismail Hakki Karaday, arrived today in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.He was met at the illegal Tymbou (Ercan) airport by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Denktash and Karaday will meet at noon in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Nicosia. Among those to attend the meeting, according to the Turkish Cypriot press, are the self-styled Prime Minister Dervis Eroglou and the illegal Foreign Minister Taner Etgin. The Turkish General will stay two days in the occupied areas holding meetings with army chiefs. Karaday's visit follows Turkish threats against the Republic of Cyprus, which signed an agreement to buy Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA SA/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1245:CYPPRESS:04[04] Cavanaugh says Clerides assurances defuse crisisNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- Cyprus government's promise not to install the Russian-made anti-aircraft missile system S-300, within the next 16 months should effectively defuse tension on the island, Director of Southern European Affairs at the US State Department, Carey Cavanaugh said today.Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, which he described as ''very productive'', Cavanaugh said he found very helpful that assurance were given that ''not a single component of those missile systems will be brought to this island in the next sixteen months.'' The US emissary said he did not ask President Clerides to cancel the decision for purchasing the S-300 but repeated US concern over the deed. He did however stress that President Clerides' assurances ''should effectively defuse this as a crisis issue for Cyprus'', adding that ''people should not be talking now about concerns of conflict because that is not a problem of today.'' Answering to questions of the press, Cavanaugh added that other steps to be taken for the reduction of tension were also discussed. The question of overflights by Turkish and Greek military planes was also brought up and according to the US official ''it remains an item on the table.'' Noting that he will meet this afternoon Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Cavanaugh said he ''will inform him of the positive steps made here today'', but added he could not be certain ''whether progress can be made or not at this point.'' ''I want to emphasise once again, these were very positive discussions here, headed in a positive direction and I thank President Clerides for those'', Cavanaugh concluded, while he reaffirmed US intention for a peaceful and durable settlement in Cyprus The US official replied negatively to a question whether he would meet Turkey's army chief, General Ismail Hakki Karaday, who arrived earlier today in the Turkish-occupied areas. After President Clerides, Cavanaugh had a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides. He will also cross into the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Before leaving for Athens this evening, the US official will have a meeting with UN resident representative Gustave Feissel, at the US embassy in Nicosia. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MCH/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1335:CYPPRESS:05[05] Britain worried about ''fallout'' of missiles dealNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- Britain has expressed publicly its concern about the repercussions of a deal the Cyprus government has concluded for the purchase of anti-aircraft missiles on efforts to settle the protracted Cyprus question.However, the British government, following in the steps of the US administration, has also acknowledged Cyprus' right to self-defence. Speaking to the press after meeting President Glafcos Clerides, British High Commissioner in Nicosia, David Madden, welcomed the President's pledge not to deploy the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles before the lapse of 16 months. ''We want to use the time during the course of this year in the best way to try and get some negotiating process going. We think this is a year of opportunity and we want to make the most of that in cooperation with our partners and allies,'' Madden said. Asked if he was concerned about the purchase agreement for the missiles, the High Commissioner replied ''no-one is questioning the right of any other country to take what it considers necessary for self-defence.'' He added ''the important thing is what effect the decisions taken have on the prospects for real progress in the course of this year.'' He said Britain is trying to concentrate on the ''settlement issues and not lose sight of these issues.'' The British diplomat noted that more preparatory work needs to be done on these issues, which he did not name, and expressed the hope that ''real progress'' can be achieved in 1997. Madden refrained from commenting on statements from Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, who threatened preemptive strikes against Cyprus if the missiles are deployed. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MM/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1345:CYPPRESS:06[06] Earth tremor shakes CyprusNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- An earthquake rocked Cyprus today at around 1225 local time (1025 GMT).No injuries or damage have been reported so far and details about the epicentre of the tremor or its scale are still coming in. The tremor was particularly felt in the western district of Paphos and the southern district of Limassol but no further information is available at this stage. It was also felt in the capital Nicosia. Civil Defence has appealed to the public to be calm and follow the instructions it issues for self defence. CNA MM/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1420:CYPPRESS:07[07] earth tremor hits CyprusNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- The Geological Survey Department has announced that the earth tremor, felt throughout the island earlier today, measured 5.8 on the Richter scale.The Department also said the epicentre of the earthquake was located out at sea, some 50 kilometres southwest of Paphos, on the western coast. Today's tremor is less powerful than October's earthquake and is considered to be an aftershock of that tremor. There are no reports of any casualties or damage so far but details about the tremor are still coming in. Paphos and the southern town of Limassol bore the brunt of the tremor. The tremor was also felt in the capital Nicosia and Larnaca and Famagusta areas, in the eastern part. CNA MM/GP/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1500:CYPPRESS:08[08] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE All Share Index 80.34 (-0.46) Sectural Indices Banks 89.87 [0] Approved Investment Companies 71.36 (-1.60) Insurance Companies 56.15 (-0.21) Industrial Companies 79.48 (-2.37) Tourist Industries 70.85 (+0.55) Commercial Companies 60.50 (-1.67) Other Companies 66.47 (-1.00) Trading Volume CYP 629415.980* The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting. CNA MM/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1730:CYPPRESS:09[09] Russia promises more action on CyprusNicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- Russia intends to assume a more active involvement in Cyprus and will undertake, in the next couple of months, an initiative to push the peace process forward, leader of the main opposition party, left wing AKEL, Demitris Christofias has said.Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Christofias said ''Russian engagement will be prominent through high level contacts with all interested parties, including the US, Britain, Turkey, Greece and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.'' Christofias, who conveyed to Clerides comments from Russian Foreign Minister, Yevgeni Primakov, on the President's reply to Primakov's message, said developments in Cyprus will be ''complex and we must anticipate serious pressure from western countries for an immediate solution.'' Praising relations between Cyprus and Russia, he called on the Cyprus government to better inform Russia about certain aspects relating to a settlement. He said Primakov had pointed out the areas which Russia considers to be difficult to implement and deal with the enlargement of guarantees, a ban on the right of unilateral intervention, the return of the refugees and territorial adjustments. The Russian Minister, Christofias added, believes the Greek Cypriot side will find it difficult to ''apply and implement'' all these because of Turkish intransigence. CNA AP/MM/1997ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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