Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 97-07-20

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] US Congress withdraws objection to sell Turkey frigates

[02] Cyprus remembers Turkish invasion

[03] Foreign Minister to visit Syria

[04] President Clerides calls for restraint on statements

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US Congress withdraws objection to sell Turkey frigates

Washington, Jul 20 (CNA) -- The US Congress has withdrawn its objection to the sale of three frigates to Turkey, according to congressional sources.

The sources told CNA that Chairman of the US House International Relations Committee, Ben Gilman (R-NY), withdraw his objection to the sale of the three frigates to Turkey.

After Gilman's decision, Senator Paul Sarbanes, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also withdraw his objection and now the US administration is free to proceed with the sale.

The Clinton administration wanted to proceed with this sale months ago, but the Congressional objection kept it on hold.

According to the same sources, instrumental for the withdrawal of the objection was the recent agreement between Greece and Turkey, achieved in Madrid, aimed at improving their relations, and the positive climate in negotiations between Cyprus' President, Glafcos Clerides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, held in New York July 9-12, for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

CNA DA/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus remembers Turkish invasion

A memorial service was led this morning by the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, in memory of all who lost their lives during the invasion, and for the liberation of the Turkish occupied part of the Republic. The service was held in the presence of the President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides.

Greek Under-Secretary of Environment, Planning and Public Works, Christos Varelis, represented his government at the mass, while an eight- member all-party delegation of the Greek Parliament, that arrived yesterday to take part in events marking the Turkish invasion, was also present.

Other officials, party leaders or representatives and relatives of Greek and Greek Cypriot persons missing since the invasion also attended.

In his speech at the memorial service, held at Ayios Ioannis Cathedral, in Nicosia, Minister of Finance, Christodoulos Christodoulou, called on political parties to put aside their aspirations, and stressed the need for unity among Greek Cypriots and cooperation with the Greek government.

Christodoulou referred to the dire repercussions of the Turkish invasion and praised the contribution of all those who gave their lives for their country.

He also called on the people of Cyprus to stand up to the circumstances and look towards the future with optimism.

Meanwhile, political parties also sent messages of unity in statements they issued, condemning the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus.

Ruling right-wing DISI stressed that the Greek Cypriot side will continue to struggle for a settlement in Cyprus, noting that the new effort for a solution, which began with UN-led direct talks July 9-12 in New York, requires patience and decisiveness as well as "collectivism in decisions and unity in our actions".

Centre-right DIKO, expressed concern about the renewed effort for a solution, noting that Turkey has not been pressured to change its intransigent positions.

On its part, opposition party AKEL stressed it is the duty of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to work towards building a common future and said the island's political leaders should handle the new effort for a settlement seriously and responsibly.

Socialist EDEK pointed out the need for a steady and united government and party strategy in handling the Cyprus issue and said the New York negotiations had not produced any positive results. It also calls on the UN to focus its efforts on the substantial issues of the Cyprus problem.

The United Democrats reassures it will work towards a settlement and the re-unification of Cyprus and says the Cyprus issue has entered a crucial and determining phase, backed by international interest for a solution.

Meanwhile, political parties, organisations and local authorities are organising events today to condemn the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of part of the island.

CNA MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1335:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Foreign Minister to visit Syria

During his visit, Kasoulides will discuss the Cyprus problem, the Middle East issue, bilateral relations, cooperation between the two countries in various sectors, as well as international issues of mutual concern.

Kasoulides will also meet Syrian President, Hafez Al Assad, the Interior Minister, the President of the Cypro-Syrian Friendship Association, Patriarch Ignatios and leading figures of the economic sector.

He returns to Cyprus on Thursday.

CNA RG/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides calls for restraint on statements

In statements to the press, after a memorial service for the persons killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, President Clerides said the UN non-paper will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the National Council.

However, he stressed that even then there should be no public statements concerning the Greek side's positions.

The non-paper was handed to the two sides by the UN Secretary-General's special advisor for the Cyprus problem, Diego Cordovez, during the first round of negotiations between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, held July 9-12.

A second round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Switzerland, August 11-16.

Referring to today's anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus, President Clerides said that what is needed is a deeper deliberation on the problem.

He pointed out that any solution reached to the Cyprus question should not allow repetition of what happened in the past.

Clerides also said that today is a day of remembrance of those who gave their lives for the freedom of our country, especially our brothers from Greece, who fell in combat.

CNA RG/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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