Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] US President on missing persons in Cyprus

[02] Overseas leaders on Clinton's report on missing persons

[03] Cyprus reiterates position on single sovereignty

[04] Belarus Premier begins visit

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[01] US President on missing persons in Cyprus

In his report to Congress on progress towards a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question, covering the period February 1 to March 31, 1998, Clinton makes special note of the report submitted to Congress last Friday.

"I have transmitted a full accounting of the investigation conducted by the US government on the fate of Andreas Kasapis and four other US citizens missing from Cyprus", Clinton says and expresses the hope:

"This report will serve as a catalyst for progress on other cases of Greek and Turkish Cypriot persons missing as a result of intercommunal strife".

The 37-page report on the five missing US citizens of Greek descent, says it "believes that all five are dead".

It establishes that one of the five is dead but does not produce any hard evidence about the actual fate of the remaining four, nor has the American investigatory team recovered any of their remains.

President Clinton points out that "US efforts on the Cyprus issue intensified following the February 15 completion of the Cypriot Presidential election."

He makes note of his letter of congratulations to President Glafcos Clerides on his re-election, in which he reiterated US support "for the UN process to achieve a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

Clinton says he had "expressed the hope that both parties would bring new ideas and creativity to the table. A parallel message was sent to Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash", he added.

The US President stresses that "the Greek Cypriot decision to purchase S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and the Turkish Cypriot suspension of bicommunal contacts continued to be of concern".

Meanwhile State Department Spokesman, James Rubin reiterated US objection to the deployment of the S-300 defensive system in Cyprus warning at the same time Turkey to stop its threats against Cyprus.

"Our view is simple. We think it would be a mistake to introduce the weapons. We also think it is a mistake for Turkey to issue threats about what it would do if that were to happen", he said.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

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[02] Overseas leaders on Clinton's report on missing persons

"We are pleased that President Bill Clinton's report on missing Americans in Cyprus, as ordered by public law, was recently delivered to the US Congress", PSEKA President Philip Christofer said.

"It is unfortunate that we had to pass a law for such an investigation to take place", he added. Meanwhile, Andrew Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, expressed "some concern about this report's conclusion that the other four Americans, 'in all likelihood did not survive',".

On his part President of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes Andrew Manatos urged the US President to continue efforts towards the resolution of this humanitarian problem.

Supreme President of the Cyprus Federation of America Panicos Papanicolaou noted that "the President's report says that the recent exchange of information on the missing in Cyprus, between the Cyprus government and the Turkish Cypriot community 'should lead to an eventual exchange of the remains and the closing of many of the missing persons cases'."

The Clinton administration released on Friday a 37-page report on the five US citizens, of Greek descent, saying it "believes that all five are dead".

The report establishes that one of the five is dead but has not produced any hard evidence about the actual fate of the remaining four, nor has the American investigatory team recovered any of their remains.

The five American citizens were listed as missing together with 1614 Greek Cypriots and Greeks soon after the Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus territory in 1974.

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[03] Cyprus reiterates position on single sovereignty

He also said the government does not consider that "unpleasant developments" are likely to take place at present.

His comments came in response to yesterday's speech in Nicosia by US State Department Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller, who said that "the situation could get worse before it gets better" and hinted that the issue of sovereignty may well be on the negotiating table.

"The government considers paragraph two of UN Security Council resolution 939 as the cornerstone of the Cyprus solution," Stylianides said after a cabinet meeting.

The 1994 resolution reaffirms that a Cyprus settlement "must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded."

The spokesman said "as far as the government is concerned there is no issue of sovereignty to negotiate."

"If Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash raises this matter, we shall refer him to paragraph two of resolution 939," he added.

Commenting on Miller's view that things could get worse before they improve, Stylianides said the government is handling the situation in a responsible manner to avert anything.

"The government does not consider that we are going through a period when unpleasant developments for the people of Cyprus could occur," he said.

Stylianides expressed hope that future Security Council decisions will be in line with its recent letter of May 19 to the UN Secretary-General reiterating strong support for his mission of good offices for Cyprus "on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions."

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/MM/GP/1998

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[04] Belarus Premier begins visit

Ling, who arrived here today for a visit at the invitation of President Glafcos Clerides, was welcomed in full honours at Larnaca International Airport by Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, on behalf of the President.

During his stay three agreements, on the avoidance of double taxation, the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments and air services, will be signed.

"My visit offers us the opportunity to examine our relations, which are already developed," Ling told reporters at Larnaca Airport.

However, he said that with the signing of the agreements "our relations will be developed even further."

Ling said his visit is part of efforts by the Belarus government to set the basis for cooperation with all countries.

"I am sure that after this visit our relations will develop even further and will reach a high level," he added, expressing willingness to discuss all issues of interest to the two countries.

Welcoming the Prime Minister, Rolandis described political relations between the two countries as "very good" and said the Premier's visit offers the opportunity to develop them even further.

He said Ling will also get first hand knowledge of the Cyprus problem and the Turkish occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory for the past 24 years.

The minister said trade, economic, air transport and tourism issues will be discussed during Ling's visit, noting that "at present our relations in these fields are not very developed."

"I believe that after this visit our relations will be upgraded and deepened," he added.

Later today Ling will meet President Clerides and House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.

During his stay he will also meet Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrystostomos, ministers, party leaders or representatives as well as business people.

CNA MAN/MA/GP/1998

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