Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - US - Foreign Ministers' meeting

[02] Britain - Turkey - Conference

[03] Israelis - Espionage - Court

0830:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - US - Foreign Ministers' meeting

The US State Department officially announced yesterday the meeting between Ioannis Kasoulides and Madeleine Albright.

"The Secretary looks forward to consulting with her Cypriot counterpart on how to move the diplomatic process forward on Cyprus towards the goal of a balanced and lasting political settlement," a statement says.

It adds that "such a settlement should be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation that meets the legitimate interests of all sides."

In October 1998 the UN launched a new initiative for the reduction of tensions on the island and promoting a process towards a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974.

UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus has been holding separate talks with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides, behind closed doors.

CNA DA/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1040:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Britain - Turkey - Conference

Nicosia, Jan 26 (CNA) -- Turkey and its future in Europe is the main theme of a four-day conference organised by an executive agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in mid-February.

Sir David Hannay, the British government's special representative for Cyprus, will be one of the main speakers at the meeting, which will also be addressed by Turkish officials, academics and bankers, according to the preliminary programme.

The British envoy will speak on "Cyprus: problem solved or insoluble problem?" on the third day of the meeting on February 17.

The gathering, organised by Wilton Park, is expected to hear speeches on Turkey's political, economic and international aspirations, the country's relations with the European Union from Brian Crowe, Director General for External Relations at the European Council and Turkey's economic priorities and views on how to improve ties with Greece by Cem Duna, former Turkish ambassador to the EU.

The Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry Pavlos Apostolides and the Director General for Policy Planning at the Turkish Foreign Ministry Candan Azer are also expected to air their views on "The relationship between Greece and Turkey -current approaches on the areas of dispute."

There will also be speakers from Germany, which holds the six-monthly EU rotating presidency, and former Greek Minister of the National Economy, Stefanos Manos, will outline Greece's perspective on how to improve relations with Turkey.

British Labour MP and leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament Pauline Green, is due to address participants on the "Copenhagen criteria - the approach of the European Parliament."

Turkish professor of political sociology at Ankara University Dogu Ergil will talk about "Civil liberties and terrorism - time for a new approach," according to the preliminary programme.

Participants will be split into discussion groups which will deal with Turkey's relations with Israel, coordinated by professor Duygu Sezer of Bilkent University, Ankara, and the country's ties with Russia will be tackled by professor Hakan Kirimli of the same University.

Other discussion groups will discuss the problems and prospects of Turkey's custom union with the EU, the development of civil society in Turkey and Turkey's contemporary European understanding.

The closing session on Thursday February 18 will focus on "Who should do what?".

Wilton Park was set up in 1946 as part of an initiative by Winston Churchill to help re-establish peace and democracy in Europe.

Senior politicians, policy-makers, Non-government organisations representatives, journalists, academics, think-tank and research institute staff are some of the participants of conferences at this 16th century country house in West Sussex.

Since then it has developed a unique status as a non-profit making Executive Agency of the Foreign Office.

It is underwritten financially by the FCO which also provided invaluable advice and contacts but it also raises funds for its own running costs.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Israelis - Espionage - Court

The next hearing will be on Friday, January 29. The prosecution had asked the Court to hear its first witness behind closed doors but the defence described the request as unprecedented in Cyprus' legal history and asked for time to consider the matter.

The two Israelis Igal Damary, 49, and Udi Hargov, 37, both agents of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, are facing charges of spying and conspiracy to commit a crime.

They were arrested in November last year at the southern coastal village of Zygi after police were tipped off and stormed their apartment where they found highly sensitive listening devices.

The defendants entered a not guilty plea to charges of spying, conspiracy to commit espionage and possession of banned listening equipment.

The prosecution said their first witness is military officer Vasos Kountouris of the Army General Command and pointed out the nature of his evidence is such that, if disclosed to the public domain, it may endanger the security of the Republic of Cyprus.

The prosecution said it would not ask for the entire case to be heard behind closed doors but noted it will do so in the case of one or two of its witnesses.

CNA MAN/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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