Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Defence Minister - Turkish policy

[02] Government - Illegal Demirel visit

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[01] Defence Minister - Turkish policy

He also pointed out that there is no pressure on the Turkish side for a settlement here and said the new world order is based on double standards.

Omirou once again stressed the Cyprus Republic has every right to defend itself.

Condemning Ankara for trying to create a "designed and fake tension" in Cyprus and the Aegean, he said Turkey is aiming at "consolidating the consequences of its invasion and occupation in Cyprus" and "striking a blow to our economy's stability".

The Defence Minister added that Ankara is also trying "to prevent the stable development of efforts to settle the Cyprus issue and cancel Cyprus' EU accession course".

Referring to Turkey's stance towards Greece, he said it aims at affecting Athens' efforts to join the European Economic and Monetary Union.

Omirou criticised "all those who have the world's destiny in their hands" for being hypocritical, as they are pressuring the Cyprus government not to deploy the defensive missile system S300 and doing nothing to convince Turkey to withdraw its troops from the areas of Cyprus it occupies since 1974.

"The new world order cannot be based on double standards and tolerance of the violation of international order and human rights," he added, calling for more "ethics" in world politics.

The Defence Minister underlined that "we will never give up nor discuss our basic right to self defence. We have an obligation to strengthen our peoples sense of security".

"Whoever is interested in a settlement of the Cyprus question and for conditions of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean should tackle the core of the problem which is Turkish expansionism", he concluded.

CNA MA/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Government - Illegal Demirel visit

"Turkish officials have often stated that the occupation force is not in Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriots but to protect Turkey itself", Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said, responding to statements by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

He added that "Demirel is trying to disorientate" by saying that Turkey is interested in protecting the Turkish Cypriots.

Demirel yesterday paid a one-day illegal visit to the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since they invaded in 1974, to inaugurate a project bringing water from Turkey.

The Turkish President attacked the Cyprus government's plans to deploy the S-300 surface-to-air missile system, as well as military cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, decided between the two governments in 1993, threatening they "can only bring tears and pain".

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides responded by saying that "Demirel is obviously assessing the situation based on Turkey's standards".

He challenged the Turkish President to point to one statement from a Cypriot or Greek government official "which indicates an aggressive stance towards the Turkish Cypriots".

"The position of the Greek and Cypriot governments has always been that the Cyprus problem should be solved through peaceful means", Stylianides stressed.

He underlined that if "Mr. Demirel was interested in the Turkish Cypriots' prosperity he would allow them to join the Cyprus Republic's team negotiating EU accession, so that we can continue on the road of prosperity within a united Cyprus and the European family".

The Cyprus government has said it would protest both Demirel's illegal visit and his threats against the Republic.

CNA MA/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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