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Governement Spokesman: Despite Turkish threats, Cyprus will, continue to strenghten its defences, 96-10-10
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
KASSOULIDES: DESPITE TURKISH THREATS, CYPRUS WILL CONTINUE TO
STRENGTHEN ITS DEFENCES (10/10/1996)
Referring to the threatening statement made on Wednesday by a
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman about Greece and Cyprus' joint
military exercises, the Government Spokesman said:
The Turkish side, unashamedly, is threatening in its usual manner
the Cyprus Republic and Greece. And this happens when Turkey herself, violating International Law, has committed the crime of in-
vasion and the continuing occupation of Cyprus and maintains some
35.000 troops and 400 tanks on the island. At the same time Turkish warships are in the occupied Famagusta port and the Turkish
Air Force is repeatedly violating Cyprus airspace. The occupied
northern part of Cyprus has been described by the United Nations
Secretary-General in a report to the Security Council as "one of
the most highly militarised areas of the world". Moreover, under
the protection of the occupation army, the so-called "Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus" was unilaterally declared an in-
dependent state, contrary to the guarantees signed by Turkey,
which is the only state which recognizes the pseudo-state.
President Glafcos Clerides has proposed the immediate and complete demilitarization of Cyprus and the strengthening of the
U.N. Peace-Keeping Force, and pledged that the Cyprus Republic
will cover all its costs. The Turkish side has repeatedly rejected this proposal and refused to discuss the matter.
Therefore, the Cyprus Republic has no alternative but to continue
to strengthen its defence capability, exclusively as a deterrent
against any possible attempt by the occupation forces to advance
to the free areas of Cyprus. It will also continue its close
cooperation with Greece in the field of defence, since Greece is
one of the guarantors of Cyprus' territorial integrity and independence.
The firm goal of the Government and all the political parties in
Cyprus is a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, which will
be greatly facilitated if the Turkish side accepts the demilitarization proposal.
However, as long as the Turkish occupation troops continue to be
stationed in Cyprus, the effort to strengthen the island's defences in cooperation with Greece will continue, irrespective of
the Turkish threats.
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