CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY, 96-06-04
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY, 96-06-04
CONTENTS
[01] Britain's Cyprus Representative starts contacts
[02] UN continues investigations into buffer zone killing
[03] UN official hopes for move forward on Cyprus
[04] British ''obstinacy'' may push Cyprus peace process forward.
[05] Foreign Minister to meet Greek and Irish counterparts
[06] Cyprus and Brunei establish diplomatic relations
[07] Minister of Interior to attent "HABITAT II"
0900:CYPPRESS:01
[01] Britain's Cyprus Representative starts contacts
Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) -- Sir David Hannay, British
representative for Cyprus, starts a packed schedule of meetings
here today in a bid to move the stalled Cyprus peace process
forward.
Sir David, who arrived on the island Monday, will be received
by President Glafcos Clerides and then meet Foreign Minister
Alecos Michaelides.
The British official will then cross into the
Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus for a working lunch with
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
He leaves later on Tuesday.
Last night he attended a dinner, hosted by British High
Commissioner David Madden, with political party leaders, U.S.
ambassador to Cyprus Richard Boucher and U.N. Secretary-General's
resident representative Gustave Feissel.
In his remarks at Larnaca airport, Sir David said there was
no fresh initiative on Cyprus but a concerted effort by the
international community to settle the Cyprus question.
He said common ground between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot
sides must be reached to allow for a new Cyprus initiative to be
launched.
There exist already many ideas, he noted, but these have to
be worked at to reach a solution.
Referring to Monday's murder of a Greek Cypriot soldier in
the UN-controlled buffer zone by Turkish or Turkish Cypriot
troops, Sir David expressed sorrow and pointed out that this type
of incidents indicate the fragility of the present status quo.
He reiterated his country's support for unmanning military
posts in the buffer zone but also stressed the need for progress.
He also disclosed that President Clerides' proposal for the
demilitarisation of Cyprus would be on the agenda of his talks in
Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops
invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.
CNA MM/GP/1996
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[02] UN continues investigations into buffer zone killing
Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) -- New elements about Monday's killing
of an unarmed Greek Cypriot soldier in the UN-controlled buffer
zone continue to emerge, a spokesman for the UN peace-keeping
force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) told CNA today.
''We continue to investigate yesterday's killing and new
elements are coming up,'' the spokesman said.
The conclusions of the investigation, once this is completed,
would not be made public, he added, as normal procedure dictates.
Asked if the UN had established the identity of the killer,
the spokesman said ''I expect Turkish Cypriot security forces to
be deployed in that area. However the true identity of the person
who fired the shots against the Greek Cypriot guardsman has not
been established yet, it could be a Turkish Cypriot.''
Commenting on the UN role in the incident, the spokesman
acknowledged that ''our action was somewhat delayed by the
Turkish forces.''
It took the UN peace-keepers about 30 minutes before they
reached the body of the Greek Cypriot soldier Stelios Panagi
Kalli, aged 19, the eighth National Guardsman killed by the Turks
in the last ten years.
The UN was prevented from getting there earlier by the
Turkish military who fired warning shots in the area.
In the aftermath of the killing, which happened in Ayios
Andreas area of the Nicosia buffer zone where the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot military posts are in close proximity, UNFICYP
commander, Brigadier General, Ahti Toimi Vartiainen, is scheduled
to meet National Guard Commander Lieutenant General Nikolaos
Vorvolakos to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, UN resident representative Gustave Feissel said
today ''we are very saddened by this tragic incident and useless
loss of life of a young Greek Cypriot.''
Feissel left this morning for Constaninople (Istanbul) Turkey
to attend a meeting tomorrow with UN Secretary-General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali, who is there on the occasion of a UN conference,
with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Boutros-Ghali will
have a similar meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on
June 11 in Geneva.
Feissel said ''we are pursuing our investigation and I hope
that within a couple of days we will have completed it.''
He said in the meantime, the UNFICYP Commander has already
met with the Turkish force Commander raising this matter ''in
very strong terms.'' He will also meet the National Guard
Commander and there will be further meetings with the Turkish
Commander.
The UN official acknowledged that the UN force can not
control the whole of the buffer zone.
''Obviously, it is impossible for the UN to stand shoulder to
shoulder, so to speak for the entire 180 km of the buffer zone.
He stressed that the cooperation of the two sides is
indispensable in order to ensure the security of the buffer zone
and that people from either side do not enter the buffer zone
illegally.
Feissel confirmed that the Greek Cypriot soldier had entered
the buffer zone unarmed.
In New York, UN Secretary-General's Spokeswoman Sylvana Foa
referred to the incident, saying a UN sentry observed one Turkish
Cypriot soldier walking down the river bed inside the buffer zone
while later he heard a single shot.
"The soldier was observed running back towards where he'd
come from. There was only one shot and the guy was seen running
back. Within a few minutes the UN sentry went to the area to
investigate and was told by Cypriot National Guard personnel that
one of their soldiers had been shot. He reported the incident and
requested an ambulance, she said.
Pathologists Eleni Antoniou and Marios Matsakis found that
the soldier was hit by two bullets, one in the abdomen and one on
the shoulder.
The spokeswoman said the local UN troop commander went to the
scene of the shooting but wasn't able to move to the National
Guard soldier as there were three shots fired in the air by
Turkish Cypriot soldiers. In other words, the UN tried to move to
the scene rightway and they were shot and prevented from going
in.
The UN spokeswoman said after negotiations with the Turkish
Cypriot force that caused delay of about 25 minutes, the UN
soldiers finally were able to rescue the body. It was taken by
ambulance to Nicosia General Hospital. He was reported dead on
arrival.
The Cyprus government has protested to the UN and foreign
governments over the incident, which took place in the
UN-controlled buffer zone.
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides described the killing as
''a cold-blooded murder''.
He stressed that the Greek Cypriot soldier entered the zone
unarmed and recalled that the incident had taken place within the
no man's land, which is under the UN control.
All the island's Greek Cypriot political party leaders
expressed abhorrence for the soldier's murder.
Greece's Government Spokesman Demetris Reppas described the
murder as an ''act of shame'' for today's civilised world, which
reveals the barbarity of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus.
He said ''this murderous act should draw even more the
attention of the international community to the conditions which
prevail today in Cyprus'' as a result of the Turkish occupation
of the island's northern territory.
In Washington, State Department Spokesman Glyn Davis,
replying to a CNA question said the incident ''underscores, once
again, the importance of extending the 1989 unamanning agreement
to cover all areas of the UN buffer zone where the two sides are
in close proximity. Extension of the unamanning agreement could
reduce the risk of tragic incidents such as the one today
(yesterday) ''.
CNA MM/GP/1996
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1300:CYPPRESS:03
[03] UN official hopes for move forward on Cyprus
Larnaca, Jun 4 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General's resident
representative to Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, expressed the hope
that the situation will move forward on the Cyprus issue, during
Boutros Boutros-Ghali's meetings with the leaders of the two
communities of the island.
Feissel was speaking this morning at Larnaca Airport before
his departure to Constantinople (Istanbul) Turkey, where the
Secretary-General is scheduled to meet tomorrow Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash. The meeting takes place on the sidelines
of the UN conference HABITAT II in Constantinople.
Boutros-Ghali will also have a meeting with Cyprus President
Glafcos Clerides on June 11, in Geneva.
Asked if he is optimistic that something will come out of
the meetings, Feissel replied that he tries to avoid such
things, such as optimism or pessimism.
''We just have to persevere, and keep pushing, hopefully all
concerned will realise that a solution is in their own interests
and therefore it is very important for the benefit of each
community and others that finally we move forward and make
progress on this situation here'', he said.
Feissel noted that this is the first meeting that Denktash
and the Secretary-General have had for more than a year. ''The
Secretary-General is obviously concerned by the lack of progress
during these many months and years and this will give him the
opportunity to discuss the matter first hand with Mr. Denktash.
''All these will be helpful to the S.G. in getting a first
hand up to date impression of the situation and which no doubt
will help him consider how the UN can best proceed in order to
make progress'', Feissel said.
The UN diplomat reiterated that the objective of the UN is
to bring the two leaders together in direct talks with a view to
dealing with all the issues in a comprehensive manner and to
reach an overall settlement.
He noted however that before doing so, ''we want to be
confident that such a meeting will be productive, so we have to
have some clear indications from both sides that they are ready
and determined to move forward.''
Feissel reminded that Boutros-Ghali will have to submit to
the Security Council by the end of June, a special report on
Cyprus on his mission of good offices. This report will take
into account his meetings in both Constantinople and Geneva.
Asked what were the results of his meeting in Nicosia last
night with Sir David Hannay, the British representative on
Cyprus, Feissel said it was just a meeting to review the
situation since he (Hannay) is visiting Cyprus for the first
time since assuming his new functions.
"We had an opportunity to discuss things in general, with no
particular result", he said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops
invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.
CNA EC/GP/1996
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[04] British ''obstinacy'' may push Cyprus peace process forward
Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) -- Britain's special representative for
Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, considers his ''obstinacy'' as one
quality that could help him succeed where others have failed, to
make progress towards a Cyprus solution.
He also considers that the plethora of ''coordinators'' on
the Cyprus question entails some risks but believes that a
concerted effort by all those involved in the problem (UN,
Britain, US and European Union) could prove ''fruitful.''
Sir David, who is in Cyprus for contacts with the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot sides, said he was ''determined, not optimistic''
that cooperation among all the outside parties involved in Cyprus
''will prove to be fruitful and can also be very useful with our
dealings with the two communities in Cyprus.''
Asked how he intended to move to make headway in the Cyprus
peace process, the British diplomat said those in the
international community working on Cyprus ''will need to compare
notes, and consider very carefully whether there are prospects to
move forward or not.''
Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, he
said his appointment and that of the UN Secretary-General's
special envoy for Cyprus ''is a clear sign that the world has
not forgotten about Cyprus and does not intend to turn its back
on the Cyprus problem,'' even though at times one feels that the
Cyprus problem seems to be shrugged off one's shoulder.
Asked what made him so determined to succeed, Sir David
simply replied ''Just obstinacy.''
''The work of someone in my position is likely to be fruitful
in proportion to the small amount one says in public,'' he said.
Invited to assess the existence of several coordinators for
the Cyprus problem (UN, American, EU presidency, British), Sir
David acknowledged ''there are too many'' but hastened to add
''the risk this poses can be avoided. We need a concerted effort
in which to avoid getting our wires crossed but, of course, we
need the cooperation of both communities in Cyprus.
''We shall need to work closely among ourselves to ensure we
do not get cross-purposes but I do not think this will happen
because I do not think the friends of Cyprus have any conflicts
of interest among ourselves,'' he told journalists.
He said these ''friends'' would like to see a settlement ''in
the terms of Security Council resolutions, which is not easy or
straight forward.
''There are a lot difficult issues that have to be resolved
but that is the basis on which we should work,'' he added.
Describing his discussions with the President as
''confidential and very valuable'' he said his task is to try and
''help narrow the gap between the parties, working with others
who are doing the same.''
Referring to efforts to convene a high-level meeting between
President Clerides and Denktash, Sir David said such a meeting
''has to come at the end of a process of careful preparation and
everything must be done to ensure that when it happens, it is
fruitful and means approaching with care and perseverance.''
Asked if the political instability in Turkey hinders his
efforts, he said development in various capitals ''of course
affect the situation'' but it would not be wise ''to condition
the pursuit of a Cyprus settlement on the situation in any
capital.''
In his remarks about his talks with Sir David, Foreign
Minister Alecos Michaelides said the purpose of the meeting was
''to give the British official a full picture of all the aspects
of the Cyprus problem and our positions to allow him to assess
the situation and see what the next move would be.''
''We welcome any effort by countries or bodies who want to
contribute towards a Cyprus settlement. No suggestions or
proposals were made at the meeting, it was an investigatory
meeting on his part on the Cyprus question,'' the Minister added.
Commenting on reports that Sir David's appointment aimed at
giving Britain the upper hand among EU members as far as the
Cyprus peace effort is concerned, Michaelides said ''what I see
is an increased interest on the part of EU countries. I do not
think there is anything strange in British interest in Cyprus,
Britain is a guarantor power and wishes to play a role in the
Cyprus question.''
He did not think a country's interest is there to replace the
interest of another body, such as the EU.
Replying to questions, Michaelides said talks focused on the
major aspects of the Cyprus question, including the
demilitarisation, security and guarantees of a future federal
Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops
invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.
Turkey has blocked all UN efforts for a settlement, ignoring
repeated UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its
occupation troops from this East Mediterranean island.
CNA MM/GP/1996
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[05] Foreign Minister to meet Greek and Irish counterparts
Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos
Michaelides leaves Wednesday for Athens for a meeting with
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
Michaelides will then fly on to London where on Thursday
morning he is scheduled to have a meeting with his Irish
counterpart Dick Spring, who will be in London at the time.
It is expected that discussions will focus on developments in
the Cyprus problem and the island's bid to join the European
Union. Ireland takes over the EU presidency from Italy on July 1.
''I believe this is the right time to see how the EU would
move. We consider that after the assumption of the EU presidency
by Ireland, the Cyprus question should be a subject for
discussion at the EU Council,'' he told the press today.
The question is how the EU would get involved in the efforts
for a Cyprus settlement, he added.
The Minister noted that Cyprus has been talking to the main
EU partners and added ''now we have to talk to the EU presidency
and this is why I am going to London.''
CNA MM/GP/1996
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[06] Cyprus and Brunei establish diplomatic relations
Nicosia, June 4 (CNA) -- Cyprus and Brunei have agreed to
establish diplomatic relations at High Commissioner's level
according to an official announcement released here today.
The agreement was signed at the Chancery of Brunei
Darussalam in New Delhi on May 31, 1996, by the High
Commissioners of the two countries in India, Stavros Epaminondas
and Adnan Buntar who will represent the governments of Cyprus
and Brunei respectively.
CNA MCH/AP/1996
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[07] Minister of Interior to attend ''HABITAT II''
Nicosia, Jun 4 (CNA) -- Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides
will visit Constantinople on Thursday to head the Cyprus delegation
at the UN sponsored International Conference on the Environment and
Human Settlements ''HABITAT II'', despite turkish refusal to
provide him security.
Commenting on host turkish government's decision not to provide
the Cypriot Minister with a driver, a guide and security during his
visit in Turkey, on the grounds that Turkey does not recognise the
Cyprus Republic government, Michaelides said today that he has no
option but to attend the conference as this was the Council of
Ministers decision. He is to address the UN conference on June 9.
Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of the island's
territory and is the only U. member state which does not recognise
the legal government of the Cyprus Republic.
He told the press that Cyprus' presence will be of special
significance, as the conference will deal with substantial issues
that concern all countries, but for political reasons as well,
pointing out that it is an opportunity to present refugee housing
with regard to the destruction of areas under occupation.
Asked about the possibility to face a security risk, the
Cypriot Minister stated that it's the turkish government's task to
provide him same.
''HABITAT II'' will set up and adopt a two year work plan
aiming to assist a more effective handling of priorities regarding
human settlements and housing.
Michaelides has returned to Cyprus from Helsinki where he took
part at the 4th European Conference of Ministers on Cultural
Inheritance, where he highlighted the problem of Cyprus' cultural
destruction in the turkish occupied part of the island.
He added that he furnished the secretariat of the ministerial
committee with copies of a press release published by turkish tour
operators in London for the rental of a Greek Orthodox church in
the occupied areas. As a reaction to this the turkish delegation
walked out the conference room, he noted.
CNA AP/MCH/1996
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