Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Accession talks to start as planned

[02] Cyprus problem similar to N. Ireland problem

[03] Socialist leader criticises Rifkind's idea

[04] US review warns against absence of solution

[05] Rifkind arrives in Cyprus Sunday

[06] Cyprus will go ahead with purchase of anti-aircraft missiles

[07] President's trip to Dublin cancelled

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[09] Britain wants solution before EU-Cyprus membersship talks Exclusive interview

1040:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Accession talks to start as planned

Dublin, Dec 13 (CNA) -- EU Council President, Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, has reiterated that Cyprus will start accession talks as planned.

In a brief interview with CNA here yesterday after a socialist summit on the eve of the EU Summit, Spring said ''Cyprus is scheduled to commence accession negotiations after the Intergovernmental Conference''.

The socialist summit, attended by socialist Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and party leaders, was chaired by the President of the party of European Socialists Rudolf Scharping.

Cypriot socialist leader Vassos Lyssarides, President of EDEK party, was among participants, who included Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Asked what he would discuss with Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller on Saturday, Spring said EU - Turkey relations, the customs unions, the development of economic relations between EU - Turkey and human rights will be on the agenda.

Ciller is expected here on Saturday and will sit at a dinner with Spring on Saturday evening after the end of the EU Summit. Ciller is expected to give a press conference after her talks with Spring.

Asked if the EU presidency will make it clear to Turkey it has no veto right on Cyprus' application, Spring avoided a direct reply and said Cyprus is scheduled to begin accession talks as stipulated in the March 6, 1995 decision'' of the EU Council of Ministers.

He also avoided to say if the EU presidency will press for progress on human rights issues in Turkey.

Spring noted that ''the fundamental aspects of EU relations with any country is respect for human rights and democracy''.

He said these matters will be on the agenda of his talks with Ciller, adding ''human rights is an issue between EU -Turkey.

Spring told CNA that the EU acknowledges ''the signals and gestures from the Turkish government in their efforts of human rights issues''.

''But what is more important is that we have a good working relationship with Turkey'', he added.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1100:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus problem similar to N. Ireland problem

Speaking to CNA here yesterday, at the end of a meeting of European socialist leaders, Home said ''there is great similarity between the problems of the people of Cyprus and our problems.''

At the end of the day, he said, ''we will have a similar solution and I would like this solution to be modelled on the experience of the EU.''

''We have to build institutions that respect differences but allow people to work together in their common interests, which is economics,'' he explained.

The EU is the greatest example of conflict resolution, he added.

Hume said ''working together to spill sweat, not blood, the barriers of distrust and prejudice will break down and people will grow together into a new Cyprus and a new Ireland.''

Replying to questions, Hume said he is still working with Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein, to restore the cease-fire and 'I hope I will be successful.''

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1115:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Socialist leader criticises Rifkind's idea

Pauline Green, President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, told CNA here yesterday ''I think that (meeting) is giving tacit recognition to an illegal regime, recognised by no other country than Turkey. I do not think it is a good idea.''

Green was speaking after a socialist summit here, hosted by Ireland's Foreign Minister Dick Spring.

She said ''nobody is opposed to talking to Denktash but we should not do it in a way that gives recognition in any way of an illegal regime''.

She acknowledged that it is ''appropriate'' for Rifkind to want to see Denktash but such a meeting should take place on neutral territory and Rifkind should see him as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

''I think it is one thing to have informal contacts with Turkish Cypriot leader and quite another to go and see him formally in north Cyprus, in what he claims to be his own republic'', Green told CNA.

The British Foreign Secretary will visit Cyprus on December 16-17. He will have talks with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Denktash.

The British Labour Euro-MP also criticised Rifkind's statement that if Cyprus is not reunited it would be extremely difficult to join EU.

''I certainly do not share this view, but I'm glad to hear a British Minister being honest because I have said for a long time this was the position of the British government'', Green remarked.

Asked if Labour, when in power, will adopt the same position, she said Robin Cook, the shadow Foreign Secretary, has made it clear.

She said he looks forward to opening the accession negotiations with Cyprus in the first half of 1998 when Britain will have the EU presidency.

Cyprus applied for full membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US review warns against absence of solution

The article, which lays special emphasis on Cyprus' aspirations for European Union accession, was written by Professors Nicholas Rizopoulos and Tozun Babebeli

The political analysts argue that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities have to provide the impetus for altering the status quo in Cyprus or face the prospect of a permanent Turkish military presence or even possible international recognition of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus.

They also believe that the European Union, though amenable to Greek and Greek Cypriot influence, is unwilling to exacerbate matters by admitting the southern government-controlled part of Cyprus ''any time soon.''

This, it is argued, give the Turkish Cypriots an implicit veto over Cyprus' EU membership, at least in the short run.

Ankara, they say, considers the pending Cyprus question as ''an impediment'' to its European aspirations and furthermore, it complicates its relations with the US.

On the military aspect, the article backs the gradual demilitarisation of Cyprus, as suggested by President Glafcos Clerides.

The EU is becoming more embroiled in efforts to help promote a Cyprus solution, encouraged by President Glafcos Clerides who hopes that EU pressure would prove ''more positive'' than previous UN efforts in facilitating the reunification of the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third in 1974.

''Greek Cypriot leaders hope that international diplomacy (particularly EU initiatives) will facilitate the reincorporation of the island's now ethnically homogenous Turkish zone and that EU membership would strengthen their hand in dealing successfully with other issues, including reclaiming property, which could not be legally sustained under EU rules,'' the article says.

Noting the rejection of the EU application by the Turkish Cypriots, the article considers that the EU is ''unwilling to exacerbate matters by admitting the Greek Cypriot controlled area any time soon'', a move which give the Turkish Cypriots an ''implicit veto'' over membership at least in the short run.

Turkish Cypriots, it is argued, would not consent to any territorial adjustments to allow progress in any future negotiations unless they were assured of a ''disproportionate piece of the economic pie following Cyprus' accession to the EU.''

However, it also points to a statement by EU External Relations Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek that the EU cannot ''indefinitely ignore the aspirations of the majority of the population to be an EU member.''

The authors of the article recognise that both Greece and Turkey have their own reasons for promoting a comprehensive Cyprus settlement but stress that ''the impetus for altering the status quo would have to come from the Cypriot parties themselves.''

Should this fail, they argue, there will be a ''permanent Turkish military presence in northern Cyprus and either the integration of northern Cyprus with Turkey or the consolidation and possibly wider international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot mini-state.''

Ankara, the article says, realises that the Cyprus impasse remains both ''an impediment to its aspirations to improve relations with and become a member of the EU and a complicating factor in its relations with the Clinton administration.''

Greek Cypriot thinking that Ankara, because of friction with Greece and pressure over its poor human rights record, will be obliged to abandon its own hard-line stance on Cyprus and desert the current Turkish Cypriot leadership ''is flawed on three counts,'' the authors believe.

''Ankara is not quite as worried as its Greek and Western critics may choose to believe, no Turkish government can ever afford to be seen as having abandoned its Cypriot brethren and Turkish Cypriots will never agree to any settlement that remotely revives the status quo ante 1974,'' the article says.

Turkish Cypriots, it adds, try to convey the message that only Ankara can deliver in the foreseeable future security guarantees and subsequently changes that would partially placate Greek Cypriot sensitivities cannot result in the complete ''deconstruction of the Turkish Cypriot mini-state in the north.''

Referring to the military balance on the island, taking into account recent increase in the Turkish occupation forces and the Republic's joint defence pact with Greece, the article calls for a reversal of ''this dangerous and wasteful trend.''

''What could prove most useful would be third-party good offices of third parties - preferably American - leading (gradually) to the demilitarisation of the entire island, as the Greek Cypriot side has itself repeatedly suggested,'' the article in the World Policy Journal adds.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Rifkind arrives in Cyprus Sunday

This was confirmed here today by Piers Gazalet, the British High Commission Spokesman, who told CNA that Rifkind will arrive in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (December 15) and will depart on Monday (December 16).

The visit was moved forward a day to allow Rifkind to be present in the British parliament on Monday for a vote on the European Union's fisheries policy.

Rifkind's visit programme is expected to be announced by the British High Commission later today.

According to an earlier announcement by the British Foreign Ministry, Rifkind will hold talks with President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus will go ahead with purchase of anti-aircraft missiles

Asked whether Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's trip to Russia might succeed in canceling the deal , Cassoulides said ''the government is at an understanding with the Russian government for the signing of purchase contracts.

The Spokesman reminded of a statement made by Moscow's Ambassador to Ankara, that ''Cyprus is an independent, sovereign state which can decide on the purchases it wishes to make from Russia.''

Replying to a question Cassoulides also said he was not aware of any US moves towards Russia for the cancelling of the purchase agreement.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister, Alecos Michaelides, stated in London today on his way to Dublin, that Turkey is worried about the purchase, but noted that ''Cyprus cannot remain defenseless if attacked by air.''

Michaelides noted that acceptance of President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for demilitarisation is the answer to Turkey's worries over the building up of the National Guard's defence.

CNA MCH/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:07

[07] President's trip to Dublin cancelled

Speaking to the press, Cassoulides said the President's state of health has improved, but his doctors have advised him to cancel the trip, because of bad weather conditions in Dublin.

The President had a cold last weekend which developed into bronchitis and his doctors advised him to rest for a few days.

CNA MCH/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.48 (+0.16)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  90.44 (+0.44)
Approved Investment Companies          73.85 (+0.18)
Insurance Companies                    56.13 (+1.28)
Industrial Companies                   84.38 (-1.46)
Tourist Industries                     71.44 (-0.89)
Commercial Companies                   60.35 (+1.53)
Other Companies                        68.21 (-0.73)

Trading Volume                         CYP 782975.902

CNA MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Britain wants solution before EU-Cyprus membersship talks

Nicosia, Dec 13 (CNA) -- Britain will make efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem before the start of membership talks between the European Union and Cyprus.

The British position was set out by the country's Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, in an exclusive interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

Rifkind will visit Cyprus on Sunday and Monday (December 15-16) to have talks with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

He said the primary objective of any settlement should be the peaceful co-existence of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in a federal state.

''A process of builidng down forces and military equipment could be one of the major benefits of a settlement'', the British Foreign Secretary added.

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

Here follows the full text of Rifkind's interview with CNA:

Q. You have expressed the view that Cyprus' accession to the European Union would be very difficult to realise, if the country is not reunited. Would Britain veto Cyprus' accession if a solution is not reached;

A. I am surprised at the degree of misunderstanding of what was actually a very clear point. Britain wants to see Cyprus in the EU and is working hard to achieve that. The EU commitment to opening accession negotiations with Cyprus six months after the conclusion of the IGC is clear and we intend to honour it. Those negotiations will be easier if by then there is settlement of the Cyprus problem. But let me make it clear that there can be no question of a veto by any state outside the EU.

Q. What moves are you making to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot side is encouraged to change its tune on the EU prospects;

A. We, other EU countries and the EU Commission are working hard to ensure that Turkish Cypriots understand the potential benefits for them of EU accession. The single market would stimulate trade and foreign investment, the restoration of international links would boost tourism and the poorer parts of Cyprus would be eligible for considerable funding from EU structural payments. The Turkish Cypriots have also of course been concerned about how the EU acquis would apply to them. The right response must be to ensure that they are part of the negotiating team, as we would expect were a settlement in place when the negotiations opened. These messages are, I believe, getting through. We will all continue our efforts.

Q. What in your assessment would be a show of ''real political will'' on the part of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to facilitate a negotiated settlement;

A. I do not think it is useful to pose the question of political will in terms of generalities. What will matter is readiness to address specific issues in a spirit of compromise during direct negotiations. The leaders of both communities have committed themselves to the search for a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem. The UK will play a full and active part in seeking to ensure that they are successful.

Q. Assuming that the resumption of direct negotiations is the primary objective of your forthcoming visit, what other avenues will you pursue during your discussions here to break the deadlock;

A. I am visiting Cyprus to demonstrate at a political level the UK's determination to support the UN's efforts to achieve an early settlement; to explore the positions of both sides; and to form my own assessment of how best the UK can contribute to progress. I am encouraged by the global expectation that direct talks will take place during the first half of next year.

Q. Where do you base your optimism for ''some real progress'' (statement before the Commons) towards a negotiated settlement;

A. The past summer's tragic events raised anger and fear on both sides. But they also underlined the extent to which both communities have a shared interest in the stability and security which would flow from a settlement. In addition, both communities on the island have much to gain from EU membership. This too should give both sides a strong incentive to have a settlement in place by the time accession negotiations start. We and others will make the most of the period before accession negotiations open to encourage those involved to work for a lasting settlement.

Q. You have said negotiations between the two communities should be carried out in a ''serious and considered way''. Could you be more specific on how you envisage these talks to be conducted?

A. I do not have a blueprint for the format of direct talks. That will be a matter principally for the UN to consider.

Q. Should Britain's interests in Cyprus emanating from the Treaty of Gurantee be safeguared, would you consent to a change in the system of guarantees, seeing that the current system has failed?

A. Security will evidently be one of the most sensitive and difficult issues in the negotiation of a settlement. I would not wish to prejudge the solution. But we have noted the insistence by the Turkish side on continuation of the Treaty of Guarantee and President Clerides' interesting suggestion for an international military force and demilitarisation.

Q. Sir David Hannay believes that ''no settlement can be based on the present security arrangements'' (The Times, October 25). What, in your view, would be a fair substitute of the present security arrangements?

A. I agree that present arrangements are insufficient, which implies that we all need to focus on an approach that could involve some combination of new and old elements.

Q. Would you consider pushing forward President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for demilitarisation, with a view to meeting the security concerns of both communities?

A. I think that an overall settlement which provided for demilitarisation would be of the greatest benefit. But for that to be achieved, both communities would need to be convinced that their particular security concerns had been met by other arrangements.

Q. You have called on President Clerides and Mr Denktash to ''address the real issues'' to help work out a settlement. Would you agree that the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops should be the primary objective of any such settlement?

A. It seems to me that the primary objective of any settlement should be the peaceful co-existence of the two communities in Cyprus in a federal state. A process of building down forces and military equipment could be one of the major benefits of a settlement.

Q. In a recent BBC interview, you have described Israeli setters in the occupied territories as ''illegal''. Would you agree that the Turkish settlers in Cyprus' occupied part are also illegal and should therefore leave the island as part of a negotiated settlement?

A. This is an issue with complex humanitarian dimensions which the two communities will have to address in the context of a settlement.

Q. Would you say that ensuring the implementation of the Vienna III accord, meant to secure normal living conditions for the enclaved, could provide the springboard for the restoration of trust?

A. I know that the Greek Cypriots in the Karpas and the Maronites in Kormakitis live in difficult conditions. Those conditions could undoubtadly be improved if the Turkish Cypriot administration fully implemented the Vienna III accord. We are active in our support for UNFICYP's efforts in this direction. But that is only one part of the problem and I think we need to look more widely than this to improve trust and confidence between the two communities.

Q. The issue of the persons listed as missing is still pending, despite lengthy efforts. Do you think the absence of progress on the matter may jeopardise the peace effort?

A. This is another tragic element of Cyprus' painful recent history. Both communities have suffered, and both need to work with the Committee set up to investigate the fate of those people still listed as missing. I hope that it will yet be possible for both sides to move forward on this. But no, I do not see that a full and final settlement should be jeopardised by absence of progress on this issue. Indeed, a settlement may well make it easier for progresss to be made on this issue to.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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