Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Burns: Real consensus on Cyprus by parties concerned

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Cyprus urges Turks for negotiations

[04] Luncheon for Greek and Turkish Cypriot political leaders

[05] No common ground for direct talks, says Han

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Burns: Real consensus on Cyprus by parties concerned

Burns was commenting on the discussions Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, had over the weekend in Washington with high-ranking US administration officials.

He said the British envoy had dinner with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, on Sunday, at the residence of the British Ambassador, along with Under-secretary of State Peter Tarnoff.

On Monday, he added, Sir David was at the State Department where he met with US experts and negotiators, including Carey Cavanaugh, Marshall Adair and presidential emissary for Cyprus Richard Beattie.

Burns described these discussions as ''excellent'' and noted ''we very much appreciate Sir David taking the time to come in and talk to us about those issues.''

Referring to the subject of the discussions, the spokesman said ''it was a chance to exchange views on the next steps for Cyprus.''

Burns pointed out that ''Secretary Albright believes we ought to think very creatively and hard about how we can move forward together to resolve the Cyprus problem.''

Asked to comment whether there is a consensus between the views of Hannay and the US, Burns said ''the real consensus has got to be worked out between the parties, the Cypriot government, the other parties in Cyprus, the Turkish and the Greek governments.''

''That's where the real consensus needs to be formed, not in the State Department,'' he added.

According to diplomatic sources, Sir David had another dinner at the British Embassy, in Washington. Among the participants were Ambassador Thomas Pickering, journalists and diplomats.

Sir David was quoted as saying that it is time for the US administration to announce a serious initiative on Cyprus and that it should do so as soon as possible.

CNA DA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1525:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.86 (+0.84)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.08 (+0.74)
Approved Investment Companies          67.86 (+1.80)
Insurance Companies                    55.35 (+1.78)
Industrial Companies                   74.95 (+1.19)
Tourist Industries                     65.69 (+1.61)
Commercial Companies                   52.70 (-1.77)
Other Companies                        60.03 (+0.82)

Trading Volume                         CYP 680121.190

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus urges Turks for negotiations

President Clerides is ready to discuss his proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus at face-to-face negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said here today.

''President Clerides is ready to enter into direct negotiations with Denktash on the demilitarision of Cyprus, if the Turkish Cypriot side is willing to discuss his idea, irrespective of the rest of issues relating to the Cyprus problem,'' Cassoulides said.

The Cypriot President, he explained, is ready to hold direct talks with demilitarisation the sole item on the agenda.

If there is an agreement to discuss the proposal for demilitarisation, then ''we pave the road for talks on other, much easier issues,'' Cassoulides underlined.

''Should the matter be concluded, then demands to find common ground on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus question will be modified in the future,'' Cassoulides added.

Clarifying this position, the Spokesman did not rule out the possibility of abandoning the present demand for common ground if the Turkish Cypriot side agrees to a discussion on demilitarisation.

He explained that future demands for common ground would be different, pointing out that ''common ground has to do with the substance of the Cyprus question.''

The Spokesman believes that missing the chance to discuss the President's demilitarisation proposal because of demands for common ground (set out by the Greek Cypriot side) ''would be a huge mistake.''

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Luncheon for Greek and Turkish Cypriot political leaders

Greek and Turkish Cypriot party leaders attended a luncheon hosted by Feissel, on the occasion of the visit to the island of top UN special envoy for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo.

Speaking after the luncheon, Feissel said, ''the political party leaders, who represent the whole population of Cyprus send a good and positive message to the two communities.''

Describing their discussion over the luncheon as ''frank'', ''honest and ''friendly'', Feissel said all leaders recognised the need for a Cyprus settlement ''on the basis of the high level agreements, namely a bizonal, bicommunal federation.''

Noting the usefulness of bicommunal meetings, in efforts towards a Cyprus settlement, Feissel stressed they should continue, whether under UN auspices or not.

''All political leaders'', he added, ''have recognised that this provides a very useful channel for work.''

''We certainly hope they will get together soon, it does not matter under whose auspices. They can get together by themselves which obviously is what needs to be done,'' he noted.

Asked to comment on the prospects of a direct meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Feissel said ''obviously they have a big job to do'' but expressed the hope that such a meeting can be realised soon.

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2140:CYPPRESS:05

[05] No common ground for direct talks, says Han

In a press conference for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot journalists, held at Ledra Palace hotel in the UN-controlled buffer zone, Han said he felt ''it would be somewhat premature to call for direct talks at this stage'' adding that ''more convergence of views is needed to make such talks successful.''

''Right now, there is insufficient common ground, whichever way you define common ground'', Han said, identifying two elements as being most important for convergence of positions. ''One is the willingness on the part of the sides to be flexible, to enter into talks in the spirit of compromising and give and take. The other element is how far each side is willing to walk'', he said.

Asked to comment on a statement made by British Shadow Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, that common ground is not necessary for direct talks, Han said ''it all depends on how strictly you define the expression 'common ground' and I think common ground should be defined in the sense of convergence of positions, rather than overlapping or meeting of the positions'' and expressed the hope this is the way the two sides define it as well.

The two sides in Cyprus understand ''the need, urgency and importance of finding a solution to the problem'', he said noting however that ''the recognition has to be expressed in ways to make it possible that, when talks take place, they are productive.''

Han said the two sides should realise that no settlement considered ideal by both can be reached and warned that prolonging the present status quo on the island and failing to reach a settlement would leave Cyprus with the ''choice of no solution at all.''

He noted, however, that pressure should not be exerted on either side to reach a settlement. ''What we have to do is to see that each community and leadership recognise that it is in their interest to find a settlement and to come up with a formula and an agreement that will be considered in their interest.''

Referring to the coming together of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political leaders at a luncheon given in his honour earlier today by the resident representative of the UN Secretary General, Gustave Feissel, Han said he was very impressed with the ''constructive atmosphere and very constructive discussion that took place'' adding that ''this is one of the factors that makes me hopeful.''

UN efforts for a peaceful settlement to the protracted Cyprus problem will continue, Han said and described the first half of 1997 as ''a defining moment''. He also pointed out that there are ''important deadlines approaching'' that should not be missed, but refrained from saying whether Cyprus' accession to the European Union was one of them.

He also stressed the readiness of the international community to assist efforts for a solution and urged the two sides in Cyprus to take up the opportunity. ''The two sides have to help the international community to help them'', he said and described British-US consultations on Cyprus as ''supportive'' and ''helpful'' to his efforts.

Han is leaving for Ankara and Athens tomorrow. ''I think both Turkey and Greece have a very important contribution to make in the settlement and resolution of the issue and I am going to urge both countries to support our effort'', he said.

CNA MCH/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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