Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-04-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] US official urges for progress in Cyprus

[02] British Labour for a united, demilitarised Cyprus

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[01] US official urges for progress in Cyprus

Washington, Apr 3 (CNA) -- Efforts will have to be made in 1997 for progress in Cyprus, US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns has said.

However, he said he could not promise peace in the next couple of months.

Speaking to Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists, who are on a Fulbright Training course in the US capital, Burns pointed out it was foremost the responsibility of the two communities on the island to achieve this progress.

Commenting on the situation in Cyprus, Burns said "it would be foolish to say that it's up. It is not going to be up until there is peace, and a resolution of the Cyprus problem."

He said the US were "very serious (about Cyprus) and believe there has to be efforts made in 1997 to try and do something to make progress in Cyprus."

That, he said, is "first and foremost the responsibility of the communities in Cyprus, the government of Cyprus and the Greek and Turkish governments."

The US need "to work with them and we are working with them, we are an active participant in discussion but I do not want to promise anything", he said.

Noting that plenty of promises have been made in the past 22 years, he pledged that the US "will be an active participant in discussions to try and bring the negotiations forward."

Asked by CNA why there has not been any active involvement on the part of the US, Burns replied "we are active" and referred to meetings the US Secretary of State has had with Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers and noted the US is in constant touch with the Cyprus government.

"Our ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, is working hard on Cyprus, therefore it is not true to say that the US has not been active," Burns told CNA.

Burns said a number of other countries have been active and referred to British envoy, Sir David Hannay, with whom the US consults and will continue to do so.

"I cannot promise peace in the next couple of months but what I can promise you is that we will continue to play a serious role," he added.

Replying to questions, Burns said he did not know when US presidential emissary, Richard Beattie, will be in the region, but noted that Carey Cavanaugh, Director of Southern European Affairs at the US State Department, visited Europe to consult with the European Union on Cyprus and problems in the Eastern Mediterranean and in general problems between Greece and Turkey.

Burns said it would be difficult to say when the activity will be heightened.

In Nicosia, UN Resident Representative Gustave Feissel continues today the proximity talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides with a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Yesterday he had a meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

The proximity talks aim to narrow the gap between the two sides and bring President Clerides and Denktash together to try to solve the protracted Cyprus problem.

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

CNA EC/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] British Labour for a united, demilitarised Cyprus

He has also said Labour will back Cyprus' accession to the European Union, even if there is no political settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Addressing a pre-election gathering in North London on Wednesday, Cook said "Labour will work tirelessly to secure a just and lasting settlement, consistent with international law and the principles of the UN Charter."

The division of Cyprus, he underlined, cannot be allowed to stand, and proceeded to outline his party's policy in government.

Labour will aim to "restore Cyprus as a united state, with a single sovereignty and single citizenship" as there cannot be any agreement based on a separate sovereignty for any part of the island.

Congratulating President Glafcos Clerides on his proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus, Cook said "demilitarisation and the withdrawal of all illegally present troops is our second objective."

"If we are going to have a single state of Cyprus, then the mark of a single state must be a single security system," he explained, noting that the allocation of funds, which would have otherwise been spent on arms, to the economic development of a new Cyprus would help raise the standard of living of the Turkish Cypriots.

The Labour MP said Britain should support the presence of an international military force, should the parties request the presence of such a force.

Human rights for all Cypriots must be effectively guaranteed, Cook said and added "the constitution of a new Cyprus must be democratic, guaranteeing fundamental rights such as freedom of movement, settlement and expression in all parts of the island."

The treatment of the enclaved people (Greek Cypriots in the Turkish- occupied part of Cyprus) is an offence against accepted rules of human rights and an offence against basic human decency, he said.

"Any settlement must recognise the right of all refugees to return to their homes and properties and reconciliation between the two communities must be based on justice, and justice demands that the relatives and friends of those who disappeared during the fighting are entitled to know the truth and what has happened to them," Cook stressed.

On Cyprus' European orientations, Cook said "we all want Cyprus to join as a united island but we are clear that accession must not be made conditional on a settlement and there must be no right of veto for any third party."

The Labour manifesto, due out today, notes the "high priority for enlargement of EU to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus."

The Conservative manifesto, published yesterday, had no direct reference to Cyprus but says "we will continue to work with our international partners to secure peace and stability in areas of tension, such as former Yugoslavia, Kashmir, Cyprus and the Middle East."

Present at the London gathering were Cyprus' main opposition leaders, left-wing AKEL General Secretary, Demetris Christophias, and socialist EDEK President Vassos Lyssarides, who called on Cypriots in Britain to support Labour in May's parliamentary elections in Britain.

Both men had separate meetings with Cook while in London.

CNA KT/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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