Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government expects diplomat to represent Annan in talks

[02] Greek and Turkish Cypriot women meeting under way

[03] Cypriots, Greeks and Turkish sing for peace

1750:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Government expects diplomat to represent Annan in talks

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, told his daily briefing Thursday the Secretary-General "hopes and expects that negotiations on the substance (of the Cyprus issue) could be able to begin by June or July, if everything goes well by then."

The representative who will replace the UN chief in the face-to-face talks, if they begin, will have to be a diplomat of international standing, he pointed out.

"These meetings will take place day in, day out and the Secretary- General is expected to preside over them for a certain period, but due to his other commitments he cannot be continuously present," he added.

The Spokesman welcomed the ongoing preparatory efforts, which will lead to face-to-face negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, and praised the UN for coordinating efforts. There will be no deadline for the talks, he noted.

"It would be a waste of time for the Secretary-General to wait and see if we could participate in direct talks and then determine what would happen next," he added.

Christofides reiterated that the National Council, the President's top advisory body on the Cyprus issue made up of parliamentary party leaders, will assess the situation and "give the green light" for the Greek Cypriot side's participation in the negotiations.

CNA MM/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek and Turkish Cypriot women meeting under way

In his opening remarks at a meeting of women from both communities in Cyprus, the European Commissioner stressed the need for more communication between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as this would allay feelings of fear and mistrust.

"Political leaders would be encouraged to act more boldly if they felt in public opinion a burning desire to end the current deadlock," he said.

Speaking to some 50 women, Van den Broek said it is important for them "to join together in reminding public opinion of the overwhelming advantages of peace over permanent division and incomprehension."

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot women gathered in Brussels for a three- day meeting, organised by the European Commission and the Belgian Senate, under the title "Give peace a chance - Women talk about Cyprus." It is an initiative of former Belgian Minister and Senator Anne-Marie Lizin and Simone Susskind.

"The human dimension is crucial in overcoming political conflict and that is why the dialogue you are beginning today is so important," the European Commissioner told Cypriot women.

He described the present situation in Cyprus as "clearly untenable" and noted "it carries enormous political and economic costs and places an unacceptable burden on the people of the island."

"Greek and Turkish Cypriots yearn for a political settlement which will enable all the inhabitants of Cyprus to live in peace and security," Van den Broek added.

In an indirect reference to Turkish Cypriots immigrating from the northern areas occupied by Turkey since its invasion of the island, in 1974, the Dutch Commissioner said "young people in the Turkish Cypriot community need to feel that they can look forward to constructive, worthwhile careers in Cyprus itself, without having to seek a better life elsewhere."

"They want to break out of their isolation, which is the consequence of continuing political deadlock. This is a legitimate desire which I fully understand," he noted.

Van den Broek said that "anyone familiar with the Cyprus problem knows that it is basically a question of fear and mistrust on both sides."

He also expressed the conviction that Cyprus accession to the EU "will reduce tensions between the communities and transform what is at present a zero-sum game, where one side's gain is the other's loss, into a situation offering a brighter future for both sides."

The EU Commissioner reiterated the Union's commitment to membership negotiations with Cyprus, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference "is clear and unconditional", but noted a political settlement would make them "much easier."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Senator Lizin said Cyprus has a European identity and stressed women's role in restoring peace. "Women can effectively help, at the right moment," she added.

On her part, leader of the Socialist Group at the European Parliament, British Euro-MP, Pauline Green, pointed out that some 150.000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots peacefully coexist in her constituency, in North London, and pointed out the major role women play to this effect.

CNA NB/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriots, Greeks and Turkish sing for peace

The concert, held in Nicosia, was organised by the youth sections of Cypriot left-wing party AKEL (EDON), the Turkish Party for Freedom and Solidarity and the Greek Communist Party (KNE) and two Greek and Turkish Cypriot student groups.

Addressing the event, AKEL General Secretary, Demetris Christofias, stressed that "peace and cooperation cannot be built through the violation of human rights, bloodshed and confrontation, but through respect of international law and the independence and territorial integrity of all three countries," meaning Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

He described "unacceptable" the status quo in Cyprus, as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern part, and called for dialogue between all progressive forces in order to join efforts and press for a just, viable and lasting solution.

Christofias noted that lack of contact between the two communities in Cyprus makes rapprochement more difficult.

At a press conference earlier today, on this joint concert, Greek rock singer Lavrentis Maheritsas stressed that "fanaticism leads to nowhere" and said "solutions should be found now."

On his part, Cypriot singer Koullis Theodorou noted that Greek Cypriots have no differences with the Turkish Cypriots and the Turks and pointed out that governments should sort out their problems themselves.

Turkish singer, Muamer Ketenjoglou, said his wish to become the first Turk to sing in Cyprus has come true and noted he always takes part in peace gatherings. "We need courage to come closer to each other", he said, noting that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash never favoured rapprochement.

The concert, the first in an initiative for peace, will be followed by similar events in Greece and Turkey, in August, as well as a big concert for Greek and Turkish Cypriots living in London, in November this year.

CNA KN/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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