Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government welcomes US statements

[02] Cypriot studies institute inaugurated at University of Munster

[03] Cyprus government rejects dual sovereignty

[04] Cypriot - Greek ministers meet

[05] US Senator calls for appointment special Cyprus envoy

[06] Cyprus makes representations to the UN

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[01] Government welcomes US statements

Welcoming the statements, Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, told his daily briefing Friday "we expect to see the practical results of this dynamic and decisive engagement within the framework of the upcoming direct talks."

In an interview with the Athens News Agency yesterday, State Department spokesman, Nicholas Burns, said the US will be dynamically engaged in ongoing UN efforts for a Cyprus solution so that a new "push" to the issue will be given in 1997.

Christofides said recent statements by a number of officials from many countries, especially the US, were "strong and positive" and clearly worded in a way that "justify our expectations for results (at the talks)."

The Spokesman also commented on a statement made yesterday by UN spokesman, Fred Eckhard, who said face-to-face talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have been tentatively fixed for July 9, near New York.

Christofides clarified this date is possible but not definite.

CNA AP/MM/1997

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[02] Cypriot studies institute inaugurated at University of Munster

"The establishment of the Institute is culturally a natural sequence to the academic and educational relations with a united Europe and especially with Germany, the motherland of great scholars and admirers of Greek culture," Hadjinicolaou said in his address at the inauguration ceremony.

The Education Minister noted the establishment of the Institute will reinforce scientific and cultural ties between Germany and the Continent.

"It is the supreme mission of this Institute to provide students, through its research programmes, with possibilities of a systematic study of our culture and promotion of scientific cooperation between our countries and institutions throughout Europe," he said.

Among its activities, the Institute will participate in international scientific conferences with lectures promoting the cultural and scientific work in Cyprus. It will also organise and host symposia and seminars on special topics regarding Cyprus.

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[03] Cyprus government rejects dual sovereignty

"President Clerides, as the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side, adheres to and implements the unanimous decisions taken by the National Council (top advisory body to the President) which absolutely rejects dual sovereignty," the Spokesman told his daily briefing Friday.

The issue of sovereignty is a bone of contention between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides. The first, complying with UN resolutions, fully backs a single and indivisible sovereignty of a future federal state of Cyprus but the latter considers that sovereignty emanates from the two communities which cede part of their sovereignty to the central government.

Christofides' comments came in reply to statements by Socialist EDEK party leader Vasos Lyssarides who said the government did not reject claims by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Onur Oymen, that dual sovereignty was accepted.

"I categorically state that President Clerides has never accepted nor will he ever accept dual sovereignty," Christofides said.

He said the National Council will meet ahead of face-to-face talks, tentatively fixed for 9 July, near New York.

CNA AP/MM/1997

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[04] Cypriot - Greek ministers meet

On the Cyprus problem, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister informed Kasoulides on his contacts at the United Nations, while both Ministers exchanged views on the tactics both countries will follow on the issue in the near future.

Kranidiotis also informed Kasoulides on the recent visit to Athens by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Onur Oymen.

Views were also exchanged on the island's EU accession course as it relates to the structured dialogue Cyprus is engaged in with the Union.

The two men further discussed the decisions expected to be taken by the European Council in Amsterdam on June 16 and 17.

In statements made following the meeting, the two underlined the excellent cooperation between Greece and Cyprus.

Kasoulides referred to the harmonious relationship between the two countries, while Kranidiotis said Greece and Cyprus share common goals and that coordination is necessary in this critical phase of the Cyprus problem.

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[05] US Senator calls for appointment special Cyprus envoy

He also said the forthcoming UN-sponsored direct talks provide a very good opportunity to make progress towards a Cyprus settlement, which may not arise again in the near future.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting here Friday with President Glafcos Clerides, Levin said he had a "very good conversation" with the President whom he described as "very forthcoming, very statesman-like, whose presence is a real opportunity for these upcoming talks to possibly succeed".

Levin expressed the support of the majority of Congress for the UN sponsored talks, tentatively fixed for July 9.

"There is a strong feeling in the US that the time has come to make progress", he said, noting that the coming talks offer "at least a possibility that we can see some progress towards a peaceful solution which will open up a secure future for the people of Cyprus".

"I do not know if a better opportunity will be coming in the near future than what we see coming. Nobody should have any false hopes as to just how difficult they will be," he added.

Reiterating US support to that effort, Levin added: "I personally will be urging the appointment of the special envoy promptly, it has been too long since we had a special envoy on the Cyprus issue."

The US Senator said he will raise this issue with Albright when they meet in Bosnia on Sunday to press for the appointment "as a signal of US willingness to be helpful to try to resolve the Cyprus issue."

Asked to comment on a possible outcome of the direct talks, Levin said "there is no over optimism, there is realism but also an expression of looking forward to the talks."

President Clerides, he said, "is realistic about the complications" and not "naive about the complexities and difficulties of the issues."

In his remarks after the meeting, US ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, said "everybody has to roll up their sleeves" to do the work that needs to be done.

"We, the government of Cyprus and others involved in this, all know there is work to be done and we will all be involved in getting it done," he added.

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[06] Cyprus makes representations to the UN

An official press release, issued here today, said the permanent mission of Cyprus to the UN made representations Thursday to the UN Secretariat, denouncing a UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) decision to invite "officials" of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime at an Irish civilian police medal parade, last Tuesday at the mixed village of Pyla.

Representations had already been made on the issue to the UN mission in Cyprus, whose chief, Gustave Feissel, was present at the event.

Earlier this week, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said "this move (by the UN) was a most serious mistake."

On his part, UNFICYP spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski told CNA the UN had extended invitations to "people we cooperate with in the area on a daily basis and not to representatives" of the two communities in Cyprus.

CNA AP/MM/1997

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