Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] South Africa welcomes role of world community in Cyprus

[02] Peace effort to continue in 1998, says President

[03] All set for direct talks, says UN top envoy

[04] Details on UN direct talks released

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[01] South Africa welcomes role of world community in Cyprus

"We value the role of the international community in that regard, especially the role that's been taken by the UN, the US government and other governments and if there is any chance that South Africa may play a role, then, of course, we would also convey that message to President Mandela and the government of South Africa," South African deputy Roelf Meyer said in statements following a meeting today with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides.

He said leadership and political will were the two main ingredients that brought about a peaceful solution in South Africa.

Meyer is part of a three-member parliamentary delegation on an official six-day visit here at the invitation of the House of Representatives.

Although Meyer, a former Minister in his country, refrained from elaborating on precisely how South Africa could be implicated in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, he said the delegation may "be in a position to convey certain ideas to (South African) President Mandela and the government of South Africa" following their visit here.

He stressed that the upgrading of Cyprus' diplomatic mission to South Africa would strengthen ties between the two countries, and noted there are "huge opportunities" in bilateral trade, specifically in the field of tourism.

The South African deputy said his government "values the great contribution" made by Cypriots living in South Africa and that this will add impetus to furthering relations between the two countries.

"We have a large number of Cypriots in South Africa and they are making a great contribution towards our country and that in itself would also further good relationships between our two countries," he said.

Meyer added the delegation had the chance to share with the Foreign Minister some of their experiences on how South Africans achieved a peaceful solution to their country's problem, pointing to both leadership and political will as the catalysts to a successful resolution.

"What we have learned in the first instance is that we had leadership in South Africa on both sides of the spectrum at that stage, both from Mr. Mandela and (former South African President) Frederick DeKlerk."

He also pointed to the need for political will to come to solutions. "Those two driving forces, right from the beginning, were very material to us finding answers to our problems in South Africa," Meyer said.

Earlier this morning, the visiting deputies paid a courtesy call on President Glafcos Clerides who briefed them on the latest efforts to reach a negotiated settlement in Cyprus and next month's UN-sponsored face-to- face talks in New York.

CNA MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Peace effort to continue in 1998, says President

"After mid-September, negotiations will be put on halt and will continue after the presidential elections," the President said Wednesday night.

Speaking at the opening of a local museum in Larnaca district, the President said he did not think that an effort will be made, at present, to conclude an initial agreement on the Cyprus question.

Replying to questions, the President did not rule out the possibility of running for another term in office at next year's presidential elections.

He said in making his decision on the matter, he will take into account certain developments, including progress towards a negotiated settlement, the state of his health and other reasons.

CNA EC/MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] All set for direct talks, says UN top envoy

Feissel also said he does not expect anything "magic" out of the first round of talks, but he anticipates the peace process "to move forward."

"When I visited both (leaders) to give the letter from the Secretary- General, I was told by both orally they were going to be there. So, we are not waiting for any reply. We have a reply. Everything is ready. There is nothing outstanding," Feissel said today following a meeting with President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides.

Feissel met with President Clerides to give further "logistical information" on the meetings, scheduled to take place between July 9 and 13 in the New York area.

The UN envoy refrained from speculating on the outcome of the talks, saying that "one should not expect some magic thing coming out of this first meeting".

"It does not serve any purpose to prejudge or anticipate what will happen, nor should one pay too much attention to what people say now, because the proof of the pudding is going to be what (the leaders) say there. That is what they are going to be accountable for," he said.

Feissel added that the international community expects both sides to proceed to the direct negotiations "with a very serious intent" and to make "a real concrete contribution" towards a comprehensive settlement.

The UN official said that although representatives will be closely monitoring the talks from nearby, the meeting will be "strictly between the two sides and the UN".

Asked to comment on consistent violations of Cypriot airspace and territorial waters by Turkish military aircraft and warships respectively over the past few weeks, Feissel said that "everyone should do what they can to create the best possible atmosphere for these talks so that when they begin, it is the best possible situation".

On the military dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces, initiated to reduce tension along the cease-fire line, Feissel could not confirm that any progress has been made, but expressed hope that real progress occurs in the time prior to the start of the talks.

"It's been eight months since we started, it should not have taken anywhere near that kind of time, and we hope that before the direct talks begin, we have some concrete, positive results," he said.

CNA EC/MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[04] Details on UN direct talks released

The disclosure was made here today by Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, who announced some details about the programme of the talks, to take place between 9-13 July.

Christofides said the talks will be held at Troutbeck, Dutchess County, near Amenia town, north of Manhattan.

On July 8, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will host a dinner for President Clerides and Denktash, and the participation of representatives of the three guarantor powers (Britain, Greece and Turkey), and the special representatives for Cyprus of Canada, the US, Finland, Germany, Russia and Sweden.

Also participating will be China and France and the representatives of the presidency of the European Union and the European Commission. Italy and Norway will also be invited to send a representative to the dinner.

The talks will open with a special ceremony on July 9 with a statement by the UN Secretary-General in the presence of all those who attended the dinner on the eve of the talks. The opening ceremony will be followed by a private lunch, attended by Annan, Cordovez, Clerides and Denktash.

In the afternoon of the same day, there will be a meeting between Clerides and Denktash at which Cordovez will present the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities with a UN document.

"We have neither oral nor written briefing about the contents of this document," Christofides told the press after today's cabinet meeting.

Later the same day, Cordovez will brief the rest of the delegates about the document.

The programme for the remaining days, Christofides said, will be decided on site.

Access to the site of the talks will be restricted but President Clerides and Denktash will be able to consult their advisors and confer with them outside the location where the talks will take place.

Annan may attend the closing ceremony of the talks on Sunday, July 13.

CNA EC/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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