Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cavanaugh says, direct talks a good beginning

[02] EU calls reports on start of accession talks speculations

[03] Clerides and Blair to review direct talks

1910:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cavanaugh says, direct talks a good beginning

Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the Office of Southern Affairs of the US State Department, told CNA today "it is important that there would be a peace process and I think that Amenia talks are a good beginning."

Cavanaugh refused to make any comments on either the content of the talks or the usefulness of the two UN papers submitted to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides during the direct talks.

"I am still honouring the press blackout and I will not comment on the process", he told CNA.

He said Diego Cordovez, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Cyprus, had briefed him and was aware of the UN intent to submit a second revised document.

CNA MM/MCH/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:02

[02] EU calls reports on start of accession talks speculations

Poughkeepsie, Jul 12 (CNA) -- The European Union presidency has described press reports about an initial agreement to recommend accession talks to open with Cyprus and another five candidate countries "speculation" at this stage.

The EU has also warmly welcomed Tuesday's joint statement by Greece and Turkey at the Madrid NATO Summit and noted this was a deliberate move to facilitate the UN sponsored Cyprus peace process.

Diplomatic sources very close to the EU presidency told CNA that press reports (on July 10) from Brussels that the EU commission agreed that in principle to recommend membership talks with five plus one candidate countries (including Cyprus) "as speculation".

"The press report is not in any way official", they said, noting that Brussels has described the report as "speculation which may be right or wrong".

The EU Commission is set to issue its avis on the application for accession by ten Eastern European applicants this coming week and a final decision on who to invite to membership talks will be take then.

Cyprus has already secured a commitment from the EU to begin accession talks six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Invited to comment on Tuesday's joint statement by Greece and Turkey, issued in Madrid on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, the same sources, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, said this move was a deliberate choice from Greece and Turkey and a very positive move".

The fact that the statement was issued only a way ahead of the Cyprus peace process "is no coincidence", they added.

"I think both Greece and Turkey were showing responsibility endeavouring to help the Cyprus peace process", presidency circles told CNA, noting the statement was "very helpful to the peace process".

There has been "no criticism of the statement, on the contrary, there has been a lot of appreciation" on the part of all the envoys who are in the wings of the UN direct talks.

"I do not recall any joint statement from Greece and Turkey that was so positive" the diplomatic sources said. CNA MM/RG/MCH 1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides and Blair to review direct talks

Speaking to CNA, British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, said the essence of the meeting is that "they will update and take stock of developments in the Cyprus problem."

Asked if Clerides and Blair will review the outcome of this round of talks, Madden replied "no doubt" and added "but this is very much a first contact between the President and the Prime Minister."

"The two leaders have not had a chance to meet since Blair was elected and this is an opportunity for them to meet", Madden added.

Asked if President Clerides and Denktash are likely to discuss specific aspects of the Cyprus issue, in which Britain has been heavily involved in, such as security and constitution, Madden, expressing his own personal feeling, replied: "I find it very unlikely that they will go into enormous detail".

Madden leaves for New York today and on Monday he returns to London. President Clerides leaves from New York for London on Monday at lunchtime, after his meetings in New York with US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, and the Swedish Foreign Minister.

CNA MM/MCH/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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