Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN present revised paper

[02] Cyprus envoys must be at Geneva talks, says Tchizhov

1130:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN present revised paper

Poughkeepsie, Jul 13 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides has confirmed that Diego Cordovez gave the Greek Cypriot side "a second revised paper" and pointed out the UN-sponsored direct talks are at "a very preliminary stage."

Speaking here Saturday afternoon, after briefing party leaders, the President said "the two sides submitted observations on the paper we were given and today we were given a new revised paper."

"We shall discuss this paper in Cyprus at a National Council meeting (top advisory body to the President on Cyprus), on July 24, and respond to it before the next round of talks, in August," he said, stressing that the paper which was submitted yesterday "is not yet a proposal."

"This is a non-paper and will become a paper if and when there is agreement," President Clerides explained.

He added "there have been some amendments made" and points were modified.

Asked if the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, set any conditions, the President replied he "did not set any conditions, we are trying to prepare a paper and each side has made its observations on the first draft and now there is a second draft on which we have to make our observations before meeting in August," scheduled for August 11 to 16, near Geneva.

Asked to say the extent to which Cordovez took into account the suggestions of the Greek Cypriot side, President Clerides said "Cordovez made some amendments we have requested."

Invited to assess the outcome of this first round of talks, the President said "we are still at a very preliminary stage, we do not as yet have a joint statement because we have not reached agreement on a paper."

Replying to questions about lifting any obstacles and reservations expressed by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, President Clerides said "Denktash did not raise anything today (Saturday)."

The President, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and their entourage returned to New York City late Saturday, where at evening today Clerides is due to see Britain's envoy on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.

Party leaders, except ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) Party President, Nicos Anastasiades, left Poughkeepsie for Cyprus via Amsterdam and are expected to be back on the island later today.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1150:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus envoys must be at Geneva talks, says Tchizhov

Poughkeepsie, New York, Jul 13 (CNA) -- Russian envoy to the direct talks, which ended here Saturday, Vladimir Tchizhov, believes that this first round of talks has sparked off a process and considers that the outer circle of Cyprus envoys should be present at the Geneva talks.

Speaking here yesterday afternoon, following a brief encounter with main opposition left-wing AKEL party leader, Demetris Christofias, Tchizhov said "the main outcome of the first round is that there will be a second round."

"From this point of view, we are now talking about some kind of process, some kind of development in the talks," he told the press.

Asked if he believes that the talks have covered significant ground, Tchizhov avoided to take a stance, saying "one must not prejudge things."

There is, he added, some prospect in the fact that the two leaders will meet in Switzerland. "After that, we shall see", he said.

Asked if the special envoys on Cyprus will be in Geneva, he said "certainly."

"As a matter of principle, at least as far as my country is concerned, the 'outer circle' must be there and be around the talks in Switzerland," he said.

The Russian envoy refrained from saying whether he was satisfied with the ground that has been covered in the first round of talks.

"I do not wish to comment on detail on the developments in this round of talks," he concluded.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CNA ENDS

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