Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-07

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] G/C side to utilise talks positives, says President

[02] President rejects allegations on US intervention

1340:CYPPRESS:01

[01] G/C side to utilise talks positives, says President

In a speech Sunday at the southeastern village of Liopetri, the President noted that in this way the Greek Cypriot side will contribute in creating the prospectives for effective talks in the future.

UN-sponsored direct peace talks aimed at reuniting Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal federation, held between the two sides in Troutbeck, New York, July 9-12, and Glion, Switzerland, August 11-16 ended in deadlock due to Turkish intransigence.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refused to discuss on the substance of the protracted Cyprus problem if the European Union (EU) does not postpone accession talks with the Cyprus government, early next year, in accordance to an EU decision of March 6, 1995.

"We already focus our efforts in studying several actions that we could develop in the next few months," in utilising those positive elements the President said.

He added that a "very important" period starts aiming at preparing an initiative to promote Cyprus solution, noting "this is expected to be culminated after the presidential elections in Cyprus," of February 1998.

This is the reason, President Clerides added, that the Greek Cypriot side should try "to best influence developments with our proper handling."

The President once again called on the international community to decisively move towards Ankara and convince her to abandon its intransigent stance and adopt a constructive policy, which will benefit both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots as well as Turkey, he said.

Denktash has launched a string of threats over the years since Cyprus first submitted its application for membership in 1990, including the threat that he would incorporate his breakaway state into Turkey if the application progresses.

Ankara, which also aspires to join the EU, argues that Europe cannot start accession talks with Cyprus before it starts talks with Turkey.

The European Commission formally agreed July 15 to invite Cyprus for EU membership talks in the Union's first expansion into eastern Europe.

CNA AP/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President rejects allegations on US intervention

Speaking to the press Sunday, President Clerides turned down allegations that US ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, had conveyed a demand that no Greek fighters should take part in this year's National Guard annual military exercise "Nikiforos '98".

President Clerides had also told the press Saturday the Cyprus government will make representations to the UN and other international organisations denouncing Turkey's policy of searching commercial ships passing through the Black Sea straits of Bosporus.

He said the government will protest to the UN and other international fora condemning the checking of a Cyprus-flagged ship by the Turkish authorities in Bosporus, noting this runs contrary to the provisions of the 1936 Montreux convention for free crossing of the straits.

Recently, Turkish authorities have repeatedly been searching commercial ships passing through the Bosporus suspecting for missile components, in an effort to prevent Russian-made surface-to-air S-300's deployment in Cyprus.

CNA AP/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article