Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Brill wishes Cordovez successful visit

[02] Denktash commits himself to federation

[03] Cyprus denounces terrorist attack in Egypt

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Brill wishes Cordovez successful visit

Brill was received by President Glafcos Clerides to review issues concerning the Cyprus problem and to brief Clerides on a recent meeting in Brussels between businesspeople from the two communities in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Brill said "we are pleased to see Diego Cordovez coming and we hope he has a useful visit here".

The UN top envoy arrives here late tonight and tomorrow he will have separate meetings with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

He dismissed views that there is no coordination between the US and the UN on efforts for a Cyprus settlement and pointed out that "the UN umbrella is a very broad one under which an awful lot of ideas can be tried".

The US Ambassador also said his country "would like to see the EU accession process advance the process of a settlement in Cyprus" and expressed the view that "can be done".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Denktash commits himself to federation

"I can confirm Richard Holbrooke's comment that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides reaffirmed their commitment to a federal Cyprus," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said here today.

Holbrooke hosted a lengthy meeting in Nicosia between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to hear out their views on the situation in Cyprus.

Press reports suggested the US diplomat secured a fresh commitment from Denktash who has often maintained one of his primary objectives is to gain recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. Only Turkey has recognised it.

The spokesman noted that federation was not Denktash's "wilful option" and recalled the two sides signed two agreements (1977 and 1979) providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Referring to public comments by Denktash after the Holbrooke meeting, Christofides said the government takes into account views and positions expressed officially at meetings.

"If any of the interlocutors projects his own views and arguments at any other fora, then that is his choice," he added.

CNA MA/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus denounces terrorist attack in Egypt

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides described the attack as "a crime against humanity and civilisation", and the attackers as "monsters".

"The government and the people of Cyprus strongly denounce the horrific and repugnant crime of cold-blood murder and slaughter of innocent tourists by monsters who demand to rule a country with incredible history and civilisation", Christofides said.

The culprits, he pointed out, must be punished in an exemplary manner and terrorism must be combated. Christofides expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

CNA MA/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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