Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] British court rejects T/C demand

[02] Bomb threat proves to be hoax

[03] UN envoy's stand "unrealistic", says Kyprianou

1020:CYPPRESS:01

[01] British court rejects T/C demand

The case was brought against the British government at the High Court by a group of Turkish Cypriot organisations, demanding that Britain intervene so that the Cyprus government is prevented from starting entry negotiations for accession to the EU.

Cyprus is due to start accession negotiations with the EU on March 31.

The case was based on the grounds that the 1960 Treaty of Establishment is "incompatible" with Cyprus being a member of an organisation where both Greece and Turkey are not members.

Rejecting the recourse, the High Court judge ruled that there is nothing which implies any continued British sovereignty over the Republic of Cyprus or which gives to Britain any power over the Cyprus constitution.

Cyprus was a British colony until 1960 when it gained its independence, after a four-year liberation struggle.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA KT/KN/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Bomb threat proves to be hoax

Police said a woman telephoned the Egyptian Airways offices around 0900 local time (0700 GMT) and told employees in English that a bomb was about to explode.

The building was immediately evacuated and after extensive search, Police found nothing.

The Delegation of the European Commission and the local daily newspaper "Agon" are situated on the same building.

CNA KN/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1340:CYPPRESS:03

[03] UN envoy's stand "unrealistic", says Kyprianou

He referred to the international community's responsibility in helping reach a just solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Cordovez was holding talks here with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. In the afternoon, he will cross into the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, for a second time in 24 hours.

Speaking after a meeting today with President Clerides, Kyprianou said "Cordovez's view that, more or less, it's up to the two communities to find the basis of the intercommunal dialogue is unrealistic and unacceptable."

The UN envoy hinted yesterday there might be a change in both the basis of the intercommunal dialogue as well as the shape of a solution to the protracted Cyprus question.

Cordovez said President Clerides and Denktash "are the ones who are deciding how to settle" the problem and that he would discuss with Denktash his demand to hold a dialogue between "states" and not the island's two communities, as has always been the case.

After a meeting yesterday with Cordovez, the Turkish Cypriot leader said "the intercommunal talks are off the table."

He added "the way and means of finding common ground is for us to meet as two absolutely equal parties to see what we can do." Asked to clarify what he means by "equal parties", Denktash replied: "Two states."

Kyprianou described these views as a "provocation not only for Cyprus, but for the international community too."

Commenting on Cordovez's stand, he said he could not expect such a stance from a UN envoy, noting that the present situation should be seriously examined by the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem.

"We all should contribute to a collective strategy and examine how to face this situation," Kyprianou suggested.

Stressing the "great responsibility" of the international community in helping reach a Cyprus settlement, the House President noted that "especially some countries" bear a greater responsibility for having tolerated the Turkish occupation of the island's northern third since 1974.

Only Turkey recognises the pseudostate unilaterally declared in November 1983. The UN branded it "legally invalid" and called on all states "not to recognise" the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

CNA KN/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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