Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash - Cem - Press Conference

[02] NAM - Thabo Mbeki

[03] UN - US - Turkish proposal

[04] Cyprus - Turkish proposal - Rejection

[05] Foreign Minister - NAM - Contacts

[06] T/Cypriot proposal - Reaction - Politicians

1630:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Denktash - Cem - Press Conference

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, paying an illegal visit here, Denktash said "the present situation will continue and our integration with Turkey will become a reality" if the proposal is not accepted.

Describing his five-point proposal "a good will measure as a final proposition", Denktash said it is based on the reality of the situation in Cyprus.

Replying to questions, he said "everything is negotiable within this framework (of the proposal)", noting that Turkey backs fully the ideas he put forward.

Later today he will hand the proposal to the UN Deputy Special Representative, Ann Hercus, to convey it to President Glafcos Clerides, who is in Durban, South Africa for the Non-Aligned Summit.

Denktash said "federation is out now and confederation is the only thing left."

Cem, speaking in Turkish, claimed the proposal was put forward by Denktash and Turkey merely approved it, without any prior consultation with third countries or mediators.

Neither he nor Denktash were ready to make further comment on the proposal until there was a reaction from the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cem said the proposal for a confederation has nothing to do with the issue of the Russian anti-aircraft missiles the government of Cyprus intends to deploy as a defensive weapon against Turkey's military occupation of part of the island.

"We hope this (proposal) will be taken seriously. We have said enough about the S300 missiles which threaten not only southern Turkey but also the occupied areas and eastern Mediterranean," he added.

Cem stressed that Turkey will not allow the S300 missiles to be turned into a bargaining issue and added "the Greek/Greek Cypriot side will bear the entire responsibility of the negative developments that will arise as a result of this situation."

CNA SA/AA/KN/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:02

[02] NAM - Thabo Mbeki

Durban, Aug 31 (CNA) -- The threat globalisation poses to the sovereignty of weak states was stressed here today by South African Deputy President, Thabo Mbeki, who also pointed out the need of restructuring the UN system.

Addressing the opening of the Ministerial Meeting of the 12th Non- Aligned Summit, Mbeki wondered what developing countries could do to ensure that the process of globalisation, which by its nature favours the rich, addresses the more urgent needs of the millions who "lack the most basic things that a human being needs".

"It is clear that we, as the developing world, cannot make the intervention by autonomously affecting capital or trade flows or unilaterally altering any of the variables which make up the totality of the economy", he said.

Pointing out that the process of globalisation "ineluctably results in the reduction of the sovereignty, with the weakest being ourselves," the South African official added that "in order to be able to influence this process and favour the interests of the poor we must ensure that ours becomes an important voice at the place to which we are losing some of the sovereignty".

Mbeki stressed NAM should ensure the "transfer of resources from those who have them to those that do not" and noted that "the untapped markets in the world economy are those of the developing world," represented by the NAM.

The South African official noted that the further qualitative expansion of the world economy should derive from the expansion and development of NAM markets and economies, "such that we outgrow our designations both as developing countries and as emerging economies".

The developed North would also benefit from such a development, Mbeki argued, pointing out that "the poverty of some may very well become a threat to those who are well off".

Mbeki also made special reference to the need of restructuring the UN system "so that it pursues an agenda truly determined by the united nations of the world" and added that the NAM should review the manner in which it intervenes into organisations such as the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The NAM should examine ways for better organisation and cooperation among its members, he said, stressing at the same time that NAM should be viewed as "the reciprocity of democracy, human rights, good governance and the sovereign voice of the poor of the world".

CNA MCH/KN/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:03

[03] UN - US - Turkish proposal

The UN spokesman in Nicosia Waldemar Rokoszewski, confirmed to CNA today that Dame Ann Hercus, the UN Resident Representative, had a meeting this afternoon with Denktash, who handed over his five-point proposal leading to the establishment of confederation in Cyprus.

The Denktash proposal was made public earlier today, during a press conference in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who paid a one-day illegal visit to the areas occupied by Turkish troops since their invasion in 1974.

The UN spokesman said Dame Ann would convey the Denktash proposal to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

"Dame Ann Hercus, Chief of Mission and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, attended a meeting with Mr. Denktash from which she will convey his proposal to both the UN Secretary-General and Mr. Clerides," Rokoszewski told CNA.

Invited to comment on the content of the proposal, the spokesman said there was "no comment" and added "Mrs Hercus is simply transmitting the paper."

On his part, US ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill said he had "no substantive comments to make on that until I have the chance to study it."

"The American position on the negotiations is well known, but there is no point in me jumping to a conclusion at something that I haven't got the chance to study," Brill told the press.

He pointed out the US wants people to focus on negotiations, noting that this is the "key to bringing the people to start on that track as opposed to the deadlock that we have been in."

Asked if the US insists on federation, he replied "we have long supported the bizonal, bicommunal federation."

The establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation is envisaged by high-level agreements signed by Denktash himself and numerous United Nations resolutions.

CNA NG/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Turkish proposal - Rejection

Durban, Aug 31 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides rejected today a Turkish Cypriot proposal to resume peace talks with a view to establishing a confederation in Cyprus as "unacceptable" because it is contrary to and defies UN resolutions on Cyprus.

The President, in a written statement from South Africa where he is attending the Non-Aligned Summit, also said the intention behind this proposal is to render an independent sovereign state into two protectorates, governed by unacceptable restrictions.

He called on the international community to respond in a direct manner to the new Turkish provocative action and described the claims Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash put forward in his proposal as "absurd."

Denktash, speaking earlier today at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in occupied Nicosia, called on the Greek Cypriot side to accept the basis of "two sovereign and equal states" in Cyprus before negotiations for a settlement can begin.

He claimed that the structure he proposed was the "only structure" that would safeguard the security, the identity and the well being of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

"Under no circumstances can Mr Denktash's proposal form a basis for talks as it is unacceptable right from the start. It is also contrary to and contemptuous of the very resolutions of the UN on Cyprus and the high level agreements which Mr. Denktash himself has signed," President Clerides said.

The proposal, he pointed out, also contravenes "the substance and the spirit of international law and all the international organisations which have deplored the Turkish side's attempt to question the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus."

Clerides said he "expects the international community to react directly to Turkey's new provocative action."

Reaffirming his insistence on talks based on the UN resolutions, the President has called for a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, next Monday (September 7), "to consider the further policy to be adopted on account of the unacceptable Turkish action."

In his statement, the President notes that "it is obvious that the intention of the Turkish government and Mr Denktash is to turn Cyprus, from an independent and sovereign state, into two protectorates which will be subject not only to the unacceptable restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Guarantee but to other worse one-sided restraints and restrictions such as those included in the association agreement between Turkey and the occupation regime which has already been deplored."

The proposal, Clerides stresses, is "contrary to the high level agreements, the UN resolutions and in particular the recent Security Council resolution which affirms the basis for settlement talks."

The President also notes that Denktash repeats demands which he has made in talks so far and which "lead to a confederal solution in spite of the fact that the talks aimed at a federal solution."

"We have repeatedly denounced these absurd demands by Mr. Denktash to the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General and the international community in general, who have all expressed their strong objection to these," the statement concludes.

CNA MCH/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2055:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Foreign Minister - NAM - Contacts

Durban, Aug 31 (CNA) -- The Cyprus question, the position of the government of the Republic and the intransigent stance of the Turkish side were some of the issues discussed here today during several meetings Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides had with his counterparts of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM).

Kasoulides met the Foreign Ministers of Jamaica, New Zealand, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Libya and South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Bahat.

During his meetings Kasoulides noted the Republic's respect for the decisions of the UN on the Cyprus problem, stressing that the Turkish stance is completely contrary to the recent UN resolutions (1178 and 1179).

The foreign diplomats were also informed about the recent initiatives on the Cyprus issue which reached a deadlock due to the Turkish intransigence and the unacceptable conditions the Turkish side lays down for the resumption of talks.

NAM Foreign Ministers discussed here today the situation in the Congo, nuclear disarmament, terrorism and globalisation of the economy.

They condemned the American missile strikes against Soudan but not the one against Afghanistan and said terrorism should be confronted in the framework of international law.

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

Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its occupation troops from this east Mediterranean island.

CNA MCH/KN/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2055:CYPPRESS:06

[06] T/Cypriot proposal - Reaction - Politicians

Party leaders condemned Rauf Denktash's proposal which they describe as provocative, unacceptable, cynical but not unexpected.

They also noted that the proposal was put forward in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who paid an illegal visit to the Turkish occupied part of the island.

The proposal calls for "two sovereign and equal states" and points out that this is "the only structure" which will safeguard the security, identity and well being of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Denktash demands that the Greek Cypriots agree to his proposal before he returns to the negotiating table with a view to establishing a confederation.

Furthermore, he proposes that Turkey establishes special arrangements with the European Union "with full rights and obligations of an EU member with regard to the Cyprus Confederation."

Acting President and House President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou categorically rejected the proposal saying that it was expected that Denktash would make at some point such a move "to give the impression of a more moderate stance."

"We have to make clear to all directions that such moves should not influence any of us. This is a move to legalise the results of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and it would be really absurd for anybody to assume that this could possibly form the basis for any discussion," Kyprianou stressed.

He called on third parties, interested in the Cyprus question, to "examine now seriously what to do with the situation in Cyprus, if they want to."

"If they are not prepared, we move on with our accession course and if in the future some prospect emerges, we are always ready," he concluded.

Nicos Anastasiades, leader of the ruling Democratic Rally party (DISY), described the proposal as "totally unacceptable" pointing out that they only lead to division and consolidation of injustice, Ankara's long- standing policy objectives.

"Denktash's proposal and statements are directed mainly to third parties, indicating to them where they should turn their attention and exert the necessary pressure," Anastasiades said.

He said Cem's presence in occupied Cyprus proves that Denktash is a mouthpiece of the Turkish government.

The leader of the main opposition party AKEL, Demetris Christofias, said Dentkash's policy should be denounced before the Security Council and stressed it aims at "finalising the division of Cyprus."

"There must be a clear cut condemnation by the Security Council and a firm position by the EU," Christofias said.

He also warned that "any tolerance of the new Turkish provocation would encourage even more the intransigence and cynicism Ankara and Denktash display and would make the prospect of a Cyprus settlement even more remote."

Socialist EDEK party leader, Vasos Lyssarides, said the proposal was "provocative, cynical, unacceptable but expected."

He called for a more "demanding foreign policy and a different stance on all issues relating to the Cyprus question" and said it was important to be realistic and "make a right diagnosis of the intentions of the opposite side and correct assessment of international factors involved in the crisis."

CNA KN/AA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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