Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-08-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides - Clerides - Cyprus - New York

[02] Foreign Minister - Norway - Meetings

[03] Socialist women's meeting - Speeches

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides - Clerides - Cyprus - New York

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides told CNA that both he and President Glafcos Clerides will hold a number of meetings in New York within the framework of the UN General Assembly which the President will address.

Asked what the Greek Cypriot side is expecting from the contacts, Kasoulides told CNA: "We expect (Kofi) Annan to reach to a decision as to whether he will call for talks and when these will take place."

President Clerides is expected to be in New York on September 17 and the Foreign Minister will be there on September 20.

Before President Clerides' departure, US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Weston will arrive on the island between 4 - 6 September for a familiarisation visit.

British envoy for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay is expected in New York and will hold meetings with President Clerides, Kasoulides and possibly Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who is also expected to be there.

The UN Secretary-General will possibly hold separate meetings with President Clerides and Denktash.

The President will address the 54th session of the UN General Assembly on September 23 which will also be addressed by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the same day.

A day earlier, the General Assembly will be addressed by Greece's Foreign Minister, George Papandreou.

President Clerides will also address the General Assembly Session on Small Island Developing States to take place between 27-28 September.

The Cypriot delegation is expected to return to Cyprus on September 30th.

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

According to UN Security Council resolution 1250, the Council has requested the Secretary-General to invite the leaders of the two sides to negotiations in the autumn of 1999.

It called upon the leaders to give their "full support to such a comprehensive negotiation, under the auspices of the Secretary-General" and to commit themselves to unconditional talks, all issues on the table and full consideration of relevant UN resolutions and treaties.

CNA EC/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Foreign Minister - Norway - Meetings

Speaking to CNA from Oslo, Kasoulides said he had a long discussion with former Norwegian foreign minister, Jan Egeland.

The Norwegian diplomat is tipped to be the next UN top envoy for Cyprus, succeeding outgoing Dame Ann Hercus who resigned at the end of July citing family reasons.

Egeland, who had asked to meet Kasoulides, is said to be willing to move to Cyprus if he becomes UN resident representative.

Kasoulides also met Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik, House President Kirsti Grondah, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the deputy Minister to the Prime Minister.

The minister told CNA that he has "ascertained an in depth knowledge of the Cyprus problem, efforts for a political settlement, Turkish - EU relations, the Greco-turkish relations and other" and that he held "good discussions" with the Norwegian officials.

Kasoulides, who also met Cypriots living in Norway, will give interviews on Saturday to the local mass media.

He is expected to return to Cyprus tomorrow afternoon via Amsterdam. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Socialist women's meeting - Speeches

They also said that despite receiving prizes for their efforts, few of them are part of conflict resolution delegations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the one day regional meeting of the Socialist International Women (SIW) to discuss the issue of "Women as peacemakers in armed conflicts", SIW president Audrey McLaughlin said "women have been clearly associated with the peace movement particularly in the latter half of the century."

She said "whether in Northern Ireland, Israel, Africa or Asia, women have very often been on the front lines seeking cultural and national reconciliation."

However she asked "how has it happened that despite women receiving the Nobel prize for their work in peace movements, so few of them are part of conflict resolution delegations."

The SIW president said that part of the problem is that in most countries the number of women in political positions of importance is very small.

"As women we can no longer leave the resolution of conflicts to the creators of conflict", she said, adding that she is aware of many women today who are trying to change this.

She pledged that as "members of SIW, we must support their efforts and take a stronger stand against the male monopoly on shaping peace".

McLaughlin described the topic of "Women as peacemakers" as "one of the most important and challenging as we move to the 21st century."

Addressing the meeting, the leader of Socialist Party EDEK Vasos Lyssarides referred to the slow pace of involving women in the important issues of our times and their small presence in decision making bodies.

He expressed the hope that "we shall soon witness an end to this phenomenon", adding that "women are called to play an effective role in defending the rights of citizens".

Lyssarides called on women and their organisations to "upgrade their activities and play a catalytic role for a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts", noting that the main issue is how to go about this.

On her part, President of the Cyprus Socialist Women's Movement Roulla Mavronicola said "wars, without being absolute, are products of the male society".

Referring to the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus' northern third since 1974, Mavronicola said the women of Cyprus, despite being absent from important decision making bodies on the island, "are conducting their own struggle".

CNA EC/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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