Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 00-01-14

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Britain - Memorandum of Understanding

[02] Speaker of Greek Parliament - Cyprus

[03] Clerides - Kyprianou - Spokesman

[04] Cyprus - Greece - Parliamentary leaders

[05] House President - Statement

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Britain - Memorandum of Understanding

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides described the memorandum of understanding, signed here today, as "a satisfactory arrangement for everybody" which safeguards the rights of the Republic and British High Commissioner in Cyprus Edward Clay said it is "an example of the cooperation" between the two countries.

CNA/FZ/MM/EC/2000

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Speaker of Greek Parliament - Cyprus

The Greek official will be declared honorary citizen of the Morphou municipality, at a special ceremony tonight in Nicosia, during which a book on "Morphou: 3.600 years of history" will be presented.

CNA MAN/ITS/GP/2000

1630:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides - Kyprianou - Spokesman

In a written statement, issued here this afternoon, President Clerides attributed Kyprianou's comments to "great tension", given the state of his health (he leaves for the US later today for major heart surgery).

The President also said he is aware that Kyprianou has worked behind the scenes to try and secure the backing of political parties for him assuming the presidency for the remaining of Clerides' term in office, should the President decide to go to the country.

According to the Constitution, the House President replaces the President in cases of illness, death or incapacity for 45 days before elections are called.

President Clerides said in his statement Kyprianou had contacted various political parties to explore the possibility they would back him not only to be Acting President for 45 days but also to serve as President until February 2003, when Clerides' second term ends.

"Kyprianou was obsessed with the idea that the Greek Prime Minister (Costas Simitis) was following a dangerous policy which would be detrimental to Cyprus", the President said in his statement, read at a press conference this afternoon by Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou.

In spite of efforts to persuade him, Kyprianou remained unconvinced, the statement said, adding that the House President asked Clerides to dismiss some of his associates and review his political alliances.

"The President advised Mr. Kyprianou to calm down and wished him safe journey, full recovery and speedy return to the island," the statement concluded.

"If I were him (President) I would resign," Kyprianou said at his press conference, and called on the President to rid himself of his Spokesman (Michalis Papapetrou), one of his ministers (Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Costas Themistocleous) and a very close associate handling European Union accession negotiations (former Cyprus President George Vassiliou).

Vassiliou is the leader of the government coalition partner United Democrats party. Papapetrou is the party's Acting President and Themistocleous is party General Secretary.

Kyprianou said the policy Nicosia and Athens have adopted is "dangerous" and that he does not consider the UN-led proximity talks as very important but instead places much more significance on developments in Europe.

He said an invitation to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for talks in Berlin signals moves to push for acknowledgement of two separate entities in Cyprus (a longterm goal of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974).

Kyprianou was very critical of moves for rapprochement with the Turkish Cypriots and of confidence building measures if these imply a gradual geographical and ethnic division of the island.

"I wish we could have contact with the Turkish Cypriots under healthy conditions," Kyprianou said.

The House President was also critical of Europe, saying it now serves its interests and not the lofty ideals it is meant to promote.

"I call on everybody, the government and the opposition in Greece and Cyprus, to take heed of what I am saying," Kyprianou concluded.

CNA/MK/EC/MM/GP/2000

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Greece - Parliamentary leaders

Reiterating that a just and viable settlement in Cyprus is a primary concern, Kaklamanis said everybody must work together to make the most out of the Helsinki conclusions (which declared Turkey an official candidate for accession and reiterated that a solution to the Cyprus issue is not a prerequisite for EU membership).

CNA/GG/MM/EC/2000

2045:CYPPRESS:05

[05] House President - Statement

Kyprianou said he also asked the President to remove from office his close associates, government spokesman (Michalis Papapetrou), his minister of agriculture (Costas Themistocleous) and his top negotiator with the European Union (George Vassiliou), all of whom belong to the United Democrats party.

Kyprianou's comments come in the wake of a written statement by the President in response to Kyprianou's earlier call for the President's resignation, in which Clerides said Kyprianou explored the possibility of securing the presidency not only for 45 days (as stipulated by the Constitution in case of the President's incapacity or resignation) but for the remainder of Clerides' term in office.

"If we have presidential elections, I shall not run and if Clerides steps down to have his mandate renewed, let us find the appropriate candidate to continue our struggle," Kyprianou said.

Speaking before leaving for the US for major heart surgery, Kyprianou said the President's three associates appear to have adopted a "very dangerous" philosophy.

"I do not think I can oblige the President to resign and it is his prerogative to decide what to do," he added.

CNA/MAN/GG/MM/EC/2000

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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