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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-09-26Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News Update26/9/96CONTENTS
[01] President Clerides outlines essential requirements for a peaceful Cyprus settlement at UN General Assembly sessionCyprus President Glafcos Clerides has called for a furtherdetermined and sustained effort to solve the Cyprus problem andurged the UN Security Council to bring about a real change inTurkey's attitude towards a settlement.Speaking at the UN General Assembly session today (26 September),Clerides said the Greek Cypriot side was committed to a peacefulsolution of the Cyprus problem and was ready to startface-to-face negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot side nextyear, provided the ground was sufficiently prepared to ensuresuccess. "Any settlement should be based on a State of Cyprus with asingle sovereignty, an international personality and a singlecitizenship, with its independence and territorial integritysafeguarded", he said. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have been pressing for thepartition of the island since the 1950's when the island wasstill a British colony. Clerides recognized that the security of both communities was acrucial issue and repeated his proposal for the demilitarisationof Cyprus. He said it would represent an important contributionto a settlement. He recalled that the Secretary-General had described the Turkishoccupied part of Cyprus as one of the most densely militarisedareas in the world and warned against the "danger to peace andsecurity in Cyprus and in the region" that this situationpresented. Clerides said the Cyprus Government in the meanwhile would pursueits application for membership of the European Union. Hebelieved membership would have benefits for both communities onthe island. Noting Turkey's refusal to implement UN resolutions, Cleridesstressed the necessity of holding to full account those whoviolate them. A firm stand should be taken against all forms ofhuman rights violations in all cases, he said. Clerides underlined the need for reforming the Security Council.He supported its enlargement and the strengthening of itscapacity "to discharge the duties assigned to it by the Charterfor the maintenance of international peace and security".(For the full text of the President's speech see at the end ofthe update) [02] EU President says Commission's position is clear on Cyprus pre-accession courseThe President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides met on Wednesday(25.9.96) with the current President of the European UnionIrish Foreign Minister Dick Spring at UN Headquarters. Presentat the meeting, which centred on the EU accession process ofCyprus and political developments, were also EU Commissioner forExternal Affairs Hans Van den Broek and Cyprus Foreign MinisterAlecos Michaelides.In reply to a relevant question after the meeting, Spring saidthat the position is very clear "and the Commission is working onthe pre-accession situation", adding that it is very importantthat there is peace on the island. The EU President further stated: "We believe very strongly thatthe accession is in the interest of both parts of the island andwe want to work in that direction". Asked to comment on Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller'sstatement that Turkey will only consent to Cyprus' accession tothe EU if and when Turkey can join, Spring said there aredifferent opinions in relation to this. He added: "I think weall want to see progress, to see peace and we want to see asolution worked out on the lines of the UN Secretary-General'sproposals". Asked how the EU could convince the Turkish side on the questionof Cyprus joining the Union, the EU President said there aredifficulties but the EU is pursuing a clear position. "We want towork with the Cypriot people to bring about the accession and tobring about economic and political prosperity". Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, talking to the press after themeeting, commented on the view that a solution to the island'spolitical problem should be found before Cyprus' accession tothe EU. He said he had assurances from the European Union thatthey would not allow the Turkish side to veto a possible Cyprusentry to the EU, although they would be happier if a solution wasfound before accession. [03] Cyprus Foreign Minister's reply to Tansu Ciller's new statementabout "Turkish borders" in CyprusForeign Minister Alecos Michaelides has responded to statementsmade by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller during a pressconference in New York that the young Greek Cypriot demonstratorshot dead on 14th August 1996 had violated the "Turkish borders"in Cyprus. Michaelides said that in Cyprus there is Turkishoccupation, a ceasefire line and a buffer zone under UN control.There is no border, he stressed.Commenting on the "sanctity of the Turkish flag", which is whatCiller gave as an excuse for shooting down demonstrator SolomosSolomou, Mr Michaelides underlined that the young Greek Cypriotdid not even touch the flag. He was shot dead within seconds of climbing up one third of theflagpole. The UN peacekeepers needed only a couple of minutes tostop him climbing further but the Turkish bullets cameimmediately, he said. Michaelides also said the Cyprus government recognises theneutral status of the buffer zone. "But does this mean thatsomeone entering without permission should be shot dead?", heenquired. "Serious matters of principle are involved here and Mrs Cillerought to examine these, keeping in mind the UN Security Counciland the General Assembly resolutions on Cyprus", he said. [04] White House Spokesman's new comment on recent violence againstGreek Cypriot demonstrators.Replying to a question, White House Spokesman Nicholas Burnssaid: "We have spoken out quite strongly against the murder ofthe young Greek Cypriot who was trying to take down a flag from aflagpole. We thought that was just inadmissible that he would bekilled for that action. We were equally strong in condemning themurder of the Turkish soldier. We hope the murderers of both ofthese people will be brought to justice and prosecuted".[05] Council of Europe Assembly members condemn killing of unarmedGreek Cypriots by Turks and call for a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutionsA large number of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of theCouncil of Europe have signed a declaration condemning the murderof two unarmed Greek Cypriot demonstrators and the wounding ofmany others "caused by the indiscriminate violence used byTurkish occupying forces" in Cyprus.The Greek Cypriots were peacefully demonstrating on two occasionslast August for the re-unification of their country and therestoration of human rights in Cyprus including the right offreedom of movement of all Cypriots. Turkey has been occupying 37% of Cyprus territory since itinvaded the island in 1974. The invasion and occupation havebeen universally condemned as a violation of international lawand the UN Charter. The Assembly members said they strongly believe that"demilitarisation of Cyprus can establish safety and peace allover the island and can achieve a just and lasting solution ofthe Cyprus problem". In the declaration all parties concerned are urged "to worksincerely and intensively for a peaceful solution of the Cyprusproblem based on UN resolutions and safeguarding human rights forall Cypriots on the island". [06] Cyprus Foreign Minister briefs his counterparts at the UNCyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, who is in New Yorkfor the 51st UN General Assembly, on Wednesday (25.9.96) hadseparate meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Norway, Cuba,Iran, Singapore and Romania.Michaelides discussed bilateral relations and briefed hiscounterparts on the current situation regarding the Cyprusproblem as well as on the recent violent incidents on theisland in which two Greek Cypriot demonstrators were killed bythe occupation forces and Turkish extremists near the ceasefire buffer zone. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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