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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-18Cyprus 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 Update18/12/96CONTENTS
[01] Government welcomes Clinton's statementThe Cyprus government has welcomed a statement by US President Bill Clinton reiterating his commitment to work towards a solution of the Cyprus problem.In a statement after the conclusion of a US-European Union summit in the White House on Monday (16.12.96), President Clinton expressed his intention to do whatever possible, during his second term, in order to promote a solution of the protracted Cyprus problem. ''I can only say, from my part, that I intend to do whatever I can, in these next four years the American people have given me, to try to help work out the situation in Cyprus and work out the problems generally between Greece and Turkey,'' he said. ''The fact that President Clinton reiterates his personal interest in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, is something we consider positive, '' Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said yesterday. He said the Cyprus problem was raised at the meeting because of the island's application for accession to the EU, and reiterated the government's view that the US and the EU must co- ordinate their efforts to facilitate a Cyprus settlement. [02] Cyprus' defence is its own affair, says Government SpokesmanThe island's defence "is to be decided by the Cyprus government and not by third parties", Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said yesterday.Commenting on a statement by British Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, that the Republic's arms purchase programme is "a big step in the wrong direction", Cassoulides said the security of the Republic of Cyprus is related to the strength of the Turkish occupation army. ''It is understandable that third parties may be concerned about our arms programme because our defence capability is upgraded but it should be understood that Cyprus has the right to defend itself,'' he stressed. He reiterated the government's readiness to reconsider and discuss issues relating to its arms programme, if there is agreement on the complete demilitarisation of the island. "We do not intend to attack anyone and our weapons will only be used for defence purposes," Cassoulides stressed. He said the government would have been happier if the international community had acted earlier on this matter and not now, at a time when we have to arm ourselves for defence purposes. [03] Turkey guilty of human rights violation, says European CourtThe European Court of Human Rights today ruled that Turkey had violated the right to property of a Greek Cypriot woman who lost access to her land in the northern part of Cyprus when Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974.Titina Loizidou brought her case against Turkey in July 1989 alleging violation of her right to "peacefully enjoy" her property in Kyrenia, which is situated in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. She claimed that Turkey violated Article 8 and Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Article 1 provides that "every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions" and Article 8 stipulates that "everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life". In a case which is expected to set a precedent, the Court ruled, by 11 votes to six that Turkey had violated Titina Loizidou's property rights by denying her access to plots of land in Kyrenia. It dismissed Turkey's argument that the European human rights convention did not apply to its occupation of the northern half of the island since it occurred before Ankara accepted its jurisdiction. There are approximately 200.000 people who were deprived of their homes and property as a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. [04] Cyprus Government's reactions to British Foreign Secretary's ten-point documentThe Government of Cyprus does not believe that the elements contained in a 10-point document read out by British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind before his departure from Cyprus (16/12/1996) are meant to be seen as the common ground sought after before peace talks begin. Government Spokesman Yiannakis Gassoulides commenting extensively during his press briefing Tuesday (17/12/96), pointed out that the 3-page document is «an outline of Britain's views which could form the basis for progress». He added: «It is not a question of agreeing or disagreeing with Rifkind's elements. We have our own views, and we agree with some of the points he has made and disagree with outhers, adding that «we still need a lot of work in the context of an intensive preparatory process to hope for an agreement between the two sides on the main aspects of the Cyprus question (security, guarantees, territory, and constitutional matters)». Cassoulides then went on to express the Cypriot Government's position, taking the Rifkind statement point-by-point. On the first point he said there is no disagreement that the basis for a solution are the High Level Agreements (1977, 1979) and the UN resolutions on the principle of a bicommunal, bizonal federation. On the second point, of political equality, the Spokesman said «our position is known, that we agree on the issue of political equality, as it is defined by the UN Secretary-General and that we do not consider it the same as numerical equality».On the third point of the Rifkind document, Cassoulides said: «We support a federation, which will have one sovereignty, one international personality and one citizenship, as it is defined by UN resolutions. We do not disagree with having two separate referenda by the two communities which will approve the solution to the Cyprus problem». The question of sovereignty was a much-contested issue during previous talks, which Rauf Denktash brought to a deadlock when he insisted that sovereignty for the future state should derives separately from the two federated sides. British Foreign Secretary's 10-points did not use the term «sovereignty» at all, referring instead to «a single international personality». Rifkind's avoidance of the term was one two main points of all-round critisism of his document by Greek Cypriot political party leaders. The other point that drew negative reactions was his position of not distinguishing between the size and role of Turkish occupation army and the Government's arms purchasing as legitimate defence. Repeating the Government's position of the issue of sovereignty Spokesman Cassoulides said on Tuesday (17/12/1996) «Sovereignty, as it had been given to the Republic of Cyprus following the relinquishment of British sovereignty, will pass on from the Republic to the future Federal Republic of Cyprus». He stressed that «it cannot be the case that the Republic of Cyprus will be dissolved, even if the referenda for a new state are negative, what will remain again is the Cyprus Republic» adding that he does not read anything about a dissolution of the Republic in Rifkind's document. Replying to questions, the Government Spokesman said: «Do not seek from me any government positions that are different from the 1989 unanimous positions of the National Council, because there has been no decision for a change». Going on to the fourth point in Rifkind's document, Cassoulides said «we absolutely agree that the future Republic will not allow secession, partition or one side's domination over the other. He stressed that it is wrong for the Turkish side to allege that the Greek Cypriot side wants to dominate them. On the fifth Rifkind point, that of security, the Government Spokesman said the government backs the demilitarisation of the island and the stationing of an international force to ensure the implementation of a settlement and to safeguard peace. On the question of guarantees, he said that for a federal Cyprus they could increase in numbers and abolish the right of unilateral intervention on the part of Turkey. The present system of guarantees names Greece, Turkey and Britain as the three guarantor powers. On the territorial issue, which was point six in Rifkind's document, Cassoulides said a settlement must allow the return of two thirds of the Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes under Greek Cypriot administration and secure the right to return and to property for the remaining one third. On point seven, Cassoulides stated that the Cyprus government is ready for a face-to-face dialogue with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, after «a systematic period of preparation for a common ground on which a constructive dialogue can be built». On Rifkind's point 8, Cassoulides said: «We agree on the need for measures which will reduce tension along the ceasefire line, that is why we engage in a military dialogue and discuss the three question mentioned in point eight, of unmanning, unloading and of military conduct. Commenting on Rifkind's position in point 9, relating to European Union accession prospects, Cassoulides said «we adhere to the European Union decision of March 1995, stipulating that accession talks will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, and that accession will have benefits for the whole of the Cypriot people, Greek and Turkish Cypriots». He also agreed that any negotiations would take into account the benefits the Turkish Cypriot community will obtain from European Union accession. On the 10th point, Cassoulides said: «If we reach a settlement within 1977 then the federal Republic of Cyprus will negotiate the terms of accession. If not, the internationally recognised government of the Republic will conduct the negotiations», he pointed out. [05] Malcolm Rifkind's new statements following visit to CyprusWith comments made after his return to London British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind has clarified that his reference to a federal Cyprus with a single international personality also implies a single sovereignty, as provided by UN resolutions. «I do not think there is any conflict between the two, Rifkind said in an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR) and reported by Cyprus News Agency» (17/12/1996), when asked to explain his statement that «the federation will have a single international personality», which UN resolutions also call for a «single sovereignty». He added further: «there will be one international state called Cyprus» which will be federal and «will have a sovereign personality on that basis», adding that there will be two autonomous zones in this state. «That, I think, is common ground between Greek and Turkish Cypriots», he said, noting that the two communities should discuss the precise way to move forward.In the same interview the British Foreign Secretary expressed the hope that the objective of direct negotiations early next year will be achieved, and pointed out the need for «political will, fundamental agreement on certain aspects of policy and a lot of preparatory work». «No settlement can be imposed on Cyprus», the British official said, stressing that an agreement will only be reached if the two communities and their respective leaders strive in that direction. Speaking on the role of the US and the European Union (EU) in efforts for a solution, Rifkind said «the international community should act as a single force in this respect». «The UN takes the lead, Britain, the US and the EU all have contributions to make», he said, adding that they could «preside over talks and coordinate the positions of the various parties». 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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