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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-05-02Cyprus 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 UpdateFriday, 02/05/97CONTENTS
[01] US supports UN efforts for progress in CyprusUS State Department Spokesman, Nicholas Burns has stated that the US absolutely supports the efforts of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his special representatives who have been working very hard on the Cyprus problem."We hope very much that the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus will agree to talk. We believe there should be a settlement of the problems on Cyprus. We are very encouraged that there may be this incremental step forward. We would call it progress in diplomatic terms", Mr Burns said. Stressing US readiness to assist efforts towards a Cyprus settlement, Burns said "we've been very emphatic publicly as well as privately that Ambassador Ken Brill was available to be of assistance to the Cyprus government and to the Turkish Cypriot community". He also noted that the US will work hard through its ambassadors in Athens and Ankara towards this direction, while he pointed out that US Foreign Secretary, Madeleine Albright "has a special interest in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean." Burns said the US "will be the first to congratulate the UN if something good comes from these talks". [02] Han believes Cyprus settlement is within reachThe outgoing UN Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, believes direct talks between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities are within reach and is encouraged by progress regarding good- will measures.In remarks he made to the UN Security Council on 30.4.97, Han said he was encouraged by the progress both sides have made towards good-will measures, noting the increase in exchanges of personnel, professional groups and visitors. He also expressed the hope that further measures will be offered by both communities and the belief that the two communities share an incentive to approach the expected talks positively. Han noted that Greek and Turkish Cypriots share common interests and goals and they should act accordingly by instilling confidence and trust in one another and called upon the world community to place primary importance on the interests of the Cypriots themselves. "External pressures and interests must be managed in a way that does not detract the vital interests of the Cypriot people", he said. He said a Cyprus settlement would benefit both the Cypriot people as well as peace and stability in the region, Europe and the entire world. It therefore follows, he said, that a settlement should not only be feasible and acceptable but also viable and sustainable. Han pointed out that co-ordination and full co-operation both within the UN and between the UN and other parties, such as the European Union and various governments, are critical in bringing about a Cyprus settlement, so as not to give the impression that efforts are dispersed and disparate. After Mr Han's briefing, the President of the Security Council, Portuguese Ambassador Antonio Monteiro, speaking to the press, expressed the Security Council's appreciation for Mr Han's contribution, adding that the Council supports the Secretary-General's efforts towards direct talks between the two sides. Asked when such direct talks can be expected, he said that all co- ordinators should work together and noted that Cyprus' entry negotiations with the European Union, which are expected to begin soon, will act as an incentive for both sides. He added that while no specific dates for direct talks were discussed, it is thought they will take place some time in the summer. [03] Clerides: UN co-ordination on Cyprus is a "good development"Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides described as a "good development" the Security Council effort to co-ordinate action on the Cyprus problem.President Clerides was commenting on the meeting on Cyprus held in New York on Wednesday 30.4.97 of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and representatives of the UN Secretariat, Mr Clerides said this was the first time such an effort was taking place. "I believe this co-ordination should not only continue but be strengthened", he added. Asked to comment on the UN Secretary-General's appeal to both sides to show good will, Clerides said "we will continue to show our good will." [04] Spokesman on President Clinton's report to CongressGovernment Spokesman Manolis Christofides, speaking to the press on 30.4.97, dismissed US criticism, as contained in President Clinton's bi-monthly report to Congress on progress towards a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question, over the Cyprus government's decision to purchase a Russian-made anti-aircraft missile system.At the same time he expressed appreciation at the US's position that it is concerned over Turkish threats to strike Cyprus if the missiles were deployed on the island and that a military response by Turkey would be unacceptable. He underlined that the Cyprus government has a right to strengthen its defences in the face of a heavily armed invader equipped with American armaments. In his report for the period December 1, 1996, to January 31, 1997, US President Bill Clinton described Cyprus' decision to purchase the missiles as "doubly regrettable", taking into consideration "the already excessive levels of armaments on Cyprus" and expressed concern over "threats of a military strike by Turkey", resulting from the purchase of the missiles. [05] Russian proposal on Cyprus submitted at UN Security CouncilGovernment Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, revealed on Wednesday 30.4.97 that a Russian proposal had been put forward during the meeting of the UN Security Council permanent members, in New York.Describing the proposal as "positive" and a document from which ideas can be drawn, Christofides said that this, along with other documents already on the negotiating table, could favourably contribute towards efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem as it contains some useful guidelines. He said the Russian proposal notes that the solution to the Cyprus problem should ensure the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, which will safeguard the existence of a single independent and territorially integral state with a single sovereignty, international status and citizenship. Christofides said the proposal also rules out union of any part of Cyprus with another country, as well as any form of division or secession and provides for the establishment of a demilitarised and secular state. The federation and its constitution will reflect the political equality of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, according to the Russian proposal, and will guarantee their religious, cultural and social identity. With regard to the security of the future federal state, Russia proposes it be safeguarded through international guarantees, while the issue of the displaced will be solved through determining the territory each of the two communities will retain under their control. The Russian proposal also stipulates that each community, as a federal entity, will have the same rights and power. This will also be applied to their local authorities. The constitution, it adds, will also safeguard international rights and freedoms. Christofides clarified that no decision was taken on the Russian proposal by the five UN permanent members, noting that a statement was issued after the meeting, in which they outlined how they saw efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus. [06] EU-Turkey Association Council issues joint position on CyprusThe European Union and Turkey, in a joint position issued at the conclusion the EU - Turkey Association Council Meeting held in Luxembourg on 29.4.97, also made a reference to Cyprus in which they acknowledged that lack of progress in solving the Cyprus problem "would be to the detriment of Turkey, the EU and EU-Turkish relations.".The statement reiterated the "highest importance" the Union attaches to current UN efforts to bring together the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus in direct intercommunal talks, with a view to solving the problem in accordance with UN resolutions and stressed that a solution to the Cyprus problem is urgently needed to remove the cause of lasting tension in Cyprus and the region. Reaffirming that accession negotiations will begin with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, it also pointed out that Cyprus' accession should benefit all the island's communities. It recalled that the EU Commission has been called upon to organise contacts , in consultation with the Cyprus government, with the Turkish Cypriot community to help it perceive the advantages of accession more clearly. It also "urges Turkey to join other states in promoting such a negotiated solution in direct talks this summer between the parties." Cyprus' Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides welcomed the statement, particularly the acknowledgement that lack of progress would affect Turkey and its relations with the EU, but also called on EU member-states to seriously take into account statements made by his Turkish counterpart, Tansu Ciller, with which she links Cyprus' EU accession to Turkey's relations with the Union. Many conclusions can be drawn from this statement, Cassoulides noted. [07] Cyprus assesses EU harmonisation progressA ministerial committee meeting on EU matters was held on Wednesday 30.4.97 to discuss progress in Cyprus' efforts to harmonise with the acquis communautaire.Speaking after the meeting, Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides said that the government believes that by the year 2000 Cyprus will have complied with around 90 per cent of the acquis. He said that similar meetings to assess progress would be held every six months and that a team would shortly be appointed to negotiate Cyprus' accession to the EU. 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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