Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-05-15

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Thursday, 15/05/97

CONTENTS

• [01] UN promises May decision on Cyprus talks
• [02] Canada's Special Representative rounds off contacts in Cyprus
• [03] Cyprus included in Queen's speech
• [04] Occupation regime to sell off Greek-owned hotels
• [05] Greek-American delegation arrives in Cyprus
• [06] Cyprus State Fair to open on May 22nd

[01] UN promises May decision on Cyprus talks

"The Secretary-General will take a final decision on this after I get back and report to him, but I believe that the expectation, subject to that decision, is that the talks should resume by the middle of this year," Prendergast said.

The UN official said he arrived on the island with "some questions and some ideas" he planned to raise during his meetings with both Clerides and Denktash over his three-day visit.

Prendergast also said the talks were unlikely to be held during next month's UN Conference of the Environment, since the UN Secretary-General would be too busy with conference proceedings in New York.

"The Secretary-General wants to start the talks and chair them at the beginning, and be available during them," Prendergast said.

Sir Kieran refused to comment on details of his mission or his planned contacts with Clerides and Denktash.

[02] Canada's Special Representative rounds off contacts in Cyprus

Bell said he has been made aware during the last few days that there is still four to five serious points of discussion and disagreement between the two leaders.

"I do not know where the middle ground is on those points. But obviously, when you enter a negotiation, you must be flexible, you must seek the opportunity to define that middle ground", he said.

†e went on to add that President Clerides is a leader who will be able to show that kind of flexibility and with only that kind of flexibility there will be an agreement.

To a question how he sees Canada's eventual involvement in Cyprus, Bell said that one of the major elements of any proposed settlement in Cyprus is a multinational force that will assist the two communities to develop the institutions necessary to take back their peaceful co-existence.

The Canadian diplomat said in an interview to CNA (Cyprus News Agency): "If Canada was asked to contribute (a monitoring force), we certainly would consider it. But, we do not want to get involved in another 29-year mission."

Canada was among the first countries to contribute a contingent to UNFICYP when inter-communal troubles broke out in Cyprus in 1963. Canada ended its participation with the peacekeeping force in 1993.

Michael Bell said he will be visiting Athens this week and later in the month Ankara, adding that he hopes "to have a thorough report to present to my minister on my return to Canada".

[03] Reference to Cyprus in Queen's speech

Reading out the speech, traditionally prepared by the new government, Queen Elizabeth II said "my government will promote a settlement in Cyprus" in reference to Britain's involvement in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

[04] Occupation regime to sell off Greek-owned hotels

In a letter to UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, circulated on Wednesday 14.5.97, head of Cyprus permanent mission to the UN, ambassador Nicos Agathocleous, strongly protested the illegal Turkish actions and requested UN immediate intervention to prevent them.

The ambassador pointed out to Annan that these Turkish actions take place at a "most sensitive phase of the Cyprus problem, at the time when you are exerting determined efforts to bring about a just and lasting solution."

[05] Greek-American delegation arrives in Cyprus

In Cyprus, the 13-member delegation of the influential Greek-American association will be received by the President of the Republic, political party leaders and they already had a meeting with American Ambassador Kenneth Brill.

"We 've been told so many times and our expectations have been raised so many times, I think it would be foolish for me to say 'yes' that something will be happening - I can't give you that hope", Makris said in statements upon his arrival.

He also pointed to a "strong, pro-Turkish slant" in the US State Department impeding US efforts to influence Turkey out of its intransigent stance on the Cyprus problem.

"The White House has always been sympathetic to Greek Americans and Cypriot Americans. The question is whether the White House is exercising as much influence as it can on the State Department and the Defence Department", the AHEPA leader said.

Makris regretted saying that he does not feel "there's any great change in the Turkish position regarding the situation in Cyprus".

Commenting on his meeting with Kenneth Brill, Makris said the US Ambassador, "stressed the fact that the US government is trying to build a base of consensus in Turkey for possible movement on the Cyprus problem."

[06] Cyprus State Fair to open on May 22nd

"The Fair is the mirror of the economy and of the development and progress achieved in our country in all sectors of economic life", Ioannou said.

Some 40 countries, 17 of which will have their own pavilions, are taking part in this year's Fair which is the largest so far, with the total number of exhibitors standing at 1,540.

These countries are, Belarus, Britain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Syria and the USA. The space for this year's exhibition has been increased by 30 per cent to 4,562 square metres.

The EU will be represented with its own pavilion. "This participation is of particular importance in view of the course of our country towards European integration", Ioannou said.

The US had this year upgraded its exhibition to a larger pavilion with 30 exhibitors, compared to 24 in 1996.

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