Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-09

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

News Update

Wednesday, 09/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Clerides: Progress in talks would avert deployment of missiles
• [02] Cyprus Spokesman welcomes Greco-Turkish agreement
• [03] Holbrooke says Cyprus EU accession talks would help Cyprus problem
• [04] President Clerides holds more contacts in New York
• [05] EU urges openness and progress in the direct talks

[01] Clerides: Progress in talks would avert deployment of missiles

"If we reach an agreement on the solution of the Cyprus problem, the agreement would contain a provision for demilitarisation of the island. And therefore... there would be no S-300s, or any missiles, or any armies," Clerides said in New York.

In the Reuters interview Clerides said his face-to-face talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash provided an opportunity for "an exchange of views on some of the main issues, and measure how flexible the other side is."

He said the possibility for further talks in August was more than likely.

[02] Cyprus Spokesman welcomes Greco-Turkish agreement

A statement issued after a meeting between the Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, said that a "convergence of views" reached by Greece's Theodoros Pangalos and Turkey's Ismail Cem during the Nato Summit in Madrid included a "commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means based on mutual consent and without use of force or threat of force".

It also included a commitment to refrain from "unilateral acts" so as to avoid conflicts arising from misunderstanding, respect for each other's sovereignty and for international law and agreements, as well as commitment to peace, security and good neighbourly relations.

US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns, asked whether the agreement has any implications on the broader question of a Cyprus settlement, said that problems in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey and the problem on Cyprus are separate issues. "We're going to proceed separately", he said.

"As you know, we have a Cyprus co-ordinator, Dick Holbrooke, who works on Cyprus issues. Secretary Albright now has played a very key role in the separate issue of Greek-Turkish differences. I think we prefer to keep them separate as to the governments involved", he added.

Moreover, Cyprus' Spokesman said that the fact that the Cyprus problem had not been mentioned does not mean that Greece is deserting Cyprus. "On the contrary", he added, "Greece continues to remain Cyprus' ally both in the Cyprus problem and as regards the island's accession to Europe".

He reiterated the position that the Cyprus problem does not constitute a part of Greco-Turkish differences, but is a separate problem with its own dimensions and should be viewed separately.

He also expressed the hope that the timing of the agreement would influence the outcome of the Troutbeck talks favourably.

He added that Greece's declaration that if Turkey commits any move against Cyprus it will be considered a casus belli is still valid.

In addition, the US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, said in New York last night that the agreement between Athens and Ankara is a big step forward and creates a better climate for the Cyprus talks.

[03] Holbrooke says Cyprus EU accession talks would help Cyprus problem

He called on the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to "take advantage of this unique opportunity", pointing out that Cyprus could become "the Singapore of the Eastern Mediterranean".

Speaking after a meeting in New York with President Clerides, Mr Holbrooke reiterated that the US fully supports the UN Secretary-General's efforts, and stressed that he was not there to negotiate, as this was "the UN week".

On his part President Clerides said he did not think it was very useful to speculate on the talks.

"We are going to negotiate, we are going to talk in order to find a solution and I think any statements made before we sit round the table are not helpful," Clerides said.

Mr Holbrooke will have another meeting with President Clerides next week after the Troutbeck talks.

The American official also had a separate meeting yesterday with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, after which the Cypriot Minister reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side would take part in the UN-led talks with goodwill and an open mind.

[04] President Clerides holds more contacts in New York

US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, speaking to the press afterwards, described the dinner as a social event and said that no substantive negotiation had taken place there.

Moreover, President Clerides had several contacts yesterday, including separate meetings with Russia' s Special Envoy to the talks, Vladimir Chizhov, with the EU Special Representative for Cyprus, Kester Heaslip, and with Greece's representative Ambassador Alexandros Sandis.

In statements afterwards Mr Chizhov said Russia supports the UN effort and hopes for real progress. He added that Cyprus' course of accession to the EU is an important factor which could help achieve a settlement because it underlines the increased interest shown by European countries for Cyprus and also sets certain time limits.

Mr Heaslip on his part said that he would be remaining in the wings of the talks exercising his good offices mission to ensure they would be successful.

[05] EU urges openness and progress in the direct talks

It adds that it will do its best to contribute to a positive outcome of the peace talks.

The EU also calls on "all other parties involved to bring all their influence to bear to enable progress to be made towards a negotiated, just and lasting solution in Cyprus".

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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