Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-08-28

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

News Update

Thursday, 28/08/97

CONTENTS

• [01] US Congressional delegation in Cyprus
• [02] Government not satisfied with Italian Foreign Ministry statement
• [03] EU Presidency confirms that entry negotiations with Cyprus will start soon
• [04] New US National Security Council director for European affairs

[01] US Congressional delegation in Cyprus

The delegation, comprised of Congressmen Menendez, Andrews, Kennedy, Hastings, Hinchey, Hutton, Williams and Lee, as well as senator Charlie Crist, is in Cyprus to attend the 10th Congress of Overseas Cypriots.

Speaking after a meeting with President Clerides, Congressman Robert Menendez said that Congressmen working towards a solution to the Cyprus problem "look for actions not words".

"President Clerides and his government have consistently shown by their actions that they are sincere in their attempts to reach a successful, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem", he added.

He said, moreover, that Congress is concerned "about the intractability on the other side", as evident at the recent talks in Switzerland.

He added that the proposals made by Clerides, which include demilitarisation of the island, were looked upon favourably by the US Congress, which plays a leading role in US foreign policy.

He went on to point out that it was Congress that had set the only limitations that have been applied to Turkey in terms of aid and referred specifically to Congress resolutions on Cyprus, reductions in the aid to Turkey and a letter to President Clinton on the Cyprus talks.

Menendez went on to say that on the issue of European Union accession, no- one should be able to stop Cyprus' accession if EU standards had been met by the island. He described Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's threats as not just provocative but outrageous and "against the best interest of moving the process forward".

The delegation also met with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Congressman Patrick Kennedy, in a statement afterwards, said the US has a very important role to play in efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and that they should exert pressure on the military in Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island.

He expressed the view that, rather than focusing on Cyprus' application to join the EU, Turkey should instead be looking at whether it has the right to join Europe while it continues to occupy part of Cyprus.

Turkey, he said, hasn't fully grasped the feeling of dissatisfaction prevailing in Congress as regards the Cyprus problem, which is also a question of violation of human rights on the part of Turkey.

"The Cyprus problem is a human rights issue", he said, "and we want to see human rights respected in Cyprus".

The delegation also met with the President of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou who agreed to visit the US Congress at the head of a Cyprus parliamentary delegation.

"Next year will be a crucial year and exchanges would be very useful in getting the US Congress to understand the concerns of the Cypriot government", Mr Menendez said afterwards.

[02] Government not satisfied with Italian Foreign Ministry statement

Kasoulides said he could not believe "that these could be the positions held by Italy, a friendly country to Cyprus".

Referring to a written statement of clarification issued afterwards by the Italian Foreign Ministry, Mr Kasoulides said that while certain things were set right, in general it was not satisfactory.

He said that the governments of Cyprus and Greece would be making representations to the Italian government on the issue.

Mr Kasoulides pointed out that the Italian Foreign Minister's statement contradicts the positions adopted by the UN Security Council, especially resolution 550 which calls upon all states not to recognise the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime and not to facilitate or in any way assist the secessionist entity.

He said Cyprus does not object to Italian support or any other country's support to Turkey's bid for joining the EU, but noted that Greece sets certain preconditions in order to give its approval.

Regarding Turkish Cypriot participation in accession talks, Kasoulides reaffirmed President Clerides' proposal that they could be included in the official delegation of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, the press office of the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi yesterday issued a press release saying that Mr Prodi had a long telephone conversation with his Greek counterpart Mr Simitis during which they expressed their common concern over the Cyprus problem.

It added that Prodi had reiterated that a Cyprus solution should be based on relevant UN resolutions.

With regard to Cyprus' bid to become an EU member, the two sides had pledged to do everything possible so that accession talks with Cyprus should go ahead, in accordance with an EU decision taken in March 1995.

[03] EU Presidency confirms that entry negotiations with Cyprus will start soon

It described as unacceptable the position of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash making the freezing of Cyprus' EU entry negotiations a precondition for the continuation of the talks.

The European Union agrees with the UN Secretary-General that the decision to start entry negotiations between Cyprus and the EU constitutes a positive element which could contribute to the promotion of a political agreement and would benefit both communities.

It recalls that the decision to hold entry negotiations with Cyprus was taken at the highest level and reconfirms that they will start at the beginning of next year.

It reiterates its determination to contribute to the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem and says that a constructive attitude on the part of Turkey would greatly strengthen relations between that country and the EU.

[04] New US National Security Council director for European affairs

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

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