Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-01-28

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

News Update

Wednesday, 28/01/98

CONTENTS

• [01] UN Spokesman on selection of third member of Committee on Missing Persons
• [02] New Belgian ambassador presents credentials

[01] UN Spokesman on selection of third member of Committee on Missing Persons

In a statement on 26.1.98, UN Spokesman, Fred Eckhard, referred to the exchange of information last Friday between Greek Cypriot Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Takis Christopoulos and Turkish Cypriot representative, Rustem Tatar, in the presence of UN envoy, Gustave Feissel.

He said a tripartite Committee on Missing Persons was established in 1981 following an agreement between the parties. After the resignation of one of the members of the Committee in 1996, the "Secretary-General indicated he would appoint a replacement as soon as he was informed of the exchange of the information between the parties".

The Secretary-General therefore welcomes the development on Friday, Eckhard said.

Moreover, he noted that Kofi Annan "has been in touch with the International Committee of the Red Cross concerning the selection of the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons".

The Cyprus government welcomed the UN statement, noting in particular the UN chief's intention to appoint soon the third member of the tripartite Committee.

In his daily briefing yesterday Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said the government was particularly satisfied with the Secretary-General's reference welcoming developments concerning the exchange of information about the location of graves of missing persons in Cyprus.

[02] New Belgian ambassador presents credentials

Presenting his credentials to President Clerides yesterday, the new Belgian ambassador Michel Swiatopolk-Czetwertynski said his government "is hopeful that when the talks between the two communities are resumed, a common ground will be found on which a constitutional solution can be built."

The Belgian diplomat noted that 1998 will be important for both the peoples of Cyprus and Belgium, as it will mark the beginning for EU enlargement that will include Cyprus.

"Cyprus occupies a strategic location in the Mediterranean at the threshold of the Middle East which could be compared to the position of Belgium, as an entrance door to the market of the EU," he said.

In reply, President Glafcos Clerides expressed his appreciation for Belgium's consistent support in Cyprus' efforts to become a full member of the European Union.

Referring to the Cyprus problem Mr Clerides said: "It is regrettable that despite the intense international interest for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem and our constructive attitude and goodwill towards this end, no progress has been made so far due to Turkish intransigence."

He added that Cyprus will continue its efforts towards a peaceful settlement in cooperation with the UN and do its utmost to reverse the status quo, declared unacceptable by the Security Council.

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

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