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The Cyprus government will be represented at the funeral by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. President Glafcos Clerides will not be able to attend the funeral since he is in New York to address the UN General Assembly.

The President of the House of Representatives Mr Spyros Kyprianou will attend the funeral in his present capacity as well as in his capacity as former President of the Republic of Cyprus. The Chief negotiator for Cyprus- EU accession negotiations Mr George Vassiliou will also attend the funeral in his capacity as former President of the Republic. Representatives of all the Cypriot political parties will also be present at the funeral.

The Government of Cyprus declared on Wednesday three days of national mourning to mark the tragic death of Yiannos Kranidiotis. Flags flew at half mast on all public buildings and a book of condolences was opened at the Greek Embassy in Nicosia.

Tributes poured in from politicians, political parties, municipalities, unions and other organisations on the island. Yiannos Kranidiotis, who was born in Cyprus, was one of Greece's most prominent and well respected politicians. He has been at the forefront of efforts to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and has fervently supported Cyprus' EU accession course. His unexpected death has deprived both Greece and Cyprus of a valuable personality with a rare knowledge, ability and determination. His death has left a void which is very difficult to fill.

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Replying to journalists' questions upon his arrival, President Clerides said that he believed that the UN Secretary General would call on both sides to participate in talks after the second week of October but added that he was not sure what kind of form these talks would take.

President Clerides said that there is determination on the part of the United States to act. "The problem", he said, "is not whether there is determination but how determined they are; not to simply indicate to Turkey but to use the leverage that they possess".

The President expressed the opinion that the US is now ready to exert its influence in a resolute way.

Asked whether he had higher expectations from the forthcoming talks President Clerides said that this depends first on whether Turkey realises that this situation is not acceptable to the international community and therefore it cannot continue, and second that it has to respect the framework which has been determined by the UN Security Council for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Greek Cypriot side, Mr Clerides said, has not set any conditions but instead it is ready to talk on the basis and framework of the Security Council.

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Replying to journalists' questions after a meeting in Ankara with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, on the prospects for progress in the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr Grossman said:

"I think our position is clear, which is that we 'd like the parties to come together and talk. We are a member of the G8. The G8 made a statement in June . That is our position".

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In the statement the Members of the Council "expressed their appreciation to Mrs Hercus for her work as Special Representative and reaffirmed the importance they attach to the role of the Special Representative in his/her efforts to achieve a lasting solution for the Cyprus conflict."

Moreover the Members of the Council stated that they "are looking forward to the full implementation of resolution 1250" and expressed the hope that a successor to Dame Ann Hercus can soon be appointed.

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

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