Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-04-18

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

Thursday, 18 April 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people
• [02] House President has contacts with US officials
• [03] British Minister urges Mr Denktash to get more closely involved in talks on Cyprus
• [04] British Conservative Party continues to support a federal arrangement in Cyprus
• [05] Third round of UN-led direct talks on Cyprus continues

[01] President Clerides expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people

The Cyprus position was set out by the President of the Republic, Mr Glafcos Clerides, at a meeting he had at the Presidential Palace yesterday with the UN Committee for the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians

The members of the Committee are currently in Cyprus to participate in the United Nations International Meeting in Support of the Middle East Peace, which began on 16 April and came to an end yesterday, as well as the Meeting of the non Governmental Organizations for Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Addressing the members of the Committee, President Clerides expressed his sympathy to the Palestinian people as well as to President Yasser Arafat for the difficult times they are facing.

[02] House President has contacts with US officials

More specifically, Mr Christofias had a meeting with the US President's Adviser on National Security Ms Condoleezza Rice and with the US Deputy Assistant on National Security Mr Stephen Hadley. He also had a separate meeting with the State Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus Mr Thomas Weston.

In the Congress, Mr Christofias had separate meetings with Mr Byron Dorgan, US Senator, and deputy Nancy Pelosi, a leading figure of the Democratic Party.

Mr Christofias expressed gratitude for the Congress' continuing interest in Cyprus. He also explained that the framework set by the UN and the High Level Agreements between the two communities for a bizonal, bicommunal federation constitutes a compromising solution, which would unite Cyprus again and would allow the two communities to benefit from the country's entry to the EU. He also stressed that the US and other Security Council permanent members must reinforce their support to the UN Secretary General's initiative for Cyprus, to bend Turkish intransigence.

Senator Dorgan agreed that the US needed to play a greater role in Cyprus' reunification efforts, noting that he considers the island's partition irrational

Ms Pelosi assured that she would continue her efforts for an end to the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus and expressed her desire to visit the island soon.

[03] British Minister urges Mr Denktash to get more closely involved in talks on Cyprus

get more closely involved in the detail of the negotiations for a settlement in the Cyprus problem, rather than just in the meetings, because, as Mr Hain said, " that is his best opportunity to get a deal for the Turkish minority on the island that protects their security and their interests".

Mr Hain made the above statement during a debate on EU enlargement in the House of Commons on 16 April 2002. Replying to questions by other MPs, who participated in the debate, the British Minister referred to his recent visit to Cyprus and said : "Last week, I saw for myself in Cyprus how the prospect of enlargement is encouraging both sides to try to mend historic divisions. The hon. Members for West Suffolk and for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale asked about progress. There is progress. I said to Mr Denktash that he must get more closely involved in the detail of the negotiations, rather than just in the meetings - at which we welcome his presence - because that is his best opportunity to get a deal for the Turkish minority on the island that protects their security and their interests. Equally, when I met President Clerides and Foreign Minister Kasoulides, I said that it is important for the Government of Cyprus to continue to make progress on the negotiations and to come up with constructive ideas. They are doing so. We want a united Cyprus to come into the European Union. It would be damaging for all concerned if that were not the case."

The representative of the Conservative Party on EU Matters, Mr Richard Spring, MP, also made a special reference on Cyprus, noting that "Cyprus is one of the best prepared of the candidate countries, but there is an unhealed split between the island/s two communities". Mr Spring expressed the hope that discussions between the leaders of those communities will bear fruit, adding that the split should not be a barrier to the country/s entry into the European Union." We welcome Turkey/s intentions to become a member of the EU and call on it to use its influence to help construct a process that will solve the problem of Cyprus divided. An end to the tragic conflict would be another most welcome by-product of the enlargement process and must be a priority for Britain because of our historical and present links with the island, because it is a fellow member of the Commonwealth, and because of the importance of the Greek and Turkish communities in the United Kingdom. We also very much welcome the accession of Malta, another valued Commonwealth member, to the EU," Mr Spring concluded.

[04] British Conservative Party continues to support a federal arrangement in Cyprus

After the meeting, Mr Smith made the following statement: " The Conservative Party remains committed to the search for a settlement in Cyprus and the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. We continue to support the idea of a bizonal bicommunal federal arrangement, based on UN resolutions. We welcome the current talks and hope they make more progress. Only the two communities on the island can decide what is acceptable and what is likely to last and we encourage them to do so."

[05] Third round of UN-led direct talks on Cyprus continues

The meeting was carried out within the framework of the third round of direct talks on the Cyprus problem. Members of each side's delegation were also present at the meeting.

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

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