Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-01-09

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

Thursday, 9 January 2003

CONTENTS

• [01] US President deems submission of Annan plan "particularly significant"
• [02] Boucher: opportunity for solution by 28 February remains
• [03] PIO documentary film wins third award
• [04] London Borough of Barnet approves motion on Cyprus

[01] US President deems submission of Annan plan "particularly significant"

The new progress report on efforts towards a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus problem, sent to Congress on 7 January, covered the period of 1 October - 30 November 2002.

In the letter accompanying the report, Mr. Bush says that "particularly significant during this period was UN Secretary-General Annan's submission on November 11 to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of a proposed basis for a Cyprus agreement".

"As in past reporting periods, U.S. officials provided diplomatic support to the process, including Secretary of State Powell, National Security Advisor Rice, Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas G. Weston, and Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson", the US President notes, adding that "The United States remains committed to the UN effort to find a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem".

Every US Administration is required, under a specific section of the amended Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to compose and present to Congress bimonthly reports on progress regarding a solution of the Cyprus problem. The previous report on Cyprus covered events from 1 August through 30 September 2002.

[02] Boucher: opportunity for solution by 28 February remains

In reply to a question during yesterday's press briefing at the State Department, Mr. Boucher noted that "February 28th presents another opportunity for the parties to get together", adding that "there is an opportunity here for Cypriots, as well as for people in the neighbourhood, to solve a longstanding question and to do that in the context of the European Union".

"I think there have been some more technical talks, some kind of discussions between the Cypriot parties, and we've remained in close touch with the various players, including the Europeans as well as the Cypriots and the Greek Government and the Turkish Government to keep working on this and to try to support the Secretary-General's efforts in every way we can", the US Spokesman said.

Asked if the February presidential elections in Cyprus were considered an obstacle to the peace process, Mr. Boucher stressed that democracy was never an obstacle to anything, and refused to make a comment on that matter.

[03] PIO documentary film wins third award

Associates, Inc. for the Press and Information Office, has been honoured with the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award for 2002.

CINE is one of America's oldest and most respected film and video competitions, recognising and fostering the highest quality in non- theatrical film and video production through its semi-annual competitions.

"BEYOND DIVISION" was awarded the CINE Golden Eagle in the News, Special Features, Public Affairs and General Information category. Besides the CINE Award, the film has also won the "Best International Newsworthy Documentary Film" award, at the Cinevue International Film and Video Competition, and the "Special Jury Award", at the Annual Houston International Film Festival.

The film was produced in 2001 by Peter Vogt & Associates, Inc., in collaboration with the Press and Information Office and the Press Office of the Cyprus Embassy in Washington DC. It is a thought-provoking documentary, capturing the story of Cyprus, from its earliest history to its vital and vibrant, yet tragic, contemporary reality, resulting from the military invasion by Turkey in 1974 that has kept the country forcibly divided.

"BEYOND DIVISION" is of current interest as it provides valuable background to the ongoing United Nations efforts to end the division on the island so that a reunited Cyprus could accede to the European Union, in 2004.

[04] London Borough of Barnet approves motion on Cyprus

The full text of the motion reads as follows:

"Council salutes the historic decision taken by the European Union at the Copenhagen Summit on 12th-13th December 2002 to invite the Republic of Cyprus to join the EU. Council welcomes the great benefit this will bring to the 35,000 Barnet citizens of Greek Cypriot origin, many of whom have families still living in Cyprus.

Council expresses its hope that membership of the European Union will act as a catalyst for the development of a solution to the long-standing problem of the division of Cyprus. Council maintains that such a solution should conform to the internationally recognised principles of international law, the purposes and principles of the United Nations and its Resolutions on Cyprus, and to the European acquis communautaire. It also believes that any agreement should conform to the European Convention on Human Rights so as to safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, including the voluntary right of return of all refugees to their homes without discrimination.

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write again to the Prime Minister urging him to use his influence on the new Turkish Government to persuade them to co-operate in a permanent, fair and just solution for Cyprus."

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

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