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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-14Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>February 14. , 2004CONTENTS
[01] New FM Yiannitsis hails 'new opportunity to solve Cyprus issue'Athens14/2/2004Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Friday hailed the ''new opportunity to solve the issue of Cyprus," expressing the ''great optimism and pride'' of the Greek government over the result of talks so far and underlining the ''great contribution of (former foreign minister) George Papandreou to this outcome.'' Speaking to reporters, Yiannitsis said that by a unanimous decision of Cyprus' leadership and the positive stance of Greece the finalized positions of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan received a positive reply. He reminded that the President of the Republic and the Parliamentary parties have been briefed on the issue and referred to a public statement made in support by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday. ''The successful conclusion is due to the close cooperation of the Greek government with President Papadopoulos and the tough negotiating policy followed,'' he said. New FM Yiannitsis hails 'new opportunity to solve Cyprus issue: According to the decision reached, talks under the auspices of Alvaro de Soto will begin in Nicosia on February 19 and at the same time technical committees will get to work. On March 22 the UN secretary general, together with the leadership of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, will examine pending issues which will have remained and which (if they remain open) will be referred to March 29 for examination by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as by representatives from Greece and Turkey. In the event that mutually acceptable decisions are not reached again, then the UN secretary general will undertake to present the finalized proposals. Yiannitsis said this decision ''vindicates our stance since it is implied that the Annan plan is accepted as a basis for negotiating, while the secretary general's finalized proposals will be subject to the logic of his plan.'' The foreign minister further said ''we reversed the delaying tactic of the Turkish side, while we enriched the procedure with the provision of an advisory-technical rendering of services by the European Commission.'' Yiannitsis also said the Commission's participation is confirmed by the letter addressed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Prime Minister Costas Simitis in which the positive role of the Commission in the Cyprus talks process is stressed. The foreign minister explained that in the talks the European Commission's representative will be clarifying whether proposals are compatible with the acquis communautaire and, in parallel, he will be able to provide orientations on the compatibility of proposals to be discussed with the acquis communautaire. [02] PM, opposition leader praise Cyprus negotiations agreementAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Friday ''today's agreement on the continuation of negotiations based on the Annan plan constitutes a decisive turning point for a final solution to the issue of Cyprus.''Simitis added that the agreement creates the preconditions for substantive negotiating in a framework ruling out delays. The prime minister expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will negotiate with goodwill this time, adding that he looks forward in particular to the European Union's declared will to contribute to the shaping of the final agreement. Simitis congratulated the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Greek side, and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in particular who, as he said, handled issues with courage and effectiveness. Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said on his part ''the compromise settlement agreed in New York today paves the way for the resumption of negotiations to enable a solution to be found based on the Annan plan.'' Karamanlis expressed the hope that ''negotiations will reach a positive result this time to enable a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union on May 1 for the benefit of all its inhabitants.'' [03] Papadopoulos: success of talks depends on shift of Turkish sideUNITED NATIONS 14/2/2004 (ANA/CNA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has pledged to continue his positive approach in the search for a settlement on the basis of a UN peace proposal and in achieving the accession of a reunited island in the European Union.In a statement issued here on Friday, after the announcement of the resumption of negotiations in Cyprus next week, the president said the successful outcome of the talks will depend on a shift in the position of the Turkish side. The president welcomed European Commission engagement in all phases of the negotiations. He thanked party leaders who accompanied him to New York, the Greek government and extended particular thanks and appreciation to former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides who in turn praised Papadopoulos for ''fighting a very difficult battle with great ability, in a persistent way but also with the necessary flexibility when needed.'' Reiterating the long-standing position of the Greek Cypriot side for talks on the basis of the Annan plan, the president said ''whether the talks succeed or not will depend on the change in the attitude of the Turkish side and on whether it will demonstrate the necessary political will.'' He said he submitted proposals right at the start of this week's talks, which began on Tuesday, and noted that the moves made by the Greek Cypriot side led the Turkish Cypriot side back to the negotiating table on the basis of the Annan plan, which the Turkish Cypriot side considered ''dead and buried.'' He said the role of the UN Secretary General to decide on points where there is continuous deadlock, is now restricted to the basis of his plan and this role is not open to issues which may be raised by the Turkish Cypriot side outside the parameters of the plan. The president stressed the significance of EU Commission involvement in all stages of the negotiations and said talks are extended to include Greece and Turkey in collaboration and support of the efforts for a final conclusion of the talks. ''Extended negotiations will always take place under UN auspices and in the framework of the Secretary General's good offices mission,'' the president pointed out. He said Annan has given assurances that the final draft will be submitted to the Security Council before it is finalized. The president thanked party leaders for their support and he paid particular tribute to the presence and continuous support of former president Glafcos Clerides and his aides. Papadopoulos noted the very close cooperation with the Greek premier Costas Simitis and his government and the main opposition party leader. ''Our side will continue with the same positive attitude to seek a solution in Cyprus on the basis of the Annan plan and the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU on May 1 2004,'' the president said. [04] Beglitis terms Cyprus results 'a very positive development for Greek gov't'NEW YORK 14/2/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis termed as ''a very positive development'' the results of the three-day extensive talks here on the Cyprus issue, stressing that the European Union's participation in the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem will be ''continuous and intensive.''''For the Greek government it is a very positive development on the basis of the fact that the basic demands of the four sides during the negotiations were accepted. We refer specifically that the negotiations will be held on the basis of the Annan plan, an issue which (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash refused to accept yesterday, he accepts today,'' Beglitis told reporters after the Greek side's positive answer to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. [05] Constantopoulos says Greece, Cyprus 'pressured to accept what they have denied'Athens 14/2/2004 (ANA)''Greece and Cyprus are being pressured, mainly by the United States, to accept what they have denied for decades, that is the conversion of the Cyprus issue to a bilateral Greek-Turkish dispute which will be solved through arbitration,'' Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology leader Nikos Constantopoulos said on Friday following a meeting a Coalition delegation had with Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis who briefed them on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.''For us, the Cyprus issue is an international problem of invasion and occupation which primarily concerns the United Nations. And at the same time it is a European issue with the given fact the decision for Cyprus' accession to the European Union,'' Constantopoulos said, adding that ''from these positions no Greek government can go back.'' ''The Greek people must not give anyone a blank cheque on how to handle to major national issue after the general elections'' on March 7, he said. ''For this reason, we ask that now, before the elections, that a meeting of party leaders, under the auspices of the President of the Republic, be convened in order for all of them to commit themselves on what they will do after the elections,'' Constantopoulos concluded [06] UN chief's call to start Cyprus talks acceptedNEW YORK 14/2/2004 (ANA)Both the Greek Cypriot side and the Turkish Cypriot sides, as well as Athens and Ankara, have accepted a proposal by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to start talks for a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem.The four sides said the accepted the framework and timetables for the talks, as set out in Annan's statements. According to reports, both Nicosia and Athens are also pleased with the reference to the European Union, which will be called on to render technical assistance in the process towards a long-sought solution to the island republic's division. Moreover, the second stage of talks will include an expanded list of participants -- beyond the aforementioned four -- while the UN chief's mediation will centre only on the basis of the peace plan. Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and T/C leader Rauf Denktash, along with the representatives of Greece and Turkey responded in the affirmative to Annan's proposal. [07] European Commission welcomes resumption of Cyprus talksBRUSSELS 14/2/2004 (ANA/A. Simatos/CNA)The European Commission on Friday welcomed the resumption of the negotiations on Cyprus on the basis of a twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, describing it as an historical breakthrough.In a press release, the Commission ''welcomes the commitment made by the two parties in Cyprus to resume negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan.'' Commission President Romano Prodi said ''the Commission considers that the chances for a comprehensive settlement have never been better,'' adding that ''it would bring to an end a division that has been there already for too long.'' ''There is no place for barbed wires, minefields and peacekeeping forces in the European Union,'' he said. In its statement, the Commission describes the New York agreement to resume negotiations as an ''historical breakthrough'', which ''opens up the genuine prospect that a united Cyprus could join the EU on the 1st of May 2004.'' ''It is the result of determined efforts by the UN Secretary General and all parties involved. The Commission underlines the assurances of the EU to accommodate the terms of a settlement and will provide any assistance needed for a successful outcome of the negotiations,'' it adds. [08] U.S. welcomes agreement on procedure for Cyprus settlementWASHINGTON 14/2/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)The United States ''warmly welcomed'' on Friday the announcement of the achievement of an agreement on the procedure for a solution to the Cyprus issue, according to State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.He said the resumption of the negotiations on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan came as a result ''of the constructive spirit and political will of all the sides.'' Specifically, he noted that on February 11 the Turkish side submitted ''a particularly helpful proposal for the creation of a mechanism for ending the deadlock and received a cooperative answer by the Greek Cypriot side, something which allowed the Secretary-General to propose a compromise which was accepted by all the sides.'' Boucher expressed the satisfaction of the United States over the fact that all the sides seized this ''historic opportunity for the achievement of a viable solution which will allow Cypriots to enjoy the benefits of accession to the European Union on May 1.'' He said the United States would ''naturally continue to offer the necessary support'' for the successful conclusion of the effort, noting the personal involvement of Secretary of State Colin Powell who talked with Annan on the Cyprus issue on Sunday, Wednesday and twice on Thursday, while also communicating with his Greek and Turkish counterparts. ''The talks are now transferred to Cyprus on February 19 and the examination will start of the details in the context of what was agreed on,'' he said, reiterating that the U.S. will continue supporting Annan's efforts and those of his envoy Alvaro de Soto. Asked to comment on the exact role which the European Union will play, the State Department spokesman referred to the relevant clarifications given by Annan, restricting himself in noting that the EU and the U.S. support all the effort and concluded by saying that the EU has expressed its intention to accommodate the operation of the solution in its own procedures and mechanisms. [09] ND leader Karamanlis visit to Madrid cancelled due to blizzardAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday cancelled his departure for Madrid for a Central-Democrats International summit after a blizzard in Athens caused the shut-down of the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.The summit, chaired by Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar, will be attended by leaders from more than 90 political parties worldwide, who comprise the Central-Democrats International. The include the prime ministers of Portugal, Norway, Slovakia, Malta and Estonia. The summit, which is a follow-up of the one, held on the Greek island of Corfu in 2002, will deal with international issues as well as cooperation among its party members. [10] Greece's GDP highest among EU-15 in 3rd quarter of '03Athens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Greece recorded the highest growth rate among the European Union's 15 member-states in the third quarter of 2003, Eurostat said on Friday.The EU executive's statistics agency said in a report that Greek gross domestic product (GDP) rose 5 percent in the third quarter compared with the corresponding period in 2002 and by 1.8 percent compared with the second quarter of 2003. In the EU, GDP grew 0.6 percent in the July-September period from 2002, and by 0.4 percent from the previous quarter in 2003. Euro-zone GDP grew 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent over the same periods, respectively, Eurostat said. GDP growth was 0.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002 in the EU-15. The economy grew 0.4 percent from the third quarter. Euro-zone GDP figures were 0.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. Euro stat’s figures did not include Greece's GDP figures for the fourth quarter. [11] Eurostat says Greece had highest GDP increase rate in EU in 3rd quarter of 2003BRUSSELS 14/2/2004 (ANA - A. Simatos)Greece had the highest GDP increase rate in the 15-nation European Union in the third quarter of 2003, according to data publicized by the EU statistical service Eurostat on Friday.GDP increased by 5 percent in Greece during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period of 2002, and by 1.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003. As regards the EU GDP average, it increased by 0.6 percent during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period in 2002, and by 0.4 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003. The GDP increase in the eurozone was 0.3 percent during the third quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period in 2002, and by 0.4 percent compared to the second quarter of 2003. [12] Bad weather likely to affect farm production, pricesAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Fears of supply shortages and sharp price increases in fresh fruit and vegetables in the domestic market emerged after a severe cold wave that hit Greece in the last 24 hours, market experts said on Friday.Retail and food stores are facing difficulties in maintaining their supply routes, along with petrol stations, because of problems in transportation around the country, while several businesses either under-operating or did not operate at all. Warehouse owners said that the market would be sufficiently supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables, but they forecast a sharp rise in prices near-term because of damages inflicted on the country's agriculture production. [13] Athens Stock Exchange opening: DeclineAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Equities were declining at the opening of the trading session Thursday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the general share price index down 0.37 per cent, standing at 2,459.42 points at 11:40 a.m., and turnover at 18.0 million euro.Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward, with the biggest losses in Investments, down 1.02 percent; Banks, down 0.76 percent; and Wholesale, down 0.26 percent; and the biggest gains in Telecoms, up 1.01 percent; IT, up 0.80 percent; and IT Solutions, up 0.31 percent. Of the stocks moved, 75 were up, 103 were down and 52 were unchanged. Trading was slow at the opening of the stock exchange on Friday due to the inclement weather, resulting in the majority of investors abstaining from the day's session, and the slow pace was expected to continue for the rest of the day, according to ASE officials The transactions taking place were mostly attributed to institutional portfolios and large-scale investors. The most heavily traded stocks in turnover were EXAE, Cosmote, Public Power Corporation and National Bank of Greece. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 87 mln euros Friday Equity Index Futures: FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of February 13 2004 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,291 1,262 [14] Blizzard hits Greece, paralyses AthensAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)A severe front of inclement weather that hit Greece late Thursday has covered most of the country in snow, while a blizzard in Athens that lasted throughout the night has literally paralyzed the capital.Heavy snow flurries caused the cancellation of primary and secondary school classes throughout the entire Attica prefecture, including Piraeus, and forced the shut-down of the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Spata, north of Athens, despite all-night efforts to keep the runways clear. Trolley buses were immobilized and only about 50 of Athens' 2000 blue buses were on the road, carrying out mostly routes along coastal Vouliagmenis boulevard, Alimou and Syngrou avenues to the city centre. The Athens metro, whose routes were entirely underground, was operating normally, while most of the route of the older ISAP train network was also in operation. Snow chains were required for circulation throughout Attica prefecture, with the exception of the city centre. The Fire Department was also transporting kidney patients from their homes to hospitals for dialysis treatment. Snow chains were also required throughout the national highway and rural road networks in most parts of the country, where temperatures fell to below zero, reaching -13 in Kozani and -7 in Tripoli. Schools were also closed in most parts of the country. [15] PASOK leader Papandreou visits Civil Protection General SecretariatAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Ruling PASOK leader George Papandreou on Friday visited the Civil Protection General Secretariat where he was briefed on the general situation in the country following the spell of bad weather which began on Thursday.Present at the briefing were former interior minister Costas Skandalidis, caretaker interior minister Nikos Alivizatos and interior deputy ministers Lambros Papadimas and Nikos Bistis, Athens-Piraeus Supra-Prefect Fofi Gennimata, Civil Protection general secretary D. Georgakopoulos and the director of the Operations Centre of the Civil Protection General Secretariat, I. Kalogerakis. Following his briefing by the relevant ministers, the PASOK leader in statements to reporters announced his party's commitment that immediately after the March 7 general elections, it would proceed in setting up a joint Civil Protection agency, with a separate budget, to which all the service apparatuses would be subject and which will be responsible for handling emergencies and weather conditions. Papandreou further committed himself in establishing a special solidarity fund which will aid economically weaker social groups which face damages from bad weather conditions, through a separate fund, with a separate budget. Papandreou, who observed that it was one of the most severe snow storms ''of the past decades in Greece,'' thanked all those who, through ''self-denial,'' contributed in dealing with the bad weather conditions and helped fellow-citizens who were in danger. [16] ND leader visits National Emergency Centre, praises staff's workAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis visited the National Emergency Centre (EKAB) on Friday and was briefed on problems created by bad weather conditions prevailing throughout the day.Karamanlis congratulated staff for the great effort they are making to help their fellow man in need. He added that what counts at this time is our fellow men who are in need and are suffering such as patients, kidney sufferers, the disabled and the elderly. Karamanlis is due to leave by rail for Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Friday night, since parts of the party's program will be presented on Saturday, while he will also be visiting the city of Patra on Sunday for the same reason. ND leader visits Eastern Attica Prefecture, briefed on weather problems: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis visited the Prefecture of Eastern Attica on Friday and was briefed by prefect Leonidas Kouris on problems created in the region by the ongoing harsh weather conditions. Karamanlis said problems were great and conditions very difficult and added that, apart from state organization and coordination, cooperation from citizens was also useful since problems would not be solved immediately and every citizen could contribute with his assistance. The ND leader also called for better coordination to handle whatever mistakes and shortcomings exist Public works ministry using all available machinery to tackle weather problems: The Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry is using all available machinery in an effort to tackle problems created by bad weather conditions prevailing in the prefecture of Attica since Thursday afternoon. Emphasis is being placed on the two national motorway networks and the Malakassa-Schimatari national motorway in particular. Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou visited Malakassa at noon on Friday, as well as a location where a number of cars are snowbound near Schimatari. Papandreou said it was a difficult day, the state apparatus had been mobilized and when the bad weather conditions will also recede the performance of mobilization will be more substantive. The entire Attica region has been covered in snow, but traffic was returning to normal in many municipalities as of noon, but great caution is still necessary. The worse problems have been created in municipalities close to mountain ranges, mainly near Parnitha and Penteli. [17] US Consulate General in Thessaloniki closed due to phone threatAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)The US Consulate General in Thessaloniki was temporarily closed on Friday due to an anonymous phone call to the local police threatening an imminent hit.In Washington, US state department press officer for Europe, Brenda Greenberg, announced that "the US Consulate General in Thessaloniki will close on February 13, due to a threat", but declined to provide specific details on the nature of the threat. The Consulate General was expected to reopen on Tuesday, barring additional threats, Greenberg said. The US embassy in Athens will remain open. A senior police official in Thessaloniki told the ANA that the police were treating the telephone call as "very serious to ludicrous". He said that, under different circumstances, such a telephone call might possibly not have been taken very seriously and considered as one of the usual prank calls occasionally made to the police. But due to the Olympic Games to be held in August "we must be particularly scrupulous and cautious," the official said. A diplomatic source attributed the US decision to close the Consulate as an "over-sensitive reaction" due to the general climate surrounding the war on terrorism. Police beefed up the already stringent security measures surrounding the Consulate building, which is housed on the 8th floor of a building in the commercial centre of Thessaloniki on Tsimiski street. After the war in Iraq, a police bus with armed special forces teams is permanent stationed outside the entrance of the building, where private police make stringent checks on people before allowing them to enter the building. In addition, plainclothes security police constantly patrol the area. The Consulate was relocated from the coastal Nikis boulevard to the Tsimiski building three years ago for security reasons, as it was considered very difficult for a would-be-terrorist to have easy access to the facility in its new location in the commercial centre. Police sources noted that, during the NATO bombings on Kosovo, while the Consulate was still at its previous location, a young woman carrying an incendiary device she intended to throw at the building had been arrested at a short distance from the Consulate. The young woman, whose relatives claimed suffered from psychological problems, had been sentenced to a prison term, which the US had felt had not been sufficiently strict, resulting in a public statement by then US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns. [18] Weather Forecast: Snow on SaturdayAthens 14/2/2004 (ANA)Local snowfall is forecast, especially in the east and south, with weather improving in the afternoon. Winds northerly, northwesterly strong to very strong and gale force in the Aegean. Temperatures in Athens -3C to 2C and in Thessaloniki from -8C to -2C.[19] Cypriot president satisfied with outcome of New York talksUNITED NATIONS 14/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said on Friday he was satisfied with the agreement achieved in New York to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem in Nicosia under UN auspices.Speaking after three days of intense negotiations at UN headquarters between himself, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the president said he hoped that this time the talks would lead to a positive outcome that could be put to referenda. The two sides have accepted Annan's statement on the procedure of the negotiations and talks to solve the Cyprus problem begin on February 19 in Nicosia. On departing from UN headquarters, having wrapped up a fourth joint meeting in as many days, President Papadopoulos said he was satisfied that ''we have achieved what we have been asking for over the past nine months, that is the resumption of negotiations under the UN Secretary-General's auspices.'' ''This time, the talks between the parties, with the assistance of Greece and Turkey, as well as the EU, I hope will lead us to a positive outcome to decide to put to referenda the solution that will emerge,'' he said. Asked if he mentioned the issues the Greek Cypriot side wants changed in the twice-revised solution plan proposed by Annan, President Papadopoulos said ''this is in the context of the procedure to be followed.'' Invited to say if the Cyprus problem would be solved, the president said ''there have been so many false hopes in the past so I wouldn't like to make any prediction.'' He expressed hope that it will be solved. Asked what the main issues talks about were, President Papadopoulos said, ''the main issue was the exercise of the discretion of the Secretary-General as to the final outcome of the issues but most important of all was the involvement of the EU in the talks.'' [20] Statement on Cyprus talks agreed by all partiesUNITED NATIONS 14/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)Here below the statement agreed by all parties after three days of talks at the UN, as read by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:''Negotiations resumed on 10th February at UN headquarters in New York between the two parties in Cyprus in my presence. Following three days of meetings and consultations, I am pleased to announce that the parties have committed to negotiating in good faith on the basis of my plan, to achieve a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem through separate and simultaneous referenda before 1 May 2004. To this end, the parties will seek to agree on changes and to complete the plan in all respects by 22 March 2004 within the framework of my mission of good offices so as to produce a finalized text. In the absence of such an agreement, I would convene a meeting of the two sides with participation of Greece and Turkey in order to lend their collaboration in a concentrated effort to agree on a finalized text by 29 March. As a final resort, in the event of a continuing and persistent deadlock, the parties have invited me to use my discretion to finalize the text to be submitted to referenda on the basis of my plan. In addition, the parties have agreed on the other suggestions contained in my invitation of 4 February 2004. They have also decided to form a technical committee on economic and financial aspects of implementation, to be chaired by the UN. The guarantor powers have signified their commitment to this process and to meeting their obligations under it. I welcome these commitments, as well as the assurances by the EU to accommodate the settlement, and the offer of technical assistance by the European Commission. I look forward to drawing on this assistance as well as that of others in the course of the negotiations. The talks will reconvene in Cyprus on Thursday 19 February with direct meetings between the parties in the presence of my Special Advisor Alvaro de Soto. The technical committees on laws and treaties will reconvene on the same day. I commend the constructive spirit and the political will displayed by both parties as well as by Greece and Turkey to reach this agreement. All concerned now face historic responsibilities to bring about a just and lasting peace in Cyprus. I wish them well and look forward to working very closely with them.'' [21] Annan will intervene to complete plan if talks failUNITED NATIONS 14/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said if the new effort on Cyprus fails during next week's negotiations, then he will have the right to intervene to complete the plan so that it goes to referenda.He also said the EU will have to work with the UN to ensure that everything is done in conformity with the requirements. Answering questions after reading his statement to the press, Annan also praised the support that the talks received from around the world, noting there is lots of good will for the people of Cyprus and expectation that a united Cyprus will enter the EU by 1st of May. Invited to spell the role of the EU, Annan said ''I think as we move forward, we have lots of work to be done on laws, on constitutions, and economic and financial aspects where the EU will have to work with us to ensure that whatever we do is in conformity with the requirements.'' ''So moving forward we expect to work with them, and we have been working with them even though they have not been in the room as we negotiate in technical and other aspects they have been fully involved and the parties have welcomed that,'' he said. Asked what it was he could not achieve and insisted on bringing in the EU, Annan advised to take the problem ''in manageable chunks.'' He explained that ''first you have to have the negotiations with the parties to get to a settlement.'' ''Say on the political process and the political negotiations is basically between the two parties, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots with my representative. Then when you get into a deadlock, to help us break the deadlock, I will bring in Turkey and Greece to work with me in an intensive period to try to break all the deadlock. Let's say for an intensive period of about a week. And if that effort fails, I have the right to complete the plan, to go to referenda, so at this stage the EU is not involved at this key negotiation stage,'' he said. However, Annan said the EU will come in when technical aspects will be approached, reminding that Cyprus is joining the EU and ''the plan and its implementation will have an economic and financial impact'' which will have to be dealt with. Annan said when the EU says it will ''accommodate the plan, let's not forget the train has been moving along.'' ''The Greek Cypriots can enter the EU on the 1st of May. Hopefully we will have a united Cyprus entering, the EU will have to accommodate and adapt its own processes, accession rules, to be able to accommodate the agreement that we are likely to reach with them. So that statement should be seen in that context.'' he said. Earlier, speaking to reporters before reading his statement, Annan said ''I believe it is a very good evening for Cyprus.'' He said ''we have not yet solved the problem, but I really believe that, after forty years, a political settlement is at last in reach, provided both sides summon the necessary political will.'' Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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