Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-11-12

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Wedesday, November 12, 1997

Holbrooke keeping all options open

ALL Greek newspapers yesterday covered extensively the visit to Cyprus of US presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke for talks with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Phileleftheros said that despite an attempt by Washington to shroud the talks in secrecy it must not be believed that Holbrooke has come to Cyprus empty-handed.

It added that following Holbrooke's meeting with Clerides on Monday night the President held a meeting with his advisers for more than an hour.

Participating in the meeting were presidential under-secretary Pantelis Kouros, Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides, Attorney-general Alecos Markides and government spokesman Manolis Christofides.

Simerini said that taking into account the recent strained atmosphere in Greco-Turkish relations and overflights by military jets, Holbrooke will attempt to secure concrete steps towards easing tension.

Machi, previewing Holbrooke's meeting yesterday with Clerides and Denktash at the Ledra Palace, said the US envoy's negotiating abilities would be put to the test.

The American diplomat was expected to focus his attention on the issues of overflights and the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

Agon said a vital issue during the talks would be Turkey's attempts to forge closer ties with the European Union. It said Washington would try to devise a formula allowing the Turkish Cypriots to be part of the Cyprus negotiating team in the upcoming accession talks with the EU.

The paper said it was important to note that Holbrooke would be visiting EU headquarters after his Cyprus visit.

Alithia reported Holbrooke as saying that he would seek the truth in his talks with Clerides and Denktash, but that he did not believe he would get final answers on the complex issues constituting the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on the February elections and the effectiveness of talks during a pre-election period, Holbrooke noted that there was always a pre-election period either in Cyprus, Turkey, Greece or the US.

Haravghi said the US envoy expected that an honourable solution could finally be achieved.

The paper said that following a request by Washington the sides had agreed to avoid excessive comments about the talks, with a view to aiding the negotiating process.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1997

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article