Search
/ The semantics of the G8 resolution
/
THE REFERENCE to the Cyprus problem in the final document of the G8 (Group
of Eight) summit, held in Cologne at the weekend, was given great
prominence by most newspapers. Interpretations varied, but most papers
highlighted the call for a return to talks without any pre-conditions.
_Haravghi
_ reported that the G8 had called on President Clerides and Rauf Denktash
to commit themselves to participate in negotiations in the autumn which
would keep going until a settlement was found. No pre-conditions would be
set for attending the talks and all the issues would be on the negotiating
table.
According to the G8 announcement, "the solution of the Cyprus problem would
benefit not only all the people of Cyprus, but would contribute positively
towards peace and stability in the region." It added: "Both sides in the
dispute have justified concerns that can be addressed."
_Phileleftheros
_ claimed that there had been "frenzied behind-the-scenes activity", in the
formulation of the summit's chapter on Cyprus. The draft document adopted
earlier by G8 Foreign Ministers had been changed by the US, who presented
the summit with a new proposal. This prompted the Cyprus and Greece foreign
ministries, which supported the original draft, into a diplomatic campaign
to alter the US draft.
Meetings with British, American and Russian officials as well as with
representatives of the other G8 countries, ensured that a satisfactory
compromise was found regarding the wording about UN resolutions which would
"be taken fully into account". However, the fact that all issues would be
on the negotiating table meant Turkey's demand for a confederation had not
been ruled out, it said.
_Simerini
_ explained how the G8 document had been changed. The original document,
prepared by the G8 foreign ministers, said that "the negotiations would be
based on UN resolutions". Denktash had objected to this and the US proposed
the alternative, "the UN resolutions will be taken into account," which did
not satisfy the Greek side. The final compromise was that the resolutions
"will be taken fully into account".
The paper also accused French President Jacques Chirac of closing the EU
door to Cyprus. It quoted him as saying that "the EU does not want to bring
into its ranks disputes that are unsolved". This was blackmail, aimed at
forcing new concessions from the Cyprus government, it said.
_To Tharros
_ reported that the Cyprus government was satisfied with the G8
announcement as it was an improvement on the US proposal. Government
sources also said that the conditions set by Turkey for the resumption of
the talks had been rejected by the G8.
_Alithia
_ led with a report about the internal party elections in Disy. It said
that Disy was "the great victor" because it emerged united from the
elections. The contest for the deputy leadership was won by Panayiotis
Demetriou who was embraced and congratulated by his opponent as soon as the
results of the vote were known. Then both joined hands with the Party
leader Nicos Anastassiades to salute the crowd.
_Politis
_ led with an investigation into the prices of medicine in Cyprus, which it
compared with those in Greece. It reported that many drugs were being sold
in Greece at less than half the price that was being charged by importers
in Cyprus.
© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999
