Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-09-28

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CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Rally subdued after tragic death

[02] 1997 offers chance for progress

[03] Rifkind: unique opportunity in 1997 for settlement

[04] Cyprus appeals for calm in Middle East

[05] German driver leads Cyprus Rally

1045:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Rally subdued after tragic death

''This is the first time in the history of the Rothmans Cyprus Rally that we have had a fatal accident. We are all very sad about this,'' he told CNA today.

Elena Fotiou, 24, from Limassol died of internal injuries when a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 went off the road and hit spectators watching the Rally on ground level, he said.

At the time of the accident, during the third special stage into the Rally, visibility was low because of the cloud of dust caused by the speeding car.

Two of the injured, Aliki Kalatha and Costas Giorgallis, are in hospital with a broken leg and head injuries respectively, Christodoulou said. The other two injured persons were treated for shock and minor injuries and later discharged.

The car crew, driver Marios Poulitas and his co-driver Evangelos Georgiades were not hurt but were withdrawn from the competition, Christodoulou said.

''We have cancelled all celebrations we had planned for the duration of the Rally and Monday's prize winning ceremony will be rather subdued because of the tragic death,'' he said.

Christodoulou said ''police and Rally officials are carrying out investigations to establish the exact circumstances of yesterday's accident and then we will take it from there.''

After last night's accident all cars returned to Nicosia in a convoy and those that did not get round to finishing the special stage were awarded the points of the slowest driver who had finished the stage, an arrangement stipulated by Rally rules in the event of such occurrences.

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1155:CYPPRESS:02

[02] 1997 offers chance for progress

She said she had a "very good meeting on how to move the process forward in Cyprus" and described President Clerides and his Foreign Minister, who attended the meeting, as "very good and close friends."

Asked if she agreed with Clerides' position that preparatory talks must finish before the presidential elections in Cyprus (due in February 1998) Albright replied "Yes, because I think that we all see 1997 as being really a window of opportunity that we all have to seize. So I think yes, we do agree".

Invited to say whether Greco-turkish relations and the Cyprus question should be dealt with as a package deal or not, Albright said "One step at a time, here."

The Foreign Minister described the meeting as ''a very useful exchange of views on how to move things forward in Cyprus.''

''Once we reach common ground, we shall have to enter into direct talks because we want to reach a settlement,'' the Minister added.

US Presidential Emissary Richard Beattie, who was present at the meeting, told CNA he intends to visit Cyprus in December.

CNA EC/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Rifkind: unique opportunity in 1997 for settlement

New York, 28/9/1996 (CNA) -- Britain sees 1997 as the year that will provide a unique opportunity for real progress and possibly a resolution of the Cyprus problem, British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind has said.

Speaking after a 30-minute meeting here on Friday with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Rifkind said his discussions with President Clerides and Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides were ''very valuable'' and focussed on the present situation in Cyprus and prospects for progress towards a settlement of the protracted Cyprus question.

He paid tribute to President Clerides' speech to the UN General Assembly and noted there were some "very positive aspects to that speech which gives a good encouragement to those who are looking forward to the prospect of a solution".

Asked if he shared Clerides' view that something has to be done in 1997, Rifkind replied "I think there is a very powerful case. We are looking at banking on 1997 as the year that will provide possibly a unique opportunity for real progress and possibly a resolution of the Cyprus issue.''

The British Secretary said "there is a growing willingness throughout Cyprus by both communities and the international community to see this is the time that can be fruitful. And we in the UK, and I know other countries, are anxious to help."

He said those interested will not interfere but noted they are available to help those seeking a just and peaceful solution to the problems Cyprus is facing.

Asked by CNA to comment on Turkey Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's statement that Cyprus and Turkey must join the European Union at the same time, Rifkind avoided a straight reply but noted that the EU Commission's report on the Turkish application for accession indicated ''the timing was not appropriate'' for Turkey's membership.

''Since then, the EU has had an agreement with Turkey on the customs union. We very much value Turkey's closer and continuously closer relationship with the EU. That is also a very important objective,'' he said.

Asked to comment on efforts for coordination of various efforts to facilitate a solution in Cyprus, Rifkind said ''it is all part of a single effort'' and noted the UK had a ''greater interest in Cyprus'', expressed in the recent appointment of Sir David Hannay as Britain's special envoy for Cyprus.

''I don't see that as an independent, separate British initiative because we all have to work together,'' he added.

He said he looked forward ''to taking a greater personal interest because as we move towards prospects of real progress, it is right that those of us who have particular responsibilities should also be directly involved and do what is necessary to assist.''

Replying to questions, Rifkind said Cyprus would enjoy economic progress as an EU member and its accession to the Union would provide an added impetus for those who want to help reach a solution that will enable the unification of the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

On his part Foreign Minister Michaelides said the UK shares the Cyprus government's view that negotiations should be intense once common ground between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides is found.

''Rifkind feels that if we want mobility or results, there should be intense negotiations between the parties,'' the Minister said.

He said the current situation in Cyprus was at the centre of discussions during which President Clerides stressed the need for substantial preparatory work before the start of any peace negotiations.

Michaelides reiterated the government's readiness to begin talks in a bid to find common ground.

CNA EC/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1325:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus appeals for calm in Middle East

A statement, issued here Saturday, said ''Cyprus, in line with a statement by the European Union presidency, expresses grave concern about the recent bloody incidents in the West Bank and the Gaza strip, which resulted in the death and injuring of many persons from both sides.''

''The government of Cyprus calls for a halt in further clashes and the immediate restoration of calm and normality in the area, to create the necessary climate and restore mutual trust for an effective continuation of the peace process,'' the statement adds.

It also calls on the parties involved to ''show self-restraint and a conciliatory attitude and work together to speed up the pace of a substantial and constructive dialogue, which is the only means to achieve comprehensive peace and security in the region.''

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1435:CYPPRESS:05

[05] German driver leads Cyprus Rally

Schwarz finished the first leg of the Rally three minutes and sixteen seconds ahead of Austria's Kurt Gottlicher, who currently heads the Euro league.

In third place was an impressive Czech Jindirch Stolfa, in a Skoda Felicia, driving his first competition on gravel.

The 947 kilometre rally, one of the toughest in the European calendar, began its second leg today.

Seven cars did not make it back for the regroup late last night, so only seventy-one set off today from Nicosia to cover a total of 492 km to the west coastal resort of Paphos and through the Troodos mountains, before returning to Nicosia at night.

Yesterday's first leg of the Rally was tragically marked by the death of a young female spectator and the injury of a few others, when a car, driven by a Cypriot team, left the road in a cloud of dust.

Rally organisers have expressed ''deep sorrow'' about the woman's death and appealed to spectators to exercise utmost caution and comply with safety rules.

CNA RG/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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