Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-02

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides put forward security issue

1630:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides put forward security issue

Speaking at Larnaca airport on his return from Davos, where he attended the World Economic Forum, President Clerides said that ''at the first stage proximity talks are expected to begin'' in order to establish if there is enough common ground between the Greek and Turkish sides, for face-to-face talks.

Asked whether there was a decision over which issues should have priority, President Clerides said he had put forward his view that ''the security of the two communities is of utmost importance'' and should be addressed first.

''If a solution does not ensure the future of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, no common ground can be found,'' he added.

President Clerides said he also outlined his position concerning the demilitarisation of Cyprus, the deployment of an international force here and foreign guarantee's for the safeguarding of a solution.

He noted the UN Secretary-General did not put forward his view on the security issue.

''We exchanged views on what should be done to break the deadlock and move efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem forward,'' President Clerides said.

Asked to comment on press reports that the US and Britain are cooperating in a draft solution to the Cyprus problem, President Clerides said he had ''no concrete information'' on this issue.

''They have not informed us they are cooperating to prepare a draft solution,'' he said, but pointed out that British Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, is in the US for talks, so there is bound to be some cooperation between the two countries.

He also said he told the Secretary-General there should not be separate foreign initiatives for a solution to the Cyprus problem, but ''coordination, under the UN.''

The President said he does not expect a draft solution to be put on the table, because ''at a first stage proximity talks will be carried out and maybe a draft solution will come out of them.''

Replying to a question, President Clerides said he has not given the US a commitment that Greek military planes would not fly over Cyprus. ''I have not undertaken a commitment,'' President Clerides said.

He reiterated the government's position that ''when the US initiative for a solution to the Cyprus problem begins'' it is prepared to stop Greek military plane flights over Cyprus until the end of August, in order to maintain a good climate.

''I believe this gives sufficient time to efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem,'' President Clerides added.

Asked to comment on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that he can make no concessions on the Cyprus issue, President Clerides said that if this is the case, then ''no common ground can be reached.'' He also noted there are no signs that Ankara has moved from its intransigent positions on the Cyprus issue.

CNA MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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