Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-11

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - India boost shipping links

[02] UN to decide on future moves on Cyprus

[03] Government comments on Annan's letter

[04] Cyprus threatens US vital interests, says Albright

[05] Russian-backed meeting accepted

[06] Angry reaction to Rifkind's statement

1900:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - India boost shipping links by Maria Chrysanthou

The agreement aims to facilitate and accelerate maritime traffic between the two countries, and is described, by an Indian Transport Ministry press release as "a positive step in the direction of improving shipping links between India and Cyprus."

The agreement provides for the recognition of seamen's identity documents, issued by the contracting parties, and offers them port facilities.

A Joint Commission will be set up to oversee the effective implementation of the Agreement and consider matters of mutual interest related to maritime transport.

Cyprus and India have signed a number of bilateral agreements to date, covering the commercial, agricultural, tourism and investment sectors.

In 1989, the two countries signed an Agreement for Economic, Commercial, Scientific and Industrial Cooperation, through which a Cyprus -Indian Intergovernmental Committee was established.

Agreements in agriculture and tourism were signed in 1992 and 1996, respectively, while an agreement to avoid double taxation, was signed in 1994.

Two other agreements on direct flights and the promotion and protection of investments are still pending.

CNA MCH/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN to decide on future moves on Cyprus

Feissel was speaking on his return to Cyprus after visiting Ankara and Athens with UN Special Representative, Han Sung Joo, where they discussed the Cyprus problem with the two governments.

He said the purpose of the visits was to convey a letter to the Greek and Turkish Prime Ministers from Kofi Annan, in which the SG "underlined the importance he attaches to the Cyprus question and the need to make a special effort to move forward".

Feissel said the SG "will make an assessment of the situation and decide how to proceed" after Han "conveys his views and findings" on the situation here. He noted he will also be going to New York next Monday, February 17,

Referring to their meetings, Feissel said Han repeated what he had said after his discussions in Nicosia, that more work was needed before a meeting between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Raouf Denktash could take place.

He added that when President Clerides and Denktash meet "they have to stay together until they finish the job".

"We underlined that the status quo is not a tenable option and therefore the only sensible thing to do is to work out a settlement along the lines that have been agreed," he said.

The UN envoy pointed out this requires that everybody works harder to achieve a peaceful and negotiated settlement.

"When one says negotiations, one means compromise and the way to proceed, as the SG has underlined in his letter, is to tackle all the issues on a comprehensive basis," he added.

Feissel noted the SG believes "that the situation in Cyprus is obviously not getting any better, and this underlines the urgency of redoubling one's efforts for a settlement."

However, he said he was "not discouraged" and noted efforts have to continue as "we know what the problems are."

The UN envoy also repeated calls to all parties involved "to generate the necessary will to move forward."

Feissel expressed regret that calls for the reduction of tension on the island were not heeded, and noted this is one of the reasons efforts for a solution have not moved forward.

Replying to questions, Feissel confirmed statements made earlier today by Russian ambassador to Nicosia, Georgi Mouratov, that his country's proposal for a meeting of the five UN Security Council permanent members on the Cyprus issue was accepted.

"We had a meeting of the permanent five last April in New York, and this will be another one," he said, but noted he did not know when the meeting would take place.

CNA MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government comments on Annan's letter by Maria Chrysanthou

Cassoulides restricted himself in saying that "the same letter was conveyed to President Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the Greek and Turkish Premiers, by the SG Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo."

The UN envoy had visited Nicosia, Ankara and Turkey this month, in a bid to push forward efforts for a Cyprus solution.

The Spokesman told CNA that the events that followed Han's visit to Nicosia "speak for themselves and need no further comment."

Cassoulides was apparently referring to an "incident" the Turkish occupation forces had staged last Thursday as Han was leaving Cyprus for Ankara.

On February 6, the Turkish occupation regime claimed that Greek Cypriots tried to tear down the Turkish flag at an outpost in Louroudjina village, about 20 miles southeast of Nicosia, and that gunfire was exchanged.

The UN Force in Cyprus investigated the "incident" but could not substantiate the Turkish claims.

In his letter, the UN chief expresses "grave concern" about the situation on the island and adds that he will seek the "active support" of Greece and Turkey in order to reach a solution in Cyprus.

He also calls on President Clerides and Denktash to be more positive in their public statements and towards contacts between the two communities.

CNA MCH/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus threatens US vital interests, says Albright

Referring to Cyprus, in her written statement before the House International Relations Committee, she said "the dispute divides more than the two Cypriot communities; it continues to act as a wedge between two NATO allies, Turkey and Greece."

"In so doing," Albright noted, "it threatens European stability and our vital interests."

The US Secretary of State added that "accordingly, the US is prepared to play a larger role in promoting a resolution to the conflict."

However, she noted that for efforts to yield results "the parties must agree to concrete steps that will reduce tensions, build confidence, and make productive negotiations possible."

Albright said "last year's increased violence on the island impeded efforts to restart negotiations, but also dramatised the urgent need for a lasting solution."

Last year, four Greek Cypriots were murdered in cold blood by Turkish forces, occupying part of the island since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, and by members of the Turkish ultra-nationalist organisation known as "Grey Wolves".

In September last year a Turkish soldier was found dead at his outpost, but claims by the Turkish side that he was murdered by Greek Cypriots were never substantiated.

CNA DM/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2025 :CYPPRESS:05

[05] Russian-backed meeting accepted

Russian ambassador to Nicosia, Georgi Mouratov, said here today Moscow's proposal has been accepted, but did not elaborate on the issue.

"Moscow's proposal for a meeting among the representatives of the five permanent members to discuss all elements of the Cyprus issue, including the demilitarisation of the island, has been accepted", Mouratov said.

Mouratov said the meeting should aim at coordinating all ideas and proposals put forward on the Cyprus issue, noting that the content of initiatives on Cyprus, announced lately, remains unknown.

"The permanent members should discuss what they can offer, what they recommend and how they can contribute towards a solution", he added.

Mouratov said all ideas for a solution to the Cyprus issue should come under the umbrella of the UN General Secretary, because, he noted, Moscow believes separate initiatives will not bring results.

Replying to questions, the Russian ambassador said his country's proposal envisages European Union participation at the proposed meeting.

CNA MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Angry reaction to Rifkind's statement

Political party leaders criticised Britain, one of the three guarantor powers of Cyprus' independence (along with Greece and Turkey) for not fulfilling its obligations towards Cyprus.

They also called on Britain to exert pressure on Turkey to cooperate in efforts to reach a solution of the protracted Cyprus question.

Speaking to BBC Radio Four, Rifkind said there was a serious possibility of a war between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus and a chance the two countries may to war over the Aegean as well.

The British Foreign Secretary also said there has been a real lack of political will on both sides.

Commenting on Rifkind's statements, Acting President, House President, Spyros Kyprianou, said "it is unacceptable to put Greece and Turkey on an equal footing".

"Rifkind's statement is an unacceptable tactic to create tension and a method to exert pressure on Cyprus and Greece," Kyprianou told CNA today.

Athens, he pointed out, has the political will to settle the Cyprus problem, whereas Ankara "not only lacks the political will but also appears unwilling to abandon its expansionist policy."

Kyprianou said the Cyprus problem "is not an issue between Greece and Turkey, but an international problem of invasion and occupation."

Ruling right wing Democratic Party deputy leader, Nicos Anastasiades, said Rifkind's statements "do not exempt Britain from her obligations as a guarantor power" and called on Britain to exert pressure on Turkey to stop creating instability in the wider region.

In a statement, opposition left-wing party, AKEL, describes Rifkind's statements as "one-sided" and noted that he overlooks the fact that the Turkish side's intransigence is to blame for the lack of progress toward a Cyprus solution.

Socialist party leader, Vasos Lyssarides, said that Britain is putting both countries in the same boat, instead of looking for the guilty party.

United Democrat General Secretary, Costas Themistokleous, disagreed with the fact that the British Foreign Secretary put Greece and Turkey on an equal footing. However, he noted the need for measures to defuse tension between the two countries as well as initiatives for a solution in Cyprus.

CNA MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article