Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Breakthrough for military dialogue, says UN

1130:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Breakthrough for military dialogue, says UN

UNFICYP Spokesman Waldemar Rokozewski told CNA today that "progress which we observed over the month was not satisfactory".

However, "quite recently, certain progress was made, and we are more optimistic. We believe that negotiations may bring positive results on the entire package," he said.

Rokozewski said UNFICYP welcomed the progress and would like "to conclude with the entire package as soon as possible."

The Spokesman said that UNFICYP did not propose anything new since the conclusion of the unmanning agreement in 1989.

"All the elements of our plan were well known to the parties concerned. The regretful Dherynia events led to form three item package, unmanning, unloading and code of conduct", he said.

Rokozewski avoided saying from which side the breakthrough was made, noting that until they conclude a deal on the entire package, no comments would be made.

The UNFICYP spokesman further noted that there is no time limit on the negotiations.

However, Rokozewski said since all the elements are well known to the parties concerned, "we believe that we can do it very fast... Recent negotiations which we had with both sides showed an opportunity for the deal to become," he concluded.

UNFICYP is carrying out separate talks with the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces over a package of measures, which include the extension of the 1989 unmanning agreement, the prohibition of loaded weapons along the buffer zone and a code of conduct for soldiers.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

In August 1996, two Greek Cypriot youths were brutally killed by Turkish soldiers and members of the extremist organisation "Grey Wolves" and so called "officials" of the Denktash regime, during peaceful demonstrations. CNA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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