Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-02

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Substance, good will gestures on agenda of talks

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Substance, good will gestures on agenda of talks

He also said it would be "premature and irresponsible" to conclude that the talks, conducted by UN resident representative Gustave Feissel, have not yielded any results yet.

"Discussions between President Glafcos Clerides and Feissel cover the substance of the problem and most of the time is taken up by issues relating to substantive aspects of the Cyprus question," Cassoulides said at his daily press briefing.

These discussions are useful, he said and added that "obviously we are talking about good will gestures."

Replying to questions, Cassoulides said he was not in a position to speak about progress on the substance at the proximity talks.

The Spokesman refrained from commenting on demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that foreign tourists entering the Republic from an illegal port of entry, in Turkish occupied Cyprus, are allowed to visit the government controlled areas of the Republic.

"I would not like to comment on such matters because they are likely to be on the agenda of the proximity talks," he explained and noted that matters pertaining movement of tourists will depend on the essence of a settlement.

The government, since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern part, has declared entry into the Republic through the Turkish-occupied areas "illegal", as it is prevented by the occupation troops from exercising its jurisdiction in these areas.

Asked to comment on the conviction of foreign diplomats as well as Cypriot and Greek officials that direct negotiations are certain to take place, Cassoulides said "this assessment relies on the hope that the proximity talks will lead to direct negotiations in the first half of 1997."

Commenting on press reports that the US priority lies in ironing out Greco-Turkish differences and pushing Turkey's relations with the European Union, Cassoulides said the US has not expressed such thoughts about its priorities.

On the political situation in Turkey, he said the government is monitoring developments in Turkey but has not reached the conclusion that nothing can be done in the Cyprus question, taking into consideration the increased interest the Turkish military has shown in Turkey's foreign policy matters.

CNA KN/MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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