Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides welcomes Holbrooke's appointment

[02] Congressman urges US government make 1997 "Year of Cyprus"

[03] Greek Cypriots ready for constructive talks

0955:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides welcomes Holbrooke's appointment

Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th conference of the International Co- ordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus, taking place in Washington, Kasoulides said this appointment "sends messages regarding the determination with which the US government will work towards a solution to the Cyprus issue."

He noted that "Ankara is the party involved who should be the main recipient of these messages" as the Cyprus government will "work in a constructive and open spirit during the negotiations for a solution in Cyprus".

Kasoulides was referring to the UN-sponsored direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, expected to begin early in July, near New York.

The Foreign Minister said the Greek Cypriot side will "defend its positions (during the talks), because they are based on international law and the principles of justice."

"If the other (Turkish Cypriot) side responds in the same way then a solution to the Cyprus issue would be achieved," he added.

US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns officially announced yesterday the appointment of Richard Holbrooke, the former Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, as President Clinton's emissary on Cyprus, noting it demonstrates US "commitment to help promote a final political settlement on Cyprus."

Invited to comment on Burns' statement that the governments involved had been asked about the appointment, Kasoulides said "we were informed of Holbrooke's appointment only yesterday morning" and "there was no consultation beforehand."

However, he said the Cyprus government did not wish to become involved in the appointment as it wanted to avoid the possibility of the two sides in Cyprus embarking on a discussion over the issue.

Asked if the government has any reservations as Holbrooke is considered a tough negotiator, the Foreign Minister replied this "should not scare the side which supports a fair case".

"This should intimidate people who support positions that are not accepted by international law and principles," he added, in an indirect reference to the Turkish side.

Holbrooke, who had mediated the Bosnian peace deal, will replace Richard Beattie, who was the Presidential Emissary in Clintons' previous term in office.

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with Reuters, Hobrooke played down prospects of rapid success. "I don't want to leave you with the idea that we have the magic bullet," he said.

He added that "given the present situation in Turkey, it's not clear to me what can be accomplished, but the Turks have said they want US involvement so we'll give it our best shot."

Turkish Premier Necmettin Erbakan has announced a plan to go to early elections under a caretaker government.

"The President and the Secretary of State are very committed to this and that's why I agreed to do it," Holbrooke said, noting he had not discussed how long this mission would last.

He said he did not plan to visit the region until after the talks, which he would not attend.

According to Burns, Holbrooke would not take the Cyprus post on a full- time basis, but would work on it about one week a month retaining his main job with a Wall Street bank.

The State Department spokesman also announced a career diplomat would be appointed to work full time on the Cyprus problem.

Britain, who is one of three guarantors of Cyprus' independence along with Greece and Turkey, welcomed Holbrooke's appointment, noting "a concerted international effort" was needed to resolve the Cyprus issue.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA DA/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Congressman urges US government make 1997 "Year of Cyprus"

Ben Gilman (R-NY), Chairman of the US House International Relations Committee, also welcomed the US administration decision to appoint Richard Holbrooke as President Bill Clinton's special envoy for the Cyprus problem and wished him "well in this endeavour."

Gilman was presented here last night with the "George Paraskevaides Award" during a banquet of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) 8th Conference.

Accepting the honour, Gilman thanked the Hellenic-American community, noting it was "deeply meaningful" to him to have his name associated with Greek Cypriot magnate George Paraskevaides whom he described as a "great humanitarian and philanthropist."

The congressman said the honour is a reminder of the tragic fact that for more than 22 years efforts to bring a just and peaceful Cyprus solution have been unsuccessful, noting that Turkish troops still occupy he northern part of the island where Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities remain divided.

"I hope that the (US) administration will act to make 1997 "The Year of Cyprus", as it has promised to do," he said.

Gilman expressed hope that "once the US has demonstrated the seriousness it attaches to a Cyprus solution, all the parties will fully cooperate" and support any US initiative, joining forces to "bring peace and justice to that beleaguered island." He said Cyprus needs to be demilitarised, with all foreign troops withdrawn, and expressed fear time is running out and that a new generation that has no memory of living in an undivided society is coming of age in both communities.

Last month, Gilman introduced US House Concurrent Resolution 81, "calling for a US initiative seeking a just and peaceful resolution of the situation in Cyprus."

This resolution calls upon President Clinton to fulfill his pledge to launch a substantive US initiative in 1997, to break the diplomatic logjam that has prevented movement on this issue for so long, he explained.

"I am convinced that if the US lent the full weight of its diplomatic influence to this effort, we could effect a settlement," he added.

Gilman said there are other "positive influences that could assist an initiative" and named the Cyprus-European Union (EU) accession negotiations, due to begin late this year or early 1998, noting that the EU have also increased their diplomatic efforts to find an end to the impasse on Cyprus."

Concluding his speech at the PSEKA banquet, Gilman expressed his concern of "heightened tensions on Cyprus in the past year which necessitate finding a solution before real tragedy occurs."

CNA DA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Greek Cypriots ready for constructive talks

Kasoulides was addressing here last night a banquet of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) 8th Conference.

Kasoulides expressed the Cyprus government's "appreciation" for the US administration's decision to appoint Richard Holbrooke (former Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs) as President Bill Clinton's emissary for the Cyprus problem.

Holbrooke's appointment was officially announced earlier yesterday by State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns.

"I think the appointment demonstrates the degree of the involvement of the government of the US in the efforts that are about to begin to solve the Cyprus problem," Kasoulides said.

Noting that Holbrooke's appointment is indicative of the US "special interest", he said "we do not see this appointment with any reservation."

"Quite the contrary, we want to see his appointment as sending a message, particularly to Turkey, that the USA means business," he added.

In his speech, Kasoulides said "we must show the world that we want our country to be reunited, that we want reconciliation in Cyprus, that we want to live in peace with our fellow citizens, the Turkish Cypriots, and that the future is common for all Cypriots in our country."

He pointed out that if Greek and Turkish Cypriots were left alone without foreign intervention and the presence of Turkish occupation troops, they will live peacefully and "we can have a bright future for everybody in our island."

Noting "what we want is action and not to beat about the bush", the Minister said "the more active involvement by everybody that is here to assist, the better."

Kasoulides acknowledged "time is running against us" and therefore "we want a Cyprus solution to come as quickly as possible." He expressed the hope all current efforts accumulated "will, at last, produce results."

He assured the Greek Cypriot side will attend early July direct talks near New York "with an open mind" and with a "spirit ready to negotiate in a positive and constructive way."

He noted that "if the other side comes with a similar political will and with a similar spirit then we will be able to celebrate the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army, the restoration of the basic freedoms, the reunification of our country, the reconciliation of all Cypriots and a peaceful future for our children in our beloved island."

PSEKA's 8th Conference rounds up today with participants meeting with members of the Congress.

CNA DA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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