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

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

CONTENTS

[01] US back reunification of Cyprus

[02] Britain ready to help, warns of failure in talks

[03] Kasoulides to meet Albright

[04] Cyprus increases gold medal tally in Small States' Games

[05] Cyprus wants EU representation at direct talks

1100:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US back reunification of Cyprus

Washington, Jun 6 (CNA) -- The US have fully backed the reunification of the divided island of Cyprus and stressed its current division is "unacceptable" to them, US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said here Thursday.

He also indicated that a Dayton-type of process for Cyprus might not be the right way to go about seeking a resolution of the problem and noted that now the time is ripe for a "much more aggressive US role" in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"The US will not support a solution to the Cyprus problem that will end with the island divided. The island has been divided for 23 years. We think that the island must be reunited in a bizonal, bicommunal federation. That is our view. So we are not out to partition Cyprus. We are out to reunify Cyprus," Burns said.

Asked whether the appointment of Richard Holbrooke signals a Dayton- type of process for Cyprus, Burns pointed out that Dayton was a "tactical device" to end the war in Bosnia.

"Cyprus is a very different conflict with a different history, involving different people. You can't simply say that, yes, we are going to just take the Dayton model and implant it in the East Mediterranean," he added.

According to Burns, Holbrooke, Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, believes "very strongly that it is important for him to come in reporting to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and to study the situation, to talk to the British, the UN, to the parties and only then, perhaps to decide the correct basis on which to proceed."

Replying to questions, Burns said the US feel that now is the opportune time to make a push towards a Cyprus solution because "that part of the world is an increasingly important part of the world, if you look at all the interests that we have, not just the interests with Greece and Turkey and Cyprus but also in the Balkans and the need for stability in the Balkan region."

Burns explained that the US now have an opportunity with the "Simitis (Greek PM) government in Greece, which is a very pragmatic and very cooperative government, and also with the government in Turkey, and looking at the very useful relationship and positive relationship that we have with (Cyprus) President (Glafcos) Clerides to combine all of this into having the US play a much more aggressive role."

He described Holbrooke as "one of our best negotiators" and went on to say that "by virtue of his appointment, we are signaling a very aggressive effort in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Asked about the agenda of today's meeting between Albright and Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides in Washington, Burns said she looks forward "very much to her meeting" and believes the US is now in a position to play a very energetic role with Holbrooke's appointment.

"Albright will be talking to the Foreign Minister about ambassador Holbrooke's agenda, about the fact that he will be very active in working with him. She will ask for the support of the government of Cyprus, the government of Greece and the government of Turkey for ambassador Holbrooke's mission. She will reiterate US policy, our basic US policy - the US seeks the reunification of Cyprus. The division of Cyprus is unacceptable to us," Burns added.

The spokesman reaffirmed US backing for a "bizonal, bicommunal federation" and said the US believe that "any future settlement must provide security guarantees that are acceptable to both sides."

The Cyprus problem, he said, "is an exceedingly complex issue and difficult issue."

"President Bill Clinton and Secretary Albright believe that the reunification of Cyprus is a necessity, the division of the island is unacceptable, and that there has got to be a way to establish a bizonal, bicommunal federation," he concluded.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1110:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Britain ready to help, warns of failure in talks

It also considers that a settlement is unlikely to be reached this year and warns that failure to do that would have "grave consequences."

The British point of view was outlined earlier this week by Minister of State, Doug Henderson, during a debate at the House of Commons, who pointed out "nobody, including the UN, can impose a settlement".

He said prospects for direct negotiations are now "better than they have been for a long time" and called on the leaders of the two communities, President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to "work for a comprehensive, political settlement in Cyprus."

He said the two leaders "now have an historic opportunity to decide their future."

Referring to next month's face-to-face talks between Clerides and Denktash, Henderson said Britain "does not necessarily expect to find a solution this year" noting that the negotiation process "needs a basis to ensure that progress continues in early 1998."

"The consequences of another failure would be grave," he warned.

Henderson said security, territory, guarantees, the provision of the constitution, the powers of the federation and voting mechanisms will be tackled at the forthcoming talks, expected to start on 9 July, near New York.

"Fortunately the parties do not have to start from scratch," he said, adding that a UN set of ideas on all the major aspects of the Cyprus question would be "useful".

Britain's special Cyprus envoy, Sir David Hannay, who arrives here Sunday, will offer "advice, encouragement and support" to both sides during his brief visit here, he said.

On Cyprus' European Union orientation, Henderson stressed that "no third party can have any veto over the process of accession."

Accession negotiations, he added, are due to open "under our EU presidency", which starts in January next year.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kasoulides to meet Albright

The Washington meeting takes place a month ahead of the UN-sponsored direct negotiations between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled to begin 9 July, near New York.

The Albright-Kasoulides talks follow the appointment of Richard Holbrooke, the former Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, as President Bill Clinton's emissary on Cyprus.

US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday that Albright looks forward "very much to her meeting" with Kasoulides and believes the US is now in a position to play a very energetic role with Holbrooke's appointment.

"Albright will be talking to the Foreign Minister about ambassador Holbrooke's agenda, about the fact that he will be very active in working with him. She will ask for the support of the government of Cyprus, the government of Greece and the government of Turkey for ambassador Holbrooke's mission. She will reiterate US policy, our basic US policy - the US seeks the reunification of Cyprus. The division of Cyprus is unacceptable to us," Burns added.

Kasoulides considers his meetings with US Administration officials in Washington "useful" as they provided the opportunity to outline the government's views on the Cyprus question.

The Cypriot Minister said his discussions with Senators and Congressmen would give his interlocutors a more comprehensive outlook of the Cyprus problem, which will help them to put forward specific ideas to the US administration and presidential emissary, Richard Holbrooke.

Kasoulides, who is accompanied by Cyprus ambassador to the US, Andros Nicolaides, met Ben Gilman, chairman of the House Committee on International Relations and Lee Hamilton, ranking minority leader.

He also talked to Senator Paul Sarbanes and other leading Congressmen.

Later today, Kasoulides will give a press conference at the National Press Club and have a meeting with James Steinberg, Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus increases gold medal tally in Small States' Games

Having to contend with chilly poolside temperatures, Papadopoulou triumphed over her Icelandic nemesis to take the gold medal in the 100- metre butterfly event and singlehandedly salvaged some Cypriot hopes for swimming gold. She had already won the gold medal in the 200-metre butterfly.

"Sure, I feel totally satisfied having known from the start that I could achieve a good result, but I also knew that I would come up against a lot of difficulties," Papadopoulou said after her victory.

Women definitely led the charge for Cyprus yesterday, as Papadopoulou was joined by Andri Agathocleous in the double gold medal column. Agathocleous took gold in both the gymnastics individual and team all-round, capping a five-medal performance by the Cypriot team in that discipline.

In the track and field events, Irini Charalambous and Andri Kasapi also took the gold medal in the long jump and the shotput respectively, while Kyriaki Pilia won gold in the discus.

Yiorgos Skender took gold in the 100 metres, Christos Adamides in the pole vault and Dimitris Lapas in sailing.

Meanwhile, the Cypriot men's volleyball squad had a relatively easy time with Iceland yesterday, defeating the hosts with a three set to nil score to give the Cypriot squad a solid stepping stone for top spot.

The women's volleyball team are already assured of at least a silver medal as they play against San Marino in the final tomorrow.

The Cypriot men's basketball squad on the other hand, had to rely on a two-point buzzer beater yesterday to give it a 67 - 65 win over San Marino and propel the relieved squad into the semi-finals.

The women's basketball squad were not so lucky however, losing yesterday to Iceland, 52 - 70.

As of yesterday, Cyprus sits in second place in the medal standings with 16 gold, 14 silver and 9 bronze. Iceland is in first with 19 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze medals and Luxembourg is third with 8 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Eight nations in Europe are taking part in the Games, which began 12 years ago to give a chance to nations with a population under a million to compete against each other.

Besides the top three medal-winning countries, Malta, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra and San Marino are also competing in the Games.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus wants EU representation at direct talks

"The government does not know whether the EU has so far requested the UN to have its own envoy at the talks. The EU has a keen interest in Cyprus but it is up to the Union to appoint its own representative," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said today.

Other parties, such as Britain, France and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council will be there in this capacity.

"If we had the possibility to intervene in this matter, we would request EU presence at the talks," Christofides said, pointing out that issuing invitations to parties falls exclusively within the competency of the Secretary-General.

Christofides stressed that a Cyprus solution should comply fully with the acquis communautaire, noting that "it is our duty to question any elements of a solution that may not be in line with European institutions."

Cyprus' European orientation has become a major factor in the efforts for a solution, especially ahead of membership talks due to start early next year.

The EU Dutch presidency has an envoy for Cyprus, Irish ambassador Kester Heaslip, but it is not clear as yet if he will attend the talks or not.

Third parties in the wings of the direct talks, he said, would have "comments as well as suggestions" to make as they are well aware of the difference of views between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

"We will attend the talks in good faith, in a spirit of cooperation for as long as it takes," Christofides said.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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