Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] House President on American diplomats meetings

[02] Cyprus President returns from Amsterdam

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] House President on American diplomats meetings

He was commenting on reports that Thomas Miller, serving with the US embassy in Athens, met only with Liberal Party leader, Nicos Rolandis, businessman and former MP, Dinos Lordos, and the Council of Ministers Secretary, Chrysosotomos Sofianos.

"It is not right for him to come to Cyprus and only have these meetings, " Kyprianou said, pointing out that Miller "is expected to play a serious part in US efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem".

He added it is "very strange" that the US embassy in Nicosia did not arrange for the American diplomat to have "meetings with the government and other political parties".

On his part, the leader of the Liberal Party who met Miller Friday, said they exchanged "general views" on the Cyprus question, its past, the present situation and future prospects, but noted there were no specific political "messages".

Replying to questions, Rolandis expressed the view that "the American administration has the will to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem" and is "optimistic".

According to CNA sources, Miller arrived on the island on Thursday for a four-day visit, which was not announced, in a bid to hear party views before the UN-led talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled for July 9-13, near New York.

Miller, who is the US Charge d'affaires at the American embassy in Athens, returns tomorrow to the Greek capital. In August he will take up his duties as Special Coordinator for Cyprus at the State Department and will work closely with US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke.

CNA KK/MA/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2140:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus President returns from Amsterdam

Speaking on his return to Cyprus today, from Amsterdam where he attended an EU meeting with the 12 countries that have applied for membership, President Clerides also said Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Onur Oymen, has wished him good luck in the upcoming UN-led talks for a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

"Both Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and European Commission President Jacques Santer said they expect a date to be set until December, for membership talks with applicant countries," President Clerides said.

Asked if he expects Cyprus to be among the first group of countries with which the EU will begin accession negotiations, the President replied: "I am certain".

He recalled that the EU had issued its avis (opinion) with which it considers Cyprus eligible for membership, in 1993, whereas it has yet to prepare its opinion on the applications of 10 Eastern and Central European countries.

With regard to Turkey, the EU issued a negative avis in 1989 mainly due to the country's bad human rights record.

Referring to the brief discussion he had with Oymen in Amsterdam, the Cyprus President said the Turkish official came up to him before a lunch hosted by Queen Beatrix, to wish him "all the best" in the Cyprus peace talks, to be held near New York July 9 - 13.

President Clerides refrained from going into details with regard to their discussion, noting it cannot be described as a meeting because it was only "a gesture of courtesy" on Oymen's part.

"He told me he hopes the talks will lead to a favourable end, but it was not a meeting with a purpose to convey any (Turkish) positions on the Cyprus question," he added.

Commenting on reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, has stated he does not want foreign governments' coordinators on the Cyprus issue to be present at the negotiations, President Clerides noted "it was the UN Secretary-General's decision to invite them to be present at the place where the talks will be held."

Coordinators of foreign governments, including the five permanent members of the Security Council and the EU, will be on hand in the area where the negotiations will take place, to offer their assistance if and when is considered necessary.

Asked to comment on Denktash's claim for separate Turkish Cypriot sovereignty, rejected by the government and the UN which support a single sovereignty for the new Cyprus state, Clerides said the Turkish Cypriot leader is repeating his well known positions.

"There has been no change in the Turkish side's intransigent positions, but the UN believed it was advisable to convene the talks," he added.

President Clerides also said he was only informed of a four-day visit to Cyprus by the newly-appointed US State Department coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, on his departure for Amsterdam, last Thursday.

"They (Americans) had informed Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides that Miller was to pay a private visit to Cyprus and would not meet government officials," he added.

Miller has been holding meetings here with political and other personalities, ahead of the Cyprus negotiations, in order to hear the two sides' positions on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem.

The American diplomat, serving with his country's embassy in Athens until August and considered as one of the "key players" in American efforts for a Cyprus solution, will be leaving for the Greek capital tomorrow.

With regard to an agreement by the opposition parties to contest the 1998 Presidential elections with a common candidate, Marios Eliades, President Clerides said it is obvious "the three parties wish to elect a President and rule the country."

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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