Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holbrooke to meet President Clerides and Denktash

[02] Greek politicians pledge support for Cyprus solution

[03] President confirms meeting with Holbrooke

[04] UN paper not ready yet, to include talking points

[05] Parties on presidential elections

0940:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Holbrooke to meet President Clerides and Denktash

Athens, Jul 2 (CNA) -- US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, will be meeting President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on July 8, one day before the UN-led negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem begin.

According to diplomatic sources, Holbrooke asked to meet the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, in view of the five-day direct talks.

He will also have a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

The US Presidential Emissary, who will be working on the Cyprus issue one week a month, will not be in Troutbeck, near New York, where the direct talks are scheduled to take place.

Representatives of other countries, including the five UN permanent members and the European Union, are going to be near the negotiations site to follow the talks and be on hand if and when the UN needs their assistance.

Holobrooke is expected to visit Cyprus after the first round of negotiations.

It has been reported that the UN are planning on holding three rounds of direct talks between President Clerides and Denktash, in an effort to reunite Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek politicians pledge support for Cyprus solution

Athens, Jul 2 (CNA) -- Former Greek Premier and Honourary President of New Democracy party, Constantinos Mitsotakis, believes a solution to the 23- year-old Cyprus problem can be achieved in 1998.

In statements to the press after a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides, in Athens today, Mitsotakis said "the Cyprus issue is entering its most crucial phase".

"Maybe it is the last phase, and a solution to the Cyprus problem next year is very possible," he added, pointing out that the international community considers the time is ripe for a Cyprus settlement and that there is active US interest.

Referring to Cyprus' bid to join the European Union, Mitsotakis said it would force Turkey to take its own decisions regarding the Cyprus issue and added that a settlement would also benefit Ankara.

"A just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus issue will benefit Turkey," he noted.

During their meeting, President Clerides and the former Greek Premier discussed the prospects for a settlement in Cyprus as well as the policy that should be followed in efforts for a solution.

The Greek politician expressed the view that the Turkish side would be "tough" in the upcoming five-day negotiations between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, for a settlement in Cyprus, due to begin near New York on July 9.

Reliable sources told CNA that during his recent visit to Ankara, Mitsotakis met President Suleyman Demirel and Premier Mesut Yilmaz (then in opposition), who expressed willingness to exchange land for peace in Cyprus, on the condition that the Turkish Cypriots are granted self-rule.

However, this position is rejected by the Greek Cypriot side as it would result in recognition of the illegal Turkish Cypriot pseudostate, established in 1983 and recognised only by Turkey.

President Clerides also met today in Athens with New Democracy leader, Costas Karamanlis, whom he briefed on the latest developments in the Cyprus question.

In a statement after the meeting, Karamanlis said his party and Greece "fully back all efforts for a solution in Cyprus".

President Clerides returns to Cyprus tonight.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President confirms meeting with Holbrooke

Athens, Jul 2 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides has confirmed he will be meeting US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, in the United States on July 8.

Asked by CNA today, after rounding up his meetings in Athens with Greek political leaders, President Clerides also confirmed that the US Presidential Emissary had asked for the meeting.

Holbrooke will also be meeting Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, ahead of the direct negotiations between President Clerides and Denktash, between July 9 - 13.

The Cypriot President said he will leave for the US on Sunday, July 6. He will stop over in London.

Commenting on the outcome of his talks in the Greek capital with Premier Costas Simitis, President Clerides said he is "very satisfied".

President Clerides returns to Cyprus later today.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:04

[04] UN paper not ready yet, to include talking points

Nicosia, Jul 2 (CNA) -- The paper the UN will present to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders will outline views and set out some talking points pertaining to next week's direct negotiations, UN Secretary-General's top envoy in Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, has said.

"I have received clarifications about the issue of the paper Diego Cordovez will give the two community leaders at their first meeting on Wednesday afternoon," he told CNA in an interview today.

He explained that "Cordovez will make a presentation setting out his views designed to launch the talks and on a piece of paper there will be talking points."

Cordovez, former Foreign Minister of Ecuador, was appointed earlier this year UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy for Cyprus. Annan will open the talks on July 9 with a statement and then negotiations will be conducted behind closed doors.

Feissel, however, pointed out that Cordovez "is still working on the paper" he will give the two leaders and underlined that the UN goal is to "help the talks out of a possible impasse and act as facilitator" to the two sides.

The UN envoy, who leaves Saturday for New York via London, said "there are areas in which big differences appear between the positions of the two sides but there are other areas where there is little difference."

He explained that major differences exist in issues relating to the federal executive, on how the federal government would take its decisions, on sovereignty, security, territory and displaced persons and property claims as well as Cyprus' European orientation.

Feissel told CNA that there is divergence of views on the basic freedoms of settlement and the right to property.

The positions of the two sides on freedom of movement do not seem to be too far apart, he added.

Cordovez, who is still in Ecuador, will be in New York early next week for preliminary contact with Feissel ahead of the talks.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who will represent the Greek Cypriot side at the talks, will be accompanied by two advisors. So will Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

According to press reports, Under-Secretary to the President, Pantelis Kouros, and Attorney General, Alecos Markides, will be the President's advisors.

Denktash will take with him his advisors, Nejatikil Ertegun, and Ergun Olgun.

Greece will be represented by its former ambassador to Cyprus, Alexandros Sandis, and Turkey by Inal Batu, Alternate Deputy Foreign Minister.

The third guarantor power, Britain, will be represented at the opening of the talks, on July 9, by its High Commissioner in Nicosia, David Madden, as its special envoy on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, will not arrive in the New York area until July 10.

The European Union will be represented by Irish ambassador Kester Heaslip, envoy on Cyprus of the current (Luxembourg) rotating EU presidency and probably the EU presidency ambassador to the UN.

The US will be represented by Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs at the US State Department.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Parties on presidential elections

At the same time socialist EDEK approved the three opposition parties' candidate, Marios Eliades, while communist AKEL Central Committee is also expected to officially approve Eliades' candidature at a meeting this afternoon.

Speaking at a press conference today, Rolandis said his party based its decision on the fact that it has its own political programme.

Asked what his party will do if no candidate wins 50 per cent of the ballot and a second round of presidential elections is held, Rolandis said he will examine the issue then, depending on which party is closer to his views.

Meanwhile, Lyssarides announced today a Central Committee party decision to support Eliades, taken during a meeting, Tuesday. Lyssarides noted, however, the party will also hear the views of all members at separate meetings.

The United Democrats, the third party participating in the opposition "Candidature of Hope", are expected to take their final decision at a meeting on Friday.

On the part of conservative ruling party DISI and centre right DIKO, a decision with regard to the presidential elections is expected be taken at a later stage.

DIKO president, Spyros Kyprianou, told reporters today that his party will take its final decision by mid-August.

Kyprianou has already announced his decision to contest the elections.

DISI leader, Nicos Anastasiades, reiterated his party will support President Glafcos Clerides, DISI honourary president, if he decides to contest the elections.

If President Clerides is not a candidate, then DISI will decide what to do, he added, noting Kyprianou's candidature will also be discussed in view of his party's wish to continue its cooperation with DIKO.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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