Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN ready to help negotiations with ideas and proposals

1950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN ready to help negotiations with ideas and proposals

"Our job is to help the two sides overcome differences. Let's see how their own discussions evolve and what differences there may be and, of course, if there are any differences, and I'm sure there will be, the UN is ready to help in trying to overcome those," UN Resident Representative in Cyprus Gustave Feissel said.

In statements at Larnaca Airport before leaving for New York where direct negotiations between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are scheduled to begin July 9, Feissel said the UN is ready to help the two sides with ideas and proposals depending on the problems they encounter.

"It all depends on what the problem is. We should not prejudge or anticipate what is going to happen. Let's see," he said.

Feissel added the UN's first concern in the negotiations is to resolve the protracted Cyprus problem, but any measures which may flow out the talks in helping to build confidence between the two communities will be fostered.

"The UN attaches great importance and has made great efforts to promote bicommunal contacts. We believe it's very important that the relationship and the contact between the two communities is facilitated and enhanced. So, anything that can be done to promote that is good. Of course, our number one job is to resolve the Cyprus problem," he said.

The UN envoy noted that both President Clerides and Denktash are fully aware of the responsibilities they bear as they travel to New York for the negotiations.

"I think they all appreciate what is expected and they certainly have given every indication that they have taken it seriously," Feissel said.

He brushed aside, however, recent comments coming from Ankara which shed a negative light on the talks by reiterating Turkey's long-held stance of not budging on the Cyprus issue.

"As I always say, the comments and the statements that will count are the ones that are made at the meeting itself, not before," Feissel said.

"So, any other comments notwithstanding, the expectations still are that both leaders will play their part to move this thing forward," the UN envoy said.

Denktash today left for New York from Turkey where he discussed with Turkish leaders the strategy he will follow in the talks.

President Clerides leaves for New York via London tomorrow. Earlier this week, he visited Athens where he discussed developments with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

The UN-sponsored Cyprus peace talks aim at reuniting this Eastern Mediterranean island under a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

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

CNA MAN/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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