Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus' statistical system "very efficient", says EU

[02] AHEPA welcomes Greco-Turkish communique

[03] Congressmen welcome US efforts towards Cyprus settlement

[04] Soysal insists on recognition of illegal regime

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[01] Cyprus' statistical system "very efficient", says EU

Nanopoulos was speaking at a press conference Friday, attended also by European Union (EU) Ambassador to Cyprus, Gilles Anouil, and Director of the Cyprus Government Department of Statistics and Research, Evros Demetriades.

Eurostat Director, who is visiting the island to assess its statistical system's level of harmonisation with that of EU member-states, pointed out that decision making in the EU is based also on statistics.

For that reason, since Cyprus is preparing for accession to the EU, its statistical system must be harmonised with that of the Union's member- states, he added.

Nanopoulos praised the importance the political leadership of Cyprus lends in upgrading its statistical system.

He also pointed out the need for the exchange of visits between Cypriot and EU experts to Luxembourg-based Eurostat and Cyprus, respectively, to speed-up the harmonisation process.

For his part, Demetriades said a three-year plan was introduced last year aiming to harmonise Cyprus' statistical system with the acquis communautaire, noting this is being successfully implemented.

As from January 1, 1998, the common consumer price index, applied in the EU, will be adopted, while the common national accounts will be adopted in three years from now, he added.

CNA GG/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] AHEPA welcomes Greco-Turkish communique

Welcoming the US-brokered Greek-Turkish communique, AHEPA describes the agreement as "the first positive result of the recent decision by the Clinton Administration to pro-actively address Greek-Turkish relations and the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus, which continue to threaten stability in the region."

It also expresses optimism "at the placement of US focus and high caliber diplomats, such as former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, on the Cyprus issue."

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Congressmen welcome US efforts towards Cyprus settlement

In a letter, received today by US President Bill Clinton, 68 members of Congress welcome the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus "as a development that reflects the high priority the administration is attaching to a just and speedy resolution of the Cyprus issue."

This effort was spearheaded by New Jersey Democratic deputy Robert Menendez, a member of the House International Relations Committee.

Pointing out that a solution must be based on "international law, the provisions of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, our democratic principles and a respect for human rights" for a lasting peace to be achieved, the Congressmen pledge to assist US President's efforts and those of his Emissary "in the best possible way."

The members of Congress also note that Cyprus' accession to the European Union and recent positive developments in the Eastern Mediterranean offer "a window of opportunity" for real progress towards a final resolution of the Cyprus problem.

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2210:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Soysal insists on recognition of illegal regime

Poughkeepsie, Jul 11 (CNA) -- The Turkish side at the UN-led direct talks believes that if the UN document, given to the two sides, Thursday, by Diego Cordovez, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, is to have any practical form it should go along with international recognition of the self-styled regime unilaterally established in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

This view was put forward by Mumtaz Soysal, advisor to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, during an interview in Lakeville today, with CNA.

Soysal also said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will outline his views at today's meeting with Cordovez, when he sees him in private, and seek clarifications on some points of the six-page document, believed to have been drafted with a substantial contribution from Britain with details on constitutional matters not specified in the 1992 UN Set of Ideas.

"We hope this paper will help bridge the differences between the two sides", Soysal told CNA, adding "a UN paper is always designed to do that."

Noting that both sides in Cyprus "bona fide, are in search of a lasting solution", Soysal stressed the long-standing position that "mutual recognition of each side's legitimacy is the way to move towards unification."

"The legitimacy of the north (occupied areas) is the first step towards federation", he claimed, noting that, in his view , there are two fully fledged governments (in Cyprus)."

When pointed out to him that the UN does not recognise the "north", which emerged from invasion and occupation, Soysal said that "unfortunately the way things are maintains the peace" on the island.

"If the UN is expected to have a practical aim it should fit into this line of thinking, (namely taking account of the current reality of the situation, acknowledging recognition of both sides which could lead to one federal Cyprus)", Soysal explained.

To back his argument, he cited the case of Germany, which remained divided for years into two parts, each gaining recognition, which eventually, as he claimed, led to reunification.

The Turkish official, who is also a contributor to "Hurriet" newspaper, refused to recognised the fact that there is only one legal government in Cyprus, claiming "the reality of the situation is not that."

"We are giving the UN paper its due attention. There are some things that please us and some that do not", he told CNA, but avoided diligently to identify any of these.

Turkish sources, however, are suggesting that one of these things relates to the constitutional rights of the two sides, as outlined in the UN paper.

The Turkish Cypriot side considers these rights to be lacking and believes the Greek Cypriot side is allocated the lion's share of these rights.

Soysal said Denktash goes into his meeting today and tomorrow "with the full backing of his advisors as there is unanimity of views on how to deal with the UN paper.

"The fact that the direct talks are still going on and they have not ended in a disaster is a big success", Soysal said.

He also said the Turkish side subscribes to the provision in the 1992 Set of Ideas that "the demilitarisation of the federal republic remains an objective" and rejected the position that President Clerides' proposal on demilitarisation is the way to go about achieving this objective.

"Clerides' proposal is not presented in the same way as demilitarisation is in the Set of Ideas", Soysal said and insisted that the first move towards this goal is to prevent the arrival of the Russian anti-aircraft missiles S-300, purchased by the Cyprus Republic.

He would not be pinned down on the next steps and skillfully avoided to comment on remarks that the missiles were ordered to counterbalance the huge military machine in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

Soysal leaves the US today to return to Ankara for tomorrow's crucial vote of confidence in the Turkish parliament.

Meanwhile, British Representative on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, is expected to host today a lunch for Greek and Turkish representatives to the talks, Alexandros Sandis and Inal Batu.

CNA MM/MCH/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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