Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-08-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] President says Denktash exclusively at fault for talks' failure

[02] Party leaders say near future most critical time for Cyprus

1840:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President says Denktash exclusively at fault for talks' failure

In statements on his return to Cyprus this afternoon from Glion-sur- Montreux, Switzerland, where the UN-led five-day talks were held, President Clerides said Denktash's threats that Cyprus' partition would be finalised if the European Union (EU) starts accession talks with the Cyprus government, early next year, have failed because the EU will not change its decisions.

"Denktash did not go there to negotiate, but to try to impede our course towards Europe," the President said, adding that "this did not succeed."

President Clerides stressed that Denktash's recalcitrant tactics at the talks have elicited "strong international reaction" and that the international community has come to the realisation that the Turkish side's decision-making centre does not rest in Cyprus, but in Ankara.

President Clerides expressed the conviction that the UN Secretary- General's Special Advisor for the Cyprus problem, Diego Cordovez, will "call things by their true name" in his report to the UN Security Council next Wednesday and will apportion blame for the failure of the talks where it is due.

The President noted that although Denktash rejected outright the Cordovez non-papers as a whole, the Cyprus government believes they remain up for discussion.

He added that UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will work to set up another face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, but the President reiterated he would not attend such a meeting if Denktash refuses to discuss substantial aspects of the Cyprus problem.

"I have clearly stated that I do not intend to attend further talks, if Denktash will not discuss the substance of the Cyprus problem and goes on claiming he will not do so because of Cyprus' EU accession course," the President said.

President Clerides also left the door open for further meetings between himself and Denktash in Cyprus to discuss humanitarian issues, saying that they "may still be possible".

CNA MAN/MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2005:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Party leaders say near future most critical time for Cyprus

Political leaders spoke to the press this afternoon on their return with President Glafcos Clerides from the five-day second round of UN- sponsored direct talks, in Glion, Switzerland.

In their statements, they also unanimously called for a joint meeting between the Greek and Cypriot governments and the National Council (top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem) to forge a new strategy on how best to tackle new scenarios emerging from the failed Glion talks.

Ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party President Nicos Anastasiades heaped the blame on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's intractable stance for the talks' failure and noted that those who believed that Denktash's stance would change at the talks were "nurturing false hopes."

He stressed that the Greek Cypriot side has been vindicated in light of Denktash's unyielding attitude and pointed out that anyone who again attempts to set up another round of direct talks must seriously consider how to counter the positions of Ankara and Denktash.

The DISY leader said the documents put forth by UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, have "overturned substantially negative aspects" concerning the Cyprus problem including the sovereignty issue, the residual powers of the proposed new federal state and human rights.

Main opposition left-wing AKEL Party General-Secretary Demetris Christofias said he cannot hide his disappointment from the outcome of the talks and warned that the Cyprus problem is at a stage "more dire than at any time since 1974," when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

He noted that instead of discussing the Cordovez documents, the island's political leaders must devote their attention on the difficult situation created after the talks and study the Turkish strategy, particularly as it pertains to threats regarding the start of European Union (EU) accession negotiations with the Cyprus government, early next year.

Christofias expressed the hope that those who prepared the Glion talks, especially Britain and the US, will assume some of the responsibility for the Turkish side's negative attitude and noted the UN Security Council must act to counter Denktash's recalcitrance so that a resolution of the Cyprus problem comes about.

Democratic Party (DIKO) President Spyros Kyprianou stressed that the failure of the talks whittles down to Turkey's expansionist designs on Cyprus and noted the Cyprus problem remains unresolved not because of the Turkish Cypriots, but on policy forged in Ankara.

Kyprianou said the talks were "a step for the worse" because they presented Denktash with the opportunity to "formalise" his positions and threats.

He also warned against "fabricated optimism" emanating from external sources that the peace process remains intact when Turkish intransigence continues to undercut efforts towards a solution.

Socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides stressed that the situation for Cyprus is "dire" and that no one should be under any false pretenses as far as that is concerned.

He noted that any further government acquiescence on key issues jeopardizes efforts for a just solution and warned that Denktash's threats to finalise the island's partition if EU-Cyprus accession negotiations begin as scheduled early next year should not be underestimated.

He added he was "surprised" that President Clerides was to accept the Cordovez documents.

New Horizons party President Nicos Koutsou stressed that Cyprus has entered a "very critical period" and noted that the next two or three years will the most important in the history of the Republic.

He noted this period must be marked by strategic decisions made to break the current deadlock in the Cyprus problem and called for "absolute unity" among the political parties to produce this necessary new strategy.

Liberal party President Nicos Rolandis echoed Koutsou's assertion that Cyprus has entered its most critical period since the Turkish invasion and said President Clerides' initial acceptance of the Cordovez documents was the "right move."

He noted there are "plenty of positive aspects" in the Cordovez documents for the Greek Cypriot side.

Rolandis also urged that both the governments of Greece and Cyprus "must act without delay" to forge a common strategy on how to deal with what is to come.

CNA MAN/MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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