Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-08-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] US endorses Security Council statement

[02] US Cyprus Coordinator plans visit next month

[03] Spokesman on Security Council commendation

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[01] US endorses Security Council statement

"We believe that Security Council President (Sir John) Weston accurately noted that there was progress made as the result of the two rounds of talks. His statement does reflect the briefing of the UN Special Representative and the views of the Council," State Department Spokesman James Rubin said.

In statements following a briefing of the Security Council by the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Diego Cordovez on the direct talks, Sir John expressed the Council's disappointment over the tactics employed by the Turkish Cypriot side at the talks, which impeded further progress being made.

A second round of direct talks this month between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Glion, Switzerland, was preceded by talks last month in Troutbeck, New York.

Rubin said the US wished that "more progress had been made" and noted the US urges "both sides to continue the promising dialogue on humanitarian issues, which began last month."

President Clerides and Denktash agreed on July 31 to meet in Nicosia to discuss outstanding humanitarian issues such as the issue of persons missing since the 1974 invasion and subsequent occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory by Turkey.

The State Department Spokesman stated that the US government welcomes "the UN Special Representative's report that both sides remain committed to this dialogue, and we will be in touch with both the UN Special Representative and the parties".

Rubin added the US government believes "that President Weston's statement accurately reflected the sense of discussion in the Council. That is what he was asked to do".

Asked how it is possible to have progress on humanitarian issues before resolving issues that could first lead to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, Rubin said that this is possible.

"We certainly hope so. I think, around the world, we see many cases where people who disagree about fundamental political issues can make judgements that they should help people who are suffering or deal with humanitarian cases before they have resolved all their problems," the State Department Spokesman said.

CNA DA/MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] US Cyprus Coordinator plans visit next month

The source said Thomas Miller will be working closely with US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke to work out the exact timing of his visit to Cyprus.

Miller will also be in touch with US embassies in the region to arrange his contacts while in Cyprus, the source added.

The American official left for Washington on August 12 from Athens, where he was posted at the US embassy there.

The diplomatic source noted that Miller is only now "putting his office in shape" at the State Department in Washington, and will need some time to settle into his new role as Special Cyprus Coordinator.

CNA MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Spokesman on Security Council commendation

"There is world-wide commendation for our attitude, our policy, our decisions and for the way we behaved and handled the situation at the UN- sponsored talks. Commendation belongs to the Greek Cypriot community and we do not wish in any way to turn this into a domestic discussion," Christofides stressed today at a press briefing.

UN Security Council President Sir John Weston, in statements after a briefing of the Security Council on the direct talks, commended President Clerides on his "flexibility and cooperation" at the talks, while putting responsibility for the lack of further progress in the talks on the Turkish Cypriot sides.

Two rounds of UN sponsored direct talks between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash aimed at resolving the protracted Cyprus problem were held last month in Troutbeck, New York and earlier this month in Glion, Switzerland.

At the same time, Christofides noted that President Clerides "while constantly conferring with the National Council, handled the negotiations in a very responsible manner with the main aim of reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem".

Regarding Denktash's recalcitrant attitude on the direct talks, Christofides said the Turkish Cypriot leader is being deceptive by claiming that the Turkish Cypriot community's rights, based on the 1960 London- Zurich agreements establishing the Republic of Cyprus, are not being recognised and that they are being usurped by the Greek Cypriot community.

"The Turkish Cypriot community was and is always welcome to come back within the framework of the London-Zurich agreements where it will enjoy all its rights. Relevant invitations to do so were issued on several occasions. Denktash, however, chose rebellion and partitionist adventures, having Turkey as his main accomplice. Rebellion against a legal state is not rewarded anywhere," Christofides said.

Asked to say if and when President Clerides will travel to Athens for talks with the Greek government on the Cyprus problem, Christofides said there is no set date for such a trip and that this is still an outstanding matter.

He reiterated that contact with the Greek government is constant and pointed out that relations between the governments of Greece and Cyprus are extremely good.

The Government Spokesman noted further that the Greek government was fully informed and completely in agreement with every move that was made at the Glion talks, and that no objection was raised by the Greek government that actions were taken that did not meet its approval.

CNA MK/MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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