Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-08-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government firm on its tactics, FM assures overseas Cypriots

[02] President Clerides receives Greek opposition leader

[03] British MPs pledge support for lasting Cyprus solution

[04] Cyprus division an anachronism, says PTTI

1620:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Government firm on its tactics, FM assures overseas Cypriots

Opening the 10th World Conference of Overseas Cypriots Kasoulides praised the efforts of Cypriots abroad in promoting a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem and bringing it on the top of the international community's agenda.

Addressing the Conference on behalf of President Glafcos Clerides, Kasoulides said recent direct talks in Glion, Switzerland, aiming at a comprehensive solution, have not managed to overcome the impasse, but stressed "this is not the end of the world and does not imply we should revise our planned strategy or course."

He referred to the statement by Security Council President, Sir John Weston, commending President Clerides on his statesmanship and stating the Council's disappointment over the tactics employed by the Turkish Cypriot side, and pointing out that the international community sent the message that negotiations should continue. "It looks we have entered the track of a systematic, intense and obstinate search for a Cyprus solution", he added.

Kasoulides also told the delegates this is the beginning of a course by which the international community, based on UN resolutions on Cyprus, "will proceed to overturn the unacceptable status quo" on the island.

The Cyprus government, he assured, will show "constructive political will for a solution and at the same time its commitment to internationally accepted principles and human rights."

Noting that "the key for a solution is in Ankara", Kasoulides urged the international community to convince Turkey though friendly means and if necessary by imposing sanctions to abandon its intransigent stance and assist towards a Cyprus settlement.

The Foreign Minister also referred to Cyprus' bid to join the European Union (EU) and said "the road towards accession will not be easy and without a solution it will be even harder."

Referring to recent Turkish threats to annex the occupied areas, Kasoulides said "Turkey should realise that its possible decision to annex the occupied part and abandon the peace process will give Greece and Europe every right to proceed in burying every relation between Turkey and the EU."

The Minister made special mention to the close and harmonious cooperation between the governments of Cyprus and Greece, noting that their efforts and those of overseas Cypriots and Greeks have contributed into attracting greater international interest to the Cyprus issue.

Concluding his speech, he said the government looks forward to the outcome of the conference and assured of government assistance and support to overseas Cypriots' and especially the young generation.

Later today delegates will be received President Clerides.

CNA MK/AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides receives Greek opposition leader

Costas Karamanlis, President of the main opposition New Democracy party in Greece, was received here today by President Glafcos Clerides and exchanged views on the Cyprus question.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Karamanlis said he assured the President of his personal and his party's commitment to a just solution to the Cyprus problem in compliance with relevant UN resolutions.

He also affirmed New Democracy's full support to Cyprus' bid to become a European Union (EU) member.

"We do not only think this will facilitate the Cyprus problem but most of all we believe that Cyprus is part of a united Europe and this should be formalised" he said.

Karamanlis told the press he had a "very thorough discussion on all aspects of the Cyprus problem," with President Clerides, particularly at this "very crucial stage" during which the Turkish side continues and intensifies its provocative policy.

The Greek politician, who arrived in Cyprus Sunday for a four-day visit at the invitation of the ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) party, was accompanied by DISY leader Nicos Anastasiades.

Karamanlis, who leaves Cyprus Wednesday, will also meet with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Ioannis Kasoulides and Costas Eliades respectively, the President of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou, the Primate of the Orthodox Church Archbishop Chrysostomos, as well as political party and military leaders.

CNA KN/AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:03

[03] British MPs pledge support for lasting Cyprus solution

"This government in Britain at the moment is determined to make Cyprus its major priority on the international front and we will promote Cyprus' full entry to the European Union," Labour MP Alan Meale said addressing the 10th International Conference of Overseas Cypriots.

Meale noted that Cyprus will reap numerous benefits from accession to the EU and, in turn, the EU will benefit from Cyprus' potential to become both the "oil station of Europe" and "the telecommunications centre of the world".

However, Meale warned that the British government as EU President will not succumb to either threats or blackmail from anyone regarding Cyprus' EU accession course.

"We are not a party in government that will respond to threats and innuendo. We are not a party in government that will have dialogue with any dictator," Meale said. "We will demand the removal of troops from Cyprus. We will demand the return of lands to their legal owners. We will demand the freedom of movement for the people of Cyprus."

Meale was categorical in affirming the British government's commitment to a resolution of the Cyprus problem. "I give you this guarantee - that the government in power and all the parliamentarians here today and those in Westminster who support you, will continue in our efforts and our drive to try to get what you deserve which is a long and lasting, peaceful settlement," he said.

Meale was joined by fellow Labour MP Joan Ryan and Tory David Davis in addressing the four-day conference which brings diaspora leaders together in Cyprus from all over the world, including Australia, the US and Africa.

Ryan told delegates that current UN-led efforts for a Cyprus solution have imbued parties actively involved in solution efforts and those monitoring developments closely from the periphery with "renewed hope" for a positive result.

She noted that heightened awareness of the Cyprus problem amongst new and long-standing British parliamentarians has indeed had an impact as evidenced by the inclusion of Cyprus in the Labour government's confirmed Queen's Speech.

Ryan said that both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Minister Robin Cooke "have made it clear that Cyprus is a vital issue for Britain".

"I'm sure you, more than any other audience perhaps, know that words are cheap and we know that we will be judged by our actions," she said.

On his part, Davis said that the stigma of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of the island's territory will never be erased as long as the division of the island remains.

"The tragedy of the Turkish occupation will never leave any of us until we enjoy the peace which each and every Cypriot person deserves," Davis said.

The Tory MP expressed the hope that the new Labour government will "honour its commitment" of working to bring about lasting peace on the island.

Also addressing the Conference was US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Clay Konstantinou, who stressed that Cyprus' application to join the EU will serve "as a catalyst for peace and prosperity for all Cypriots".

Konstantinou, who is of Cypriot descent, noted that US President Bill Clinton and Secretary Madeleine Albright have made Cyprus a US foreign policy priority and expressed the hope that one day he would be able to visit his Turkish-occupied home village of Karavas. CNA MH/MCH /1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus division an anachronism, says PTTI

Delegations from over 100 countries at the PTTI 28th world congress, held in Montreal, Canada, from August 18 to 22, have unanimously expressed their "concern that the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and the island divided" despite UN resolutions.

The resolution notes that "the strong Turkish military presence on the island, which keeps the country divided, is an obstacle to the successful completion of talks for a peaceful and lasting solution."

It described further continuation of the island's division an "anachronism in the current trends for world-wide cooperation and abolition of borders and violations of human rights."

The congress took into consideration the aspirations of the 16 Greek and Turkish Cypriot trade union organisations, as expressed at the All Cyprus Trade Unions Forum on March 17-19 1997, the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, the relevant UN resolutions and the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and Security Council on Cyprus.

The PTTI called on "all parties in Cyprus to show a spirit of goodwill and conciliation in a serious search for a durable and peaceful settlement" respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

It also calls for the withdrawal of all occupation forces the guarantee of the human and democratic rights of all Cypriots and for genuine political, economic and social development.

The unanimous PTTI resolution underlines that a Cyprus settlement should meet "the aspirations of all working people of Cyprus to live in peace and freedom" with social justice for all "free of all forms of ethnic, religious or other discrimination," avoiding the threat to peace in the broader region.

The Greek Cypriot delegates Leonidas Leonidou, Pantelis Hadjipantelas and Orestis Vassiliou pointed out that Turkish intransigence was recently criticised by the UN Security Council President, Sir John Weston of Britain.

They also noted the Turkish threats to stop the peace process if accession negotiations of Cyprus with the European Union start in early 1998.

CNA AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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