Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] US wants "win-win" for all sides in Cyprus

[02] Cyprus children's paintings at World Bank

[03] Berger receives Frizis Award

[04] Cyprus accession to EU not linked with political settlement

[05] Demilitarisation: The only solution, says Clerides

[06] "Maritime Cyprus 1997" conference ends

[07] CNA on "Reuters Business Briefing"

1010:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US wants "win-win" for all sides in Cyprus

He repeated that with the full attention of the State Department and the White House, the US will be active on a "broad number of fronts in the coming months."

Speaking to the Greek media, Miller referred to yesterday's breakfast in New York organised by US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, and attended by business leaders and prominent members of the press.

He described it as a "useful exercise, a useful undertaking" because it aimed at giving the Americans "some exposure to what is a very successful economic success in Cyprus."

President Clerides, he said, was introduced to some influential people in the financial, academic and press communities.

Asked how this meeting fits in his efforts to create a better climate in Cyprus, Miller said "it offers a different angle" to the extent you can create opportunities for success.

He pointed to Cyprus' accession talks with the European Union, noting they would "create additional opportunities that in a context of a settlement are win-win for all sides."

Miller also expressed support for any kind of opportunity on economic, communication or social issues where both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots come out winners.

He added, there are a lot of "win-win types of formulations in economic cooperation between the two communities."

Regarding a meeting of business leaders from the two communities, Greece and Turkey, scheduled to take place in November, Miller said it is definitely in the category of win-win types of opportunities.

The US goal, he said, is to "persuade both sides and to demonstrate to them that it does not have to be a zero-some game, that everyone can come on ahead if you are creative and flexible enough to look for those opportunities."

Miller said he expects the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey, meeting in Crete soon, "to use this meeting as an opportunity to bridge" some of their differences on which the US is working on in the last two years.

Pledging that the US will "never stop working. We work 24 hours, seven days a week", Miller reassured that efforts will continue despite "peaks and valleys" in Greco-Turkish matters.

"We will continue our efforts to try to solve the outstanding problems between our two NATO allies," he said.

Asked what the next stage of the US initiative on Cyprus is, Miller said: "It is like a story that unfolds".

Successful diplomacy, he noted, "is taking advantage of opportunities and some time its creating opportunities." CNA DA/EC/MCH 1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus children's paintings at World Bank

The exhibition, entitled "Myths, legends and stories through the eyes of the children of Cyprus" will last until October 19 at the World Bank.

Thirty-nine Greek Cypriot children from the village of Emba present a number of water paintings depicting their impressions of legend and history.

Opening the exhibition, Clerides said the children's art "strengthens the emotional and creative sense of life, as it expresses the dreams and visions, the truth and purity of life's starting point."

The President urged the gathering not to try and find a deep inspiration and a philosophical meaning in these paintings but to look for the "sensitivity of the children's soul, the openness of the children's heart and the limitless pace of the children's imagination."

He said through the eyes of the innocent children of an elementary school of a Cyprus village, "ancient myths turn into history and history is translated into visions and dreams."

"Throughout the painful history of my island, our people continue to dream and create... Cyprus, which like Hercules chooses today virtue over evil and like the mythological Argo is now passing through the striking rocks looking forward to anchor itself in the calm sea of peace, freedom and justice", the President added.

The opening ceremony was also addressed by Cyprus' ambassador to the US, Andros Nicolaides, who praised First Lady Lila-Irene Clerides, who was the inspiration behind the exhibition and the wife of the President of the World Bank.

He said in a number of other paintings which will be shown together with the present collection at the Children's Museum in Washington from October 25 until November 30, "the children have vividly depicted their own personal experiences from Cyprus' tragic events in the recent past."

The paintings depict a bright future full of hope and added that we are "duty bound to do our best to guarantee this future for them."

Clerides went to Washington from New York after attending a working breakfast with US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, business leaders and prominent journalists.

In New York, he also addressed the UN General Assembly. Today he leaves for Strasbourg via London to attend the Council of Europe's Summit of Heads of State and Government.

CNA DA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Berger receives Frizis Award

National Security Advisor, Samuel Berger, told the 13th Hellenic- American Conference Tuesday during a ceremony where he was honoured with the Frizis Award, that for Cyprus "we must work for a future of peace and prosperity."

Receiving the award, Berger said what he shares with Frizis "is a deep and abiding commitment to promoting peace where possible."

He added "we care about the region because we see the potential that real peace can bring the people of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to a good day."

In "recent months the prospects for better Greek-Turkish relations and for a Cyprus settlement have been improved," he added.

Regarding Greece and Turkey, Berger said what is needed is an "agreement on a process for resolution." The US must ensure that these two NATO members should "put their differences to rest."

For Cyprus, he continued, "we must work for a future of peace and prosperity" and noted President Glafcos Clerides' efforts are central.

"His vision of a Cyprus united in peace will help drive the process forward and improve the lives of all Cypriot people," he said.

Berger reiterated the US is "being actively engaged in seeking to transform these possibilities into reality. President Clinton's commitment to bring the parties closer to a Cyprus solution is strong... and is very deeply on his agenda."

At this point he reminded US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke's efforts "to create a climate conducive to settling the core issues."

"But many challenges remain and no one believes the path to peace will be easy," Berger said.

He noted that with "vision, leadership and courage from all the parties" and the "active engagement of the UN and the US" the "common goal is within reach."

Among those who attended the gathering were Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, the ambassadors of Cyprus and Greece, senators and other distinguished guests.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA DA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus accession to EU not linked with political settlement

It also condemns Turkish war threats against Cyprus as well as threats to annex the part of the island it occupies since its invasion in 1974.

In a recommendation adopted yesterday in Strasbroug, the Committee expresses satisfaction with Cyprus' economic performance and progress towards harmonisation with the acquis communautaire.

"The beginning and conclusion of accession negotiations as well as accession of Cyprus to the EU, should not, under any circumstances, be linked to the search of a solution to the Cyprus problem", the recommendation says.

It adds, that the Committee "deplores any statements to the contrary".

Condemning the joint declaration between Turkey and the "illegal regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus", threatening with annexation, the Committee says it is "illegal, provocative and contrary to UN resolutions and Turkey's international obligations under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee."

Stressing that the Cyprus Government is the only one recognised by international law, the Committee urges the EU Council to mandate the European Commission to start accession negotiations.

The Committee "denounces the continued transfer of Turkish settlers in the occupied part of the Republic as a further effort to change dramatically the demographic structure of the island".

It also "regrets the continued emigration of Turkish Cypriots as a result of the oppressive policies followed by the illegal regime in the occupied part of Cyprus".

The Committee "calls upon the EU for a more active contribution in the efforts for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem in accordance to UN resolutions and compatible with the acquis of the Union."

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Demilitarisation: The only solution, says Clerides

Accepting an award during a banquet on the sidelines of the 13th Hellenic-American Conference, Clerides said that his dream is that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots must live as friends and citizens of the Federal Republic of Cyprus, "respecting each other's national origins, character, tradition, religion and the equal status of both communities."

The Cypriot President noted that the obstacle to progress is not Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash but Turkey and that is where all the "attention should be directed and our efforts should be made to bring Turkey to realise that the solution of the Cyprus problem is a must".

"The present status quo is not acceptable as a solution to the Cyprus problem", he added.

Clerides believed that "great progress can be made if pressures brought in Turkey to realise that the only possible and visible solution for Cyprus is the demilitarisation of the island. The island must be demilitarised by having the Turkish forces withdrawn."

He mentioned his proposal for demiliratisation which he made three years ago and repeated during the direct talks in Montreaux but was rejected by the Turkish side.

"It is absolutely necessary that we begin to concentrate on the demilitarisation. We must persuade Turkey that it is for the benefit of both communities and Turkey".

The President stressed that the Cyprus problem is not a problem between the two communities but a problem between Turkey and Cyprus.

He expressed the view that the only country that can help with the solution of the Cyprus problem is the United States. "We hope that the US will play a role in the upcoming negotiations," he added.

CNA DA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:06

[06] "Maritime Cyprus 1997" conference ends

First to address the conference today was Captain Uwe Zellmer, Director of the Limassol-based "Hanseatic Maritime Training School".

Zellmer referred to the non-availability of qualified sea-going manpower which he attributed to the behaviour of shipowners, governments, trade unions and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

A shortage of 20 to 30 thousand officers had been confirmed through recent data, and this number means a shortage of almost one officer in every second ship, he said.

Zellmer pointed out that shipping companies have to invest more in training activities.

Ake Selander, Executive Secretary of the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare, referred to the difficulties in defining the term "welfare".

The expectancy of seafarers in terms of welfare lies mainly in communications and information, sports and recreation, congenial shipboard relations, community centres and transportation in ports, health and exercise, counselling services, personal safety, and family care, Selander said.

He referred to the role and activities of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and stressed the responsibilities of port-states towards visiting seafarers.

Bjorn Klerck Nilssen, Chief, Maritime Industries Branch, ILO, referred to the role of the social aspects in future shipping.

In the 1990s there has been considerable focus on the "human element", and how to address its contribution to maritime casualties and pollution incidents, Nilssen said.

He pointed out that in the debate on the "human element", living and working conditions for seafarers are important, while the ILO "has always given the working and living conditions of seafarers considerable attention".

Referring to the impact of social aspects in shipping, he said "unfortunately, a persistent minority of the maritime community do not provide seafarers with internationally acceptable minimum living and working conditions".

This creates pressures on the international maritime community to lower standards, which has a negative influence on the attractiveness of the seafaring profession, Nilssen said.

A one-day workshop on the International Safety Management code and the 1995 amendments to the STCW Convention will be held in Limassol tomorrow.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:07

[07] CNA on "Reuters Business Briefing"

CNA has been providing its news items to the "Reuters Business Briefing" as from September 1, 1997.

Subscribers to this service around the world can be informed, through the CNA source, of developments concerning Cyprus, in various fields such as politics, economy, trade, industry, tourism, shipping, culture and sports. CNA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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