Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash, Holbrooke discussed wide range of topics

[02] Time running out for Cyprus settlement, says Feissel

1025:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Denktash, Holbrooke discussed wide range of topics

US State Department Spokesman, James Rubin, referring to Denktash's meetings during the week with US officials, said Holbrooke hosted a working luncheon last Monday for Denktash.

The lunch was attended by Special Coordinator for Cyprus at the State Department, Thomas Miller, US government officials and congressional staff members.

"There was a wide-ranging discussion of the Cyprus situation at the lunch, which provided a useful opportunity for a full exchange of views of the issues," Rubin said.

He stressed that although Miller was scheduled to meet Denktash on Tuesday, all issues on the agenda for that meeting were discussed during Monday's lunch and at a subsequent meeting, so the Tuesday meeting was cancelled.

On Monday, Denktash will meet with UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, at the UN headquarters.

CNA DA/EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Time running out for Cyprus settlement, says Feissel

Although last summer's UN-sponsored direct talks between the leaders of the two sides did not worsen the climate, things are not better either, he said.

UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel, in an interview with the English speaking daily "Cyprus Mail", said efforts to solve the Cyprus problem are reaching their sell-by date.

Feissel said the impasse in the 23-year-old problem could well reach a time when "there is a point of no return, and this would be extremely bad for both sides."

"The sand keeps slipping through the hourglass", Feissel said, stressing that it may not be "visible on the surface, but in fact underneath there are important changes taking place and we are approaching a defining moment on the Cyprus question."

Noting that the climate had not worsened since the Troutbeck and Montreux direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Feissel noted "obviously it's not better either."

Commenting on the postponement of efforts until after the presidential elections, in February 1998, Feissel said "time-out on the big issues does not mean we go to sleep."

He said the UN can do some "modest things to help make it easier for the show to start again when the time comes."

The UN envoy repeated it was clearly in the interests of the two communities to find a settlement, but stressed that neither side can have things entirely its own way.

"What's good for the two sides is what counts, not what pleases someone 50.000 miles away," he added.

He told the "Cyprus Mail" that "we are fast approaching a different situation where Cyprus is heading towards a fork in the road leading in different directions. This wasn't so much the case until now."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island. They still occupy 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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