Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-12-14

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

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[01] Clerides hails, Denktash rejects EU decision

1250:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides hails, Denktash rejects EU decision

Contrary to President Clerides, who had expressed his full satisfaction yesterday with the European Council decisions, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has rejected the EU call to take part in Cyprus-EU accession talks under the umbrella of the island's internationally-recognised government.

The European Council decided Friday to open membership negotiations with Cyprus and five Central and Eastern European countries, in spring 1998.

"It's a decision of historic importance that will benefit the whole of the people of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the Maronites, the Latins and Armenians," President Clerides said.

Noting that the decision "really opens the door for our accession to the European Union (EU)," the President said "I am fully satisfied with this development."

President Clerides added the decision's reference for the participation of Turkish Cypriots was satisfactory.

"We never denied their participation in the Cypriot delegation, under the auspices of the Republic of Cyprus' delegation. We had said this has always been our stance."

Denktash's reaction, however, was negative and has been quoted as saying to reporters Saturday in Turkish-occupied Nicosia: "If they (the EU) want our participation, then they should recognise our state. There is no other way."

"However, by officially recognising the Greek Cypriots as the island's only government, they (the EU) give this message: Cyprus is Greek," Denktash added, according to AFP.

"But by doing so they are also saving us from that ridiculous thing called intercommunal talks," the Turkish Cypriot leader was cited as saying.

Two rounds of UN-sponsored direct talks between President Clerides and Denktash, in the US and Switzerland, reached a deadlock this summer, when the Turkish side had denied to further negotiate, unless the EU would freeze its decision to start accession talks with the Cyprus government.

Turkey, smarting at not being included in the envisaged expansion, had threatened to unite with the occupied north of Cyprus if the EU went ahead with entry talks with Cyprus.

Only Turkey recognises the breakaway puppet regime and the UN itself has called on all states "not to recognise" the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

CNA AP/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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