Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU warns Turkey, Turkish Cypriots

[02] Former diplomat appointed to International Tribunal

[03] President's Easter message

[04] Police decide to deport Japanese suspect

1230:CYPPRESS:01

[01] EU warns Turkey, Turkish Cypriots

Hans Van den Broek, EU Commissioner responsible for External Relations, reminded Turkey that it has to fulfill the same criteria as other applicant countries and recalled that Turkey should not have a veto over Cyprus' aspirations for EU membership.

The Commissioner also said that eventual accession of a divided Cyprus might signal the end of Turkey's aspirations for entry into the EU, and indicated that Cyprus should not be victimised because Turkey is at present not cooperating with the EU.

Speaking at a press conference here, after talks with the US administration, Van den Broek expressed regret that the Turkish Cypriots "have chosen not to join the accession negotiations for membership" and said he found it difficult to understand why Denktash keeps the Turkish Cypriot community isolated.

He said if lack of cooperation from the Turkish side leads to eventual acceptance of a divided Cyprus in the EU, "then we are in a very unfortunate situation for the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots."

"They would start thinking that the division of the island may well be a permanent affair and Turkey may well consider that if there is a divided Cyprus in the EU, that may well mean the end of the Turkish aspirations for EU membership," Van den Broek said.

The Commissioner warned Turkey that "no country should be allowed to veto others' legitimate aspirations for EU membership" and noted that at present Turkey does not fulfill the criteria demanded of all applicant countries.

Noting Turkey is a "vital and strategic partner to the EU", Van den Broek said the EU is helping Turkey to prepare for membership and stressed the Union does not have the same important relationship with any other third country that it has with Turkey.

Asked about the possibility of suspending accession talks with Cyprus to give Turkey time to reconsider a change of heart, the EU official replied "the real question is should we victimise the Cypriot application for membership because Turkey at the present time does not feel in a position to cooperate?"

On EU-US cooperation, he said "we operate closely together because our interests are very much the same" and revealed that he asked the US to exercise its influence on Turkey "to encourage them to come forward to discuss the proposals that we have made and also to invite Denktash now to compose a Turkish Cypriot delegation that would be full part of the joint delegation to the accession negotiations with the EU."

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides put forward a proposal, described by the EU as "fair and generous", for Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession talks, inviting the Turkish Cypriot side to nominate its representatives to the Cypriot team as full members to negotiate with the EU the Republic's accession.

The proposal was turned down, and instead Denktash demands international recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus before he returns to the negotiating table.

Commenting on efforts to make headway in efforts for a settlement in Cyprus, Van den Broek said all the elements of a future political settlement "are on the table" and added "this is merely a question of political will."

He explained that peace talks and accession negotiations "need not interfere with each other but they can cross-fertilise each other."

They are two processes, both with the aim of finding solutions that meet the aspirations of both communities, he remarked.

Commenting on Denktash's attempts to gain recognition, Van den Broek said "I am very sorry that would be against the international legality and there is no country in the world, except Turkey, that has recognised that 'state'."

On the proposed deployment of Russian surface-to-air missiles in Cyprus, the EU official said such a move should try to be avoided and warned "the question of the missiles is about to get hotter when summer comes."

"We do not have that much time to lose to try to defuse that situation and the US, which is very much seized on this matter, will try together with others to make best efforts to bring the process forward," he concluded.

Turkey has threatened to launch pre-emptive strikes against Cyprus if the missiles are deployed.

The government of the Republic of Cyprus has repeatedly said the missiles will not be deployed if there is sufficient progress towards a negotiated settlement leading to the demilitarisation of the island.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Former diplomat appointed to International Tribunal

Jacovides is one of sixteen high-level international arbitrators appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Independent Claims Resolution Foundation, headed by Paul Volcker, former chairman of the US Federal Reserve.

The former Ambassador, whose assignment is on a part-time basis in Zurich, is the only Cypriot in an array of distinguished lawyers and bankers with finance, arbitration and international experience appointed to the Tribunal.

He was selected unanimously by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, which will have to deal with more than 7,500 claims that have already been filed.

The press release said five of the arbitrators will be from Switzerland, four from the US, four from Israel and one each from Canada, Cyprus and the UK.

The Claims Resolution Process establishes a vehicle for the impartial adjudication of claims to ownership of those assets of Nazi persecution and others identified by Swiss banks and by the investigation of the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons.

The Tribunal hears claims under relaxed standards of proof recognising the difficulty of presenting evidence in the tragic circumstances of the holocaust and of World War II.

Jacovides, now retired, was a three-term member of the UN International Law Commission and former permanent representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN.

He also served twice as Ambassador of the Republic to the US and Germany.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President's Easter message

Nicosia, Apr 17 (CNA) -- Cyprus will surely experience its own resurrection with the reunification of the island and the restoration of peace and security, President Glafcos Clerides has said in his Easter message.

The President also said the start of accession negotiations with the European Union gives a fresh impetus "to our hopes and strengthens our faith in our resurrection."

As people in Cyprus are preparing to celebrate Christ's resurrection this Easter Sunday, the President sent a message of hope that "next year we shall celebrate Easter in a united, peaceful and happy Cyprus."

"Those who believe in the resurrection of Christ look forward to justice, which requires patience, decisiveness, strength, hope and above all faith in achieving one's final goal," the message read.

It noted that Cyprus has been suffering for the past 24 years as a direct result of the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of part of its territory.

"As long as we have what it takes to achieve our objective, we are sure that at the end of the day justice awaits us," the message added.

President Clerides sent a special message of support to the victims of the Turkish invasion, the refugees, the enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the occupied part of the island and the families of persons listed as missing.

He also conveyed a message of encouragement to the Republic's armed forces.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Police decide to deport Japanese suspect

Toshiyasu Ouchi, leading member of the Japanese doomsday cult, is wanted in connection with a deadly gas attack in the Tokyo underground in 1995 which left 12 people dead and thousands injured.

A Police spokesman told CNA today Ouchi was issued with two warrants, declaring him a persona non-grata and ordering him to leave the country.

The warrants also revoke his temporary permit of stay in Cyprus, which is due to expire on 6 May.

Ouchi was spotted at a local hotel early this morning by police officers who led him and a woman who was with him to the police station.

The woman is also expected to be deported this afternoon.

Cyprus does not have an extradition treaty with Japan.

CNA MAN/MM/KN/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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