Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] US envoy arrives

[02] US envoy: here to be helpful for an important job

[03] Miller sets stage for Holbrooke's return

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US envoy arrives

Miller, who was led away from the aircraft by embassy officials, did not make any statements to the press on arrival.

Later today he is due to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and at seven this evening he is scheduled to be received by President Glafcos Clerides.

During his two-day visit, Miller is expected to try to make headway in the stalled peace process in a bid to resume the intercommunal dialogue.

Holbrooke is said to arrive in Cyprus on 2 May.

CNA MAN/MM/GG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] US envoy: here to be helpful for an important job

Soon after his arrival on the island earlier today, Miller crossed into the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus where he held "very useful talks" with Denktash.

He said he was pleased to see Denktash again and added "I look forward very much to returning to the island in the not too distant future with Ambassador Holbrooke for what will be a very very important visit, in the early part of May."

Miller thanked Denktash for seeing him at a relatively short notice and "for giving us a bit of his thoughts."

The US envoy refrained from giving away any details about the content of his discussions, and restricted himself in saying that he talked about Cyprus.

Asked if he was more optimistic now, Miller replied "I do not get optimistic or pessimistic, I am here to do a job, a job that our government, that President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright think is a very important job."

"We are here to try to be helpful and it does not serve anybody's purpose, least of all ours, if I walk out optimistic or pessimistic, we are here to try to be helpful, that is it," Miller told the press after his meeting with Denktash.

He said he should be leaving Cyprus later tonight and is not scheduled to have a second meeting with Denktash.

In his remarks, Denktash said it is always helpful to talk about the Cyprus problem with people "who have good intentions of trying to help us, especially with trusted friends who are not trying to remove the problem away from the context of the UN."

Denktash welcomed his talks with friends who "are trying to help the UN Secretary General also and are involved with the parties interested, Turkey, Greece, Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots in a friendly and constructive way."

The Turkish Cypriot leader said he would be pleased to welcome back to Cyprus US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke "very soon" and have this contact continue.

"We welcome this and hope he will do a good job," Denktash added.

CNA AA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2130:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Miller sets stage for Holbrooke's return

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, which lasted well over an hour, Miller said the purpose of his "very short trip is to set the stage for when Ambassador Richard Holbrooke returns in early May."

"That is a very, very important trip," he added.

"Our efforts to try to address the core issues of the Cyprus problem continue," he told the awaiting press outside the Presidential Palace.

Miller said he "cannot and will not" disclose the substance of his discussions in Nicosia with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, earlier this afternoon.

"We are trying our best and this is an intensive American effort and we will do the best we can," he added.

Miller, who arrived here in early afternoon and leaves later tonight, is due to visit Ankara and Athens for talks.

Present at tonight's meeting were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Undersecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides and the US Ambassador in Nicosia, Kenneth Brill.

CNA GG/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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