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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-05-02Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1155:CYPPRESS:01[01] Denktash insists on recognitionNicosia, May 2 (CNA) -- Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, has dismissed as "irrelevant" a statement by top US Cyprus envoy, Richard Holbrooke, that neither the US, nor the UN nor the European Union can recognize his self-styled regime.Denktash appeared as adamant as ever on his demand for international recognition of the existence of this puppet regime, shunned by the international community, whose establishment in 1983 the UN described as "legally invalid." Replying to questions before a meeting with Holbrooke in occupied Nicosia earlier today, Denktash noted that Holbrooke was in the residence of the so-called president of his regime. "Mr. Holbrooke has to say things diplomatically but we are not going to change our position because he has said 'never' recognize the TRNC (the illegal Turkish Cypriot entity in occupied Cyprus)," Denktash told the press. He also pointed out that one should not use the word never in politics. "We exist and we are going to exist as TRNC," Denktash stressed. "If you want Cyprus to be united, two states are ready to unite. If not let, Cyprus be divided," he warned. Asked why he is talking to Holbrooke since he remains intransigent in his positions, Denktash replied "ask Mr Holbrooke. My point is to tell Mr Holbrooke that we are not going to allow the Greek Cypriots to get away with Cyprus under the wrong status of the government." Addressing himself to the President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides, Denktash said "you are not the government of Cyprus, Mr. Clerides knows that". "You have no legal or moral right to be our government," he said. Holbrooke has repeatedly said the US recognises the Republic of Cyprus and Glafcos Clerides as its President. Asked to say if he intends to submit a separate application for accession to the EU, Denktash said "when Turkey is admitted to the EU, then we will". The Turkish Cypriot leader has always objected vehemently to the Republic's efforts to get closer to Europe and since the start of accession negotiations in March this year he has stepped up his intransigence. CNA MCH/KN/MM/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1210:CYPPRESS:02[02] Holbrooke - Denktash meet in occupied NicosiaNicosia, May 2 (CNA) -- US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke had a 90-minute meeting today with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, pointing out that more meetings will follow during the day.Refraining from making any assessment of his meeting, Holbrooke told reporters "we are just talking." He said he will meet with President Glafcos Clerides and then again return to the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia for further meetings with Denktash. Holbrooke's meeting with Clerides is scheduled for 12.00 local time (09.00 GMT). CNA MCH/MM/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1300:CYPPRESS:03[03] Clerides, Holbrooke talk over lunchNicosia, May 2 (CNA) -- President, Glafcos Clerides, and US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, are having a working lunch here today, their second meeting since the arrival of the US diplomat to the island yesterday evening.Holbrooke met in the morning with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, in the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia. He is expected to see Denktash for a second time after his working lunch with President Clerides, which is also attended by Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General, Alecos Markides, US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Tom Miller and US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill. CNA KN/MCH/MM/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1340:CYPPRESS:04[04] US advocates closer EU-Turkey tiesWashington, May 2 (CNA) -- The prospect of closer ties between Turkey and the European Union can contribute in a positive way to the resolution of problems in the eastern Aegean, US State Department spokesman, Jim Foley, has said.Asked if the US considers the rocky relationship between the EU and Turkey as an obstacle to efforts by Richard Holbrooke for a peaceful settlement in Cyprus, Foley said the US believes "that Turkey's future is and ought to be in Europe and that that perspective can be a useful element in the overall search for a solution to problems in the eastern Aegean." Holbrooke, US Presidential Emissary, is currently in Cyprus for talks with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in a bid to break the current deadlock towards a settlement. The spokesman also noted the US is not an EU member and therefore cannot be part of the decision-making. The only thing the US can do, Foley said, is to give friendly advice to the EU that Turkey's place is in Europe and that is in the strategic interests of the US, Europe and Turkey itself. CNA DA/MM/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |