Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-05-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Security Council rejects Denktash's demands

[02] US reaffirm desire to continue efforts for Cyprus solution

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Security Council rejects Denktash's demands

In a five-line reply to a letter by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UN Security Council President, Njuguna Mahugu, permanent representative of Kenya, rejected Denktash's demand, stressing that efforts for a Cyprus settlement should continue through bicommunal talks.

Annan had sent a letter to the Security Council outlining the results of his Special Advisor, Diego Cordovez to Cyprus, from March 17 to 22.

In the same letter Annan posed Denktash's position for recognition of the illegal entity unilaterally declared in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island.

In their reply UN Security Council members "reiterate their strong support for your (Annan's) mission of good offices for Cyprus and for your (Annan's) Special Adviser on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions".

The Security Council has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Cyprus and expressed concern about secessionist acts in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Relevant Security Council resolutions called upon "all states not to recognise the purported state of the 'Turkish republic of northern Cyprus' set up by secessionist acts" and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity".

Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in 1974 and occupied 37 per cent of the Republic's territory, forcibly uprooting its Greek Cypriot population to the government-controlled part of the island.

In an attempt by the illegal occupation regime to change the demographic character of the island thousands of Turkish settlers have been brought in and gradually came to outnumber the native Turkish Cypriots.

In 1983 Denktash unilaterally declared the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus into a separate state which no other country but Turkey recognises.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US reaffirm desire to continue efforts for Cyprus solution

Kasoulides, who is visiting Washington, briefed US government officials and Congressmen on developments in the Cyprus problem after a recent visit to the island by US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke.

Holbrooke's effort to resume the bicommunal dialogue reached a deadlock as a result of demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for recognition of his puppet regime.

During meetings with President of the International Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives, Benjamin Gillman, and other Congressmen, Kasoulides called for the continuation of bicommunal talks, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.

The Cypriot minister had also meetings with Under-Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, and Under-Secretary of State Department for Political Affairs, Thomas Pickering.

Replying to questions on the Russian-made S300 defensive system, to be deployed on the island later this year, Kasoulides repeated the proposal of President Glafcos Clerides for the island's demilitarisation and the government position that the missiles could be deemed unnecessary if substantial progress is achieved in bicommunal talks leading to a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking to the press, the Foreign Minister said he had received assurances that "the US government will continue its intensive efforts for a change in the Turkish position in order to open the way towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

He pointed out that Denktash's agreement to enter bicommunal talks would not be enough, stressing that "what is needed is to know in advance that when he comes to negotiations he will not repeat what happened in Glion".

During the second round of UN-led talks in Glion, Switzerland, last summer, Denktash put as a precondition the recognition of his puppet regime unilaterally declared in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus and the withdrawal of the Republic's application for European Union membership.

"It must be made clear that negotiations will be within the framework of the UN resolutions providing for a settlement based on a single state and sovereignty and a single citizenship and international personality", Kasoulides added.

"I believe I have received sincere assurances that these three conditions will be positively dealt with by the US and the Congress will support them", he said.

Asked whether US promises included the exercise of pressure towards Turkey in order to change its position, the Foreign Minister replied that "Turkey owes a lot to the US... and I think the US are entitled to cash what they have offered Turkey".

Kasoulides said he could not predict whether there could be any developments in the Cyprus problem this summer, pointing out that even though the aim was for the resumption of talks in July this has not been agreed due to Turkish intransigence.

Asked whether NATO could also be involved in a process of demilitarisation of the island, Kasoulides said he explained the government position on what is implied by an international force and the possible participation of Greece and Turkey in this during his meetings with US officials.

The Foreign Minister also referred to the communique of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Colombia, which condemned Turkish attempts to change the basis of the bicommunal talks, among others.

CNA DA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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