Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] British Minister - Cyprus visit

[02] President Clerides - Pauline Green

[03] Cyprus UN envoy - Resignation

[04] Ukraine - Yugoslavia

[05] Cyprus - Ukraine - Accord

[06] Denmark - New Cyprus ambassador

[07] President Clerides - US ambassador

1220:CYPPRESS:01

[01] British Minister - Cyprus visit

Quin is arriving in Cyprus later today and will have a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides on Friday.

This evening, she will meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. Tomorrow noon, she will see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The Foreign Office spokesman told CNA "the Minister will want to help in efforts for a push for a solution to the Cyprus problem but because this is the first visit by Joyce Quin in her official capacity, she will want to hear the views of the two sides".

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Quin will be accompanied by British government envoy for the Cyprus problem Sir David Hannay and her private secretary.

CNA KT/MK/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Pauline Green

Replying to questions after calling on President Glafcos Clerides today, the British EuroMP said she did not want to prejudge the policy the new Turkish government will follow, noting however that the large percentage of the vote garnered by the nationalists is not a good omen.

Green also admitted there is huge environmental damage caused by military weapons used in Yugoslavia and said this will have to be dealt with once the crisis is over.

Asked if the Socialist Group approves of what is happening in Yugoslavia, its leader said "we do support the NATO position whilst of course abhorring deaths, whether they be Serb deaths or Kosovar deaths."

"And also we're very aware that in supporting NATO action in defence of minorities, in this region in particular you have to be aware of the sensitivity that there are other minorities who have not been supported by the same international action."

Expressing regret and noting her "expertise and interest" in this region, Green said she recognises "the things that are still wrong here, that have not been treated in the same way, Cyprus of course and the Kurds in Turkey."

Green actively supports a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974.

The majority of Greek Cypriots deplore the stance taken by NATO and the European Union in the Yugoslav crisis, because they feel that double standards are being followed.

Asked if she believes the outcome of elections in Turkey will affect efforts for a settlement in Cyprus, Green said "I don't think any of us were happy to see the nationalists gain such a large percentage against the more democratic parties."

"Nevertheless," she added, "I don't want to prejudge what sort of government it will be and what sort of policies they will have, but of course the omens are not good given the two or three biggest parties."

CNA MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus UN envoy - Resignation

Serezis told his daily press briefing that the government had information that Cordovez has submitted his resignation and that it had been accepted.

The spokesman thanked Cordovez, on behalf of the government, for his services on the Cyprus problem "for the period of time he was involved" in the matter.

CNA MK/RG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Ukraine - Yugoslavia

Commenting on developments in Yugoslavia, Stanik said that Ukraine believes such problems "must always be solved peacefully, through diplomatic means."

Speaking through and interpreter after a meeting with Justice and Public Order Minister, Nicos Koshis, Stanik said that "Ukraine is one of the first states that has supported a peaceful settlement of the problem".

Asked what she believed would happen if NATO ground forces invaded Yugoslavia, Stanik said that "we must not allow it" to happen.

She said that "all European states must do today whatever is possible, towards settling this matter peacefully".

The Ukrainian minister is on a five-day visit to Cyprus.

CNA NG/RG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Ukraine - Accord

The Declaration was signed by Justice and Social Order Minister, Nicos Koshis, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Suzana Stanik, after official talks.

Speaking after the ceremony, Koshis said the Declaration aims at "creating bilateral cooperation with Ukraine on issues concerning the two ministries".

He said this is the first time that an agreement is signed with Ukraine, adding that a pact signed with the former Soviet Union was in effect until now and that included Ukraine.

Stanik said the agreement "provides for assistance on civil and criminal matters".

She added that "this gives us the right to defend all the rights of Cypriot citizens in Ukraine" and also of "Ukrainian citizens in Cyprus".

Stanik explained that the agreement did not only concern providing legal assistance, but also financial.

CNA NG/RG/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Denmark - New Cyprus ambassador

An official announcement issued today said Pantelides had a private discussion with the royal couple during which he briefed them on the Cyprus problem and the history of the island.

CNA RM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:07

[07] President Clerides - US ambassador

However, he said that as the aim is to establish a bizonal, bicommunal federation which is based on cooperation between the two sides, it's important for people here to realise that it does not help to take a one- sided view on other problems such as the one in Yugoslavia.

"The US is very clearly committed to making a very substantial effort on Cyprus this year, working very closely with the UN, members of the G8, the EU," Brill said replying to questions after calling on President Glafcos Clerides.

He said "that commitment is firm and unwavering and it is not affected by events in Yugoslavia, by what people here say about Yugoslavia."

Brill had prompted strong reaction a few days ago when he stated that the Greek Cypriots' positions on the Yugoslav crisis may affect efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

A large number of Greek Cypriots are against the NATO bombing in Yugoslavia and also feel that double standards are being used as Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of their island's territory since its invasion 25 years ago.

Elaborating on his statement, Brill said that "what we are trying to do is to produce a bizonal, bicommunal federation which is by definition and axiomatically a partnership of cooperation and we're trying to bring sides together."

He expressed the view that the Greek Cypriots "didn't realise that if they take a one-sided view to a complex problem it may not promote the kind of cooperation with your negotiating partner that you would want."

Asked if their feelings are not legitimised as Europe and NATO did not react to the Turkish invasion here in the same way, Brill said "people can feel however they wish".

At the same time though, he pointed out that "you have to feel what is your goal, is your goal to have feelings, is your goal to accomplish something."

To a comment that the US and NATO did not react in East Timor and Cyprus in the same way as they did in Yugoslavia, Brill said "the issue of any particular problem is always quite specific and I think that everybody tries to do those things that are most appropriate in the situation at hand."

"In the case of Yugoslavia (President Slobodan) Milosevic had a track record that involved the death of 250 thousand people over the course of three years in Croatia and Bosnia," he said, adding that NATO and the EU "were determined that they were not going to live through that experience again."

The American diplomat refrained from commenting on the election results in Turkey as the new government has not yet been formed, but said "we're determined to work with whoever is there."

Brill refrained from commenting on press reports that the UN Secretary General's advisor for the Cyprus problem Diego Cordovez resigned mainly because he was side-stepped by the US, but pointed out that the State Department coordinator for Cyprus, Tom Miller, was in telephone contact with Cordovez.

CNA MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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