Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 01-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Richard Boucher: Powel will discuss the Cyprus question in Ankara

[02] CoE Secretary General welcomes Clerides-Denktash meeting

[03] Government satisfied with objectivity of UN report

[01] Richard Boucher: Powel will discuss the Cyprus question in Ankara

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Richard Boucher: Powel will discuss the Cyprus question in Ankara

Washington, Dec 1 (CNA) -- US State Department's spokesman Richard Boucher said the Cyprus question will be on the agenda of the discussions US Secretary of State Colin Powel is due to have in Turkey next week.

Answering a question during yesterday's briefing Boucher said Cyprus is always an issue the US government officials discuss with the Turkish government and reiterated US support to the UN peace talks, aiming at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the protracted Cyprus question, dividing the island since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of the island's territory.

[02] CoE Secretary General welcomes Clerides-Denktash meeting

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CoE Secretary General welcomes Clerides-Denktash meeting

Nicosia, Dec 1 (CNA) -- Council of Europe's Secretary General Walter Schwimmer welcomed yesterday the forthcoming face-to-face meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled to take place next Tuesday, December 4, in Nicosia.

A CoE press release said that Schwimmer congratulated both parties for their decision to meet in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro De Soto, arriving to the island today, and appealed to both leaders "to demonstrate far-sightedness and seize the opportunity of this meeting to move towards an equitable and lasting solution for Cyprus."

[03] Government satisfied with objectivity of UN report

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Government satisfied with objectivity of UN report

Nicosia, Dec 1(CNA) -- The Cyprus Government has expressed satisfaction with the largely objective manner in which UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlines events in Cyprus in his latest report on his good offices mission, proposing that the Security Council approves the renewal of UNFICYP's (peace-keeping force) mandate for another six-months.

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said he was well aware of UN attempts, in reports of this kind, to maintain its role as an honest broker through its good offices mission, but noted that more explicit language could have been applied.

He said during the period under review (May to November 2001) there was increased pressure on Turkey to change its policy on Cyprus and facilitate a settlement.

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