Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] LETTER - TALAT

[02] GOVERNMENT - FOREIGNERS

[01] LETTER - TALAT

Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said it appears Talat has replied positively to the proposal, adding that a date has not yet been set and would depend on developments.

The Spokesman said that during the 8 July 2006 meeting between President Papadopoulos and Talat, in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, it was agreed verbally that the content of talks between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities would not be referred to either directly or indirectly.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side, consistent with this commitment, neither publicises nor leaks or comments on positions and issues raised by the other side during the course of the discussions.

Asked about Talat`s remarks about a meeting with President Papadopoulos, Pashiardis said he assumed that the statements were ``a positive reply to a written proposal the President of the Republic has already submitted for such a meeting, so that the two leaders could review and assess developments as a follow-up of exchanging lists and discussions between their representatives.``

To a question what the agenda of the meeting will include, Pashiardis said it is not a matter of agenda and that such meetings were anticipated by the July 8 agreement.

Asked if the government intended to brief the political parties on the work of the technical committees, set up to deal with day-to-day issues and issues of substance concerning the Cyprus problem, Pashiardis said the President is ``always willing and ready to convene the National Council so that all parties are informed.``

[02] GOVERNMENT - FOREIGNERS

Pashiardis was commenting on reports by TV channel Sigma regarding incidents at the International State Fair caused by Arabic-speaking residents of Lebanon, holders of US passports, who were told by the US Embassy that it could not offer them further hospitality.

The reporter said that some of those who were able to leave for the United States had done so but other were not allowed to depart. He added that they were given fifty dollars each which caused an uproar, and it was decided that they should be taken to hotels in Nicosia, where the Department of Immigration took their names as persons who had remained in Cyprus.

Pashiardis said the government is fully informed about the issue and that the Ministry of the Interior is in constant communication with the US Embassy.

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