Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-10-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] GAROYIAN CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] DOWNER CYPRUS ISSUE US OFFICIALS

[03] PARIS SPORTS FESTIVAL CYPRIOT ATHLETES

[01] GAROYIAN CYPRUS ISSUE

We are not optimistic about the outcome of the direct talks between the leaders of the two communities, not because we do not want to be optimistic, but because the Turkish side does not allow us to be, due to its stance and the unreasonable positions it puts on the negotiation table, Garoyian stressed.

Speaking here Saturday, on the sidelines of an event organized by the Nicosia Heart Patients Association, and replying to questions about the direct negotiations between Cyprus President and Turkish Cypriot leader, Garoyian noted that we are still at the beginning of the process, during which the issue of Governance is still being discussed.

So far, we have not seen any signs of change in the Turkish policy, he added.

House President said that for that reason the Greek Cypriot side has persistently requested from the international community to exert pressure on Turkey to change its stance towards Cyprus.

Our side has proceeded to the direct negotiations with discretion and with an argumentation that is fully consistent with both the International and the European Law, Garoyian said, and added, If the Turkish side does not abandon that stance, we cannot be optimistic about the outcome of the process.

Furthermore, Garoyian noted the international community recognizes that the Greek Cypriot side and President Christofias act in a constructive and essential manner and raise positions that are consistent with the International Law, the UN resolutions and the EU principles and values.

Finally, Garoyian stressed that the Greek Cypriot side should continue being constructive during the direct talks, in order to create the preconditions that will pave the way for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

President Christofias and T/c leader Talat have been engaged in talks since early September, with a view to reach an agreement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Technical committees and working groups, comprising experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, have been set up to help the work of the leaders by preparing the ground for the start of direct negotiations which began on 3 September.

[02] DOWNER CYPRUS ISSUE US OFFICIALS

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting between the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the Cypriot Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou, on September 27 in New York, while they were both attending the United Nations General Assembly, the State Departments Spokesman noted that they had a productive discussion on matters of shared interest, including the state of settlement talks being held by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.

The spokesman also pointed out that Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Kyprianou agreed on the need for rapid progress in negotiations over the next months resulting in an early agreement to resolve a conflict that has gone on for too long.

[03] PARIS SPORTS FESTIVAL CYPRIOT ATHLETES

The athletes are Cyprus Olympic skeet shooter Antonis Nikolaidis who finished 4th at the men`s Skeet final of the Olympic Games and Paraolympic Games gold medalist in swimming Carolina Pelendritou.

The event is an initiative taken by the French EU Presidency aiming at celebrating European sport on Sunday 5 October in Paris, by welcoming Europe`s greatest athletes at the Eiffel Tower, for a major public festival.

According to an announcement issued by the Cyprus Sports Organisation, Nikolaidis and Pelendritou will be welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy among other top athletes coming from the member states of the European Union.

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