Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - NATIONAL COUNCIL

[02] DROUTSAS - CYPRUS TALKS

[03] BRYANT - CYPRUS TALKS

[04] CYPRUS - HAITI - AID

[01] PRESIDENT - NATIONAL COUNCIL

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Thursday that the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, the National Council, which is composed of two members from all parliamentary parties, will be briefed Friday by President Christofias on the developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the ongoing Cyprus talks.

He also said that there are some convergences as regards the Cyprus negotiation, adding, the political parties will be briefed tomorrow in detail.

The Spokesman was also invited to comment on a statement made by UNSG Ban Ki moon that President Christofias told him that he would issue some sort of plan for further negotiations, despite the illegal elections in Cyprus occupied areas to be held in April.

To avoid misinterpretations, I should say that he was referring to the next meetings between President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat for the continuation of the negotiations, the Spokesman said.

Invited to comment on a statement by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that there has been some approach towards the Turkish positions but this has not been announced, Stephanou said that Talat is not telling the truth, adding when we make statements, we should be very careful with the statements we make.

[02] DROUTSAS - CYPRUS TALKS

Speaking after a meeting in New York with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Droutsas said President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias was addressing the negotiating process in a very constructive and courageous manner, and assured that Greece fully supports his efforts.

Asked if he shared the UN Secretary General`s optimism about the events in Cyprus, Droutsas said ``it is certainly again an important period in the negotiating process on Cyprus.``

``We have to encourage both leaders, President Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, to take advantage of the next days and weeks to come, and try to intensify also their talks but I would also like to stress the fact that maybe time is not always your friend but the quality of the solution, the settlement for Cyprus should not be some sort of a victim of any kind of time frameworks,`` he said.

He added that ``we have to put all our efforts and energy in trying to take advantage of the next weeks to come but certainly it needs also from the Turkish Cypriot side the necessary constructive attitude in order to find the necessary settlement.``

[03] BRYANT - CYPRUS TALKS

We have to be talking not about a Confederation but about a Federation, bi-communal, bi-zonal Federation with one international personality, he stressed speaking during a dinner hosted by the Secretariat of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK. Actually the negotiations are going much better than you suggested. There are concessions from both sides, Bryant said adding that he respects the courage that both leaders are showing.

Bryant also noted that there are issues the Turkish have to give way, and make concession. They have to make headway, they have to show confidence building measures not only for building confidence but actually to improve the situation, he said and added: Limnitis is one example.

Bryant pointed out that the UK cannot take a side in relation to the talks. There are plenty examples in history of British people telling Cyprus about how to run its life. Thats not going to work. Also, we are not going to stand in the way of a solution. If any elements of the Treaty of Guarantee prove to be a problem, from our side, when it comes down to the final negotiations, we will not stand in the way of a solution. I make that pledge, he concluded.

[04] CYPRUS - HAITI - AID

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the government had already announced financial aid of 100 thousand EUR for Haiti.

He added that the additional aid would be in the form of ``various items, such as tents, dry food, serum, tinned meat.``

An earthquake measuring 7 degrees on the Richter scale hit Haiti on January 12.

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