Cyprus Government Spokesman Daily Briefing, 03-10-23

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Daily briefing of the Press by the Government Spokesman

23 October 2003

At the beginning of today´s briefing of the press, the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides said that President Papadopoulos had a meeting in the morning with Mr Weston during which they discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. He added that it was a good meeting of informative nature Mr Chrysostomides said that Mr Weston was optimistic concerning the possibility of a change in Ankara´s position and that he agreed with the position of the Government of Cyprus that there should be a solution to the Cyprus problem before 1 May 2004. The Government Spokesman said that Mr Weston also had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and that Mr Weston would give a press conference the following day at 5 p.m.

Mr Chrysostomides stated that there was no information on behalf of the Government concerning the presence of observers for the so-called elections in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. The Government Spokesman said that Mr Weston wanted to be informed further before making any statements on the issue. Mr Chrysostomides reiterated the position of the Government on the issue of observers adding that the authorities of the pseudostate officially admitted that since 1974 until the present day, 53,904 settlers had been given the right to vote and had been included in the electoral registers.

Asked if there was a reason for Mr Weston´s visit to Cyprus at a time when it was thought that developments would take place after the so-called elections of 14 December, Mr Chrysostomides replied that the efforts of the US Government for the resumption of negotiations and for the attainment of a solution were continuing. He noted that the Cyprus Government welcomed that American interest.

Asked if the purpose of Mr Weston´s visit was to convey a message of support to the Turkish Cypriot opposition, Mr Chrysostomides replied that he did not want to express an opinion but simply to remark that it was evi dent that Mr Weston was not welcome by Mr Denktash who demonstrated a hostile position to the American policy by his statements.

Furthermore, Mr Chrysostomides said that Mr Weston was fully satisfied with the position of the Government of Cyprus concerning the effort for the resumption of negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan as well as the effort for a solution before 1 May 2004.

Invited to comment whether Troika would visit Ankara, Mr Chrysostomides replied that there was information that Troika would make representations to the Turkish Government regarding its obligation to comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.

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