Cyprus Government Spokesman Daily Briefing, 03-12-16

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

DAILY BRIEFING OF THE PRESS BY THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

16.12.2003

At today's briefing of the Press the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides referring to the results of the voting in the occupied north of Cyprus said that "the position of the Cyprus Government in relation to the voting in the occupied areas seems to have been adopted to a great degree by all involved in the process and the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, namely the EU, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom and the State Department's Spokesman."

He added that the result of the voting indicates that the large majority of the Turkish Cypriots support the resumption of the talks and the promotion of a solution prior to May 1st 2004, and pointed out that the Government hoped the result of the voting would have the corresponding effect on Turkey's policy.

Invited to comment on Turkish Foreign Minister's statement that there would be specific initiatives on the Cyprus problem next week and that if a solution is not found by May 1st no one should blame Turkey for not contributing towards a solution, the Spokesman remarked that Mr Gul also said, that nothing can be done as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned without Turkey or irrespective of Turkey and that the issue was in the hands of the Turkish National Assembly.

Mr Chrysostomides added that "it is up to Mr Gul, up to the Turkish Government to prove that indeed there is a change of policy so that we, the international community will be convinced that the Turkish Government is taking positive steps towards this direction."

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