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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-10-21Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News Update21/10/96CONTENTS
[01] President Clinton reaffirms his commitment to resolve Cyprus problem in a message to Greek American communityUS President Bill Clinton has sent a message to the Greek American community in which he stressed the strong cultural and social ties between the United States and the Greek nation and refers to his administration's efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish differences.On the question of Cyprus, President Clinton's message said: "During my administration, I have made the resolution of the Cyprus problem a high foreign policy priority, and have taken several steps to advance this goal. In January, 1995, I appointed Richard Beattie as a Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, the first such emissary in 17 years. Last July, I sent Ambassador Madeleine Albright to the region with Mr Beattie to begin discussions which we hope will lead to direct talks between the two communities and to a comprehensive settlement that is long overdue. I have sustained our program of $15 million in annual bilateral assistance to Cyprus, which is intended to foster greater bicommunal interaction on the island. My administration played an active role in encouraging the European Union to schedule accession talks for Cyprus. Our Ambassador in Nicosia, Robert Dillon, is conducting an investigation into the whereabouts of 5 American citizens who disappeared in 1974. These measures demonstrate my continuing commitment to help resolve this longstanding crisis. When there have been setbacks, such as the recent unjustified and unwarranted killings of Greek Cypriots in the UN buffer zone, we have spoken out forcefully, while seeking agreement on measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of these tragedies. These incidents and the continued division of the island are unacceptable and I will continue to press for a comprehensive and lasting settlement to this tragic dispute". [02] Greek-American leadership welcomes Bill Clinton's messageGreek-American leaders have welcomed President Bill Clinton's statement to the Greek-American community, which was released on 19.10.96.Philip Christopher, President of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the Pancyprian Association of America said: "We welcome President Clinton's statement on issues of concern to the Greek- American community. We are particularly pleased with his repeated reference to the resolution of the Cyprus problem as a 'high foreign policy priority' as well as the 'recent unjustified and unwarranted killings of Greek- Cypriots in the UN buffer zone'". Meanwhile, President Clinton, who attended a dinner given by the National Committee of the Democratic Party at the "Mayflower Hotel" in Washington, on Saturday (20,10,96) assured the Director of the Cyprus News Agency, Andreas Chistofides - who was among the 20 diners - of his personal commitment for a solution in Cyprus and said he would consider it his own "personal failure" if a just and viable solution is not reached. [03] Hannay: Real prospects for direct talks in 1997Sir David Hannay, Britain's special representative for Cyprus, said at the end of a week-long visit to Nicosia that the first half of 1997 will see a serious effort to resolve the Cyprus problem "but much will depend on the leaders and politicians of the two communities".Speaking at a Press Conference Friday (18.10.96) Sir David estimated after his contacts here: "I feel a lot of the issues have come into sharper focus and now one is able to see that prospects for face-to-face negotiations, under UN aegis, during the first half of 1997 are real prospect". He added "the preparatory process is extraordinarily important because it is through this process that you can begin to identify what might be the solutions to areas where there is real disagreement". Sir David announced that the leaders of both communities have accepted an invitation from the UN to attend talks on further demanning of military posts along the demarcation line and measures such as the removal of live ammunition from posts. The talks, he explained, will take place in an "indirect format" and will be taken up by the UN Secretary General's Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel. The British diplomat argued in favour of changes in the current security arrangements, which would take into account existing realities on the island as well as international treaties. Existing military dispositions, he explained, are "inherently unstable in the long term and not compatible to a solution of the Cyprus problem". Sir David Hannay confirmed that British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind will visit Cyprus in December 1996, which will give "a substantial impetus" to the peace process. The British effort, Sir David explained, is in full co-operation with the expected American initiative, the European Union interest and primarily and most importantly with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative. [04] Clinton's statement positive, says Government SpokesmanClinton's pledge for continuing commitment to help resolve the Cyprus problem is a positive statement, said Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides in Nicosia today. The assurance that the Cyprus problem is high on US foreign policy priorities was given by President Clinton in a message to the Greek American Community (18.10.96).The US President's personal interest in the Cyprus issue demonstrates that the US Administration will intensify its efforts in all directions in order to resolve the problem, Cassoulides said. He expressed the hope that this will materialise after the presidential elections in the USA. [05] INTERPOL refuses participation of "pseudostate's" representativeCyprus will be represented at INTERPOL's 65th General Assembly by Police Chief Panicos Hadjiloizou. The Conference takes place in Antalya, Turkey, during October 23-29. It will deal with issues such as drug trafficking, organised crime, money laundering and international terrorism.It was announced Friday (18.10.96) that INTERPOL has informed the Turkish authorities who are hosting the Conference that it will not accept representation in its General Assembly of the so-called police force of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. The police authorities of Cyprus and Greece had informed INTERPOL that the "Chief" of the illegal police force in the occupied territory, Attila Saat, was planning to participate in the Antalya police conference and that Turkey was willing to validate his credentials as participant. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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