Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-11-21

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

21/11/96

CONTENTS

• [01] Greek Defence Minister in Cyprus
• [02] Cassoulides: Turkish Cypriots must show goodwill to break deadlock
• [03] France strongly deplores recent killings in Cyprus
• [04] News in brief

[01] Greek Defence Minister in Cyprus

Tsohantzopoulos was received by President Glafcos Clerides with whom he held talks in the presence of Cypriot Minister of Defence Costas Eliades and National Guard Commander Nicolaos Vorvolakos.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tsohantzopoulos said he was briefed by President Clerides on the situation regarding various proposals and initiatives which are being promoted or are in the process of being developed. He added: "I had the chance to put to the President the direction of national strategy which we are promoting through every means". He also noted that they looked into ways in which the joint defence doctrine between Cyprus and Greece can have effective prospects.

[02] Cassoulides: Turkish Cypriots must show goodwill to break the deadlock

Cassoulides made this statement, commenting on news reports that the various mediators in the Cyprus question are frustrated and do not share the view that there will be a breakthrough early in the new year.

Underlining that the Greek Cypriot side is demonstrating every goodwill, Cassoulides pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side also has to demonstrate the necessary political will for a solution.

The Greek Cypriot side, Cassoulides recalled, has made proposals on a number of aspects of the Cyprus issue, taking into consideration not the interest of the Greek Cypriot community alone, but of the entire population of Cyprus. Cassoulides cited as examples the proposals made regarding the security issue which answer the security concerns of both communities. "Goodwill gestures have also to be made on the part of the Turkish side for a mutually acceptable solution", he said.

Cassoulides added that in the territorial issue too, the Greek Cypriot side accepts that in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, the Turkish Cypriots will administer a territory, economically viable, in which they will have the majority. This, he said, should satisfy the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriot community. Cassoulides also referred to the benefits the Turkish Cypriots will enjoy with Cyprus' entry to the European Union.

The Government Spokesman said that the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriots have also been taken into consideration in accepting the principle of equality as specified by the UN Secretary General in his 1992 report, despite the fact that the Turkish Cypriot community represents only 18 percent of the population. Similarly, the Greek Cypriot side shows willingness to discuss the powers of the Federal Government with the purpose of creating one state and not two as the Turkish side aspires.

[03] France strongly deplores recent killings in Cyprus

[04] News in brief

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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