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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-02-04Cyprus 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 UpdateTuesday, 04/02/97CONTENTS
[01] UN concentrates efforts on overall Cyprus settlementThe United Nations is focusing its efforts for an overall settlement on Cyprus and for this reason, the next step would be the UN Secretary-General, inviting the two leaders for a direct meeting.Speaking after his second meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, said yesterday that now he has to decide whether another trip is necessary before recommending to the Secretary-General about the next step. He said he hoped "this, will be inviting the leaders of the two communities to discuss the Cyprus problem". "We went into some discussion of substantive issues", adding that he feels good about the discussion they had. Han will have another meeting with President Clerides tomorrow before leaving on Thursday. Replying to a question if he has submitted any new proposals, Han replied "we are exploring all kinds of avenues and ideas, so again it is not a comprehensive proposal written in one or two pages but we are getting into all kinds of issues". The South Korean former Foreign Minister, said UN was making all efforts and that he was hopeful. "Confidence is the word to use. I am neither optimistic, nor pessimistic". Asked if he has discussed any suggestions about the military situation, Han said this is a fact that has been going on and all the more reason why a solution is necessary. At the same time, he reminded that the immediate military and security issues are being pursued in the context of UNFICYP auspices in Cyprus through the military dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation troops. However, he said "at the moment I am concentrating more on an overall settlement of the Cyprus issue". The Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, speaking after the meeting between President Clerides and Han Sung Joo said that there is little hope for direct negotiations. "We are not anywhere near a direct meeting between the President and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, which would create hope for success". He also said Han did not convey Denktash's views to the President and added "therefore I cannot say that there is any progress at this stage". Cassoulides said that some ideas and views which had been discussed in the past and relate to various aspects of the Cyprus question were on the agenda. "I would say that the UN are currently conducting proximity talks", Cassoulides said. He added President Clerides had pointed out to Han that there can be no common ground between the positions of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides if the Turkish side continues to maintain the views expressed in last month's joint declaration issued by Turkey's President, Suleyman Demirel and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. [02] Russia feels obliged to help efforts for a Cyprus solutionRussia has a right and an obligation to help efforts for a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem, Vladimir Tchizhov, Head of the Third Directorate for European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry said in Nicosia yesterday.Tchizhov, who is visiting the Cyprus capital on a fact finding mission, was received yesterday by President Glafcos Clerides and met Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides. Speaking after his meeting with President Clerides, Tchizhov, stressed that "Russia has always been involved in the Cyprus issue" and noted his country's important political role in international efforts for a solution. Russian interest in Cyprus is not confined to the sale of arms, he added, in an indirect reference to the sale of the Russia made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Cyprus. He noted Russia "is in a continuous dialogue with the other UN Security Council permanent members" over the Cyprus issue, and stressed the need for "coordination of future moves" under the UN umbrella. Tchizhov said his country believes it should cooperate with all parties involved in the Cyprus issue, and said this is why he visited Ankara and Athens before coming to Nicosia. The Russian diplomat pointed out that a settlement in Cyprus would benefit Turkey as well as his country, because "Cyprus is quite close to our southern borders and we are interested in peace in this sensitive area". Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides expressed satisfaction with Moscow's interest in a solution to the Cyprus issue and said the two countries agree that the role of the permanent members of the UN Security Council had been enhanced in a bid to help resolve the matter. [03] Greek Left Coalition: Cyprus and Greece should increase diplomatic initiatives"It is evident to all that there is increased momentum round the Cyprus problem", the head of the Left Coalition of Greece (Synaspismos), Mr Nicos Constantopoulos said yesterday in Nicosia. It is of utmost importance for Cyprus and Greece to take advantage of this momentum through initiatives and decisions which will pave the way for moves towards achieving a just solution and ensuring security on the island and in the region, Mr Constantopoulos stated to the Press after being received by the President of the Republic Mr Glafcos Clerides. The Left Coalition of Greece believes that now the diplomatic and negotiating position of Cyprus and Greece should be reinforced in the international environment, Mr Constantopoulos said.Yesterday Mr Constantopoulos also had separate meetings with the President of the House of Representatives Mr Spyros Kyprianou and the General Secretary of the left-wing AKEL party Mr Demetris Christofias. Furthermore, Mr Constantopoulos met in the free part of Nicosia with the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) Mr M.A. Talat in a very first meeting between political parties of Greece and Turkish Cypriot parties. Mr Constantopoulos stressed the need for rapprochement between the two communities and for the establishment of a substantive and fruitful dialogue. On his part Mr Talat said that Greece and Turkey should assist efforts for finding a peaceful solution. [04] Church of Cyprus tries to regain possession of the Antiphonitis iconsThe Head of the Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos is continuing his legal struggle in the Dutch courts to regain possession of the four icons of the Apostles of Antiphonitis.The honorary Consul of Cyprus in the Hague Ms T. Georgiou- Hadjitofi together with the Dutch lawyer representing the Church of Cyprus Mr R.W. Polak, were in Cyprus last week to discuss legal aspects of the issue and collect more evidence for continuing the legal battle in the Netherlands. These icons are not only significant religious artefacts, but also form an important part of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. The icons were last seen in Cyprus in August 1974 just prior to the Turkish invasion of the northern part of the island. Since then, they have found their way illegally to The Netherlands. The Church of Cyprus has begun a legal process to regain possession of them. The icons are currently in the hands of a bailiff in Rotterdam since being confiscated in July 1995 in the house of a Dutch couple. The couple claim to have bought the icons from an Armenian dealer in the early 1970s for Dfl 200.000. [05] Snowfall in NicosiaThe people of Nicosia woke up this morning to see a snow-covered city, a very rare sight in the central plains of Cyprus.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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