Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-15

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

News Update

Tuesday, 15/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Goodwill at Cyprus talks, UN Special Adviser says
• [02] President Clerides met with US presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke
• [03] Foreign Minister on next stages of Cyprus talks
• [04] Security Council calls for a sustained process of direct negotiations on Cyprus

[01] Goodwill at Cyprus talks, UN Special Adviser says

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday (14.7.97) UN's Headquarters at the end of the first round of direct Cyprus negotiations between 9-12 July, Mr Cordovez said both leaders felt Cyprus "might be destroyed" if they didn't reach an agreement but he admitted he's not sure they're going to agree on everything, saying there is still an "enormous gap".

The UN official said Secretary-General Kofi Annan was tired of reporting failure and missed opportunities to the Security Council on the Cyprus issue.

"So he and I decided that although the positions of these people are very well known that what was perhaps needed was a new approach and technique", Cordovez said.

He said the issues at hand were being detracted from by some historical elements, grievances and difficulties and that the UN has only suggested they change their "modus operandi". "Sometimes that is the key to a solution", he said.

In answer to questions Cordovez said he had not been seeking signatures at Troutbeck, but merely asking the two leaders to agree for now on the parameters for negotiations.

He estimated work would not begin on the substance of the issues until next year.

"I also felt at this stage what was important was to firm up the good atmosphere that existed between the two", he said adding that this might involve one or two more meetings. "It will depend. "The worst mistake that outsiders can make about a thing like this is to underestimate the difficulties.

He described the relationship between President Clerides and Denktash as excellent, among the best he's ever seen in this kind of negotiation.

Mr Cordovez also added that: "In the meantime Clerides and Denktash had agreed on their own to meet in Nicosia-though they felt it was politically sensitive for them to do so - to discuss a number of humanitarian issues".

[02] President Clerides met with US presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke

Speaking to the press, President Clerides said he briefed the US Presidential Emissary on the negotiations and they exchanged views on the future course.

Replying to a question, President Clerides said Holbrooke informed him when the US will become more active for a Cyprus solution, but refrained from revealing any details.

Asked to say what he expects from the next round of talks, the President said he "never expected that Geneva would produce a solution to the Cyprus problem. It is absurd to think that in the five days we are going to be in Geneva we will solve all the aspects of the Cyprus problem".

"It would be impossible even if we worked 24 hours out of 24 to cover all those subjects", Clerides said, pointing out that there are too many issues, beyond the constitutional, including those of demilitarisation, guarantees, accession to the European Union, the refugee problem, property and human rights.

Referring to the Geneva talks, the President said "the issue we will have before us to discuss is the content of a joint declaration" which will be issued if there is an agreement.

The joint declaration will also include the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem, he added.

[03] Foreign Minister on next stages of Cyprus talks

Speaking to reporters the Cypriot Foreign Minister said he could not say whether progress was made during the negotiations, in the sense that there was no change in the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem, but added that "nobody can claim that the talks have failed".

There was, he said, a "pleasant" atmosphere and noted the "spontaneous decision" of President Clerides and Denktash to meet in order to discuss mainly humanitarian issues.

Speaking about the methodology of the direct talks, Kasoulides said that once the two sides submit their positions on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem, by the end of December, a joint statement on these issues should be prepared.

"After Geneva we will proceed with the preparation of a draft constitution and the legal instruments, as mentioned in the Cordovez non-paper (such as the constitutional and territorial issues)", Kasoulides explained.

The joint statements, which the two sides maintain should be prepared, will be the guidelines for a Cyprus solution and the new constitution.

[04] Security Council calls for a sustained process of direct negotiations on Cyprus

"Security Council members urge the leaders of the two communities to uphold a sustained process of direct negotiations until the instruments that will constitutive a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue have been concluded", he added.

The statement also noted the SC members "urge the two parties to respond constructively to the suggestions made by the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, so that further progress can be made in the next round of talks".

It concluded that "Security Council members reaffirm their active, firm and full support to the efforts of the Secretary-General for a continued and sustained process of negotiations".

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

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