Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-09-17

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

News Update

Wednesday, 17/09/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Security talks are opportunity for progress, says Cyprus Government Spokesman
• [02] Feissel hopes security talks will start next week
• [03] Australian MPs believe there will be progress in Cyprus
• [04] Cyprus becoming a reputable offshore financial centre
• [05] Cyprus on UN General Assembly agenda
• [06] Cartographic meeting

[01] Security talks are opportunity for progress, says Cyprus Government Spokesman

Cyprus Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said that the agreement, announced by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, also underlines the keen interest of the United States in a settlement.

"The intervention of the United States has never been so decisive," he said.

He added that the agenda for the talks was open and without conditions and would touch on any issue raised that was connected with security.

"The Cyprus problem will be resolved through peaceful means, and this position is strengthened by the agreement to hold talks on security issues, " he said, adding that the climate of tension and threats has gone on for too long.

Asked what the next step was, Christofides said it was now up to the UN Permanent Representative Gustave Feissel to make arrangements with the two leaders for talks to start.

Moreover the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement yesterday welcoming the agreement between President Clerides and Mr Denktash to meet soon and discuss security issues.

"The UK noted that the proposed meeting had real potential to reduce tensions on the island if it was put to good use by the leaders of the two communities", it said.

Greece yesterday also welcomed as a "positive development" the announcement.

Greek Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas and Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis both reiterated that Greece's central stance is that Turkish troops should leave the island and that Cyprus should be demilitarised, and expressed the hope that discussions on disarmament "will be a first step in that direction".

[02] Feissel hopes security talks will start next week

Feissel said yesterday he had already set up meetings with both leaders. Today he will meet President Clerides and tomorrow Denktash "to fix a date for the beginning of next week. It's important this process begin as quickly as possible. Hopefully the two leaders will agree to have the first meeting as quickly as possible."

He added that the meeting would take place in Nicosia in his presence and that the two leaders would "see the issues without any preconditions or agenda".

Feissel said the new agreement "is another step in the right direction. And of course we appreciate the efforts the United States made in supporting our common goal."

[03] Australian MPs believe there will be progress in Cyprus

Speaking after the meetings, Mr Brereton said that the events of the last twenty-four hours have encouraged him to believe that there will be some progress in the Cyprus problem.

He said that the international community has a duty to help find a just settlement to the Cyprus problem so that justice and peace may prevail.

On his part Senator Bolkus said that Australia watches developments in the Cyprus problem with interest and that the Labour party has a clear stand on the issue steadfastly supporting the island's right to remain undivided, independent and sovereign.

He also recalled that when three years ago President Clerides had visited Australia they had jointly put forward a draft resolution for the demilitarisation of Cyprus and added that, after the US Congress, the Australian parliament was the second to approve such a resolution.

Moreover, speaking after a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, Brereton made a special note to good bilateral relations and stated his intention to press on the Australian government in assisting efforts towards a Cyprus settlement.

The Cyprus problem "should be kept in the spotlight" and "on the top of the agenda at every opportunity," Brereton said, adding that a strong resolution on Cyprus will be entertained at the Labour Party National Conference.

[04] Cyprus becoming a reputable offshore financial centre

The presence of the First Investment Bank in Cyprus is another indication of Cyprus' success in attracting international banks and financial institutions and of the island's growing recognition among such institutions as a reputable offshore financial centre.

So far 33 offshore banking business licences have been granted to a respective number of international banks and 8 permits have been issued for the establishment of representative offices of foreign banks in Cyprus.

[05] Cyprus on UN General Assembly agenda

[06] Cartographic meeting

The meeting, which will be hosted by the Department of Lands and Surveys in its capacity as permanent member of the committee, will examine issues concerning CERCO's efforts to establish a common European geographical data framework, as well as enabling Cypriot delegates to promote the island's cartographic services.

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

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