Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-10-03

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

News Update

Friday, 03/10/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus President to address UN Assembly on 6th October
• [02] Cyprus Foreign Minister in new talks with U.S Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke.
• [03] Foreign Minister Kassoulides met with his counterparts of Australia, Tanzania and Bangladesh.
• [04] UN Secretary congratulates Cyprus Republic on its independence day

[01] Cyprus President to address UN Assembly on 6th October

He will also speak to business leaders and journalists during a working breakfast hosted by Ambassador Holbrooke.

Speaking on departure, President Clerides said the objective of his meetings will be ''to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem'' and stressed he will focus especially on the demilitarisation of the island, Turkish threats against Cyprus and other issues regarding the Cyprus problem.

[02] Cyprus Foreign Minister in new talks with U.S Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke.

Talking to reporters after the meeting Mr. Holbrooke said: óWe discussed the situation as we always do. We covered the recent talks that I' ve had with Turkish representatives and as you know Mr. Denktash is coming to Washington at the end of October. I look forward to seeing him if I can arrange that. He did not elaborate on any of the contents of the talks with Mr. Kassoulides.

Asked to comment on the planned meeting between business leaders from the two sides, Ambassador Holbrooke said: óMy position is very clear: trade between people is mutually beneficial, and it should proceed. Many peoples and many countries have trade when they don' t have their political differences settled. The Greek Cypriots have a per capita income substantially larger than the Turkish Cypriots. If the borders between the two parts of Cyprus opened up for international business, for national business, it would be mutually beneficial. It's simple. I see absolutely no reason for Turkish and Greek Cypriot businessmen, many of whom know each other, not to do business directly. But that's for the two sides to work out. I don't think that needs to be on situation that awaits a political settlement.ò

He also commented that he did not understand the criticism contained in a Turkish Chamber of Commerce statement about another business conference soon to be held in Geneva.

óI didn't understand their criticism. This is not a conference about European Union membership, it's a conference about economic cooperation. And economic cooperation is in the mutual benefit of all the people of Cyprus, Turks and Greeks alikeò, he said.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister in statements after the talks said he understood that Mr. Holbrooke is still examining ways and strategies on how and when to get actively involved in pursuing the efforts for a Cyprus solution.

Referring to a working breakfast which Mr. Holbrooke will give on Tuesday (7.10.97) for President Clerides, at which business leaders and journalists will participate, the Foreign Minister said the event is organised by Ambassador Holbrooke in his capacity as an international banker and not as a political activity in his capacity as U.S Presidential Emissary.

Mr. Kassoulides said that it will be an occasion for President Clerides to address business leaders, important journalist and some politicians and talk to them about the economic as well as the political situation in Cyprus.

The Cypriot Finance Minister Chr. Christodoulou and the Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus will also attend.

[03] Foreign Minister Kassoulides met with his counterparts of Australia, Tanzania and Bangladesh.

He had separate meetings with his counterparts from Australia, Alexander Downer, of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and of Bangladesh, Alhaj Abdus Samad Azad, with whom he discussed bilateral relations and recent developments on the Cyprus question.

[04] UN Secretary-General congratulates Cyprus Republic on its independence day

In his telegram Mr. Kofi Annan welcomes the Republic's efforts óto promote the ideal of global understanding that is enshrined in the UN Charter.ò

He says óI look forward to building upon the already close relationship that exists between Cyprus and the world Organisation at a time when cooperation among nations is crucial for success in dealing with the challenges that face us all.

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

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