Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-10-24

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

News Update

Friday, 24/10/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Commonwealth appoints Special Representative for Cyprus
• [02] President Clerides in Edinburgh for Commonwealth Summit
• [03] Greek Deputy Foreign Minister in talks in Washington
• [04] Message by the President of Cyprus to the United Nations Secretary- General Mr Kofi Annan on the occassion of the 52nd anniversay of the United Nations
• [05] UN Day marked in Cyprus

[01] Commonwealth appoints Special Representative for Cyprus

He also announced the appointment of a Special Representative for Cyprus, Mr Kris Srinivasan, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for political affairs and former Foreign Minister of India.

Replying to a question on Cyprus from the press Mr Anyaoku said:

"The Commonwealth Heads of Government have traditionally discussed Cyprus and will be discussing the Cyprus situation again. The Commonwealth has a standing committee of foreign ministers known as the Commonwealth Action Group on Cyprus which is there to be convened when it is thought that it would be useful for the group to meet. In the meantime, the Commonwealth is committed to supporting the efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General backed up by United Nations Security Council resolutions to convene peace talks on Cyprus and I have decided in consultation with the UN Secretary- General to appoint a Commonwealth special envoy to the future talks on Cyprus convened by the United Nations Secretary-General. I believe that the record of Commonwealth Heads of Government on Cyprus is there in the past communiques I expect that at this meeting they will want to review developments and will also want to review ways in which the Commonwealth can continue to be of help in the search for a solution".

[02] President Clerides in Edinburgh for Commonwealth Summit

President Clerides welcomed the appointment of Indian diplomat Kris Srinivasan as Commonwealth's Special Representative for Cyprus, noting that now the Commonwealth will be able to closely monitor developments on Cyprus.

The President praised the countries which supported the appointment of Kris Srinivasan, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, noting these included many Moslem countries. He told the press the Commonwealth has played an interesting role in the Cyprus problem.

"Our aim here is to further promote our views regarding a Cyprus settlement", he said.

Mr Clerides also mentioned that he will be a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss a number of issues.

On Saturday (25.10.97) President Clerides will have a meeting with Malaysian Premier, Mahathir Mohammad, while Mr Kasoulides will meet his British counterpart, Robin Cook.

[03] Greek Deputy Foreign Minister in talks in Washington

Speaking after the meeting Mr Papandreou said "we had an in depth review of not just the latest events but more generally the situation on the Cyprus problem and the relations between the European Union and Turkey".

He said that besides Greek-American relations and Cyprus, they discussed NATO and European Union enlargement and the EU Commission's proposals on accession negotiations with some of the eleven candidate countries.

Mr Papandreou expressed satisfaction that at last the US has adopted a "strong position" on the "unacceptable events", referring to Turkish harassment of the Greek Defence Minister's aircraft during his visit to Cyprus in the middle of October. "I had the opportunity on this occasion to raise the issue of Turkey's unacceptable attitude and question the manner in which the Turks are moving recently.

I put these questions because they will be of particular importance for Turkey's European course, since the way Turkey handles its relations with Greece and the Cyprus question is putting herself outside the Union", Mr Papandreou said.

The Greek Deputy Foreign Minister added that Greece considers the beginning of EU accession talks with Cyprus positive and a catalyst for the solution of the problem. He said that it can be said that the United States also favours the accession talks and the candidacy of Cyprus. And it regards this process as useful for the action the US is taking towards a settlement.

[04] Message by the President of Cyprus to the United Nations Secretary- General Mr Kofi Annan on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the United Nations

Fifty-two years after the signing of the United Nations Charter, the maintenance of international peace and security, the promotion of the full respect and universal application of human rights remain the cornerstone of the objectives pursued by the International Organisation. These ambitious objectives, however, are unattainable without the joint and consistent efforts of all Member-States. They will be best served through a long-term approach, that strives for global disarmament, the reinforcement of the mechanisms necessary for the peaceful settlement of disputes and the effective involvement of the United Nations in efforts to cope with various other international problems.

Other issues, such as the attainment of socio-economic equality and the well-being for all human beings, regardless of their ethnic, political and religious identities, are of the utmost importance and must also become one of our main priorities.

Your Excellency, We welcome your comprehensive package of reforms designed to help the Organisation rationalise its operations, secure its financial position and refocus itself to meet the changes in the global order and in particular as regards the restructuring and strengthening of the main United Nations Organs. We fully support these reforms that are essential in allowing the United Nations to efficiently utilise its valuable resources and high level of expertise it already possesses.

As far as the Cyprus problem is concerned, may I take also this opportunity to reiterate our deep appreciation for your untiring efforts aiming at achieving a just, viable and lasting solution to this issue that would restore unity in our country and put an end to the tragedy of our people.

We wish to reassure You of our full support to Your efforts and those of the international community and of our commitment to continue working with You in a constructive spirit with a view to achieving a just solution to our problem, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the principles enshrined in the Charter. Such a solution to this long- standing problem will also reinforce the peace-making role of the United Nations.

As the United Nations enters in a new year which will be crucial for the continuation of its important mission, we express the hope, Your Excellency, that during this 52nd year of its existence, we will witness further substantial progress towards the prevalence of justice, peace and stability on the basis of the universal principles, freedoms and ideals to which we are all committed.

[05] UN Day marked in Cyprus

The event, in its third year and called a family day, is taking place at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone and aims to bring together families and people of all ages from the two communities for a day of relaxed celebration.

It will include music and dance groups from both communities, games and food delicacies from UNFICYP members.

An UNFICYP spokesman said the bicommunal open house will give Greek and Turkish Cypriots of all ages a chance to meet and reach out to the other community in a true spirit of the UN.

The UN is actively promoting bicommunal contact as part of its mandate "to return to normal conditions" and there are as many as 30 meetings per week in which educators, lawyers doctors, journalists and other professionals participate.

UNFICYP holds large scale bicommunal events, including concerts, fairs or receptions three or four times a year.

Contact between the two communities has been prevented since they were forcibly divided after 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part.

In the past few years, contact between Greek and Turkish Cypriot has been more regular but often restricted by the Turkish Cypriot regime. To mark UN day the Cyprus United Nations Association issued a statement expressing its support for UN efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and setting out its numerous activities. The Association has been in existence for 35 years.

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

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