Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-10-29

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

News Update

Wednesday, 29/10/97

CONTENTS

• [01] UN Chief's Special Advisor on Cyprus to propose open-ended talks
• [02] Cyprus President expresses satisfaction with Commonwealth support
• [03] British Prime Minister promises to intensify efforts on Cyprus
• [04] EU wants Turkish attitude on Cyprus to change

[01] UN Chief's Special Advisor on Cyprus to propose open-ended talks

President Clerides disclosed on 27.10.97 in Edinburgh, where he was taking part in the Commonwealth summit, that the UN chief had sent letters to him, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the governments of Greece and Turkey on the issue.

In his letter Mr Annan said Diego Cordovez will visit Cyprus "to see whether the two sides are willing to start open-ended talks to solve the Cyprus question."

Cordovez's visit, expected in the second half of November, was also confirmed by the UN Resident Representative Gustave Feissel, in statements at Larnaca Airport upon his return from the US.

Mr Feissel said he had some meetings on the Cyprus issue during his stay in New York. Asked if he discussed with Annan ways to break the deadlock in efforts for a Cyprus settlement as well as a proposal for talks between the two sides on security issues, Feissel said "we covered a whole range of matters."

Referring to an American proposal for security talks, the UN official said he intends to be in touch with both sides as soon as possible and "see how we go on".

"It would be very good if a modest agreement is reached on security and I think that would send the right kind of message and of course would contain some substance," Feissel said.

[02] Cyprus President expresses satisfaction with Commonwealth support

"I am satisfied because it reconfirms UN Security Council resolutions which call for a single sovereignty and state in Cyprus, condemn the bogus state in the occupied areas and demand the withdrawal of foreign troops," Clerides said.

The Cypriot President also pointed out that with the communique the 54 Commonwealth leaders adopt his proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus and condemn Turkish threats to partially annex the occupied areas.

Moreover, President Clerides agreed with a reference made in the communique to Britain's special role in Cyprus.

He said Britain is not only a member of the UN Security Council but is also one of the Republic's three guarantors (the others are Greece and Turkey), according to the 1960 agreements by which Cyprus gained independence from colonial rule.

[03] British Prime Minister promises to intensify efforts on Cyprus

The British Premier was speaking at the closing press conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Edinburgh on 27.10.97.

Asked to comment on Britain's "special position" in the Cyprus problem as highlighted in the CHOGM communique, Blair said: "We will obviously continue to play our part in trying to search for a solution. We want shot very much."

Blair pointed to the importance of a Cyprus settlement in relation to Cyprus' course for accession to the European Union (EU). "It is very important to the accession negotiations of Cyprus with the EU and we will carry on doing whatever we can to bring about a proper settlement and rapprochement," he stressed. He added that this is "absolutely essential to all the people of Cyprus for the future."

Asked whether a British initiative will be launched on Cyprus the Premier replied: "It is not a question of some initiative, but it is a question of carrying on the work that we are doing and trying to intensify where we can."

[04] EU wants Turkish attitude on Cyprus to change

Mr. Van den Broek, who will visit Ankara on Wednesday, said that the EU will ask Turkey to stop placing obstacles in the way of Cyprus' accession process.

"The climate must change and the threats of war must change," he said, adding that Turkey will be asked to contribute towards the creation of a favourable climate in Cyprus' accession negotiations and to enable the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the Cyprus delegation which will conduct these negotiations.

Moreover, speaking at the same meeting, the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, said that the European Union members are beginning to realise that Turkey does not have the requirements necessary to gain accession to the union.

Mr. Pangalos said: "The governments of member-states have begun to gradually understand that Turkey does not have the economic or political requirements to enter, at present, the process of accession to the EU, nor (is it able now) to be strengthened by the community's pre-accession strategy".

He added that Turkey has to show a constructive stance on the Cyprus issue and the solution of its problems with Greece. He underlined that all EU members agree that Turkey should not set obstacles to negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the EU nor should it dictate what the EU's policy on Cyprus should be.

EU Council President, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister, Jacques Poos, on his part said that at the forthcoming meetings that the EU will have with Turkey, the EU will, amongst other things, ask Turkey to cooperate constructively towards a solution of the Cyprus problem.

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

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