Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-12-29

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News Update

‹onday, 29/12/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Government welcomes UN Resolution 1146
• [02] Security Council renews mandate for Peacekeeping force in Cyprus
• [03] Greek side condemns cut of bicommunal contacts by Turkish Cypriot regime

[01] Cyprus Government welcomes UN Resolution 1146

In a written statement on 24.12.97 the Foreign Minister pointed out that the resolution refers to Security Council resolution 367 (1975), which stated that the negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem should be carried out between the two communities, and not as Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, wishes.

It also supports the decision of the UN Secretary-General for negotiations to resume in March 1998, after the presidential elections on the island, stating that the solution should be based on a single sovereignty and international personality.

Mr Kasoulides emphasised that the Security Council in paragraph 16 of the resolution considers the Luxembourg European Union Summit decision for the start of membership talks with Cyprus on March 30, 1998 an important development in the efforts towards a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

The Cypriot Minister noted that the resolution also refers to the July 31, 1997 agreement between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash on the missing persons in Cyprus.

He stressed that it was the first time that a Security Council resolution for the renewal of the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) mandate mentions the humanitarian issue of the missing persons.

Referring to the as yet inconclusive military dialogue about measures along the buffer zone, Mr Kasoulides said the "the priority of the government is the security of the inhabited areas of Nicosia, rather than winning international kudos."

[02] Security Council renews mandate for Peacekeeping force in Cyprus

The unanimous resolution, adopted without debate on 23.12.97, urged early agreement to measures proposed by the UN to reduce tension along the cease- fire line in Cyprus.

It noted that "only one side has so far accepted this package" - a reference to the Turkish Cypriots.

Resolution 1146 in a separate paragraph calls upon all concerned "to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus to help restore confidence between the parties and as a first step towards the withdrawal of non- Cypriot forces."

It also "stresses the importance of eventual demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue to promote efforts in this direction."

The Security Council Resolution "reaffirms its position that a Cyprus settlement must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession".

[03] Greek side condemns cut of bicommunal contacts by Turkish Cypriot regime

Contact among the two communities was on the increase in recent months as seminars and group meetings were being organised for students, labour leaders, academics and businessmen. Such joint groups met in the buffer zone at the UN- controlled Ledra Palace Hotel.

A Turkish official, Tanner Etkin, so-called "foreign minister" of the regime, announced the decision would take effect as from December 27th.

Etkin clarified that the activities which will be affected are those organised by embassies, and especially the US Embassy, between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot trade unionists, business people, women's organisations, students and professors.

He claimed the decision was taken to allow the Turkish Cypriot side time to review the Luxembourg European Council decision which included Cyprus in the countries due to start accession negotiations with the European Union and excluded Turkey.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides condemned the Turkish Cypriot move as not constructive. He said in a newspaper interview on 27.12.97 that the decision to halt bicommunal contacts was part of well-known extortionist moves of the Turkish side.

The Foreign Minister said that when the negotiations start "everyone will have to face their responsibilities" and noted that "a negative policy on the part of Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will prove damaging for them."

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article