Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-12-30

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

News Update

Tuesday, 30/12/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Russian Foreign Ministry supports political content of UN Resolution
• [02] Bicommunal event cancelled because of Turkish decision

[01] Russian Foreign Ministry supports political content of UN Resolution

A statement by a Spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry on 25.12.97 said: "The Security Council has underlined that continuing the status quo on the island is unacceptable, has expressed grave concern over the lack of progress in seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem and it has confirmed its support for the "good offices" mission of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his special Adviser Diego Cordovez, with the help of the international community, in extricating this long-lasting problem from deadlock".

The Russian government's statement continued to say that the two sides by implementing what has been initially agreed between them, "together with proposals from other countries, including the Russian plan proposed in April 1997 as the "Basic principles for a Cyprus settlement", could contribute in promoting substantive developments on the road to a solution".

The statement added that "the direct dialogue under UN auspices should resume in March 1998 and it is important to be accompanied by the necessary political will and readiness to seek compromise solutions".

[02] Bicommunal event cancelled because of Turkish decision

The dinner guests were twelve Greek and twelve Turkish Cypriots who had attended a conference chaired by American special envoy Richard Holbrooke in Brussels last month in an attempt to forge closer economic links between the two sides.

The new Turkish Cypriot decision was taken so that "the Turkish Cypriot side would review the European Union's decision to open accession negotiations with Cyprus early next year," according to Turkish statements.

It will affect meetings across the divide which began taking place in the buffer zone between bicommunal groups with common interests.

A spokesman for the British High Commission said:

"We regret the decision to suspend bicommunal activity but we very much hope that it will resume.

"Bicommunal contact is positive and constructive because if a bicommunal federation is to be established, people will have to know each other", the spokesman noted.

Replying to questions, the spokesman acknowledged that to a certain extend these contacts may not be "perfect" but he stressed "they are better than nothing and help people to get to know each other."

Britain, he said, backs bicommunal contact as a means of assisting Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who will live under a federal roof, to get to know each other.

The High Commissioner, David Madden, the spokesman added, was due to see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash later this week and the issue of bicommunal contacts would be raised.

Britain, he noted, has already made contact with Turkish Cypriots responsible for taking the decision to suspend bicommunal activity.

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

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