Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-11

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

News Update

Wednesday, 11/03/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Clerides and Simitis agree on next moves
• [02] Miller urges "creativity and flexibility" and promises an honest, full American effort
• [03] Turkish Cypriot side closes door to further talks
• [04] Excavations of the Great Metropolitan Basilica of Amathous
• [05] Consumer price index for February 1998

[01] Clerides and Simitis agree on next moves

Speaking after a meeting between the two men, Premier Simitis said that they both agreed that the Cyprus question is entering a critical phase and that "the decisions taken will be to the benefit of all the people of Cyprus and stability and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean".

"The Greek and Cypriot governments steadfastly support the UN Secretary General and are ready to offer every assistance to his special envoy for Cyprus for speedy resumption of the intercommunal talks", Mr Simitis said.

He expressed the hope that the Turkish leadership will take the historic decision needed to consolidate a climate of trust, cooperation, peace and stability in the region.

"A solution of the Cyprus question will bring Europe and Turkey closer together and will surely open new horizons in Greco-Turkish relations", he added.

President Glafcos Clerides thanked Premier Simitis and the Greek government for the support given to Cyprus in its struggle for a just and viable solution to its problem and for its EU accession course.

Mr Clerides said that Cyprus will make a generous proposal on Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession negotiations.

He also pointed out that the main preoccupation is to ensure that the international recognition of the Republic of Cyprus is not in any way undermined and that there is no recognition of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in the Turkish occupied area.

"The government of Cyprus will draw the attention of the united Europe and the UN Security Council to the negative stance the Turkish side has adopted", Mr Clerides said.

The Cyprus President is flying to London today where he will have meetings with the British government and will also take part in the European Conference (12.3.98).

[02] Miller urges "creativity and flexibility" and promises an honest, full American effort

Speaking during a press conference in Nicosia upon completing his two-day contacts in Cyprus, Miller said he is leaving "with a better appreciation of where the two sides are".

The US envoy had separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides on Monday and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday.

Miller urged for the resumption of bi-communal contacts, suspended by the Turkish side a couple of months ago and added that he has been in close contact with the UN Secretary General Special Representative on Cyprus Diego Cordovez and he is pleased he is coming to the island next week.

Miller said the US will not be deterred by a so-called resolution of the Turkish Cypriot regime not to participate in European Union accession talks and not to attend peace negotiations unless it gains international recognition.

"This does not deter us from trying to get to our final goal of a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement. We recognise there might be more than one path to that eventual goal. And again what is called for on the part of both sides and what we urge is creativity and flexibility", he stressed.

Mr Miller acknowledged that "there is a deep gulf between the two sides" that still had to be overcome.

Moreover, in statements after a meeting with President Clerides in Athens, where Mr Miller flew yesterday afternoon, the US envoy reiterated that there are large differences between the two sides and that the US will do all it can to bridge those differences. "This is not an easy process", he added.

Replying to questions, Mr Miller said that the US will work with the parties, the Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and the governments of Greece and Turkey, to try and bring about a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement. He added: "I do not promise success by any means. I promise an honest, full American effort".

Miller also said he did not believe in the use of pressure in order to achieve results, noting that "it is not a term that exists in (his) world of diplomacy".

"My job is to try to convince the parties that it is in their interest" to reach an agreement", he said, adding that he "focuses on substance, not on the process".

Miller is flying to Ankara today and will return to Athens later in the week for further meetings.

Next week he will meet with US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke to brief him on his contacts on the Cyprus issue.

[03] Turkish Cypriot side closes door to further talks

The "resolution", supported by right-wing parties backing Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, sets the recognition of the self-declared state in the areas occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974, as a precondition.

"From now on the Greek Cypriots should accept that there are two states on the island", the "resolution" supported.

The illegal resolution was opposed by left-wing Turkish Cypriot parties, who accused Denktash of "fulfilling orders from Ankara".

[04] Excavations of the Great Metropolitan Basilica of Amathous

Amongst the most notable finds of this season are a small marble cover of a sarcophagus - shaped ossuary which was stored away after the destruction in one of the structures, as well as relief revetments, coins and a Balkan type lamp, rare in Cyprus, most probably imported from Constantinople in the 6th-7th centuries A.D.

[05] Consumer price index for February 1998

The average rate of increase of the Index for the last twelve months (i.e. March 1997-February 1998) compared to the preceding twelve months was 3, 5%.

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

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