Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-02

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

News Update

Wednesday, 02/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Kasoulides:"Denktash's confederation proposal unacceptable right from the start"
• [02] Greece supportive of Cyprus' efforts for a UN based solution
• [03] France denies recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

[01] Kasoulides: "Denktash's confederation proposal unacceptable right from the start"

As a result of it, he added, the UN Secretary General had blamed the Turkish side for "lack of political will" concerning a Cyprus settlement and the President of the UN Security Council had expressed his disappointment over the Turkish stance. Moreover, he recalled, "US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, had also noted that Turkish demands and preconditions for a resumption of peace talks are unacceptable".

In an attempt to interpret Mr Denktash's proposal, the Foreign Minister said that it might aim at creating false impressions on his willingness to return to the negotiating table. "One who wishes to come to negotiations does not issue ultimatums", he concluded. Mr Kasoulides pointed out that the relevant UN resolutions form a basis for negotiations and that Mr Denktash could have come to negotiate in a spirit of good will, on how to build a bizonal bicommunal federation.

The Foreign Minister added that the prospect of an appeal to the UN General Assembly is being seriously considered. Kasoulides also said that his Foreign counterparts, whom he met on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit in Durban, were "very understanding and supportive of the government's positions with regard to the Cyprus problem".

The Foreign Minister held a number of separate meetings yesterday with his counterparts from Tunisia, Jordan and Kenya and with Ecuador's Permanent Representative to the UN, with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem and bilateral relations. He also met representatives of the European Union Austrian Presidency, Canada and the Netherlands, who attend the Summit as observers.

[02] Greece supportive of Cyprus' efforts for a UN based solution

He added that the Turkish side insists on disregarding UN Security Council resolutions which set the basis of negotiations leading to a Cyprus settlement and that it anticipates the outcome of negotiations.

He underlined that the Turkish proposals are being presented in the form of an ultimatum. The Greek Spokesman noted that Mr Denktash's proposal seeks the imposition on the Republic of Cyprus of a special relationship with Greece similar to the one created between Turkey and the occupied areas.

Moreover, he said, it demands from the EU to grant a preferential treatment to Turkey over the Republic of Cyprus.

The Cyprus government has repeatedly stated that it favours a sincere dialogue without preconditions and based on the UN Security Council resolutions. Greece has always supported all initiatives undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus which aim at this end, he concluded.

[03] France denies recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

France denies recognition of "TRNC", following UN Resolution 541 (Nov.83), added the Quai d' Orsay spokesman and reiterated his country's commitment to a solution of the Cyprus problem based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation within the framework of the relevant UN resolutions.

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

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