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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-23Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateWednesday, 23/09/98CONTENTS
[01] Clerides: Lasting peace in Cyprus can be achieved within a federal statePresident Clerides outlined yesterday his vision for a lasting peace in Cyprus saying that this could be achieved within the framework of a bicommunal, bizonal federation that would safeguard peace, security and welfare for his country. During a speech delivered at the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations in New York, the President called for increased guarantees of a future federal state adding that we cannot rely on treaties of the past. President Clerides said that countries that guaranteed Cyprus sovereignty and integrity when it gained its independence in 1960, have failed to fulfil their obligations and added that "whatever solution we have to find, it must not contain the mistakes of the past."Asked to comment on the Turkish Cypriot leader's recent confederation proposal, President Clerides said that "they (the proposals) begin by saying that there will be two sovereign states" and added that he would not agree to any solution that would reduce Cyprus into a Greek and Turkish protectorate. "I want my country to be a federal, independent republic" he said. Later in the afternoon, President Clerides met Russia's newly appointed Foreign Minister Mr. Igor Ivanov. During their meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly, they discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. Mr. Ivanov reiterated his country's support for the UN resolutions and the High - Level Agreements providing for a solution within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus [02] Government rejects Denktash's call for property exchangeGovernment Spokesman Christos Stylianides rejected yesterday a statement made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash calling for the establishment of a joint committee on the exchange of properties.In his statement Mr. Stylianides underlined that "the Turkish side has always tried to obtain recognition of its illegal secessionist entity and of the ethnic cleansing, that resulted from the Turkish invasion. This is rejected by the Security Council Resolutions, which call for the return of the refugees to their homes as well as by the recent judgement issued by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Titina Loizidou which stresses the right of the refugees to return to their homes and enjoy their property". The Government Spokesman pointed out that both the Security Council resolutions and the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights contain no provision on the exchange of property. Mr Stylianides observed that Mr Denktash's proposal is once again incompatible with the spirit of international, law of the Security Council resolutions and other international institutions, e.g. the European Court of Human Rights. [03] President Clinton's bimonthly report on Cyprus to CongressUS President Bill Clinton submitted yesterday to the Congress his periodic progress report on the situation in Cyprus.The report, covering the period June 1 to July 31, 1998, notes the intensification of US efforts to restart the negotiating process. As it is stated in the report, "US representatives underscored my concern with the leaders of both Cypriot communities as well as Greek and Turkish officials and urged all parties to concentrate on ways to take those steps that will lead to solving the Cyprus problem. [04] Foreign Minister holds contacts in New YorkForeign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides held a number of meetings in New York with his counterparts. Mr Kasoulides had separate meetings with Czech Foreign Minister Mr Jan Kavan and with the British Under-secretary for European Affairs Ms Joyce Quinn.Mr Kasoulides and Mr Kavan discussed the EU accession course of their respective countries as well as the Cyprus issue. They also discussed Mr Kasoulides' forthcoming visit to the Czech Republic, scheduled to take place in January 1998. During Mr Kasoulides' meeting with Ms Quinn, the latest developments in the Cyprus issue were reviewed and ways of reducing tension were discussed. Moreover Mr Kasoulides had visits with the Foreign Ministers of Madagascar and the Ivory Coast. In the afternoon Mr Kasoulides met delegates of the Group of Arab countries in the UN. [05] Schussel: the EU will help promote Cyprus' demilitarisationThe EU President reaffirmed yesterday its strong support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General aimed at a negotiated and lasting solution to the Cyprus question which "will respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the country in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions with the goal of a bizonal bicommunal federation in Cyprus".Addressing the UN General Assembly, in his capacity as the President of the EU Council, Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schæssel noted that Cyprus accession process and progress towards a political solution should reinforce one another. Moreover a memorandum which circulated simultaneously with Mr Schussel's speech notes that the "EU will spare no effort to urge both sides to commit themselves to a reduction in the number of foreign troops in Cyprus as a first step towards the removal of non-Cypriot forces. Furthermore, he stressed that "the EU will lend its full support to the Secretary General so as to continue to promote efforts aiming at eventual demilitarisation of Cyprus as an objective in the context of on overall comprehensive settlement". Asked to comment on the EU Presidency's reference to Cyprus, Government Spokesman expressed satisfaction over the fact that the latter does not associate developments in the Cyprus problem with the country's EU accession course and that it makes clear reference to the demilitarisation of Cyprus and the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces. 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 |
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