Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-25

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

News Update

Friday, 25/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides: The interests of Cyprus lie in unity and interaction of the two communities
• [02] The international community must support UN Secretary General's mandate on Cyprus
• [03] Clerides calls on the international community to exert pressure on Turkey
• [04] Foreign Ministers support a comprehensive political settlement based on Security Council resolutions

[01] President Clerides: The interests of Cyprus lie in unity and interaction of the two communities

Addressing the 53rd plenary session of the UN General Assembly today, Mr Clerides stressed that "while we cannot reconcile ourselves with the Turkish invasion and occupation, we are genuinely determined to renew bicommunal confidence and trust, cooperation and interaction with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots" adding that Cyprus' interests "lie in unity and interaction of the two communities."

In his address Mr. Clerides pointed to the fact that Cyprus suffers for more than 24 years the grave consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation "because of the non- implementation and flagrant violation of UN resolutions by Turkey".

Laying special emphasis on the fact that the international community should not allow one state to violate its expressed will for so long, President Clerides emphasised the need for the Security Council to implement its resolutions as soon as possible.

Referring to Mr. Denktash's recent demands for a confederation, Cyprus' President indicated that such a demand "violates all UN resolutions which call for a bizonal, bicommunal federation and is aimed at the derailing of the negotiating process from the UN resolutions in Cyprus". Moreover, he added, it aims at extinguishing the independence of the Republic of Cyprus and at creating a Turkish protectorate in Cyprus.

In his speech the President also referred to his demilitarisation proposal as a means of promoting a peaceful solution on the basis of the UN resolutions, which will safeguard the interests and human rights of all its citizens.

[02] The international community must support UN Secretary General's mandate on Cyprus

Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Mr. Pangalos denounced Turkey's attitude of harsh rejection to all UN efforts aimed at relaunching the intercommunal talks and pointed out that "such an attitude of rejection is easily explained by notorious designs of the Turkish government to effect the partition of Cyprus.

Earlier in the day Mr. Pangalos discussed security issues including a moratorium of overflights in Cyprus, during his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Mark Grossman.

The Greek Foreign Minister also discussed the Cyprus issue at a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday.

[03] Clerides calls on the international community to exert pressure on Turkey

Speaking at a lunch hosted by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, the President of the Republic analysed prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

President Clerides' speech focused on the government's position for a federation in Cyprus which will guarantee the effective participation of the two communities in the administration and will safeguard the basic freedoms and fundamental human rights of its citizens.

Replying to questions, the President of the Republic called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table to find a settlement to the protracted Cyprus problem and added that he will repeat this call before the UN General Assembly. "I will be calling on Rauf Denktash to come and join me to work together on a solution based within the parameters of the UN, which will be beneficial to both communities" he said.

Earlier in the day President Clerides met for the second time with US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, the Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides and State Department's Special Coordinator Thomas Miller.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides held a number of meetings with his counterparts from Syria and Philippines as well as with Austria's Deputy Foreign Minister

[04] Foreign Ministers support a comprehensive political settlement based on Security Council resolutions

In a joint communique issued yesterday after a working lunch with the UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan, during which the Cyprus problem was discussed among other international problems, the Ministers supported an early resumption of a sustained process of direct negotiations between the two communities with full commitment to securing such a settlement and to cooperate actively and constructively with the Secretary General and his special Adviser on Cyprus and others in support of the UN effort to that end".

Furthermore the Ministers called upon all parties concerned to "create a climate for reconciliation and genuine mutual confidence on both sides and to avoid any actions which might increase tension".

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

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