Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-28

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

News Update

Monday, 28/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides gives press conference in New York
• [02] Albright says stalemate in Cyprus is "unjust"
• [03] President Clerides interviewed on CNN
• [04] Clerides meets German representative
• [05] Education statistics
• [06] Cases of serious crime are down

[01] President Clerides gives press conference in New York

Speaking at a press conference at UN headquarters after meeting Mr Annan, President Clerides said the present deadlock could be overcome if the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices is reinforced by the international community.

Asked to comment on the Turkish proposal for a "confederation of states" in Cyprus, President Clerides pointed out that UN resolutions speak of a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution, with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship. He added that in legal terms this is what a federation means.

He underlined he would never accept "two states" which would become protectorates of Greece and Turkey and pointed out that if Turkish intransigence continues, the Cyprus problem will not be settled.

He said that if the Turkish side recognises the provisions of UN resolutions, "the road for a solution opens, if it is not accepted, we are in the position which we have been since 1974".

The President said the UN has already called for negotiations to settle the Cyprus problem to which he gave a positive response in his speech before the General Assembly.

He said he told US President Bill Clinton, at a meeting over a luncheon hosted by the UN chief on Monday that "it is necessary for Turkey and Mr Denktash to accept the Security Council resolutions as a basis for the negotiations for a bicommunal, bizonal federation".

Regarding the Russian S300 missiles which Cyprus plans to deploy later this year, President Clerides said that "as long as Turkish forces remain in Cyprus, we will exercise our sovereign right to import whatever equipment we consider necessary for our defence".

He added, however, that he would delay the deployment of the missiles if there are developments towards resuming negotiations.

[02] Albright says stalemate in Cyprus is "unjust"

In a message to the annual awards gala of the Cyprus Federation of America on Saturday 26.9.98, read by State Department Co-ordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller, Mrs Albright described the division of Cyprus as an "anachronism", which "is unjust to the people of Cyprus".

She said that this was why US President Bill Clinton has made the search for a solution a "high priority".

"Lest there by any doubt about our position", she said, "we seek a negotiated settlement under the UN framework that is based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation and that ensures security and prosperity for all Cypriots".

She gave assurances that "we have and will continue to have a good deal of influence for a solution in Cyprus".

She said that the US shares the frustration that not more progress has been made but pointed to the setbacks in the Bosnian and Irish peace effort and said: "as we work for a Cyprus solution there will be similar setbacks... but I assure you this administration will not be deterred and our efforts will not flag".

[03] President Clerides interviewed on CNN

He said he had repeatedly proposed discussing ways for reducing tension as this is an essential component in the search for a solution, which can only be achieved through a reduction of arms and troops.

Moreover, he expressed the conviction that the start of negotiations with the European Union and Cyprus' ultimate entry in the EU would increase mutual trust between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Greek Cypriots, he said, would realise that, as EU members, there would be a lesser chance of Turkey trying to occupy the rest of Cyprus, while Turkish Cypriots would relax about being oppressed by the majority and treated as second-class citizens.

President Clerides said he believed that it was possible to find a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which would give the greatest possible amount of autonomy and self-rule to the two communities, while also giving them effective participation in the federal government.

[04] Clerides meets German representative

Afterwards the German official said the meeting had been very interesting and informative.

Asked if there were any plans afoot in view of Germany's taking on the next presidency of the EU, Mr Rantzau said "It's a bit early to talk about that but there is a good chance that I will be asked to take over as the special envoy for the EU when Germany assumes the presidency but the final decision has not yet been taken".

Asked to comment on the stalemate in the Cyprus problem, Mr Rantzau said "I have learned in my long life as a diplomat that there is never a standstill in life as in politics. So even if it appears that at the time nothing is moving I am sure that a solution will be found".

Mr Rantzau said that Denktash's proposal for confederation is a question for both sides to discuss amongst themselves, but added that the mere fact that he made a proposal is a change from last year in Troutbeck when Mr Denktash chose not to say anything, and an indication of his readiness to discuss things.

[05] Education statistics

About one fifth of pupils are taught in private establishments.

Cypriot students studying abroad total some 10,000, of which 43 per cent are in Greece, 28 per cent in the United Kingdom and 19 per cent in the United States.

[06] Cases of serious crime are down

The report says that among the police force's primary targets was organised crime and stopping the spread of drug abuse.

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

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