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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-15Cyprus 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/>Monday, 15 March 1999CONTENTS[01] Government questions German viewsThe Cyprus government has questioned the view expressed by a senior German diplomat last week, that he has not detected any flexibility or readiness for compromise on either side in Cyprus."The government of Cyprus does not understand how both sides are considered inflexible when Mr. Denktash rejects UN resolutions and sets out terms, while our side declares its readiness to negotiate on the basis of resolutions which the international community itself has adopted without preconditions", the Cyprus Foreign Ministry said, commenting on a statement by Germany's envoy for Cyprus and the European Union's presidency representative, Detlev Graf zu Rantzau. "The German envoy has rightly understood that Mr. Denktash is not prepared to talk on the basis of Security Council resolutions but sets out preconditions", the statement adds. "He has also quite rightly realised that President Clerides considers that the talks are held on the basis of the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus", it says. [02] Foreign Minister starts European tourCyprus' Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides left Saturday for a week-long tour of three European countries for talks with his counterparts in Germany, Austria and Belgium.Mr Kasoulides is expected to meet with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer in Bonn today, with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Schussel in Vienna on Thursday and with Belgian Foreign Minister Eric Derycke in Brussels on Friday. During his trip, Mr Kasoulides will give lectures on Cyprus' EU accession course at the University of Bonn, at the Delegation of the European Commission in Vienna and will address the permanent council of the Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe. He is also scheduled to confer with chairmen and members of parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees in the three countries and meet the press. [03] Cyprus reacts to Turkish threats to settle FamagustaCyprus has made representations to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the UN Resident Representative in Cyprus, Dame Ann Hercus, against Turkish threats to settle the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta.According to Turkish Cypriot press reports, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash described Famagusta as a "Turkish Cypriot city", claiming he can do anything he wishes with the town which he described as "his property". Similar representations are being lodged with the UN headquarters in New York and the capitals of the "big five." [04] President Clerides outlines basic elements of Cyprus settlement"Our aim must always be the finding of a just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus problem through peaceful means", President Clerides said yesterday addressing a gathering at Ayioi Trimithias village.He said this solution must comprise the following basic elements: the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation troops and settlers, the demilitarisation of Cyprus together with guarantees for its security, the safeguarding of human rights, the reunification of the island and co-existence with our follow countrymen the Turkish Cypriots in conditions of real security, permanent peace and prosperity in a country that is a member of the European Union. The President also said that it is expected that after the elections in Turkey the international community will intensify its exploratory efforts to bring about the resumption of settlement talks on Cyprus. "The Greek Cypriot side has always been ready and willing to take part in a genuine and substantive dialogue and to demonstrate courage and flexibility. The Turkish Cypriot side on the other hand has created insurmountable problems with the negative stand it has adopted", he said. He called on the international community once again to exercise all the influence it can on the Turkish side and induce it to show a constructive spirit at last in accordance with the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus. "However, we shall not accept unacceptable conditions laid down by the Turkish side for the resumption of the talks, namely confederation and recognition of the bogus state. For our aim is not to find just any solution, but a solution which will safeguard the future of the Greek Cypriots in their ancestral land, within the framework of a state whose basic characteristics are determined by the UN resolutions and which will be part of the European Union", the President concluded. [05] New British High Commissioner in CyprusThe Cyprus government has given its consent to the appointment of Mr Edward Clay, CMG, as the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Cyprus.Mr Clay, who has served in Cyprus in the mid-1980s, will succeed David Madden who leaves at the end of the month for a posting in Athens. He will take up his new appointment in May. 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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