Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-04-13

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

Tuesday, 13 April 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Kyprianou fails to get release of US soldiers
• [02] President Clerides meets with Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister
• [03] President Clerides' Easter message
• [04] Cyprus appoints first ambassador to Finland

[01] Kyprianou fails to get release of US soldiers

Speaking to journalists in Belgrade after a two and a half hour meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic on Friday, Mr Kyprianou expressed deep regret that he hadn't manage to achieve his goal to have the soldiers released.

He said that it was obvious that the US and Nato allies had not taken his initiative seriously and that as far as he could see the Nato bombing had intensified since his humanitarian mission began on Wednesday.

He said he had failed to secure the release of the three US soldiers because of a misinterpretation by the US media of his statements, which upset Belgrade.

Speaking on his return to Cyprus from Yugoslavia, Mr Kyprianou said that although he did not have a guarantee that the soldiers would be released, "I left with many hopes which were well founded". But when he arrived in Athens, he was informed that there was "some misunderstanding because a channel in the US, did not correctly transmit the message I made and it was considered as a mis-statement inclined to assist the American point of view".

He acknowledged that from then on, "there were some difficulties in continuing with the mission".

Referring to his role, Kyprianou said is not "pretending to be a great mediator" and that "by chance and coincidence" he became involved.

"Coming from a small country which does not have any special interest, it seems to be an advantage", he said, adding that he was glad to hear a foreign broadcast which said it was natural for Cyprus which is undergoing a tragedy itself, with division and ethnic cleansing, to be sensitive about these things".

"The name of Cyprus came to the minds of many people", he said, adding that "they now remember that still after 25 years we are looking for missing persons, and we have enclaved people and refugees".

[02] President Clerides meets with Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister

He said President Clerides had expressed some "interesting ideas" on ways to achieve a peaceful solution in the Yugoslav crisis, which Russia intends to work on.

The Russian diplomat said he outlined Russia's position on the situation in Yugoslavia and President Boris Yeltzin's assessment of the Kosovo tragedy and the policy that needs to be adopted on the matter.

"President Clerides has asked me to convey his position to President Yeltzin and we have established that our approaches on this issue are very close and aim at a speedy resolution of the problem," Mr Avdeyev said.

The Russian official also held talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides before returning to Russia.

[03] President Clerides' Easter message

He added that the governments of Greece and Cyprus are working towards this end.

[04] Cyprus appoints first ambassador to Finland

After Mr Markides presented his credentials, he was received by the Finnish President Mr Ahtisaari and discussed with him matters of mutual interest, the Cyprus problem, as well as the island's EU accession process particularly in view of Finland's forthcoming EU Presidency.

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

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