Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-05-19

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

Friday, 19 May 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clinton submits to Congress his bimonthly report on Cyprus
• [02] The time is ripe for a Cyprus solution, say US Senators

[01] President Clinton submits to Congress his bimonthly report on Cyprus

In a letter accompanying the report it is noted that «the United Nations has held two sessions of proximity talks, December 3-14, 1999, in New York and January 31 - February 8 in Geneva. The next session of talks was scheduled to begin on May 23 in New York. This session will likely be postponed several weeks to allow President Clerides time to recover from surgery on May 5.

The United States, under the guidance of my Special Presidential Emissary Alfred H. Moses and Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas G. Weston, has been actively engaged in supporting the United Nations effort to bring about a comprehensive Cyprus settlement. Ambassador Moses and his team were present during the Geneva talks and afterwards traveled to Cyprus in March to prepare for the next sessions of talks.»

[02] The time is ripe for a Cyprus solution, say US Senators

Speaking at the 11th Annual International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus and the Council of Hellenes abroad Conference in Washington, US Senator Edward Kennedy pointed out that «I am optimistic that we may be closer than ever to a peaceful solution to this long-standing dispute.»

Pointing to the improved Greco-Turkish relations as a factor that creates a spirit of optimism Mr. Kennedy said that «there is a global consensus that the time is ripe to find a solution».

I know that President Clinton is deeply committed to a fair solution in Cyprus, and he continues to make peace in Cyprus a high priority. The President's Special Envoy to Cyprus, Alfred Moses, is working effectively to assist in this process, and I'm confident that he will continue to play a constructive role.

I hope that continued good will, combined with this new sense of urgency and purpose by the peoples of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, will soon result in a peaceful and satisfactory settlement. As always, you can count on my strong support for these efforts to bring Greece and Turkey closer to the great goal we share».

Speaking also at the Conference Senator Paul Sarbanes praised the Committee' s tireless efforts to keep the Cyprus problem a key issue for the USadministration.

Mr. Sarbanes pointed out that «We must continue to work skillfully with the current Administration this year to look for ways to move this process forward, intensify and expand their efforts. We must, in the end, press the Administration to use all of its influence on this issue.»

In a statement made by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney on May 17, it is noted, «It is time to move forward; to find ways to narrow the gaps between the two sides. We all are hopeful that this time these talks will lead to a final resolution - peace in Cyprus. The outlook is positive. In Congress, my colleagues and I have and will continue to pressure the Administration to keep peace in Cyprus a priority.

Former nominee for President of the US Michael Dukakis expressed the view that improved Greco-Turkish relations give rise to optimism with regard to a solution to the Cyprus problem as well and described the Helsinki decisions with regard to Cyprus' accession to the EU and Turkey's European prospects as the basic reason for optimism. He praised the US President's contribution in that direction.

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

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