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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-07-03Cyprus 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, 3 July 2000CONTENTS
[01] President Clerides leaves for Athens and GenevaPresident Clerides left yesterday for Athens to meet with Greek Premier Costas Simitis and members of the Greek government, in view of the third round of UN-led proximity talks on the Cyprus problem, scheduled to begin July 5 in Geneva.The talks will start in the presence of UN Secretary General Mr Koffi Annan and will continue with the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Mr Alvaro de Soto. Asked about the forward movement of Turkish troops in Strovilia before his departure for Athens, President Clerides said the action was a violation of the status quo agreed between UNFICYP and the Turkish occupying troops in the area. "The United Nations itself has described this as a serious violation of the status quo and naturally it is the duty of the United Nations to rectify what has occurred", he added. Turkish troops had moved forward from their positions on Friday 30 June into the Strovilia village area which is located between the British base of Dhekelia and the occupied area, and is under UN supervision. The President said the United Nations would be given enough time to restore the situation to normality. "If the matter is not resolved by the day I shall be meeting the UN Secretary-General, it will be among the first issues I shall discuss with him", he said. [02] US Senators and Congressmen ask President Clinton to become fully involved in the upcoming Cyprus talksUS Senators and Members of Congress sent a letter to President Bill Clinton on Friday 30, asking him to give his utmost attention to and become fully involved in the upcoming crucial Cyprus settlement talks.The letter was signed by 81 US Senators and 232 members of the US Congress. "Hopefully, the delivery on the eve of the talks of a letter to President Clinton signed by such a large number of key Senators and Members of Congress will help Turkey better understand the importance America places on a Cyprus settlement" said Philip Christopher, President of PSEKA and the Pancyprian Association of America. "The message of the U.S. Congress to the President and to Turkey is unprecedented and unmistakable", said Andrew E. Manatos, President of the CEH. "We would also like to thank the network of influential Greek- Americans across the country who helped their Senators and Member of Congress understand the importance of this moment in the history of Cyprus and the importance of a settlement to U.S. security interests". [03] It is necessary to restore the status quo in Strovilia village, says Kassoulides.The Foreign Minister, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, gave on Saturday 1 July, a press conference following the measures taken by Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, to impede the movement of UNFICYP in the occupied area.Mr Kasoulides said all the necessary demarches were being made by the Cyprus Government. He met during the day with the new UNFICYP Chief of Mission, Mr Zbigniew Wlosowicz to whom he conveyed the positions of the Cyprus Government. "We shall also convey to him certain views in writing the soonest possible, after consulting with our legal advisers. We hope and believe that the Peace-keeping Force will be able to face the situation, particularly the situation in the Strovilia area. Although there is a reduction today of the military presence there, it is nevertheless necessary to restore the status quo", he added. Yesterday morning Turkish troops had moved forward from their positions into the Strovilia village area which is located between the British base of Dhekelia and the occupied area, and is under UN supervision. Mr Kasoulides also said that it was the duty of UNFICYP to ensure a return to the status quo as well as to ensure the security of the Greek Cypriots living in Strovilia. [04] UN expresses concern over Turkish Cypriot measures against UNFICYPManoel de Almeida e Silva, Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary-General, has voiced the International Organisations' concern over the measures taken by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, against the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).Replying to questions during a briefing at the UN headquarters on Friday 30 June, he said, "we are disappointed with the measures taken", adding that "UNFICYP is evaluating the impact of these measures". 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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