Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-07-06

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

Thursday, 6 July 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] UN is ready for a sustained effort on Cyprus

[01] UN is ready for a sustained effort on Cyprus

In a statement to the press, after his meeting with President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Dentkash, Mr Annan also said he appealed to the leaders «to respect a strict black out on the substance under discussion, issues on the discussion as well as procedures».

Asked if he discussed the measures the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus has taken against UNFICYP, he said this was mentioned «en passant because that is not really part of the negotiations that we have undertaken here».He said, «we are dealing with it separately, but I have also had the chance to talk to Prime Minister Ecevit briefly about it today».

Asked to comment on Mr. Denktash/s demand to return to Cyprus to attend «celebrations» marking the 1974 Turkish invasion, Mr. Annan replied «yes, it is correct that Mr. Denktash would want to go back to Cyprus for the commemoration of the 1974 events».

Speaking at a press conference held earlier before the resumption of the third round of talks, UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto stressed «the UN stands ready to contribute to the Cyprus peace talks as necessary, either in procedural or in substantive matters", and expressed hope for progress over the next few months towards a comprehensive settlement.

Asked to comment on the duration of the talks, Mr de Soto replied "it is unavoidable that there will have to be breaks both for reflection, consultation and other reasons. But by and large it should be a comprehensive set of talks".Mr de Soto also pointed to the need for a complete black - out for the press both on the substance and the procedures of the talks.

He further added "the Secretary General will expect the talks to concentrate on the core issue that must be part of a comprehensive settlement and that the talks will confine themselves to these core issues. I mention this because it is well known that important issues concerning Cyprus have flared up, if that is the word, over the last few days and weeks. Luckily there are mechanisms in place for dealing with the issues that have arisen and those mechanisms are of course the presence on the island of a UN Force and of a very senior official of the UN".

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

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