Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-09-07

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

Thursday, 7 September 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides: the UN should be a beacon of hope for small states that look to it for justice
• [02] President Clerides meets with Russian President
• [03] Presentation of credentials

[01] President Clerides: the UN should be a beacon of hope for small states that look to it for justice

Addressing the UN Millennium Assembly in New York last night, President Clerides described the summit as a truly historic event, a significant effort to mobilise the forces of international co-operation at the highest possible level.

He expressed the hope that this effort "will give a strong impetus to the desire of mankind to construct a more just and secure world that will guarantee the survival, development and prosperity of the peoples of our planet".

President Clerides referred to the situation of missing persons around the world, and made a strong appeal to all concerned "to cooperate in the struggle to end the agony and uncertainty of the relatives of each and every missing person".

"We, the leaders of our countries, let us unite our efforts and take concerted action so that practices and policies resulting in missing and disappeared persons are not condoned by the international community," he added.

Security Council resolutions must be respected and implemented to safeguard international legality so that the concept of collective security will sink deeply into peoples' collective consciousness and find its practical application in the full respect of the principles of the UN Charter, he said.

President Clerides cited the case of Cyprus as a "flagrant example" of the non-implementation of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and stressed that "this failure constitutes nothing less than an affront to the international community and a glaring example of the prevalence of impunity".

He reaffirmed that he will participate in the forthcoming negotiations, as always, "with goodwill and determination to find a just and viable solution within the parameters established by the United Nations resolutions, a solution that will meet the interests and restore and safeguard the human rights of all Cypriots without discrimination".

"Let us hope that this Millennium Assembly will strengthen our determination to work together, in a spirit of solidarity, to achieve the much-desired goals of peaceful coexistence and prosperity in our common home, the planet Earth", he concluded.

(The full text of the President's speech can be found at the "Special Issues" Section)

[02] President Clerides meets with Russian President

In a short statement afterwards, President Clerides expressed satisfaction at the meeting with his Russian counterpart.

On his part, Mr Kasoulides commented on the role that Russia is expected to play in the forthcoming UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus. He said Russia would continue to support a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem through negotiations on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions.

[03] Presentation of credentials

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

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