Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-08-30

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

Thursday, 30 August 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides meets with Alvaro de Soto
• [02] Government expresses deep concern for the violence in the Middle East
• [03] Statement on the meeting between UN Secretary General and Turkish Cypriot leader

[01] President Clerides meets with Alvaro de Soto

Replying to a question on his departure from the Presidential Palace as to what he expects from the present phase of the talks, Mr de Soto said that he expected the two sides to show a spirit of cooperation, which would lead to an overall solution of the Cyprus problem.

[02] Government expresses deep concern for the violence in the Middle East

In a press release issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "actions like the murder of the Leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Abu Ali Mustafa must be condemned because they contribute to the continuation of the cycle of violence, with the tragic results which we witness everyday."

The statement calls on all parties to show the greatest possible restraint and make every effort to return to the negotiating table, which is the only way that can lead to peace in the region.

Moreover, Cyprus Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou also expressed the Government's concern about the violence in the Middle East during his daily press briefing yesterday.

"The government would like to express its grave concern about the escalation of violence in the Middle East. We condemn the events and the recent activities that led to the death of the Palestinian leader as acts which not only do not deal with any problem but on the contrary intensify the crisis and remove the prospect of a peaceful settlement of disputes," he said.

Mr Papapetrou reiterated the Cyprus Government's appeal to all sides involved, to avoid any acts of violence and return without preconditions to the negotiating table, as soon as possible, with a view to conclude a peace agreement.

[03] Statement on the meeting between UN Secretary General and Turkish Cypriot leader

"The Secretary General conferred with his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, before meeting with Rauf Denktash for more than an hour. In a statement issued through his Spokesman, the Secretary General described the meeting as 'very good and very useful'. The Secretary General has asked his Special Adviser on Cyprus to travel Wednesday to the island for consultations with both his Excellency Mr Glafcos Clerides and Mr Rauf Denktash. At the conclusion of his visit on September 5, de Soto will hold a press conference".

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

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