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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-01-02Cyprus 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/>Wednesday, 2 January 2002CONTENTS[01] President Clerides : New year will be marked by two great events"The new year which is coming will be important for the future of Cyprus because it will be marked by two great events: The forthcoming accession of Cyprus to the European Union and the direct talks which may well lead to the solution of the Cyprus problem," President Clerides said in his new year/s message to the people of Cyprus on 31 December 2001, stressing that he " refers simply to the possibility of a solution because, obviously, no one is in position to make an assessment as regards the result of the talks before they have begun or evolved."He added that what is said and written about these talks has nothing to do with reality, and pointed out that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be " just, viable and functional as well as in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions, which inter-alia envisage that the solution should be mutually acceptable." Noting that there are international observers following the Cyprus problem, President Clerides stressed that our behaviour should be such as to actually prove that we fervently desire the finding of a solution. "Our side will behave responsibly during the talks, keeping in mind the legitimate interests and concerns of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and having in mind that the new millennium which we have entered will be characterized by a more sincere and intense effort for the implementation of human rights throughout the planet," President Clerides said. Addressing himself to his Turkish Cypriot compatriots, President Clerides said : "I assure them that we are equally interested in their peaceful and creative future, in their security, progress and well-being in a unified Cyprus, member of the European Union. At the threshold of the new year I wish them many years, progress and happiness. Above all, I wish that the new year will be the year of the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem for the good of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins." The President of the Republic expressed "thanks and gratitude for the invaluable help given to us by the Greek Government and all the political parties of Greece and the brotherly Greek people as well as foreign states and personalities." In conclusion, President Clerides addressed special wishes to the armed forces, the refugees, the enclaved and the relatives of the missing. May the new year fulfill the wishes of everyone, President Clerides concluded. [02] Clerides and Denktash to work for the solution of the missing persons questionThe ascertainment of the fate of the missing persons was discussed during the dinner which, President Clerides under his capacity as representative of the Greek Cypriot community, gave to the representative of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr Raouf Denktash on 29 December 2001, the Government Spokesman Mr Michalis Papapetrou said in a written statement issued on 31 December 2001, adding that Mr Clerides and Mr Denkash faced in a positive way the need to deal with the issue of the missing persons and agreed to work for the solution of this humanitarian issue.According to the statement, President Clerides will brief the Pancyprian Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons on Wednesday, 2 January, 2001. [03] President Clerides receives the US AmbassadorThe President of the Republic, Mr Glafcos Clerides, received at the Presidential Palace, on 31 December 2001, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Donald Bandler.Speaking after the meeting, the American Ambassador said that in view of his forthcoming trip to the USA for meetings with Government officials, he had the opportunity to discuss with President Clerides recent developments in the Cyprus problem. Mr Bandler added that the climate which is developing, following the meeting between President Clerides and Mr Denktash as well as the two dinners, is encouraging. He also expressed his satisfaction that the two leaders had discussed in the last dinner ( 29.12.2001 ) the missing persons issue, something, which, as he said, creates the prerequisites for achieving progress in this matter. In conclusion the US Ambassador thanked President Clerides for Cyprus' support to the USA in the struggle against terrorism. [04] Cypriot Ambassador condemns Turkish oppressive policy on the pressThe persecution of the Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper "Avrupa", by the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus was raised by Cyprus/ Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zackheos, in a letter on 28 December, 2001 sent to the Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Overseas Press Club, Amnesty International, and Freedom House.In this letter Ambassador Zackheos notes that "the increasing repression of the Turkish Cypriots comes on the heels of the decision to proceed with direct negotiations on January 16, 2002, for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and raises questions about the political will of the Turkish side to engage in a substantive dialogue with good faith in order to arrive at a just and viable settlement in accordance with UN resolutions, ensuring respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots without discrimination". In conclusion, Mr Sotos Zackheos asks the aforementioned organizations for their help " in bringing this issue to the forefront by demanding from the Turkish Government to stop the persecution and to respect the right of the Turkish Cypriots to disagree with the Turkish policy on Cyprus and to freely express, without fear, their opinion". 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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