Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-05-09

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

Thursday, 9 May 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Fourth round of direct talks begins
• [02] The Cyprus Government condemns the attack in the city of Rishon Letzion in Israel
• [03] Speech by the Cyprus Charge d' Affaires to the UN on the issue of Palestine
• [04] Violations of Cyprus' airspace by Turkish military aircraft

[01] Fourth round of direct talks begins

The regular meetings between the President and Mr Denktash are taking place under the aegis of the United Nations in the framework of direct talks for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] The Cyprus Government condemns the attack in the city of Rishon Letzion in Israel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following written statement yesterday:

"The Government of the Republic of Cyprus, whose position on the latest developments in the Palestinian Autonomous Areas is well known, deems it necessary to condemn yesterday's murderous attack, which resulted in the death and injury of many innocent people in the city of Rishon Letzion in Israel. The cycle of violence, which has as a primary target innocent civilians must stop immediately and both sides should enter into a dialogue according to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions."

[03] Speech by the Cyprus Charge d' Affaires to the UN on the issue of Palestine

In his speech to the 10th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on the issue of "Illegal Israeli Actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the Rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory" on 7 May 2002, the Charge d' Affaires of the Republic of Cyprus Dr George Kasoulides pointed out that "this ongoing vicious circle of conflict has caused immeasurable suffering to millions of people" and has created an almost permanent situation of instability whose repercussions extend far beyond the region of the Middle East. "Cyprus, a neighbouring state with long and strong bonds of friendship to the people of Palestine and Israel, is particularly pained by this seemingly never- ending cycle of violence that has tormented the two people's over the years" he added.

Mr Kasoulides expressed the hope that the constant consultations at the Security Council and the fervent international initiatives contained all the components for a lasting settlement to the Middle East conflict.

He pointed out that Cyprus' long held position on the solution of the Question of Palestine has been consistent and in line with international law:

"We strongly support immediate implementation of the resolutions 1397, 1402, 1403 and 1405 of the Security Council and the non-selective and comprehensive implementation of the recommendations of the Mitchell Report and the Tenet Plan. We furthermore fully support the efforts of the Quartet and followed with some optimism their recent meeting in Washington and their effort to hold a peace conference on the Middle East."

Mr Kasoulides urged Israel "to withdraw from the areas occupied by its troops, to desist from any actions such as extra judicial executions attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions and personnel and to cease the incursions in the Palestinian territories which are a clear violation of international law, to fully respect international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions".

Moreover he expressed full sympathy to Yasser Arafat, who is the legitimate leader and elected representative of the Palestinian People, with a vital role to play in the peace process

The Charge d' Affaires reiterated Cyprus full support for a just and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on resolutions UN Security Council 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).

[04] Violations of Cyprus' airspace by Turkish military aircraft

In a letter dated 26 April 2002 addressed to the UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan, the Charge d' Affaires of the Cyprus Permanent Mission to the United Nations Dr George Kasoulides underlined that such actions violate international law as well as UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and called for their cessation.

Dr Kasoulides noted that "these violations are occurring in the middle of intense direct talks between the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Denktash, and in the presence of the Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr de Soto, in the exercise of the Secretary General's mission of good offices."

Moreover he recalled that the Security Council gave its full support to the Secretary General's mission of good offices conducted pursuant to Council resolution 1250 (1999).

He also noted that according to Council resolution 1251 "a Cyprus settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation."

"Let us hope that the Government of Turkey will show restraint, and will cease the violation of the airspace of Cyprus and contribute to the efforts to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of United Nations resolutions', he concluded.

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

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