Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-12-05

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

Thursday, 5 December 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Government Spokesman's statement
• [02] "Historic opportunity" awaits Greek and Turkish Cypriots, says Grossman
• [03] Prodi says Commission ready to incorporate solution into Cyprus' accession terms
• [04] Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on investigative digging

[01] Government Spokesman's statement

"Regarding the suggestions of the Greek Cypriot side to the UN Secretary General's letter of 25th November 2002, the President of the Republic wishes to state the following: On 29 November 2002, he informed Mr De Soto that he would be ready to give the comments, suggestions and demands of the Greek Cypriot side, immediately after being informed by Mr De Soto that Mr Denktash had done the same and explained the reasons for this position. On 4th December 2002, that is yesterday, at 10.30 pm, Cyprus time, Mr De Soto telephoned the President's office and informed them that the Turkish side would deliver the document at 11.15 pm Cyprus time. Half an hour later, namely at 11 in the evening, Mr de Soto telephoned again and said that the delivery of the document of the Turkish Cypriot side would take place at 11.30 pm, Cyprus time. Consequently, and in the light of these assurances, the document of the Greek Cypriot side was given to Mr De Soto last night, at 11.48 pm, in line with the agreement for the simultaneous delivery of the documents.

This morning at around 8.50 am Mr De Soto contacted the Under-Secretary to the President Mr Pantelis Kouros, told him that the document of the Turkish Cypriot side had not been delivered and requested that the President of the Republic be informed accordingly. President Clerides at once gave instructions to his Under-Secretary to request from Mr De Soto the immediate return of the Greek Cypriot side's document, which was done at 8.30 am this morning.

I think that anyone, but also the UN Secretary-General, can draw conclusions from this behaviour of the Turkish Cypriot side."

[02] "Historic opportunity" awaits Greek and Turkish Cypriots, says Grossman

Mr. Grossman was speaking to the press following his meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Glafcos Clerides, yesterday in Nicosia.

With regard to the Annan plan, he noted that "the UN Secretary-General's proposals is that people commit to the vision of his plan and then negotiate it for some months after".

He underlined that the United States, although "not a member of the EU", strongly supported Cyprus' accession to the European Union. "We have also supported the efforts of the European Union, and especially the courageous decision they made in Helsinki in 1999", Mr. Grossman said.

Asked if there would be a "disaster" if no solution to the Cyprus problem was found by 12 December, he expressed the belief that the opposite would happen, namely, that the parties involved "would have seized a great opportunity" for a solution by the Copenhagen Summit.

In case that no agreement is reached, Mr. Grossman noted: "I don't think that anyone believes that the sun won't come up on the 13th of December, but what we're trying to say is that there is possibility to get going and make rapid progress."

Invited to say whether he had identified any changes to the Turkish policy on the Cyprus problem during his visit to Ankara the day before, he replied that he had noticed a "desire to take this opportunity" for reaching an agreement on a settlement.

[03] Prodi says Commission ready to incorporate solution into Cyprus' accession terms

Speaking yesterday at the plenary session of the European Parliament on the preparations for the Copenhagen European Council, Mr. Prodi made reference inter alia to Cyprus, reiterating the EU's support of the UN Secretary- General's efforts for a comprehensive solution and calling the Annan plan "a brave initiative".

He also expressed hope that some progress could be made in reaching an agreement on a solution, but underlined that in any event, the relevant Helsinki conclusions remained in effect.

The 1999 Helsinki European Council Presidency conclusions on Cyprus' EU accession bid stated that "a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union and if no settlement had been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition", and that "in this, the Council will take account of all relevant factors".

[04] Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on investigative digging

During the above-mentioned incident 19 people lost their lives, out of which 14 were Turkish Cypriots who were buried in the village by their Greek Cypriot fellow villagers. The names of these Turkish Cypriots were registered by their families as missing and are included in the Missing Persons list of the Turkish Cypriot side.

The digging, which was scheduled some time ago, is conducted by a group of scientists of an independent non-governmental organization called "Physicians for Human Rights", who are in Cyprus in the framework of the Cyprus Government's exhumation program.

The whole process has a humanitarian character and aims at showing respect for the right of the families of the missing to be informed of the fate of their loved ones, in a convincing and conclusive manner and to have their scientifically recognized remains returned to them, for a dignified burial according to their religious traditions.

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

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