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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-11
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 11 April 2003 Alvaro de Soto briefs Security Council on failed
Cyprus peace efforts
[02] Cyprus protests to UN for Secretary-General's human rights report
[03] Italy pledges to contribute towards Cyprus settlement during EU
Presidency
[04] New Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus presents credentials to President
[01] Alvaro de Soto briefs Security Council on failed Cyprus peace
efforts
The failure to reach an agreement on a comprehensive settlement of the
Cyprus problem, on the basis of the Annan plan, "seems attributable to
failings of political will rather to the absence of favourable circumstances",
the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto,
told the Security Council in an open briefing yesterday. In his presentation,
Mr de Soto noted that the Cyprus problem was the oldest item continually on
the Secretary-General's peace-making agenda, adding that "it is difficult
to see a set of circumstances for achieving a settlement as propitious as
that which prevailed in the last three and a half years". He further said
that Mr Kofi Annan had been deeply involved in the Cyprus peace-effort,
with the strong support of the Security Council, and that "a fair and
honourable package, comprehensive in approach and only needing technical
finalisation" had been on the table. "The fact that a solution has not been
achieved in these circumstances is therefore deeply disappointing", the UN
official added. Referring to the "unique opportunity" that had been missed,
Mr de Soto said, "The immediate losers are the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey,
but the Greek Cypriots and Greece are also losers - this is truly a lose-
lose outcome". With regard to future efforts for a settlement, he stressed
that "the onus is on the parties - and the motherlands - to demonstrate the
political will to solve the problem on the basis of his [Mr Kofi Annan]
plan, in the manner which the Secretary-General has suggested".
"Mr Papadopoulos [Cyprus President] restated in the most clear terms that
he remains committed, even after April 16, to finding a solution within the
parameters of the Annan plan", Mr de Soto said and called on the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, "to indicate that he accepts the
Secretary-General's plan as the basis for a further negotiating process".
After Mr Alvaro de Soto's briefing, the Security Council moved into closed
informal consultations on Cyprus, with a view to passing a resolution on
the Cyprus peace process by the beginning of next week. Meanwhile, the
Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan underlined that prior to offering further
assistance towards a Cyprus settlement, he would have to see "a change in
attitude and a genuine desire to move forward on all sides".
Replying to a press question upon his arrival to UN Headquarters, yesterday
before the start of the Security Council briefing session, Mr Annan said,
"I need to see a genuine desire change on the part of all the parties to
want to settle this issue. I think in the report I made it clear why we
didn't make progress and what I believe needs to be done for us to go
forward. I also indicated that when I see a change in attitude and a
genuine desire to move forward on all sides I will be prepared to see what
I can do to help."
[02] Cyprus protests to UN for Secretary-General's human rights report
The Cyprus Government, through its Permanent Representative to the UN in
Geneva, Mr Alexandros Vikis, has strongly protested to the UN High
Commission for Human Rights for the Secretary-General's latest report on
the human rights situation in Cyprus. The report fails to ascribe
responsibility to Turkey for human rights violations in Cyprus, as regards
the humanitarian issues of missing persons, refugees and the enclaved. In
addition, no reference is being made to the Turkish policy of colonisation
in the occupied areas of the island, the deliberate alteration of the
demographic structure of Cyprus, and the restrictions in free movement
imposed by the illegal occupation regime in the north.
The Government is examining additional ways of making its discontent with
the report known to the members of the Human Rights Commission, as well as
other ways of exposing Turkey's human rights violations in Cyprus.
[03] Italy pledges to contribute towards Cyprus settlement during EU
Presidency
The Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Roberto Antonione, who is
in Cyprus on a two-day official visit, pledged that "Italy will do its
utmost to contribute as much as possible for a solution", once it assumed
the rotating EU Presidency in July 2003. Speaking after a meeting with
Cyprus Foreign Minister, Mr George Iacovou, yesterday in Nicosia, Mr
Antonione expressed satisfaction that Cyprus and Italy shared common views
on issues of mutual interest, and added that during the Italian Presidency
of the European Union, bilateral cooperation would be enhanced.
On his part, Mr Iacovou expressed certainty that Italy would continue its
policy of support towards Cyprus during its six-month term at the EU
Presidency.
The Italian official also met yesterday with the Chief Negotiator for
Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr Takis Hadjidemetriou.
[04] New Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus presents credentials to President
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, received
yesterday, during a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the
credentials of the new Ambassador of China to Cyprus, Mr Limin Zhang.
Presenting his credentials, the Chinese Ambassador reassured President
Papadopoulos that his country supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-
General in resolving the Cyprus issue, adding, "As a Permanent Member of
the UN Security Council, China stands ready to work with the rest of the
international community and continue to play a constructive role in this
regard." Ambassador Zhang expressed satisfaction that despite geographical
distance, China and Cyprus shared friendly relations and a sound cooperation
on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He also said
China was ready to work together with Cyprus in order to further strengthen
those friendly ties. Receiving the credentials, President Papadopoulos
expressed Cyprus' "deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for the steady
and unwavering support that the People's Republic of China has been
extending to Cyprus, especially concerning the Cyprus problem". He added
that such support "becomes all the more crucial, given the efforts of
Turkey to undermine the political status and sovereignty of the Republic of
Cyprus." Referring to the UN-led peace efforts, Mr Papadopoulos noted, "The
many compromises and painful concessions we made so far have not been
reciprocated by Turkey and the Turkish side. The latest initiative by the
UN Secretary-General is a clear manifestation of this attitude".
He further stressed that despite the failure to reach a settlement, "we are
determined to continue our efforts with the aim of reaching a viable and
workable solution, through negotiations within the framework of the mission
of good offices of the UN Secretary-General, on the basis of the relevant
Security Council Resolutions".
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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