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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-05-02
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 02 May 2003 President Papadopoulos calls on Turkish side to
respond to people's message
[02] New move by occupation regime constitutes provocation, says Government
Spokesman
[01] President Papadopoulos calls on Turkish side to respond to people's
message
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, called on
the Turkish side to respond positively to the message sent by the people
and to take action that would improve the prospects of an effective
negotiation on the Cyprus problem, when that resumed. In a statement issued
last Wednesday after the Government had announced the package of measures
to support Turkish Cypriots, President Papadopoulos reiterated his appeal
to Mr Denktash to accept the resumption of the UN peace talks on the basis
of the Annan plan, in order to reach a comprehensive settlement of the
Cyprus problem the soonest possible, and according to the UN Security
Council resolutions. Referring to the measures, Mr Papadopoulos noted that
"they are not linked to the efforts for resolving the Cyprus problem except
to the degree that they try to improve the general political climate in
Cyprus and contribute, to the extent possible, to the development of
contacts and relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots." He
also emphasised that the measures could not in any way substitute the
efforts for resolving the Cyprus problem. With regard to the recent
crossings along the ceasefire line after the partial lifting of restrictions
on free movement by the occupation regime, the President said that "Greek
and Turkish Cypriots have shown that they desire to and can live together
in a reunited country", proving wrong and unfounded Mr Denktash's
allegation that the security of the two communities necessitated the
presence of occupation forces and the preservation of the dividing
wall.
"We denounce the exploitation by the occupation regime of the citizens'
desire to move freely in their country, in an effort to achieve political
gains by demanding the presentation of passports and the issuing "visas" of
"entry" for Greek Cypriots and "exit" for Turkish Cypriots", he further
said, noting that "Cypriots will never legitimise the faits-accomplis of
the occupation and Mr Denktash's secessionist policy, nor will the state of
the Republic of Cyprus tolerate the undermining of its state entity and
legality." "Our position was and remains that the solution of the Cyprus
problem must be pursued within the framework of the United Nations, under
the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and according to the Security
Council resolutions, and that Mr Denktash's effort to create the impression
that only "good neighbourly relations" can exist does not constitute a
solution", President Papadopoulos added. He concluded by calling upon the
Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, "to take advantage of
the partial freedom of movement that has been allowed" while continuing to
point out the unacceptable situation of the division and without giving
validity to the occupying regime by their actions and behaviour."
[02] New move by occupation regime constitutes provocation, says Government
Spokesman
The Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, said that the decision
of the occupation regime to "allow" Greek Cypriots to stay in the Turkish
occupied areas of the Republic for up to three days was not a measure of
good will but a further restriction of free movement. He added that this
move was "a provocation to the feelings of Greek Cypriots", as they were
forced to book ahead to stay in hotels, most of which belonged to their
Greek Cypriot compatriots. "This is a further restriction of free movement
and a provocative action aiming for the pseudostate to gain extra profit by
using Greek Cypriots as 'tourists' in their own country", Mr Chrysostomides
stressed. The Government Spokesman further reminded that Mr Denktash's firm
policy was to put forward his claims for a separate entity in the occupied
areas of the island and to pursue only those relations that fall along the
lines of "good neighbourhood" and not a united country.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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