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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-21
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 21 July 2003 President Papadopoulos: Turkey's allegations over
military build-up in government-controlled areas are unfounded
[02] The acceptance of Denktash's proposals would lead to the postponement
of the peace talks, says Foreign Minister
[03] Australia renews mandate of Cyprus Special Envoy
[01] President Papadopoulos: Turkey's allegations over military build-up in
government-controlled areas are unfounded
Turkey should be the last to make allegations over a military build-up in
the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, President
Papadopoulos said and added that since he had undertaken the Presidency of
the Republic last February, the Government had not ordered any weapons
system. Invited to comment on statements by the Commander of the Turkish
ground forces claiming that Turkey was monitoring a military build-up in
the government-controlled areas of the Republic, Mr Papadopoulos underlined
that such allegations were unfounded.
In other statements to the press, made after the memorial service for those
who fell during the 1974 Turkish invasion at the Church of Faneromeni in
Nicosia yesterday, the President noted, "We are determined to try until the
end, in a peaceful manner, to resume negotiations with a view to terminating
the invasion and occupation. The people should have a fighting spirit,
courage and patience".
[02] The acceptance of Denktash's proposals would lead to the postponement
of the peace talks, says Foreign Minister
The acceptance of the proposal by the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash
to reopen the Nicosia Airport would undoubtedly lead to the postponement of
the negotiations for reaching a settlement of the Cyprus problem, Foreign
Minister Georgios Iacovou has noted. Mr Iacovou further said that the
existence of two exits at the Nicosia Airport and the possibility of
exporting goods from that airport, as envisaged by Mr Denktash's proposal,
would provide the pseudostate with the status that the Turkish Cypriot
leader had been seeking. "What he (Turkish Cypriot leader) is pursuing is
the non-solution of the Cyprus problem and the sabotage of the peace
process. He is also pursuing an agreement which would provide him with an
upgraded presence and culminate in the establishment of two 'neighbouring
entities'. These are the goals of the occupation leader in putting forward
his latest proposal", the Foreign Minister added.
He also underlined that a solution of the Cyprus issue on the basis of two
states and two nations was a known pursuit of not only Mr Denktash but also
of Ankara and the Turkish Prime Minister. "Having that in mind", Mr Iacovou
said, "Mr Erdogan is not any different from his predecessors". The Foreign
Minister was speaking to the press at Larnaca Airport yesterday morning,
upon his departure for Brussels to attend the EU General Affairs and
External Relations Council on 21-22 July 2003.
[03] Australia renews mandate of Cyprus Special Envoy
The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, has announced last
week that Australia's Special Envoy for Cyprus, Mr Jim Short, had been
reappointed for another 12 months, until 30 June 2004. In a statement, Mr
Downer conveyed his government's "deep disappointment" over the breakdown
of the UN-led peace talks at The Hague last March, adding that "the reasons
for that failure, and the way ahead, were clearly spelled out in the UN
Secretary-General's report which was endorsed by the UN Security Council".
He further noted that "although a unique opportunity has been lost, it is
pleasing that the UN Secretary-General's revised plan - the Annan plan -
remains on the table should the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders decide to
resume talks". The Australian FM pledged that his government would continue
to work towards the attainment of a just, comprehensive and lasting
solution to the Cyprus dispute by encouraging continued discussions by all
the parties involved and the early resumption of the peace talks.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO)
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