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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-25
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 25 July 2003 Statement by the Cyprus Government on Mr
Denktash´s proposal about the clearing of minefields in Nicosia
[02] Italy's Minister of European Affairs compares the Cyprus problem to
the "Gordian Knot".
[03] US Secretary of State discusses Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign
Minister
[04] UN Security Council reaffirms its opposition on the situation of
Varosha
[01] Statement by the Cyprus Government on Mr Denktash´s proposal about the
clearing of minefields in Nicosia
Regarding Mr. Denktash´s proposal to the UN Secretary General to clear
landmines from minefields of the Turkish occupation army in and around
Nicosia, the Cyprus Government wishes to state that it welcomes this
move. The Government considers the issue of the clearing of landmines from
all minefields in the buffer zone, very important and for this reason it
has repeatedly called on the Turkish side to accept the simultaneous
demining of Turkish minefields and those of the National Guard in the
buffer zone. Despite the Turkish side's refusal, the Cyprus Government has
included in its package of measures for the Turkish Cypriots the unilateral
clearing of mines from all minefields of the National Guard within the
buffer zone, including those within the buffer zone in Nicosia.
In implementing this measure, the Government has intensified its contacts
with the UN, so that the necessary arrangements could be made to begin the
demining process without delay. It also appealed to the European Commission
to contribute to the financing of this expensive project, although the
Government was nevertheless determined to proceed with the implementation
of this measure. It should be reminded that it is the Turkish forces in the
occupied areas that bear the responsibility for the Turkish minefields, a
fact which is noted by the United Nations Secretary General in his six-
monthly reports on the situation in Cyprus.
It should also be noted that Mr Denktash´s proposal concerns the clearing
of mines not from all Turkish minefields within the buffer zone, but only
from those which are within or close to Nicosia.
[02] Italy's Minister of European Affairs compares the Cyprus problem to
the "Gordian Knot".
Italy's Minister of European Affairs Mr Rocco Buttiglione, whose country is
currently holding the EU Presidency, concluded, yesterday, his short visit
to the island. During his stay in Cyprus, Mr Buttiglione, was received by
the President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos and had separate
meetings with the Foreign Minister Mr Georgios Iacovou and the Minister of
Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr Yiorgos Lillikas.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday Mr Buttiglione expressed his
country's support for a comprehensive settlement and promised that Italy
would exploit its good relations with Turkey to convince Ankara to help
settle the Cyprus problem. "Italy has very good relations with Turkey and
we will do our best to convince Ankara to cooperate in the process of
reunification; we favour the UN plan and shall try to contribute both as a
single country and as President of EU to help this process," he said.
The Italian Minister said that, seen from a distance, the Cyprus problem
seems to be easy, but when you are in Cyprus you understand there is a
"Gordian Knot". Asked how Italy can convince Turkey to work in this
direction, the Italian Minister said that Turkey, a candidate country for
EU accession, is now in a process of great change and expressed the hope
that the process of democratisation in Turkey would proceed. Regarding
relations between the military and political establishment in Turkey, he
said that the EU expects to see the package of reforms approved and a
better implementation of the law protecting minorities.
Mr Buttiglione expressed the view that the solution of the Cyprus problem
cannot be divorced from the general democratic evolution of Turkey on one
hand and the strong evolution of the position of the Turkish Cypriots on
the other.
Invited to clarify this position, he said he was referring to the creation
of relations of confidence and forgiveness and the feeling that Greek and
Turkish Cypriots are part of one community with equal rights.
"We wish to participate in this and give our support to it," he added.
[03] US Secretary of State discusses Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign
Minister
The Cyprus problem was one of the issues discussed yesterday in Washington
between the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell and the Turkish Foreign
Minister Mr Abdullah Gul. Replying to a press question on whether any
concrete steps were discussed at the meeting, in relation to the Cyprus
problem, Mr Powell said: "We discussed the need to not lose the opportunity
that is before us. And I commented favourably on the proposal that has been
left on the table by the Secretary-General, and encouraged my Turkish
friend to work with Mr. Denktash, and we would work with both sides to see
if we cannot get some movement quickly. We see a lot of things happening on
the ground as the people themselves are now moving back and forth. We want
to convert that into a substantive agreement in the political world and
come up with a comprehensive settlement. And I know the minister has that
same goal, and we're working hard. But there were no new initiatives. We
kind of reviewed the state of play of the discussions."
[04] UN Security Council reaffirms its opposition on the situation of
Varosha
The UN Security Council yesterday reaffirmed its position on Varosha,
namely that it considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people
other than its inhabitants as inadmissible. The UN Security Council met
yesterday acting on demarches by the Charge D'Affaires of the Republic Mr
George Kasoulides following threats by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash
that he will open Varosha for settlement by Turkish Cypriots if the Cyprus
Government did not agree with his proposal on the opening of the city.
In a statement after the meeting, the President of the United Nations
Security Council Ambassador Inocencio F. Arias of Spain said that he
briefed the members of the Security Council "on the concerns expressed by
the Government of Cyprus about the latest developments, especially on the
situation on Varosha".
Mr Arias underlined that the "The Council reiterated its well-known
position, which remains unchanged, on Varosha, which is .
"The Council urges the parties to resume negotiations aimed at reaching a
comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the Secretary-
General's plan, as stated in the Council's
," he concluded.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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