[01] Dick Spring holds contacts with Turkish Cypriot party leaders.

[02] Kyrgyzi delegation in the occupied area.

[03] Turkish Cypriot football teams ready for friendly games with Greek Cypriot teams.

NEWS ITEMS

[01] Dick Spring holds contacts with Tukrish Cypriot party leaders

Dick Spring first had a meeting with Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Mustafa Akinci. After the meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, Akinci said that he had submitted the three-stage proposal of the CLP regarding the Cyprus problem. The three stage CLP proposal envisages:

a: Putting into practice the CBMs package.

b: Then a lasting solution should be secured.

c: Then the EU membership should be realized.

Akinci said that Cyprus could become an EU member once a mutual agreement is reached without waiting for Turkey's own EU membership. He also expressed opposition to Cyprus' membership to the EU prior to a settlement.

Dick Spring also met with National Unity Party (NUP) leader Dervish Eroglu, Democratic Party leader Hakki Atun and Ozker Ozgur, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP).

Ozker Ozgur stressed that the security issue was a very important issue and regardless of whether the Federal Cyprus Republic becomes an EU member or not, the guarantee agreements should remain in force.

Eroglu, in line with his known intransigent stance, said that he demanded from Dick Spring that the EU should openly tell the Greek Cypriots that unless the Cyprus problem is solved it is not possible for them to enter into the EU.

Dick Spring and the accompanying delegation met Denktash at around 12:00 noon. Speaking to reporters, Denktash expressed satisfaction with Spring's visit and called on President Clerides to start direct negotiations.

In his turn, Dick Spring said that he had the opportunity to discuss several aspects of the Cyprus problem with Denktash, that they will try to consider Denktash's views and that Denktash always has the right to express his political views.

He said that the contacts he had held in Cyprus proved very valuable and that the impressions and the information he had collected will be presented to his colleagues in the form of a report. (MY)

[02] Ministry Kyrgyzi delegation in the occupied area

The delegation, headed by the Dean of the Kyrgyzi International Tourism College, will hold talks with the Turkish Cypriots on issues regarding tourism and especially the cooperation between Kyrgyzia and the occupied area in this field. (MY)

[03] Turkish Cypriot football teams ready for friendly games with Greek Cypriot teams

He said that he is ready to meet with Mr Lefkarides either as the so-called Chairman of "TCFF" or as an interested sports official, either in the occupied area or in the free areas.

Adal said that the five Turkish Cypriot teams were not members of the Cyprus Football Federation (KOP) because their membership had been dropped out in 1995.

He said that if Lefkarides still considers these five teams as KOP members, as a start they are ready to hold friendly games. (MY)