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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-11-12

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

November 12, 2001

CONTENTS

  • [01] Cyprus President Clerides says ready to engage in the process of negotiations
  • [02] FM focuses on Afghanistan situation at UN general assembly
  • [03] Athens will host first-rate Olympics, Rogge tells "Guardian"
  • [04] Chytiris plays down importance of Oswald's letter to ATHOC
  • [05] Papantoniou cites goal of 12-month conscription duty by 2003
  • [06] Latest poll: ND, Simitis ahead in voters' preferences
  • [07] Bulgarian presidential candidates stress the need for close ties with Greece
  • [08] Venizelos, Papathemelis comment on FYROM name issue
  • [09] Karamanlis on Crete for 2-day tour, criticizes gov't
  • [10] Stephanopoulos attends Kastoria liberation celebrations
  • [11] Memorial service held for slain UK defense attache
  • [12] Patriarch arrives on Kastellorizo for local gov't conference
  • [13] Yilmaz says EU and Turkey engaged in 'deaf man's dialogue'
  • [14] Turkish state minister Mirzaoglu in Thessaloniki
  • [15] Forum on world development held in Hania
  • [16] Authorities intercept 82 migrants on 3 isles over weekend
  • [17] President Clerides: Cyprus actively participates in efforts against terrorism
  • [18] Clerides: Annan disappointed with Denktash's position

  • [01] Cyprus President Clerides says ready to engage in the process of negotiations

    NEW YORK, 12/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on Sunday called on Turkey to give up its threats to annex the areas of Cyprus it occupies since 1974 and consider the advantages of a solution in Cyprus for regional stability, for the consolidation of Greco-Turkish ties and the promotion of Ankara's European aspirations.

    He also urged Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who abandoned the UN-led peace talks last year, to reconsider his positions and work for common prosperity of all Cypriots by stopping raising obstacles to the peace effort.

    In his address to the 56th UN General Assembly, the president sent a message of hope that Cyprus, as a reunited federal state, member of the European Union, would be of benefit to all Cypriots and hold a better future for the coming generations.

    The president deplored the decision of Rauf Denktash to decline an invitation to talks by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, describing it "particularly disturbing and disappointing" and warned the international community that acceptance of the existing division and occupation of Cyprus would set a dangerous precedent in international affairs.

    On the humanitarian issue of missing persons, Clerides appealed to Ankara to show the political will in order to help alleviate the suffering of families of missing persons, Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.

    The president expressed "deep disappointment" over Denktash's refusal to continue the UN proximity talks to help find a comprehensive settlement and said this was "particularly disturbing."

    Noting that the failure to make progress is due to the lack of political will by Turkey and Denktash, the president said demands by the Turkish side to accept the so-called "realities" on the island have been repeatedly rejected by UN resolutions.

    "Acceptance of the so-called 'realities' would create a very dangerous precedent in international affairs, striking at the very heart of the cherished principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity," Clerides warned.

    Commenting on recent threats by Turkey to annex the parts of Cyprus it occupies, the president had this to say: "I recommend to the leadership of Turkey to abandon its threats for the annexation of the occupied part of Cyprus, I urge them to consider the obvious advantages of the solution of the Cyprus problem for the stability in our region, the consolidation of the Greco-Turkish rapprochement and the promotion of Turkey's aspirations to join in the process of European integration."

    In a message to Denktash, he invited him to "join me in sharing the vision of a Cyprus too small to be divided" and urged him to "listen to the desperate voices of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and stop placing obstacles, at each turn, to the good offices of the Secretary General for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

    "I urge Mr. Denktash to realize that he and I are not getting any younger and that we owe it to the younger generations of Cypriots to do away with the walls of division," he said.

    The president said his vision for Cyprus is a departure from the passions of the past, adding that he sees the future of the island in a reunited federal state, member of the EU, with a single citizenship, sovereignty and international personality, demilitarized and playing its rightful role in the Eastern Mediterranean.

    "I reiterate my readiness to engage in the process of negotiations with the necessary political will and good faith for finding a fair and viable settlement based on the UN resolutions, meeting the legitimate interests of all Cypriots," the president concluded.

    [02] FM focuses on Afghanistan situation at UN general assembly

    NEW YORK, 12/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou met on Saturday with the UN chief's special representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, on the sidelines of the 56th United Nations general assembly, as world's attention remained focused on the developments in the war-torn country.

    In statements afterwards, the Greek FM said, "this year's general assembly is one of the most crucial in recent years due to new international developments. With our meetings yesterday (Fri-day) and today (Saturday) we strengthened Europe's voice, a voice that demands solutions for the Middle East, political solutions for Afghanistan and, of course, an intense humanitarian presence on the issue of dealing with refugees."

    Papandreou also emphasized Europe's universal devotion to the campaign against international terrorism.

    The Greek FM participated in a meeting with his EU counter-parts, contacts with foreign ministers from EU candidate-states as well as holding talks with Brahimi, a top Algerian diplomat, on the situation in Afghanistan.

    "It's a very complicated situation, political solutions are not easy, there are great disputes both within Afghanistan as well as in the entire region," Papandreou said following his meeting with the UN secretary general's representative.

    He added that Athens' experience in the Balkans proved helpful in tabling, during discussions, certain issues dealing with regional cooperation and the necessity of formulating a "day after" scenario for the devastated Central Asian nation and the surrounding area.

    On a bilateral level, Papandreou met with his counterparts from Romania, Cuba, the Czech Republic and Poland.

    Additionally, he met with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on Sunday and with Nabeel Shaath a minister from the Palestinian self-rule areas.

    Papandreou urges all countries to sign nuclear test ban treaty: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Sunday urged all countries that had not yet done so to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and said that the treaty should come into force as soon as possible.

    "This is the only way to control vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. An essential investment to building trust and the indispensable condition of nuclear security, free from fear," he told a conference on facilitating the entry into force of the CTBT at the United Nations.

    Greece and the European Union strongly believed and supported the principles of the CTBT, he added, while he endorsed earlier statements to this effect by the president of the European Union.

    Referring to the tragic events of Sept. 11 in New York and Washington, he said this was an appropriate time to build a "common multilateral response to the global threat in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, which constitutes an essential element for world peace and stability."

    Outlining the long and laborious process through which the world had arrived at the modern global and security system of which the CTBT was a part, he urged all those who could do so to contribute to creating "an international community free of nuclear fear".

    [03] Athens will host first-rate Olympics, Rogge tells "Guardian"

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, in an interview appearing in the London-based "Guardian" newspaper on Sunday, expressed conviction that Athens would host first-rate Olympics in 2004.

    Whether these would be better than those organized by Sydney would only be known after they were over, he added.

    Regarding the delays in preparing Olympics infrastructure and facilities, the IOC president said he was confident in the abilities of the Greek Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC).

    "In the areas where we believe there are delays we have made our positions known. The Greek organizing committee is working very hard to bring the preparations for the Games back on schedule. We now have absolute faith that the Athens Olympic Games will be successful," he concluded.

    [04] Chytiris plays down importance of Oswald's letter to ATHOC

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Chytiris played down the importance of a letter appearing in the Athens newspaper "Kathimerini" on Sunday, in which a top International Olympic Committee (IOC) official outlined his concerns about the course of preparations for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

    Chytiris pointed out that the letter sent by IOC Coordinating Committee head Denis Oswald to the head of the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC), Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, was written after his visit to Athens in September and that the observations made in the letter were known beforehand.

    "Since then there has been progress in the specific projects, which will be obvious when the IOC Coordinating Committee next visits on November 21," he said.

    In the letter, Oswald expressed grave concerns about support infrastructure, works undertaken by the General Sports Secretariat - several of which he places in a 'high risk' category - but also the ability of the construction industry in Greece, hotel capacity and other secondary programs related to Olympics preparations.

    The letter was also commented on by PASOK party secretary Costas Laliotis, who recently departed as minister of the environment and public works and was responsible for the construction of a large part of the Olympics support infrastructure.

    Laliotis said that Oswald's statements should not be "uncritically and easily adopted" and that "there should be faith in what the government says."

    He also accused "Kathimerini" of making a mistake in predicting that the cost of the Games would be double the initial estimates. "There is no such prediction, not even from the IOC," he added.

    Main opposition New Democracy's section head for the Olympics, Fani Palli-Petralia, concurred with the newspaper's estimates in her statements on Sunday, however, and was dubious about government claims that no Olympics projects would be directly assigned rather than put up for tender.

    "There had to be a war between those 'responsible' for the 2004 Olympiad in order for the Greek people to realize, with indisputable evidence, the pitiful progress of preparations and the final bill that Simitis' government intends to present to the public," she said.

    [05] Papantoniou cites goal of 12-month conscription duty by 2003

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Newly appointed Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou announced a set of measures on Saturday via an interview published by an Athens daily, including steps to reduce the length of military service for the armed forces' conscripts.

    In published statements by the newspaper "Ta NEA", Papantoniou, who up until a few weeks ago was the national economy minister, said a reduced 12-month tour of duty will be implemented by 2003.

    Other goals cited include pay hikes and other bonuses for low-income conscripts; vocational training in units and improvements in camps' living conditions.

    On another note, he said he couldn't rule out what he called "Turkish provocations" in the lead-up to Cyprus' pending EU accession.

    [06] Latest poll: ND, Simitis ahead in voters' preferences

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    The latest gallop poll published in an Athens daily has main opposition New Democracy retaining its lead over ruling PASOK to the tune of six percentage points, whereas Prime Minister Costas Simitis remained ahead of his ND rival Costas Karamanlis in the category of "best fit for the premiership".

    In the poll, published in the Sunday edition of the "Eleftherotypia newspaper, ND is preferred by 35.3 percent of respondents, whereas PASOK garnered 29.3 percent. A similar poll (by the Metron firm) last May gave ND as much as a 10-point lead.

    Conversely, Simitis was preferred by 26.3 of respondents, while Karamanlis followed closely with 25.2 percent. A mild surprise in this category was the appearance of Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who while not a political leader, pooled a 6.4-percent share among respondents, slightly behind Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, who formed his own party last March.

    Finally, 35.7 percent of those polled said ruling PASOK was better qualified to govern the country, as opposed to 33.1 percent for ND, a difference of 2.6 percent.

    The poll was conducted by the firm Opinion at the paper's behest between Oct. 26 Nov. 6, a period in which Simitis proceeded with a government reshuffle.

    Commenting on the poll, government spokesman Christos Protopappas said "every count has its value. The course of recovery is continuing; the people's trust in PM Costas Simitis has been reconfirmed."

    On his part, ND's Parliament group secretary, Dimitris Sioufas, said the main opposition party's leading position among prospective voters isn't a fluke, "as PASOK has claimed, but a permanent and irreversible condition."

    [07] Bulgarian presidential candidates stress the need for close ties with Greece

    SOFIA, 12/11/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

    The three leading candidates in Bulgaria's presidential elections, incumbent president Petar Stoyanov, Georgi Parvanov and Bogomil Bonev, stressed the importance they placed on developing close ties with neighboring Greece, in response to questions put by the Athens News Agency on Sunday.

    After exercising his voting rights in a Sofia election booth, Stoyanov said his goal was for Bulgaria to be invited to join NATO within a year, following by accession to the European Union.

    These goals inevitably made it important for Sofia to develop its ties with Greece, Stoyanov added, and he underlined the importance of cooperation and excellent relations between the two countries for establishing a climate of security, stability and peace in Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and other hot spots for the benefit of the region's European prospects.

    Parvanov, on his part, noted the large margins for extending political and economic cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria, while he said that closer economic ties and a favorable climate for Greek investments in Bulgaria were considered a major goal for the country's economic recovery.

    Bonev stressed the importance of ties with Greece for Bulgarian foreign policy in the Balkans and Europe and said that Sofia should make every effort to further develop these.

    According to opinion polls, Stoyanov is in the lead with about 40 per cent of the vote, while Parvanov is second with 32.3 per cent and Bonev is third with 19.1 per cent.

    Due to a low voter turnout, none of the candidates received the necessary 50 per cent required to win the election, so run-off elections will be held next Sunday between Stoyanov and Parvanov.

    [08] Venizelos, Papathemelis comment on FYROM name issue

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Rekindled interest in the decade-old "FYROM name issue" following Greek government statements in Athens this past week referring to a composite name solution elicited responses on Saturday by two prominent Thessaloniki-area ruling PASOK deputies.

    On his part, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said from the northern port city of Thessaloniki, his election district, that nothing has changed in Greece's policy vis-a-vis the name of the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    "There are ongoing procedures, and obviously, our criterion is one, as expressed by the Greek people: safeguarding stability and peace in the Balkans; respect of current borders, as well as protection of the neighboring state, which has undergone tremendous ordeals over the past few months ... we have all realized how important it is to retain the status quo," he said.

    Conversely, former minister Stelios Papathemelis said that "if such a outcome, woe be tide, is concluded, then it results in a direct abdication of Hellenism's unalienable rights, (rights) that no one has delegated to anyone."

    Both MPs' comments came after the government on Friday said it agreed with a statement by the foreign ministry's general secretary a day earlier regarding a "new, composite name" for FYROM, without however, offering details on what solutions are under consideration.

    Government spokesman Christos Protopappas made the statement in response to comments by the foreign ministry's Elias Plaskovitis on Thursday.

    Athens has been at odds with FYROM for years over the issue of the land-locked Balkan state's name, insisting that the word "Macedonia" should not be included in the name of the former Yugoslav republic, as it implies expansionist designs against Greece's own large northern province, Macedonia, as well as being a historical misrepresentation.

    However, relations between Greece and the 10-year-old state to its north have dramatically improved since the two countries signed an interim agreement in New York under the UN's auspices six years ago. Under the terms of that agreement, Athens and Skopje are to proceed with negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution for the "name issue".

    [09] Karamanlis on Crete for 2-day tour, criticizes gov't

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis arrived for a two-day tour of Crete on Saturday accompanied by the party's honorary president, Constantine Mitsotakis.

    In statements to reporters at Irakleio's Nikos Kazantzakis Air-port, Karamanlis criticized the government and focused particularly on the issue of the airport's long-awaited second run-way, calling it "one of the most howling examples of the government's irresponsibility."

    "Today, all Greeks understand that whatever this government could give it has given ... After 20 years it cannot meet the new era's challenges, it cannot keep up with the pace needed," he said.

    Karamanlis attended a ceremony on the island where a bust of WWII resistance hero Costas Kefaloyiannis, the father of ND deputy Manolis Kefaloyiannis, was unveiled.

    Karamanlis slams farm policy on last day of Crete tour: Costas Karamanlis concluded his tour of eastern Crete on Sunday with a visit to Skalani in the prefecture of Iraklio, from where he once again launched an attack on the government and especially its track record on farm issues.

    "Our farmers are seeing their incomes constantly shrink, our pro-ducts are losing their markets and, unfortunately, the prime minister is always absent at crucial meetings in Brussels for agricultural products, so that our key products are losing their competitiveness," he said.

    He called for a new policy that would bring substantial reductions in production costs, support agricultural exports, encourage and support brand name products, appellation control and organic produce.

    Speaking on Saturday night in Ierapetra, meanwhile, Karamanlis had attacked the ruling PASOK party for allegedly trying to polarize the political climate and intensify party political fanaticism and said that ND would not allow itself to be drawn into a policy of blind opposition.

    "We say no to division, not to the voices from yesterday that want to bring back hatred, extremism, fanaticism and blind opposition."

    He also attacked the government's stance over the stock market, describing it as "criminal" and claiming that it contained elements of "first degree deceit".

    Gov't response: In reaction to Karamanlis' statements from Crete, the government spokesman referred to what he called the ND leader's "truly tiresome insistence" in his "hypocritical ignorance".

    Spokesman Christos Protopappas also said that major and minor projects in Greece's provinces are proceeding and tangible.

    [10] Stephanopoulos attends Kastoria liberation celebrations

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos attended celebrations in the northern Greek city of Kastoria on Sunday to commemorate the city's liberation from Turkish rule in 1912. Stephanopoulos was also present at the unveiling of a monument in memory of Black Sea Greeks slaughtered by Turks in Asia Minor, and afterward laid a wreath at a monument for the fallen. The president arrived in Argos Orestiko by plane on Sunday morning, where he was met by local officials and Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, who represented the government at the events.

    [11] Memorial service held for slain UK defense attache

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    A memorial service was held on Sunday for slain British defense attache Stephen Saunders at Athens' Anglican Church, while a plaque in his honor was also unveiled.

    The service was attended by his widow, Heather, visiting British minister for defense procurements, Lord Bach, as well as the US, British and Canadian ambassadors in Athens.

    Saunders was gunned down by the notorious "November 17" urban terrorist group in June 2000 as he was driving alone in morning rush-hour traffic from his northern Athens home to the British embassy in downtown Athens.

    On his part, Lord Bach referred to the "unforeseen evil of terrorism" as well as the need for international cooperation to quash it.

    [12] Patriarch arrives on Kastellorizo for local gov't conference

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos arrived on the tiny Dodecannese island of Kastellorizo, the eastern-most of all Greek territory, on Saturday to attend the annual conference of the Dodecannese islands' association of municipal and community governments.

    Vartholomeos, who arrived on the island by boat from the nearby Turkish harbor of Kas, was greeted by numerous local and central government officials gathered on Kastellorizo as well as many local residents.

    The Patriarch was the first speaker at the conference, where he addressed delegates on the topic of "Environment and Local Government".

    [13] Yilmaz says EU and Turkey engaged in 'deaf man's dialogue'

    ANKARA, 12/11/2001 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

    Turkey and the European Union were engaged in a "deaf man's dialogue" over the Cyprus issue, Turkish Deputy Premier Mesut Yilmaz said on Sunday.

    Yilmaz, also leader of Turkey's Motherland Party, claimed that Cyprus was always a "candidate powder-keg" and that making it a member of the European Union, as announced by EU officials and organs, "would not only strain EU relations with Turkey but also affect security in the eastern Mediterranean".

    In statements to the Turkish television network CNN Turk, Yilmaz said that the EU had to make a decision regarding "southern Cyprus" and that this would be made in the coming year.

    If the Cyprus Republic was made an EU member-state, he threatened, this would be a source of friction in relations between Turkey and the EU and as regards the Union's borders.

    The Turkish politician said the EU "must make it clear that Cyprus cannot become a member of the EU before there is a solution about its future, a solution to which both sides shall agree."

    [14] Turkish state minister Mirzaoglu in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Turkish state minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, responsible for merchant marine issues, arrived in Thessaloniki over the weekend on an official visit.

    Mirzaoglu represented Ankara at events commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the death of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was born in Thessaloniki in the 19th century. The events were organized by the Turkish consulate in the northern Greek port city.

    Mirzaoglu was received by Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis on Saturday for talks on various bilateral issues, with a dinner in his honor set for the evening.

    He was due to depart for Turkey on Sunday after a brief stop in the northeastern Greek town of Komotini and a visit at a Turkish consulate in the area.

    [15] Forum on world development held in Hania

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    The need for better communication, coordination and a common course between the societies of north and south were the main points raised by speakers during the last day of sessions at the first international forum on development, held in the Cretan city of Hania.

    Athens News Agency (ANA) Managing Director Nicolas Voulelis called for expanded cooperation and the creation of a new body to back planning aimed at increased development.

    In referring to the need for balanced development between north and south, Voulelis said a strictly nativistic attitude must be surpassed.

    He also cited the ANA's support for regional development, outlining a series measures in this direction.

    [16] Authorities intercept 82 migrants on 3 isles over weekend

    Athens, 12/11/2001 (ANA)

    Authorities rounded up a total of 60 illegal migrants on the Cyclades holiday island of Milos over the weekend before locating and intercepting a Turkish-flagged yacht suspected of landing them on Greek territory.

    According to the coast guard, five Turkish nationals were arrested on board the vessel "Orka" and charged with migrant smuggling

    The 60 would-be immigrants, identified as Kurdish men from Iraq, were spotted on a remote part of the island by police patrols - the first 29 on Saturday and another group of 31 the following day.

    The Turks, meanwhile, were identified as Ahmet Kurtulus, the skipper, Osman Gursoy, Kahraman Maras, Ibrahim Cem Zerdeci and Oktay Asik.

    In another part of the Aegean further to the east, 16 migrants - eight Iraqis and eight Afghans, all men - were arrested early Sunday morning near a beach on the eastern island of Samos.

    A subsequent search for a Turkish fishing trawler suspected of ferrying them across a narrow strait separating the Greek isle from the Turkish mainland proved fruitless.

    Finally, six Afghans were spotted by a patrol boat's crew aboard two inflatable dinghies attempting to row towards the Dodecannese island of Kos, in southeastern Aegean, amid rough seas.

    The six men were also taken into custody, reports state.

    All of the would-be migrants and seamen charged with migrant smuggling are due to appear before local prosecutors.

    Greek-Turkish protocol: Since the beginning of the year Greek coast guard authorities have detained nearly 5,500 illegal immigrants - most from the Middle East and Asian countries -- and more than a hundred people charged with migrant smuggling.

    At press time, all of the aforementioned illegal immigrants (82) were suspected of disembarking from neighboring Turkey during the last 48 hours, just days after Athens and Ankara officially signed a long-anticipated protocol allowing for the re-admittance of illegal immigrants sneaking into one country from the other.

    The protocol specifically mentions the return of third country nationals, the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers said in Athens this past week during a signing ceremony.

    Both countries have called for urgent EU assistance to deal with the ever-increasing tide of illegal migration flowing across SE Europe and headed for European Union territory, especially after the military campaign intensified in Afghanistan.

    On his part, Turkish FM Ismail Cem told reporters in Athens on Thursday that Turkish forces detained 98,000 illegal immigrants last year, with 58,000 detained in the neighboring country up until Sept. 2000.

    The Greek government has already provided temporary shelter on the island of Zakynthos to 714 illegal immigrants crammed aboard a decrepit Turkish freighter that was intercepted in the Ionian sea last week after a fire broke out in its engine room.

    The 50-metre vessel was headed from Turkey to Italy.

    [17] President Clerides: Cyprus actively participates in efforts against terrorism

    NEW YORK, 12/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    Cyprus' contribution to the global fight against terrorism, the country's support for UN efforts to face old and new tasks, including globalization and good governance, and its backing for respect of human rights coupled with decisive action at impunity, were the main focus of President Glafcos Clerides' address before the 56th UN General Assembly, on Sunday.

    The president also referred to the need for a resolution of regional conflicts, saying that work must start immediately to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and expressing support for the creation of a Palestinian state, and added that Cyprus would like to see Security Council resolution 1244 on Kosovo implemented.

    "We unreservedly condemn the barbaric acts of 11 September which we consider as attacks against the values and principles of humanity," the president said, reiterating his government's "deep condolences and sympathy to the American people."

    He said the community of nations must individually and collectively take concerted and resolute action against terrorism, adding that there is no justification or excuse for terrorism.

    Renewing Cyprus' commitment to implement fully the UN Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 1373, the president said "Cyprus is actively participating in the common effort and has ratified or acceded to nine of the 12 international conventions pertaining to international terrorism."

    He said the government expects an early ratification of the most recent convention for the suppression of the financing of terrorism and that a comprehensive proposal to set up a task force to combat international terrorism has been approved by the cabinet.

    On the work of the UN, the president said each and every UN member must provide the necessary resources and support to face old and new tasks, including maintaining international peace and security.

    The president congratulated UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the award of this year's Nobel peace prize, which he described a "well deserved recognition of the central role of the UN."

    Referring to human rights, he said "we need to make accountable those violators and decisively strike at the culture of impunity, whether in international or domestic affairs" and reiterated Cyprus' strong support for the early entry into force of the International Criminal Court.

    "The tragic events of 11 September highlighted the need to continue and accelerate the efforts to prevent and solve regional conflicts," the president said, noting that the inability of the international community to put an end to the unacceptable situation in the Middle East undermines the credibility of the system of collective security.

    He said Cyprus, with close relations to the peoples of the region, supports "the fulfillment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the creation of their own state."

    "We urge both parties to work immediately towards finding ways to put an end to this cycle of violence and to respect the provisions of the Mitchell report as an absolute necessary first step towards this direction," he said.

    On the situation in the Balkans, the president said Cyprus backs the implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 on Kosovo, the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and expressed hope that the forces of peace and reconciliation will prevail in FYROM.

    [18] Clerides: Annan disappointed with Denktash's position

    NEW YORK, 12/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    The UN will continue its efforts to resume the peace talks on Cyprus, President Glafcos Clerides said here Friday, after a 45-minute-long meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

    He also said Annan feels "disappointed" with the position adopted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who rejected Annan's invitation to talks in early September, extended to the President and Denktash.

    "It seems that they (UN) will continue the efforts to resume talks," President Clerides said after the meeting, adding that he does not know whether Annan would be sending a new invitation.|

    Asked if he discussed the rejection of Annan's invitation to talks by Denktash, the president said "the Secretary General feels disappointed with the stance of the Turkish Cypriot leader."

    Denktash, who backed by Ankara withdrew from the UN-led peace talks in November last year, maintains that the ground is not prepared for talks and demands recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before he returns to the negotiating table.

    Present at Friday's meeting were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou and other government officials.

    On the part of the UN, there were Annan's Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto and former senior UN political adviser in Nicosia Peter Schmitz, among other officials.

    Earlier Friday, the president hosted a lunch for the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The US, Russia and China were represented by their ambassadors John Negroponte, Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yingfan and Britain and France were represented by the deputy permanent representatives Steward Eldon and Yves Doutriaux.

    Spokesman: Annan believes window of opportunity for Cyprus is still open: The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan believes that the window of opportunity for a Cyprus settlement is still open, in spite of the rejection of his invitation to talks by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said Friday, after the meeting President Clerides had with Annan.

    Papapetrou also said that the President put to the Secretary General the Turkish threats to annex Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas, pointing out that such remarks violate the fundamental principles of international law.

    "The president repeated his readiness to sit at a substantive dialogue for the solution of the Cyprus question on the basis of Security Council resolutions," Papapetrou said, adding that Annan thanked Clerides for his "cooperation and positive stance and expressed disappointment for Denktash's position."

    "The Secretary General said that, in spite of his disappointment and in view of the fact that Cyprus' accession to the European Union creates some very pressing time limits, he considers that even after the rejection of his invitation by Denktash, there remains the window of opportunity for a Cyprus settlement and this window is still open," Papapetrou said.

    The Secretary General, he added, will continue his efforts with

    Denktash and Turkey for a return to the talks, which the former abandoned a year ago, backed by the latter.


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