USIA - Text: Albright, Cyprus Foreign Minister Kasoulides, 97-06-06
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>
TEXT: ALBRIGHT, CYPRUS FOREIGN MINISTER KASOULIDES JUNE 6
(Discuss negotiations over Cyprus set for July) (1350)
Washington -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright reiterated the U.S.
policy of encouraging "a Cyprus settlement that establishes a stable, bi-
zonal federation, with adequate security guarantees for all. That is a task
for the people of Cyprus themselves to accomplish, but the United States
will do all it can to help them find the right path."
The secretary spoke at a joint photo opportunity with Foreign Minister
Ioannis Kasoulides of Cyprus prior to their meeting June 6.
Albright said that in the meeting she would stress "America's interest in
seeing the people of Cyprus achieve a lasting settlement to the intercommunal
dispute on their island. There could be no more dramatic a demonstration of
that commitment than the President's decision to name Ambassador Richard
Holbrooke as our special emissary to promote the Cyprus settlement."
She said she would discuss Holbrooke's mission, and the upcoming U.N.-
sponsored direct talks between President Glafkos Clerides of Cyprus and
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash scheduled for next month in New York
City.
Albright also said the U.S.-Cyprus relationship extends "far beyond the so-
called 'Cyprus problem.' Cyprus is a valued partner in the fight against
the new global threats of proliferation, terror, illegal narcotics, and
international crime. Cyprus and the United States also have shared values
and a shared commitment to building a world based on open markets,
democratic principles, and the rule of law."
Kasoulides restated his government's commitment to participate in the
negotiations in New York "with an open mind, with a positive spirit to be
constructive and discuss the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus
question in a spirit of give-and-take." He expressed the hope that "if Mr.
Denktash comes to the negotiating table with a similar political will, then
peace is in sight."
Following is the transcript of the photo opportunity.
(Begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 6, 1997
SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT AND FOREIGN MINISTER IAONNIS
KASOULIDES OF CYPRUS PRIOR TO THEIR MEETING
Washington, D.C. June 6, 1997
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I am delighted to welcome Minister Kasoulides to the
Department of State. We met in Cyprus last year when we were both serving
in different capacities. He has now been in his new job for about two
months, while I have been in mine for a little more than four. I am
confident that we will be able to build on our friendship and work together
in many different ways.
I emphasize at the outset that this friendship and U.S.-Cyprus relations
extend far beyond the so-called "Cyprus problem." Cyprus is a valued
partner in the fight against the new global threats of proliferation,
terror, illegal narcotics, and international crime. Cyprus and the United
States also have shared values and a shared commitment to building a world
based on open markets, democratic principles, and the rule of law.
In our meeting today, the minister and I will discuss a range of matters on
our bilateral relationship and cooperation. I will assure the minister of
America's interest in seeing the people of Cyprus achieve a lasting
settlement to the intercommunal dispute on their island. There could be no
more dramatic a demonstration of that commitment than the president's
decision to name Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as our special emissary to
promote the Cyprus settlement. During our meeting, I will discuss
Ambassador Holbrooke's mission, and also the upcoming U.N.-sponsored direct
talks between the Cypriot leaders.
The United States' goal remains to encourage a Cyprus settlement that
establishes a stable, bi-zonal federation, with adequate security
guarantees for all. That is a task for the people of Cyprus themselves to
accomplish, but the United States will do all it can to help them find the
right path.
I look forward very much to working with my new friend, Minister Kasoulides,
and to build an even stronger partnership and relationship between our two
countries. Mr. Minister.
MINISTER KASOULIDES: Well, first of all, let me express the appreciation of
my government for the personal interest shown by Secretary of State Mrs.
Albright to the necessity for the Cyprus problem to be solved.
My meeting with the secretary of state takes place only 48 hours after the
nomination of Richard Holbrooke as the special presidential emissary to
Cyprus. This appointment demonstrates the degree of the involvement and of
the determination of President Clinton and the American government in the
efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.
I would like to thank the secretary of state for the good words she has
expressed today about the level of good relations between Cyprus and the
United States of America, and to publicly reiterate the commitment of
President Clerides to go to the forthcoming negotiations in New York, the
face-to-face negotiations with Mr. Denktash, with an open mind, with a
positive spirit to be constructive and discuss the comprehensive settlement
of the Cyprus question in a spirit of give-and-take, and to express the
hope that if Mr. Denktash comes to the negotiating table with a similar
political will, then peace is in sight, which will open and lead the way to
the reconciliation of all Cypriots in the common future that lies ahead of
us, for all of us, for the sake of the stability in the region of the
Eastern Mediterranean.
Q: Madame Secretary, since you have a personal interest in the Cyprus
questions, now with Richard Holbrooke joining the team and the U.S.
stepping up the efforts for a Cyprus solution, are you optimistic in the
near future for a unified, undivided Cyprus?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, let me just say, as you have stated correctly, it
is an issue that I have had a personal interest in, and I've been to the
island several times. What we see is the reunification of Cyprus. We
believe that the division of the island is unacceptable. And as I said in
my statement, we continue to support the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-
communal federation. We will do everything we can to bring the process
forward.
I think that the whole issue here is very much like what I said yesterday
at Harvard. The United States is very willing to help in every way we can,
but, obviously, the parties themselves are the ones that have to work
together. That is exactly what I hope will happen as Ambassador Holbrooke
takes up this very important assignment.
Q: Secretary Albright, do you believe that an eventual solution of the
Cyprus problem has to respect and be compatible with the international law,
the U.N. resolutions, the (inaudible) rules and norms of the European
Union?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, I think that what is very important, again, as I
said, is that any future settlement must provide security guarantees that
are acceptable to both sides, and that all the issues need to be resolved
in a way that are negotiated between the two parties. That has to do with
issues such as refugees and territory. It is important that the parties
make these agreements, and that we are able to approach what we have always
wanted which is the reunification of Cyprus.
Q: Madame Secretary, as you know, Senator Helms has come out against
Governor Weld becoming the ambassador to Mexico. He said it's not going to
happen. Are you planning on meeting with the Senator any time today or
early next week?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, let me say that I have an excellent relationship
with Senator Helms. I talk and meet with him frequently. Most of all, I
don't discuss my meetings with him.
Q: Are you hopeful that Weld will be named the ambassador?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, let me just say, we believe -- the president and
I -- that Governor Weld is an excellent candidate for the job of ambassador
to Mexico, and we support his nomination and will continue to do so.
MR. BURNS: Thank you very much.
(End transcript)
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