Cyprus News Agency 96-07-06.

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From: Giorgos Zacharia <lysi@MIT.EDU>

CONTENTS

[01] US: Cyprus-EU accession and Cyprus settlement separate issues

[02] Sir David Hannay on five-day visit to Cyprus

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[01] US: Cyprus-EU accession and Cyprus settlement separate issues

Stephanopoulos also stressed that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and noted the need for a peaceful settlement that would unite the island once and for all.

Stressing that a Cyprus settlement and the island's application for accession to the EU are ''separate issues'', Stephanopoulos said that the US ''believes that Cyprus should be a part of the EU'' and expressed the hope that this ''will be with a settlement.''

Noting that the Americans ''will not waiver our position that Cyprus should be a part of the EU'', he also said that the US will work hard to ''promote a settlement before that.''

Asked how sincere the US President is in his promise that 1996 will be ''the year for Cyprus'', Stephanopoulos said that President Clinton's strong belief is that ''we must not forget that Cyprus is divided and the tragic division has gone on for too long and we cannot accept the status quo in Cyprus.''

He also referred to President Clinton's hard work towards a Cyprus settlement, and expressed the hope that ''in 1996 we can make further efforts towards peace''.

At the same time he mentioned the visit of US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Beattie, to the region in the next few weeks ''to try and pursue a solution.''

''Twenty-two years is far too long for the tragic division of Cyprus. We have to make progress. That is what it means that everyone's going to have to work for peace and the US is prepared and I am prepared to work with the US President to make sure that we can encourage all the parties to reach a peaceful settlement and unite Cyprus once and for all as a free and independent state'', Stephanopoulos said.

To a question about President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for demilitarisation of the island, Stephanopoulos said that President Clinton considers it ''an interesting proposal and he wants to work through his special Emissary Beattie to see if we can bring everyone to the table and reach a good agreement.''

In a message to the some 500 enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island, Stephanopoulos said, ''we have not forgotten you, we know how difficult your situation is. America stands with you.''

Stephanopoulos also said that the US President is ''very grateful for the support of Greek Americans all across the country and looking forward to meeting with the community in New York on August 1.''

Finally Stephanopoulos expressed the wish to visit Cyprus again and expressed the hope that this time it will be ''free and united''.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Sir David Hannay on five-day visit to Cyprus

During the meetings the issues of demilitarisation of the island and Cyprus' accession to the European Union are expected to be discussed.

The British diplomat will also meet Greek and Turkish Cypriot businessmen and he visit the British Bases on the island.

This will be Sir David's second visit to the island since his appointment as British Representative for Cyprus.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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