Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-04-01

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] President expresses sorrow over Middle East, calls for ceasefire, talks

[02] President:anti-colonial struggle provides examples to follow

[03] Foreign Minister: UN statement must reflect attitude of two sides

[01] President expresses sorrow over Middle East, calls for ceasefire, talks

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President expresses sorrow over Middle East,calls for ceasefire, talks

Nicosia, Apr 1 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides expressed today sorrow for the worsening situation in the Middle East and said it was necessary to observe a ceasefire and begin peace talks.

[02] President:anti-colonial struggle provides examples to follow

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President: anti-colonial struggle provides examples to follow

Nicosia, Apr 1 (CNA) -- The sacrifice and the heroic deeds of the fighters of the anti-colonial struggle in the mid 1950s provide Cypriots of today with many examples of the fighting spirit for freedom, in their bid to rid the country of the Turkish occupation forces, President Glafcos Clerides has said.

[03] Foreign Minister: UN statement must reflect attitude of two sides

1510:CYPPRESS:03

Foreign Minister: UN statement must reflect attitude of two sides

Nicosia, Apr 1 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has urged the UN Security Council to consider seriously the attitude of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot sides at the negotiating table, before drafting its statement on the peace process.

"I believe that the Council, through its statement, should not put on an equal par the side that cooperates with the side that does not cooperate at the direct talks," Kasoulides said today, when asked what he expects from the forthcoming statement.

That, of course, is a matter on which the Council will decide, he said.

The Council is due to issue a statement on Thursday on the current state of the UN-led direct talks, after it is briefed by UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who is present at the ongoing talks.

Kasoulides said it is up to the Council members to assess the conduct of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides at the negotiating table after they are briefed by de Soto.

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said the content of the statement will depend on the briefing the 15 Council members will have had from de Soto.

"Prior to de Soto's consultations in Ankara last week, the picture of the talks was quite clear as far as the attitude of each side is concerned," the minister said.

If the Turkish government has tried to present de Soto with a different picture as to the future intentions of the Turkish Cypriot side, then the Council will have to evaluate the situation, the minister added.

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have been engaged in direct talks since 16 January. They have had 22 meetings so far. Alvaro de Soto is currently in New York to brief UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Security Council before returning to the island for the resumption of the talks on April 9.

CNA MM/2002 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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