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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-23Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateMonday, 23/03/98CONTENTS[01] Cordovez seeks Security Council Guidance"I will now seek guidance from the Security Council on how to proceed", the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor Diego Cordovez said on completing a six day visit to Cyprus, in an effort to bring the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders back to the negotiating table.Speaking at a Press Conference at the UN-controlled Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia on Saturday (21.3.98) after several meetings with both leaders, Mr Cordovez stated that Mr Denktash "refused to return to the negotiating table" unless the talks were carried out between "two states". Cordovez said that although he understood Denktash's position, his demand to change the "status of the two interlocutors in future talks" would mean a change of the "mandate" given to the Secretary General by the Security Council and that this "creates a very serious problem for the Secretary General". "We need guidance from the Security Council as how to proceed; for the time being it is not possible to resume the negotiations", he stated. Cordovez said that the Secretary General was always "very scrupulous in observing the political equality of the two communities and their leaders" and that he did not think that the UN would agree to Denktash's demand for more recognition. "I have said to Mr Denktash as a personal opinion of mine, that the Security Council would not be inclined to make any changes, but I cannot anticipate what the Security Council will do", he said. [02] Pangalos on moratorium on flights over CyprusGreek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said in Washington DC on 20.3.98, after a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, that if the United States were prepared to guarantee a moratorium on flights over Cyprus, there would be no use for anti-aircraft systems. "A moratorium on flights over Cyprus", he stated, "would decrease, stop or rather reverse the military build up"."If there are no aircraft there would be no anti-aircraft systems and then there could be a reduction in tanks which could slowly lead to a better climate", he argued. [03] Defence talks in Athens concluded"Cyprus and Greece have declared their determination to strengthen even more their cooperation in the field of defence", said Minister of Defence Yiannakis Omirou on his return from Athens where he held talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos.According to Mr Omirou, "specific decisions" were taken in Athens concerning "the cooperation between the two countries' armies", for the purpose of strengthening Cyprus' defence capabilities against Turkey's expansionist designs. Omirou said that there would be no back-tracking in the defence pact between Greece and Cyprus and that in fact procedures would be sped up. "The objectives of the pact", he said after his meeting with Tsohatzopoulos "are to create a feeling of security among the people of Cyprus", as well as the "strengthening of Cyprus' negotiating position". [04] Australian opposition leader sends letter to UN Secretary General over Cyprus"A settlement of the Cyprus problem would end nearly a quarter of a century of injustice and oppression," South Australian opposition leader Mike Rann stated in a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.In his letter, Mr Rann stresses that what is needed in 1998, in order to secure the resolution of the Cyprus problem is "a concentrated and reinvigorated effort in Cyprus", which would bring "further credit to you and to the UN". Rann expresses his "deep concern" over the lack of progress in "intercommunal talks" and hopes that the Secretary General's efforts to solve the Cyprus problem "will guarantee to all Cypriot people the three freedoms of movement, settlement and ownership, as well as ensuring the right of the refugees to return to their homelands in safety and establish a unified and independent Cyprus". [05] Greek Cypriot fishermen releasedTwo Greek Cypriot fishermen who were abducted on Saturday (14.3.98) by Turkish occupation forces were released on Friday (20.3.98) with the help of the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus.From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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