US congressman: US military must talk to Turkish army chiefs

Nicosia, Jun 10 1996 (CNA) -- US Congressman Robert Menendez, (Democrat, New Jersey) proposed the US military talk to the Turkish military about Cyprus, to convey them the urgent desire of the US government to have a resolution to Cyprus.

In an interview with the London Greek Radio (LGR), Menendez said he has pursued the Cyprus problem in the US Congress and as a member of the House International Relations Committee, who visited Cyprus last year and ''saw first hand the realities of the invasion and occupation by the Turkish troops''.

''I strongly believe that there are much more that we can do'' regarding the Cyprus problem, he said.

Referring to the steps taken by the US House has done, he said this week members of the House of Representatives working with him, gave Turkey another message when they suspended 25 million dollars in economic aid to this country, because of its policies towards Armenia. He noted that many of the comments on Armenia included comments about Turkey's actions on Cyprus.

Menendez added the US House is now taking away from President Bill Clinton the right to waive the Congress's position as far as suspending the 25 million economic aid to Turkey. ''That is a very major step and we expect the Senate to follow suit,'' he said.

Among the efforts the House members are undertaking for Cyprus ''is to urge the US administration to make greater use of the US military officials'', Menendez said.

He added if the Joint Chiefs of Staff could talk to the Turkish military it ''will really have an enormous amount of influence in Turkey, on their civilian government, and to express to them the very sincere and urgent desire of the US government to have a resolution to Cyprus, to find a resolution that calls for a reunited Cyprus, one country with one people...''.

Menendez expressed the hope that Europe will join in efforts and make sure that Cyprus is admitted into the EU. He described this as another strong step which can be taken to ensure movement towards the ultimate goal which is a ''free democratic reunited Cyprus''.

Asked if he can see Cyprus entering Europe without a solution, Menendez noted that the ''EU has a moral obligation to accept Cyprus without necessary the final conclusion of a resolution.''

Regarding Turkey's territorial claims over the sovereignty of Greek islands in the Aegean, Menendez expressed the view that ''Greece has taken a very fine position'' on this issue.

Noting that the islands are in the territorial possession of Greece, Menendez said ''Turkey's position is not desirable and is creating unnecessary pressure in the Aegean''.

He said Greece has shown its willingness by saying it is willing to submit the question to the International Court of Justice. Menendez said this was ''a step beyond what Greece needs to do but it is nonetheless willing to do so''. Furthermore, he criticised the Turkish government for not responding in kind.

During his trip to Cyprus last year, Menendez visited the Turkish-occupied areas and the Greek Cypriot enclaved in Karpass peninsula. In statements then, Menendez said he sensed that a ''simbiosis'' (co-existence) between Greek and Turkish Cypriots was ''indeed possible and desirable.''

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Green criticises flight of Turkish warplanes over Cyprus

Nicosia, Jun 21 1996 (CNA) -- Euro MP and leader of the Socialist Group at the European Parliament, Pauline Green, strongly criticised the flight of Turkish warplanes over Cyprus today and warned that the Euro-Parliament will withhold European Union (EU) funds for Turkey if its behaviour does not change.

Speaking to London Greek Radio (LGR) from Florence, where she is attending the European Union summit, Green said she heard about the Turkish planes flying over Cyprus and added that ''this cannot be allowed to continue''.

Turkish warplanes flew over the ceasefire line in the island's divided capital Nicosia. In one case, the Turkish fighters crossed 300 metres into the free area of the capital. The Cyprus Government has made strong representations to international organisations over the new Turkish provocation.

Green also referred to Turkey's territorial claims over Greek islands in the Aegean, and said that ''Turkey is behaving extraordinarily badly'' adding that ''the EU has to stand fast with its partner.''

The south eastern part of the EU should not be ''infringed by an external aggressor. This is quite outrageous what is going on,'' Green stressed.

She also said that the Euro Parliament will, in October, withhold the money allocated to Turkey, until it sees ''some progress on the issues that we have raised for Turkey, that is, human rights, democratisation, Cyprus and the Kurdish issue.''

Referring to Cyprus' efforts to join the EU, Green said that ''we (European Parliament), remain absolutely firm that Cyprus will be joining the EU as soon as possible after the Intergovernmental Conference finishes.''

''That's clearly our position and we maintain it to the bitter end, and will go on and on until the negotiations with Cyprus start'', she stressed, adding that the European Parliament should ''do everything it can to push the Council of the EU to perform a role in trying to support a solution to the Cyprus problem.''

Green also noted that according to Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, ''the continuing work on Cyprus, and the early entrance of Cyprus and Malta to the Union was very important for the Irish presidency.'' Ireland is assuming the Presidency of the EU next term.

People do not forget the Cyprus problem, Green says

Nicosia, Jul 19 1996 (CNA) -- People do not forget the Cyprus problem, British Labour Euro-MP, Pauline Green, has said and stressed that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is not the only voice among Turkish Cypriots.

In an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR) marking 22 years of continuous Turkish occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory, Green said ''people are not forgetting about it, which is what many of the international community would like to see.''

There is huge strength of feeling amongst Cypriots across the world to support and get a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem'', the Euro-MP said, adding that the ''strength of feeling is not going away.''

Noting that ''there is a lot of diplomatic activity at the moment because people are now aware of the desperate need to solve the Cyprus problem'', Green also pointed out the difficulties involved but promised to ''keep Cyprus on the international agenda.

''I have tried to keep Cyprus on the agenda of the European Parliament and I think we have succeeded in doing that and that is why we now have such a clear statement from the Council on Cyprus' future in Europe'', she added.

Referring to her meeting in Brussels with British representative for Cyprus Sir David Hannay, Green said he ''will not express pessimism or optimism'', but ''he is just going to flog on with the work he knows he has got to do''.

Commenting on the assassination in the Turkish occupied areas of Turkish Cypriot journalist Kutlu Adali, Green said she ''tabled an emergency motion to denounce the assassination of Kutlu Adali and to make the point that this is just part of a rapidly growing series of terrorist activities.''

''There is not just the Denktash voice of the Turkish Cypriots'', Green stressed. There is, she said, the progressive voice of Turkish Cypriots who despite their differences with the Greek Cypriot community, want a solution for Cyprus within the European Union (EU). This voice, she noted, is increasingly harassed without anyone ever brought to justice.

Green also said that she has asked this week for an interim report from the European Commission, in September, on the implementation of the customs union with Turkey and the EU.

''We are not satisfied to wait until December for a full report, because we are so dissatisfied with the way things are going in Turkey'', she added.

Ciller arrives in occupied Cyprus

Nicosia, Sep 10 1996 (CNA) -- Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller arrived in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus today to attend the funeral of a Kurdish origin soldier of the Turkish occupation army, who was found dead in an observation post on Sunday morning.

Soon after her arrival at the illegal Tympou (Ercan) airport, Ciller expressed Turkey's full support to the Turkish Cypriot community.

She was scheduled to give a press conference at the airport before travelling to the Turkish-occupied northern part of Nicosia to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Ciller is accompanied by a nine-member delegation, which includes the Turkish Ministers of Education and Energy and Deputy Foreign Minister Inal Batu.

The Turkish Foreign Minister was due to attend the funeral in Nicosia of Allahverdi Kilic, a soldier of the Turkish occupation army, who was found murdered on Sunday morning, in an observation post, on the demarcation line, opposite the British sovereign base area of Ayios Nikolaos, southeast of the capital Nicosia.

There are no National Guard soldiers or UN peacekeepers in the area since the territory belongs to the British sovereign base area.

The London Greek Radio (LGR) revealed yesterday that the dead soldier was not a Turkish Cypriot as claimed but a Kurd, who was serving with the Turkish occupation army.

The revelation was made by a man, who claimed he was a cousin of the murdered soldier.

The man, whose name was not revealed, told LGR in broken English that Kilic and the other soldier, who was seriously wounded, were Kurds, who had objected to Turkey's intention to set up a security zone in Northern Iraq.

The caller said the families of the two had been taken to the occupied part of Cyprus, soon after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of this east Mediterranean island's territory, as part of Ankara's designs to change Cyprus' demographic character.

The caller told LGR that the attack was carried out by the Turkish military.

The Turks had accused the Greek Cypriot side of being responsible for the incident.

The governments of Cyprus and Greece have turned down the Turkish allegations and fired back saying that the incident was a ''pre-planned provocative act'' aimed to mislead the world public opinion, following the international outcry against the brutal murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriot youths by Turkish troops and extremists, during peaceful anti-occupation demonstrations, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, in Dherynia, last month.

Meanwhile, there is evidence that the two soldiers were not shot in the place where they were found.

Greek Cypriots, who live at Brysoulles area, within the British base area, had seen a Turkish military vehicle speeding into the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island. The Turkish military post is only accessible from the northern side.

Although the Turks had said the dead soldier received twelve bullets and the injured ten bullets, only eleven cartridge cases were found in the stairs of the observation post. British investigators found only a couple of blood stains in the area.

Experts suggest that the Turks had shot the two soldiers at another place and took them to the demarcation line to blame the Greek Cypriots for the killing.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Sylvana Foa expressed Boutros Boutros-Ghali's concern over the shooting incident.

''This is clearly a serious incident which needs to be fully investigated by the authorities concerned,'' she said.

The spokesperson added that the Secretary-General had asked his Deputy Representative in Cyprus Gustave Feissel to be in touch with the two sides in the island, ''with a view to preventing any action that could raise tension between them''.

Ciller's arrival in the Turkish-occupied territory today coincided with the arrival in Cyprus this afternoon of UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Cyprus Han Sung Joo, for talks with the two sides.

Tomorrow, Han is scheduled to meet President Glafcos Clerides in the free areas and Rauf Denktash in the occupied areas. Similar meetings with take place on Friday.

During his stay, the former South Korean Foreign Minister will have a series of meetings with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the ambassadors of the European Union member-states as well as with political party leaders.

He will leave on Monday for talks in Greece and Turkey before flying on to New York.

Greece ready to respond to Turkish attempts to escalate violence

Athens, 11/09/1996 (ANA)

Athens yesterday warned Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and the Turkish government that any attempt to further escalate tension between the two countries would lead to an immediate reaction from Greece.

"Any attempt to escalate tension following the death of the Turkish soldier, concerning which absolutely no responsibility of the Cyprus Republic has been ascertained, will lead to an immediate Greek reaction," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said. A Turkish sentry was shot dead and another wounded in an incident early Sunday in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

London Greek Radio (LGR), meanwhile, revealed on Monday that the two soldiers were Kurds who had objected to Turkey's intention to set up a security zone in Northern Iraq. The revelation was made by a man claiming to be a cousin of the murdered soldier.

He also said the attack was carried out by the Turkish military.

Ms Ciller blamed Greek-Cypriots for the attack, implying that the alleged perpetrators were seeking revenge for the murder of two Greek-Cypriot protesters on the island last month.

Greece and Cyprus have categorically stated that the latest violent incident on the divided island was a Turkish provocation intended to force Athens to the negotiating table with Ankara.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a political rally in Serres on Sunday evening that recent incidents in Cyprus could be interpreted as a Turkish-engineered ruse to "drag Greece into negotiations."

Mr. Konstas stressed that international public opinion would not be misled by "Ankara's farcical misinformation" and forget the television footage of the cold-blooded murder of the two unarmed Greek-Cypriot protesters in August, "in which Ms Ciller has responsibility, at least as a moral instigator (of the crimes)."

Turkey warned about human rights

Nicosia, Oct 27 1996 (CNA) -- Turkey must not only make promises about improvement in its human rights record, the Cyprus problem and the Kurdish issue, but must do things if it wants its relations with the European Parliament restored, Pauline Green, leader of the Socialist Group at the European Parliament, has said.

Speaking to London Greek Radio, Green said the resolutions blocking funds to Turkey have conveyed ''a very strong message.''

''We do not play games lightly with human rights, with the Cyprus problem or the Kurdish issue,'' she stressed.

She warned Turkey that if it comes forward and not only promise things but does things, ''then Turkey will see an improvement in its relations with the European Parliament. Otherwise they will not''.

She said last month, the European Parliament passed a political resolution saying it would block all the money for Turkey because of what happened in Cyprus over the summer (four unarmed Greek Cypriot were killed by Turkish occupation troops), the Kurdish issue and human rights abuses in Turkey.

''This month we had to bring that into being in the budget of the Parliament for 1997. We blocked into reserve funds provided by the financial protocol on the EU-Turkey customs union agreement,'' she explained.

Green noted that Euro MPs had to find a way to block funds to Turkey under the MEDA programme, which also applies to other countries of the Mediterranean basin.

She said they found a ''mechanism whereby we will insist that when the European Commission wants to spend any money on any project in Turkey, it has to come for prior approval to the European Parliament before any of the money is released.''

The resolution, drafted by herself and Greek PASOK Euro MP Yiannos Kranidiotis, was passed by the Parliament by a majority of 423. ''It was an immense supportive vote, right across the Parliament, and now the European Commission cannot spend money without coming to the Parliament first'', Green explained.

She pointed out, however, that, despite the very good position things stand at present, there has to be a second vote in December on the issue and the resolution has to be confirmed.

''I am very anxious that before December we have the negotiations with (Jacques) Santer (President of the Commission) and (Hans) Van Den Broek, (External Affairs Commissioner) so we know exactly the rules to which we are playing. But at this present moment, I hope a very strong message has gone out to Turkey'', she remarked.

Green said Turkey, a year ago during the customs union, made promises which were not fulfilled.

The Parliament last week, voted on planning to set aside 375 million ECUs (470 million US dollars) between 1996 and 2000 aimed at helping Turkey's customs union with the EU start.

The Parliament also voted to review substantial aid for Turkey from the MEDA programme.

Conservative MP slams British Foreign Secretary

London, Dec 3 1996 (CNA) -- British Conservative MP John Marshall has written to Foreign Secretary Malcom Rifkind, criticising him for what he has described as ''irresponsible'' comments made by Rifkind in the House of Commons, over Cyprus' EU entry.

In statements made to London Greek Radio (LGR), Monday evening, the British MP said he is not surprised ''that the people of Cyprus are up in arms'' over the Foreign Secretary's statements, because he is ''up in arms as well''.

''I've written to Malcom Rifkind attacking him over that particular comment. I believe it was irresponsible and it failed to recognise the fact that the legitimate government of Cyprus wants to join the EU'', he added.

Replying to questions in the House of Commons last week, Rifkind said ''without a united Cyprus, the problems of accession to the European Union will be extremely difficult and very difficult to realise''.

Acting President of the Republic, House President Spyros Kyprianou and political party leaders have strongly criticised Rifkind's remarks and described them as ''unacceptable''.

The British Conservative MP said he will also be writing to the Speaker asking for an adjournment debate ''so that we can put the record straight and make it quite clear that we in the House of Commons believe that Cyprus should be allowed to join the EU, regardless of the political situation in the island''.

Marshall supported that the ''illegal regime'' in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island should ''never be allowed to dictate to the legitimate government of Cyprus''.

He also stressed he does not believe that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash ''should be handed this right of veto over Cyprus' wish to become closer to the EU''.

Referring to Rifkind's forthcoming visit to Cyprus, the Conservative MP said the Foreign Minister ''must make it clear as soon as he arrives in Cyprus that the British government does not recognise the Denktash regime, that it is an illegal regime and that he is merely going to Cyprus to try and ensure that there is a solution to this long running, sad saga''.

Cyprus applied for full membership of the European Community in July 1990. It signed an association agreement in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Rifkind's statement reflects official British policy

Nicosia, Dec 12 1996 (CNA) -- British Foreign Secretary's recent statement, stressing that Britain does not recognise the illegal entity unilaterally established by the Turkish occupation regime in Cyprus' northern part, reflects Britain's official foreign policy.

This was stated here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, when asked to comment on Malcolm Rifkind's statement that Britain ''in no way attempts to recognise the so-called Turkish republic of northern Cyprus.''

In an exclusive interview with the London Greek Radio (LGR), Rifkind noted the importance of meeting both President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, when he visits the island next week.

''That is obviously sensible, otherwise no progress can be made'', Rifkind said, stressing however that his meeting with Denktash is in the latter's capacity as ''leader of the Turkish Cypriot community'' and that Britain ''acknowledges that northern Cyprus is an occupied territory.''

Commenting on Rifkind's statement, Cassoulides said ''it reflects British official foreign policy and is compatible with the spirit of the decision of March 6, 1995'' by the EU Council of Ministers, according to which Cyprus-EU accession talks will start six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Rifkind's latest statements correspond more closely to official British policy

Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-13

Cyprus Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides has said on Thursday (12.12.96) that the British Secretary of State Malcolm Rifkind's latest statements correspond more closely to what Britain refers to as her official policy as well as to the spirit of the 6 March 1995 decision.

Mr Rifkind said in an interview with London Greek Radio on 11 December, that by meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during his forthcoming visit to Cyprus, Britain in no way attempts to recognise the so- called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

He added "we do not recognise it, we acknowledge that northern Cyprus is an occupied territory and my meeting with Mr. Denktash will be in his capacity as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community."

Replying to a question whether it would be wiser to avoid meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during his visit to Cyprus, the British Foreign Secretary said: "if one is going to Cyprus, it is necessary, if one is going to make a useful contribution, to meet the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community. That is obviously sensible, otherwise no progress can be made".

The Government Spokesman said that Mr Rifkind's statement that Britain has no intention of recognising the Denktash pseudostate corresponds to repeated assurances to this effect from the British government.

"What worried us is not the possibility that there was a change of policy, but what message this would give Mr Denktash. It should never be allowed to cross his mind that that there was even the slightest possibility of the international community recognising his illegal state.

Earlier, replying to a question in the House of Commons on Monday (9.12.96), as to whether the division of Cyprus and continuing illegal occupation of a part of it by Turkey creates a problem for Cyprus' accession to Europe, Mr Rifkind said that "it will be very much easier for Cyprus to accede if there was a solution, but it is not a requirement, it is not a legal necessity". He cited Germany as an example.

Mr Rifkind added that "we very much hope that the solution of the problem will provide for the reunification of the island".

Rifkind offers clarifications on sovereignty

London, Dec 17 1996 (CNA) -- British Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, clarified today that his reference to a federal Cyprus with a single international personality also implies a single sovereignty, as provided by UN resolutions. ''I do not think there is any conflict between the two,'' Rifkind said in an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR), when asked to explain his statement that ''the federation will have a single international personality,'' while UN resolutions also call for a ''single sovereignty.''

Rifkind said ''there will be one international state called Cyprus'' which will be federal and ''will have a sovereign personality on that basis'', adding that there will be two autonomous zones in this state.

''That, I think, is common ground between Greek and Turkish Cypriots,'' he said, noting that the two communities should discuss the precise way to move forward.

''It will not be something that can be imposed from the outside,'' he said.

Asked to evaluate his recent trip to Cyprus, where he met President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister, Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, Rifkind said ''progress will be slow'', but added that both communities realise that ''1997 will be a year of opportunity.''

''That is a point both President Clerides and Rauf Denktash said and expressed publicly,'' he added, and described as ''encouraging'' the endorsement by both communities of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Expressing the hope that the objective of direct negotiations early next year will be achieved, Rifkind pointed out the need for ''political will, fundamental agreement on certain aspects of policy and a lot of preparatory work.''

''No settlement can be imposed on Cyprus,'' the British official said, stressing that an agreement will only be reached if the two communities and their respective leaders strive in that direction.

Asked about Turkey's role in efforts for a Cyprus settlement, Rifkind said both Greece and Turkey, should use their influence ''in a very positive and constructive way.''

Commenting on the role of the US and the European Union (EU) in efforts for a solution, Rifkind said ''the international community should act as a single force in this respect.''

''The UN takes the lead, Britain, the US and the EU all have contributions to make'', he said, adding that they could ''preside over talks and coordinate the positions of the various parties.''

Cyprus Government s reactions to British Foreign Secretary's ten-point document

Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-18

The Government of Cyprus does not believe that the elements contained in a 10-point document read out by British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind before his departure from Cyprus (16/12/1996) are meant to be seen as the common ground sought after before peace talks begin. Government Spokesman Yiannakis Gassoulides commenting extensively during his press briefing uesday (17/12/96), pointed out that the 3-page document is +an outline of Britain s views which could form the basis for progress;. He added: +It is not a question of agreeing or disagreeing with Rifkind s elements. We have our own views, and we agree with some of the points he has made and disagree with outhers, adding that +we still need a lot of work in the context of an intensive preparatory process to hope for an agreement between the two sides on the main aspects of the Cyprus question (security, guarantees, territory, and constitutional matters);. Cassoulides then went on to express the Cypriot Government s position, taking the Rifkind statement point-by-point. On the first point he said there is no disagreement that the basis for a solution are the High Level Agreements (1977, 1979) and the UN resolutions on the principle of a bicommunal, bizonal federation. On the second point, of political equality, the Spokesman said +our position is known, that we agree on the issue of political equality, as it is defined by the UN Secretary-General and that we do not consider it the same as numerical equality;.

On the third point of the Rifkind document, Cassoulides said: +We support a federation, which will have one sovereignty, one international personality and one citizenship, as it is defined by UN resolutions. We do not disagree with having two separate referenda by the two communities which will approve the solution to the Cyprus problem;. The question of sovereignty was a much-contested issue during previous talks, which Rauf Denktash brought to a deadlock when he insisted that sovereignty for the future state should derives separately from the two federated sides. British Foreign Secretary s 10-points did not use the term +sovereignty; at all, referring instead to +a single international personality;. Rifkind s avoidance of the term was one two main points of all-round critisism of his document by Greek Cypriot political party leaders. The other point that drew negative reactions was his position of not distinguishing between the size and role of Turkish occupation army and the Government s arms purchasing as legitimate defence. Repeating the Government s position of the issue of sovereignty Spokesman Cassoulides said on Tuesday (17/12/1996) +Sovereignty, as it had been given to the Republic of Cyprus following the relinquishment of British sovereignty, will pass on from the Republic to the future Federal Republic of Cyprus;. He stressed that +it cannot be the case that the Republic of Cyprus will be dissolved, even if the referenda for a new state are negative, what will remain again is the Cyprus Republic; adding that he does not read anything about a dissolution of the Republic in Rifkind s document. Replying to questions, the Government Spokesman said: +Do not seek from me any government positions that are different from the 1989 unanimous positions of the National Council, because there has been no decision for a change;.

Going on to the fourth point in Rifkind s document, Cassoulides said +we absolutely agree that the future Republic will not allow secession, partition or one side s domination over the other. He stressed that it is wrong for the Turkish side to allege that the Greek Cypriot side wants to dominate them. On the fifth Rifkind point, that of security, the Government Spokesman said the government backs the demilitarisation of the island and the stationing of an international force to ensure the implementation of a settlement and to safeguard peace. On the question of guarantees, he said that for a federal Cyprus they could increase in numbers and abolish the right of unilateral intervention on the part of Turkey. The present system of guarantees names Greece, Turkey and Britain as the three guarantor powers. On the territorial issue, which was point six in Rifkind s document, Cassoulides said a settlement must allow the return of two thirds of the Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes under Greek Cypriot administration and secure the right to return and to property for the remaining one third. On point seven, Cassoulides stated that the Cyprus government is ready for a face-to-face dialogue with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, after +a systematic period of preparation for a common ground on which a constructive dialogue can be built;. On Rifkind s point 8, Cassoulides said: +We agree on the need for measures which will reduce tension along the ceasefire line, that is why we engage in a military dialogue and discuss the three question mentioned in point eight, of unmanning, unloading and of military conduct.

Commenting on Rifkind s position in point 9, relating to European Union accession prospects, Cassoulides said +we adhere to the European Union decision of March 1995, stipulating that accession talks will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, and that accession will have benefits for the whole of the Cypriot people, Greek and Turkish Cypriots;. He also agreed that any negotiations would take into account the benefits the Turkish Cypriot community will obtain from European Union accession. On the 10th point, Cassoulides said: +If we reach a settlement within 1977 then the federal Republic of Cyprus will negotiate the terms of accession. If not, the internationally recognised government of the Republic will conduct the negotiations;, he pointed out.

Malcolm Rifkind's new statements following visit to Cyprus

With comments made after his return to London British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind has clarified that his reference to a federal Cyprus with a single international personality also implies a single sovereignty, as provided by UN resolutions. +I do not think there is any conflict between the two, Rifkind said in an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR) and reported by Cyprus News Agency; (17/12/1996), when asked to explain his statement that +the federation will have a single international personality;, which UN resolutions also call for a +single sovereignty;. He added further: +there will be one international state called Cyprus; which will be federal and +will have a sovereign personality on that basis;, adding that there will be two autonomous zones in this state. +That, I think, is common ground between Greek and Turkish Cypriots;, he said, noting that the two communities should discuss the precise way to move forward.

In the same interview the British Foreign Secretary expressed the hope that the objective of direct negotiations early next year will be achieved, and pointed out the need for +political will, fundamental agreement on certain aspects of policy and a lot of preparatory work;. +No settlement can be imposed on Cyprus;, the British official said, stressing that an agreement will only be reached if the two communities and their respective leaders strive in that direction. Speaking on the role of the US and the European Union (EU) in efforts for a solution, Rifkind said +the international community should act as a single force in this respect;. +The UN takes the lead, Britain, the US and the EU all have contributions to make;, he said, adding that they could +preside over talks and coordinate the positions of the various parties;.

Note: This site does not represent the views of the staff, management or the owners of London Greek Radio. Chairman: H Sophoclides. Managing Director: A Yerolemou. Programme Controller: G Gregorious. Head of Sales: C Harmanda.