Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-25

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek chief of police - Visit

[02] British government envoy - Cyprus question

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greek chief of police - Visit

During his stay, Georgakopoulos will meet acting Minister of Justice, Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou and director general at the Justice Ministry Lazaros Savvides as well as chief of Police Andeas Angelides.

He will also visit the police headquarters in Nicosia and the village Dherynia, which borders the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, in the west of the island.

CNA MA/AA/99

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:02

[02] British government envoy - Cyprus question

He noted that if this is the case why are 30 thousand Turkish troops still stationed in the 37 per cent of the island occupied by Turkey since they invaded in 1974, why Greek Cypriots are spending money on armaments and why negotiations have been held so far.

Sir David was speaking during a luncheon meeting on Monday organised by the Coordinating Committee for Turkish Cypriots in London, according to Friday's edition of Turkish Cypriot weekly English language newspaper "Londra Toplum Postasi" published in the British capital.

The British diplomat said no progress can be achieved in a Cyprus settlement "by the two sides attacking and accusing each other" and said the two sides should come to the negotiating table without preconditions to agree on a federal state.

Asked if the west intends to put pressure on both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, he said "you can put on pressure but to a point. Use of force does not produce good results."

Sir David questioned whether the international community can pressure the Greek Cypriot side when the Turkish Cypriot side demands the recognition of the illegal entity in the Turkish occupied parts of Cyprus in order to return to the negotiating table.

"How can we (put pressure) when you put forward something that the international community is not even prepared to accept," he asked the Turkish Cypriots.

The precondition set by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, with Ankara's full backing, has already been rejected by the UN, the Cyprus government and all key player in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.

Denktash said he will return to the negotiating table if the aim is to achieve a "confederation of two states", a demand also rejected as it is contrary to UN resolutions stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

According to the paper, Sir David told the Turkish Cypriots that "the Greek Cypriots will come under massive pressure if you come to the negotiating table with reasonable demands."

Invited to comment on Ecevit's statements, made on the occasion of the 25th anniversary since the Turkish invasion of July 20 1974, Sir David said: "If there is no Cyprus problem why are 30,000 Turkish troops on the island? Why are Greek Cypriots spending so much money on armaments? Why have we had so many meetings and negotiations since then?"

He described the Cyprus problem as "a serious international problem" and said a settlement is in favour of the people of the island and especially the Turkish Cypriots.

"A federal state with a weak central government and strong wings will be the solution and it is very important that the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots at all levels is achieved," he said.

The British envoy said the difficulties the Turkish Cypriots are facing are a result of the Cyprus issue, adding that the real issues should be addressed and the two sides should refrain from using adjectives and placing preconditions.

Replying to questions, Sir David said the Turkish government and the illegal entity in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas often take decision and make declarations saying they are not going to give an inch and are not going to back down.

"But who the hell are they talking to? Who are they addressing? They are talking to each other," he said.

CNA KT/MA/AA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article