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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-02-19Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] New effort for solution begins under UN auspices0830:CYPPRESS:01New effort for peace begins under UN auspices Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- UN-led peace negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides begin here today with a view at finding a political settlement that would allow Cyprus to join the European Union as a reunited country. President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, heading their respective delegations, will meet at 1000 local time (0800 GMT) in the presence of UN Secretary General's special adviser Alvaro de Soto, nearly a year after Denktash led the latest UN effort to find a solution to failure. The Cypriot President will be accompanied by the Director of his Diplomatic Office Tasos Tzionis, and Cyprus' permanent representatives to the UN Andreas Mavroyiannis and to the Council of Europe Nicos Emiliou. The talks will take place at the Nicosia Conference Centre at the UN Protected Area (UNPA), in the buffer zone controlled by the UN since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. [02] Bomb attack against Talat, just before talks0850:CYPPRESS:02Bomb attack against Talat, just before talks Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) - A bomb blast against the house of the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, so-called prime minister of the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat, took place just hours before the resumption of UN-led direct talks between the two communities. According to the Turkish Cypriot press, the bomb had been placed at the basement of the threestorey building in Turkish-occupied Kerynia town, at a space used by Talat's wife as a lab, causing significant damages. Talat told the press it was an attack against the ''communal consent''. "Such dirty attacks aimed to harm the peaceful forces will never succeed", Talat was quoted as saying. [03] Talks resume, Papadopoulos satisfied with support given to him1045:CYPPRESS:03Talks resume, Papadopoulos satisfied with support given to him Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- As UN-led Cyprus talks, aiming to reach a settlement by May 1st, 2004 resumed here this morning Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said he feels very - very satisfied with the support given to him. Departing from the Presidential Palace around 0954 local time, for Nicosia Airport, where talks started at around 1000 and invited to say how strong he feels, Papadopoulos said: ''I feel very-very satisfied with the support I've got.'' He was appanently referring to the support given to him by the Cypriot political parties. The Turkish Cypriot delegation, under Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, arrived first at the airport's premises in the UN-controlled buffer zone. UN Secretary General's adviser Alvaro De Soto welcomed the delegation at the entrance of the building where talks are being held. Denktash was escorted by the so-called prime minister Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called foreign minister Serdar Denktash, his adviser Ergun Olgun, Osman Ertug so-called representative of the illegal regime at the UN and Aytug Plumer of the so-called foreign ministry. The Greek Cypriot delegation, under Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, arrived two minutes later and was also welcomed by Alvaro de Soto. President Papadopoulos was escorted by Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, Director of his Diplomatic Office Tasos Tzionis, Cyprus' Permanent Representative at the UN Andreas Mavroyiannis, Cyprus' Permanent Representative at the Council of Europe Nicos Emiliou, and member of the negotiating team Toumazos Tselepis. [04] Verheugen to meet Papadopoulos, Denktash, Alvaro de Soto1110:CYPPRESS:04Verheugen to meet Papadopoulos, Denktash, Alvaro de Soto [05] Papadopoulos, Verheugen and Christofias condemn bomb attack against Talat1150:CYPPRESS:05Papadopoulos, Verheugen and Christofias condemn bomb attack against Talat Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has condemned the bomb attack against the residence of the Republican Turkish Party leader and so-called prime minister of the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat, that occurred just hours before the resumption of UN-led direct talks between the two communities aiming at a Cyprus settlement by May 1st, 2004. The attack was also condemned here by EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, who said that nobody can stop the negotiations process now and ''certainly nobody can stop it with violence''. Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias also denounced the bomb attack, noting that everyone could express their views but not with violence. Invited to comment on the bomb attack President Papadopoulos said that ''all bomb attacks, all actions of violence are condemnable irrelevant of the reasons for which they are made and the person which they are targeting''. Verheugen said after his meeting today with Papadopoulos that he was informed this morning about the attack. ''It is regrettable. We know exactly from where it comes. These are extremist circles in the Turkish Cypriot community, which want to prevent the majority of the t/c community to find a settlement. This is to be condemned very very strongly but I don't believe the attack is a sign of the mood of the T/C citizens,'' he added. ''I think nobody can stop the process now and certainly nobody can stop it with violence,'' the EU Commissioner stressed. Christofias, who also met Verheugen this morning, referring to the attack said that these are ''bad news that remind us of the past.'' [06] Verheugen: ''time is now there to find a settlement''1150:CYPPRESS:06Verheugen: ''time is now there to find a settlement'' Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) ''Cyprus has the full support of the EU to end the conflict and to organise the accession of a united island'', European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen stressed here today. Speaking after consultations with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos he pointed out that it was a short meeting which ''shows that we are in full agreement'', adding ''we both agreed that time is now there to find a settlement''. [07] US Ambassador condemns bomb attack against Talat's home1200:CYPPRESS:07US Ambassador condemns bomb attack against Talat's home Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- US Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson has condemned the bomb attact against the home of Turkish Cypriot politician Mehmet Ali Talat, last night in the Turkish-occupied town of Kerynia. In a written statement Ambassador Klosson said "We condemn the attack on the home of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Those responsible should be brought to justice. As Mr. Talat's statement after the event has made clear, senseless acts of violence will not deter leaders from pursuing the task at hand: the achievement of a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem." CNA GP/2004 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY [08] Boucher: US strongly supportive of UN efforts on Cyprus1210:CYPPRESS:08Boucher: US strongly supportive of UN efforts on Cyprus Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- The US will play a very strong, positive and supportive role for the UN Secretary General's efforts for a Cyprus settlement, US State Department's spokesman Richard Boucher has said. [09] Australian FM encourages Cyprus leaders to work for solution by May 11240:CYPPRESS:09Australian FM encourages Cyprus leaders to work for solution by May 1 Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer has welcomed the commitment by Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to negotiate a settlement to the Cyprus dispute on the basis of the settlement plan put forward by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. [10] Talks to take place every day1345:CYPPRESS:10Talks to take place every day Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- UN-led direct talks between the leaders of Cyprus' communities aiming at a settlement by May 1st 2004 will take place every morning at 0930 am local time as a rule, UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Alvaro De Soto announced here today after the first two-hour meeting. De Soto said the leaders of the two sides (President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash) wish to have their afternoons free for ''internal deliberations''. The UN envoy said today's meeting was constructive with ample of good will and a spirit of intensive work. President Papadopoulos described the meeting ''useful''. [11] Weather forecast for Cyprus1405:CYPPRESS:11Weather forecast for Cyprus Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus: Friday and Saturday: 20/02/2004 to 21/02/2004 -------------------- The weather will be locally cloudy at times with probability of isolated showers and light snowfall over Troodos peaks. Winds will be westerly light to moderate and the state of sea slight to moderate. Maximum temperature: 15 C inland and araound 17 C over coastal areas. Minimum temperature: 6 C inland and around 8 C over coastal areas. Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 22/02/2004 to 23/02/2004 ------------------------------ Fine weather with local cloud. The temperature is expected to increase on Monday. [12] Youth organisations reaffirm commitment to united Cyprus1415:CYPPRESS:12Youth organisations reaffirm commitment to united Cyprus Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) - Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth organisations have addressed a petition to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with which they ''reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful and united Cyprus based on a federal solution, to accede to the EU on May 1''. In their petition, which they handed to a UN official this morning before the resumption of peace talks in Nicosia, the organisations say they ''remain focused on the efforts of the UN to achieve a solution through negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan'', noting that ''such a settlement must provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty and one international personality''. ''The solution must respect the basic human rights, the fundamental freedoms and civil liberties of all Cypriots and observe the principle of political equality of both communities'', they add. [13] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
[14] SEK and TURK-SEN call for solution based on Annan Plan1420:CYPPRESS:14SEK and TURK-SEN call for solution based on Annan Plan Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) Trade unions SEK (Greek Cypriot) and TURK-SEN (Turkish Cypriot) said a solution to the Cyprus problem should safeguard the human and trade union rights of the people of Cyprus. [15] Papadopoulos says Turkish side raising issues outside Annan plan1430:CYPPRESS:15Papadopoulos says Turkish side raising issues outside Annan plan Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said today that most issues raised by the Turkish side during today's first session of negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem were outside the framework of the settlement plan presented to the sides by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, adding that the issues touch upon the core issues of the question. Speaking on returning to the Presidential Palace after today's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, the President said ''my opinion is that most issues are outside the framework of the plan and raise fundamental provisions of the plan, the core issues''. Asked if he was optimistic after today's meeting, President Papadopoulos said he could not answer that question because ''one issue may not be solved and thus ruin all the rest''. ''It is too early, we have not dealt with the substance of the issues'', he added. Invited to say if he was pleased with the meeting, the President said ''it was a useful meeting'' but noted that ''it is too soon to speak about being pleased or anything else''. He said ''we are going to the talks on one hand with political will to find a solution that will comply with the acquis communautaire and on the other hand with determination to defend what be consider to be inalienable rights of Cypriot Hellenism''. The Cypriot President said the next meeting would be held tomorrow at 0930 local time. [16] Christofias: certain for catalytic EU role in negotiations process1445:CYPPRESS:16Christofias: certain for catalytic EU role in negotiations process Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias has expressed certainty that the European Union's contribution during the negotiations process for a Cyprus settlement will be catalytic. Speaking after a meeting here today with EU Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, Christofias has also expressed the hope that the ''other side (Turkish) will also perceive this contribution as a pure effort for the benefit of the Cyprus people." [17] Top UN envoy: leaders had ''very constructive, business like'' meeting1450:CYPPRESS:17Top UN envoy: leaders had ''very constructive, business like'' meeting Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus, who began here today a new round of negotiations with the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, said he had a very constructive and business-like encounter for over two hours. He said the meeting ''went well'' and announced that talks will take place, as a general rule, every morning but did not rule out the possibility of additional meetings or changes to this schedule. The UN envoy appealed to the two sides for a news blackout with regard to the contents of their discussions with him. ''The leaders met this morning for over two hours, it was a very constructive session with ample good will and business like spirit shown by the two sides,'' he said after today's meeting. ''Following the meeting the leaders joined me in a social encounter with Mr Verheugen, (EU Commissioner for enlargement) who is here with me, where Mr Verheugen took the opportunity to explain a little bit more about the European Commission's role in support of the UN efforts,'' de Soto said. Asked about the programme of the meetings in the weeks ahead, he said if necessary there will be meetings at the weekends as well. ''This is not ruled out at all,'' he added. The two leaders, he continued, will be meeting every day at 0930 local time (0730 GMT) and they reserve the afternoons for internal consultations. ''This is the general rule, there may be departures from this, sometimes they may take a morning off for some reason, there may be some other days when they decide to meet in the afternoon, but the general rule unless otherwise decided is that they will meet every morning at 0930,'' he said. Asked if he was pleased with what he had heard this morning, he replied ''I said what I have to say about the meeting, it went well.'' [18] Cyprus Stock Exchange
[19] EU Commissioner: settlement must not violate EU principles1600:CYPPRESS:19EU Commissioner: settlement must not violate EU principles Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- A political settlement in Cyprus should not violate the basic principles on which the European Union is founded, if the Union is to accommodate its terms, Commissioner responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen said here today. Speaking after an encounter with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, following their joint meeting in a new round of peace talks, Verheugen said he was certain the EU could facilitate the peace process, adding that he encouraged both sides to seize this opportunity to enable a reunited Cyprus to join the Union on May 1, 2004. ''The reason I am here today is first of all to say that the EU wants to demonstrate its strong will and preparedness to support and facilitate the efforts of the UN,'' Verheugen said, as he spoke standing next to Alvaro de Soto the UN Secretary General's special adviser who conducts the peace negotiations. [20] FCO describes resumption of peace talks important breakthrough1750:CYPPRESS:20FCO describes resumption of peace talks important breakthrough By Kyriacos Tsioupras London, Feb 19 (CNA) -- The responsibility for a Cyprus settlement is now with the people and the leaders in Cyprus, a Foreign Office Spokesman told CNA. Invited to comment on the resumption on Thursday of the UN-led peace talks in Cyprus, the Spokesman said: It is an important breakthrough, an historic moment which we hope everyone in Cyprus can seize. [21] Verheugen returns to Brussels optimistic about Cyprus solution1900:CYPPRESS:21Verheugen returns to Brussels optimistic about Cyprus solution Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) - EU Commissioner on Enlargement Gunter Verheugen was due to leave Cyprus later today more confident and optimistic that a solution can be found to the island's political problem but not optimistic enough to say it is already a done deal. Verheugen told a press conference, after concluding a series of meetings on the island, that the EU is not part of the negotiations that resumed today in Cyprus with a view to reuniting the island before it accedes to the Union in May, noting that ''we are just there to facilitate'' and that one should expect ''an invasion of EU officials'' in Cyprus over the next days and weeks to offer their expertise. [22] Two of the technical committees convene1910:CYPPRESS:22Two of the technical committees convene Nicosia, Feb 19 (CNA) -- Two of the three technical committees, which were decided during last weeks talks in New York, convened on Thursday afternoon for the first time as the UN-led peace negotiations resumed earlier in the day. [23] Iacovou says Denktash's proposals outside Annan Plan2015:CYPPRESS:23Iacovou says Denktash's proposals outside Annan Plan Larnaca, Feb 19 (CNA) Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Iacovou said the proposals submitted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan remain outside the philosophy and parameters of the Annan solution Plan. Iacovou, who made the statement before departing for Brussels, said it is up to the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto to tell Denktash that his approach is outside the framework of the UN plan so that such issues will not be discussed. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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