Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-11-14

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Thursday, 14 November 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Foreign Minister: at first glance, we will negotiate UN plan
• [02] UN Chief detects real chance for a solution in Cyprus
• [03] Reactions by the international community on the Cyprus peace plan

[01] Cyprus Foreign Minister: at first glance, we will negotiate UN plan

Mr. Kasoulides expressed the view that the Cyprus people should be informed on the content of the document, adding that it was not a simple plan. "It is not merely a political document. It is a political and legal document, complex, with completely new images which the Cyprus people is not familiar with", he noted.

At the same time, he suggested that gradually and with patience, the Government should inform the public on the details of the UN blueprint and provide explanations on its content. He added that one must not forget, that the document cannot be studied or judged piece by piece, but in its entirety.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side would give its initial response to the UN Secretary-General after President Clerides returned from Athens and following the meeting of the National Council, next Monday.

Asked whether the response of the Greek Cypriot side would be given next Monday, on 18 November, given the fact that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash said he would not be able to reply by that date, Mr. Kasoulides noted: "Pragmatically, we do not have time to reply by Monday. Whether we will reply on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, I don't know".

[02] UN Chief detects real chance for a solution in Cyprus

Speaking to the press after a meeting with the US President, Mr. George W. Bush, yesterday at Washington DC, Mr. Annan said that he and Mr. Bush had discussed, inter alia, the Cyprus problem in light of the submission of the UN solution plan.

"The President (Mr. Bush), like other leaders, is encouraged that the Plan is out, and we are all hoping that the two leaders will seize this opportunity and resolve the Cyprus issue once and for all", the UN Chief noted.

Asked whether the US President had expressed a willingness to get involved and help the UN Secretary-General with his efforts on Cyprus, Mr. Annan stressed that he expected Mr. Bush as well as other leaders around the world to offer help. He expressed certainty that Mr. Bush would do everything he could to help the parties involved reach a settlement.

"They really have a chance to solve this 30 year old conflict and build a better future for their children, but also improve relations between Greece and Turkey once and for all, and I also hope that the settlement of this issue would also be helpful for eventual entry of Turkey into the EU", Mr. Annan concluded.

[03] Reactions by the international community on the Cyprus peace plan

"From preliminary information conveyed to us, it is assessed that the proposals for a comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus problem, which were presented on 11 November by the UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, aim at intensifying the negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus.

The Russian Federation, as a member of the UN Security Council, firmly adheres to the principle that the solution of the Cyprus problem must arise as a result of negotiations, in good will, between the Cypriot people themselves, both Greeks and Turkish.

The effort towards this direction must aim at promoting the negotiation process, so as to lead to the attainment of a just, viable and comprehensive Cyprus settlement, according to the UN Security Council resolutions".

Furthermore, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Downer, in a written statement posted today on the official website of the Australian Foreign Ministry, states the following with regard to the UN plan for Cyprus:

"I welcome the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's draft settlement plan on Cyprus, which he presented to the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Glafcos Clerides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, on 11 November 2002.

The document, which provides a basis for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus dispute, has also been conveyed to Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom in their capacity as guarantor powers under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

I share the United Nations Secretary-General's hope that this initiative will help the parties to focus on the decisions that they should take in the coming weeks to bring about a settlement to the Cyprus dispute.

I am pleased that both Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash have indicated that they will evaluate the proposals in a constructive way.

At this important time, I urge all parties to make every effort to bring about an end to the division of Cyprus.

The Australian Government continues to support the United Nations Secretary- General in his efforts to achieve a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus dispute that meets the needs of all Cypriots.

The Australian Government's appointment of a Special Envoy for Cyprus underlines its deep concern about the long-standing division of Cyprus. To this end, the Australian Special Envoy for Cyprus, the Hon. Jim Short, remains engaged in support of the efforts of the Secretary General."

The Japanese government, in a press release issued yesterday by its Foreign Ministry on the situation in Cyprus, states the following:

"Japan welcomes the initiative of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to present on November 11 to both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders a proposal for a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem.

Japan supports UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices toward a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem and hopes that it will be peacefully resolved at an early date through dialogue between the two parties."

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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