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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-29
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 29 April 2003 UN encouraged by crossings across Cyprus
demarcation line
[02] Crossings a 'good omen' for solution, says Poos
[03] Boucher: A lot more to be done for reaching a settlement
[01] UN encouraged by crossings across Cyprus demarcation line
The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Fred Eckhard, said that the
UN was encouraged by the crossings of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
across the demarcation line, as it had always been part of the UN Cyprus
mission's mandate to encourage contacts with both sides. Asked during
yesterday's press briefing to comment on the situation on the island, Mr
Eckhard noted, "We are encouraged by these crossings; we are facilitating
them, working with the authorities, and we can only hope that these
developments will have a positive bearing on the ultimate goal of the
reunification of the island." Replying to another question, the UN
Spokesman stressed that no comparisons could be made between the situation
in Cyprus and the collapse of the Berlin wall.
Invited to say whether the UN Secretary-General's role regarding the search
for a settlement had changed in any way, Mr Eckhard replied, "The Secretary-
General said, as recently as his visit to Athens last week, that he
continues to be prepared to play a role. But, he said he needs to see a sea
change in the attitudes. He has to be convinced of the real political will
on both sides to move the process forward. If he sees signs of that
political will on both sides, he's happy to get involved again."
[02] Crossings a 'good omen' for solution, says Poos
The European Parliament's Rapporteur on Cyprus' accession to the European
Union, Mr Jacques Poos, expressed the belief that the easing of restrictions
on free movement and the crossings across the demarcation line constituted
a "good omen" towards the settlement of the Cyprus problem. Speaking after
a meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos
Papadopoulos, Mr Poos said that he had positive comments to make on the
current situation on the island, noting, "What happens now is something we
have asked for and hoped for and worked for since long decades. If a wall
falls, if people can travel freely from one side to another, is an
enjoyable moment in the history of a divided country. People can reunite
and show that the political unification must follow soon." He further
expressed hope that "the failure of The Hague is only an accident and that
the work for a unified Cyprus should be taken up as soon as possible."
Asked to say if the situation signaled the beginning of a solution to the
Cyprus problem, Mr Poos replied that it was "a good omen that the Cyprus
problem will be solved soon and it will be done by the people", adding,
"they [people] have to show to their leaders, and I have in mind Mr (Rauf)
Denktash that he has to proceed." In another question regarding the
measures for Turkish Cypriots that the European Union was planning to
announce, Mr Poos said that these involved "free circulation of goods and
free movement of people between the dividing line", pointing out that the
European Commission would put forward proposals on the latter.
With regard to his meeting with President Papadopoulos, the European
Parliament Rapporteur said they had discussed the recent situation on the
island, the future of the Annan plan, and the Government's policy until the
full accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU in 1 May 2004,
particularly vis-a-vis obligations flowing from EU membership such as the
Schengen Agreement, the Economic and Monetary Union and the ratification
process by the member states.
[03] Boucher: A lot more to be done for reaching a settlement
The US State Department's Spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, reiterated his
government's positive stance regarding the easing of restrictions on free
movement in Cyprus, but stressed that there was a lot more to be done in
terms of reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Asked
to comment on the situation on the island, during the regular briefing of
the press yesterday, Mr Boucher repeated that Washington welcomed the fact
that people were able to travel back and forth, adding that "it is
noteworthy and good for people to be able to have that kind of access and
that kind of contact and that kind of opportunity to see each other." At
the same time, the US Spokesman emphasised that "there is still an
important job to be done in terms of reaching a settlement and we continue
to support looking for ways to do that on the basis of the proposals that
the Secretary General put forward."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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