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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-06-03
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 03 June 2003 National Council convenes to discuss latest
developments
[02] Chile supports UN efforts for peaceful Cyprus settlement
[03] Recent developments are no substitute for settlement, says UN
Chief
[04] Zackheos appointed as Foreign Ministry's new permanent secretary
[01] National Council convenes to discuss latest developments
The National Council - the President's top advisory body on the handling of
the Cyprus issue - convened yesterday afternoon under the chairmanship of
the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos. After the meeting,
the Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, made the following
statement: "The National Council, at its meeting today, which was presided
over by the President of the Republic, was briefed in detail by the
President about his meetings in Athens and the present situation regarding
the Cyprus problem. There was an exchange of views, many opinions were
expressed and there was an overall evaluation of the situation.
The National Council will continue to examine the progress in the efforts
to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, at its next meeting."
[02] Chile supports UN efforts for peaceful Cyprus settlement
The Chilean Minister of Defence, Ms Michele Bachelet, who is currently
visiting the island to supervise Chile's contingent participating in the UN
Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), has expressed her country's
commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem. Speaking
yesterday after a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus Mr George
Iacovou, Ms Bachelet noted that as a member of the UN Security Council
Chile supported all actions towards the obtainment of peace in the world.
The Chilean Defence Minister also met yesterday with her Cypriot counterpart,
Mr Kyriakos Mavronicolas, whom she assured that Chile would continue to
participate in UNFICYP. On his turn, Mr Mavronicolas expressed Cyprus'
gratitude for Chile's participation in the UN peace force on the island and
for its contribution towards the maintenance of peaceful conditions along
the ceasefire line. He further praised the support of Chile and other Latin
American countries in the efforts for a Cyprus settlement.
In other statements, Cyprus' Defence Minister expressed the position that
the United States should exert pressure on Turkey to shift its policy and
contribute towards the resolution of conflicts with neighbouring countries.
He added that Turkey's policy on Cyprus should be condemned by the European
Union member states and the US. Replying to a press question, Mr Mavronicolas
said that the National Guard of the Republic continued to be a significant
deterrent force in any plans against Cyprus, stressing that there was no
possibility of dismantling the National Guard under the existing circumstances.
The Chilean Minister was received this morning by the President of the
Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, at the Presidential Palace.
[03] Recent developments are no substitute for settlement, says UN
Chief
The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, has expressed his satisfaction
with the partial easing of restrictions on free movement by the occupation
regime and the goodwill displayed between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, but
stressed that the recent developments on the island were not a substitute
for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. In his report to the
Security Council on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
(UNFICYP), covering the period from 15 November 2002 to 20 May 2003, the UN
Chief noted, "It seems highly unlikely that such a settlement can be
achieved without the genuine political commitment to the proposal I have
put forward and a firm timetable to finalise negotiations, as outlined in
the recent report on my mission of good offices". With regard to UNFICYP,
Mr Annan recommended that the Security Council extend the mandate of the
Force for another six months, until 15 December 2003, as he considered its
continued presence on the island necessary for the maintenance of the
ceasefire between the two sides. He added that it was important for UNFICYP
to be adequately equipped "to meet its increased workload and to respond in
a timely manner to developments and needs as they arise".
The UN Secretary-General further noted that during the past six months, the
situation along the ceasefire lines had remained calm, expressing, at the
same time, regret that no progress had been achieved in restoring the
status quo ante in Strovilia. On the activities of the peacekeeping force,
Mr Annan said he welcomed "the limited easing of restrictions by the
Turkish Cypriot authorities on UNFICYP's movement as a first step", but
urged that the Force be provided "unhindered access and full freedom of
movement to carry out its mandate throughout its entire area of responsibility".
[04] Zackheos appointed as Foreign Ministry's new permanent secretary
Ambassador Sotos Zackheos was appointed yesterday as the new Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister, Mr
George Iacovou, conveyed to Mr Zackheos his wishes for every success in his
new post and said he was looking forward to working closely with the new
Permanent Secretary. Ambassador Zackheos was Cyprus' Permanent Representative
to the United Nations for over five years.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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