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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-06-13
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 13 June 2003 President Papadopoulos: No forthcoming US
initiative on Cyprus problem
[02] Foreign Minister continues high-level contacts in US state capital
[03] The Cyprus Government condemns resurgence of violence between Israel
and Palestinians
[04] Washington seeks resumption of UN peace talks, says Boucher
[05] Grossman pledges US continued support for Cyprus settlement
[01] President Papadopoulos: No forthcoming US initiative on Cyprus
problem
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, has
pointed out that he is not aware of any forthcoming US initiative on
Cyprus. Replying to press questions following a speech at the Finance
Ministry yesterday, the President said that the Foreign Minister, who is in
Washington DC for high-level contacts, was not aware of any US initiatives
either and none of his interlocutors had mentioned anything on that matter.
He further said that Mr Iacovou had phoned the President from Washington to
inquire on press reports concerning supposed initiatives by the Americans
this coming September. Regarding the visit to the island by the US State
Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus, Mr Thomas Weston, President
Papadopoulos noted that it was arranged six weeks ago. "I am aware, from
the [US] Embassy, of the agenda of our meetings, and certainly they do not
constitute an initiative", he added.
Mr Weston arrives in Cyprus today and will be received by President
Papadopoulos late in the afternoon at the Presidential Palace.
[02] Foreign Minister continues high-level contacts in US state capital
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, met yesterday in
Washington with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mr Dennis
Hastert. Welcoming Mr Iacovou, Mr Hastert congratulated Cyprus for its
accession to the European Union and made reference to the significant role
of Cyprus' EU prospect in reaching a settlement.
He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leadership had missed an important
opportunity to resolve the Cyprus problem by rejecting the Annan plan.
Regarding the recent developments on the island, such as the easing of
restrictions on free movement, Mr Hastert said they were very important and
could help towards a final settlement. Another topic of discussion was
Cyprus' contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq. The Foreign Minister
informed the Speaker of the US House that Cypriot companies were in a
position to contribute to efforts for reconstructing Iraq, adding that
Cyprus was already offering important humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi
people. Mr Iacovou also had separate meetings with Senators Joseph Biden
and Paul Sarbanes, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
and Congress Members Michael Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, who are co-
chairing the Hellenic Caucus in Congress.
The Cyprus Foreign Minister explained the government's positions regarding
the resumption of negotiations based on the Annan plan, and reiterated that
Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot leader had the sole responsibility for the
collapse of the UN peace talks. He further stressed the need for Washington
to intensify pressure on Ankara to change its policy and resume substantial
negotiations for reaching a settlement.
[03] The Cyprus Government condemns resurgence of violence between Israel
and Palestinians
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus condemns in the strongest possible
terms the recent resurgence of violence between Israel and the Palestinians
which resulted in great loss of life on both sides and the serious injury
of many more. Acts of terror and the indiscriminate use of force lead to a
new cycle of violence.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus, which hopes to see a new climate
of reconciliation and cooperation in the area, calls on all sides to show
maximum restraint. Cyprus will continue to strongly support the resumption,
as soon as possible, of the peace process, and the implementation of the
Road Map as the only way for achieving peace and stability in the
region.
[04] Washington seeks resumption of UN peace talks, says Boucher
The Spokesman for the US State Department, Mr Richard Boucher, noted
yesterday at the daily press briefing that Washington was aiming at the
resumption of the UN-led peace efforts in Cyprus. Replying to a question on
the meeting between the Cyprus Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of
State, Mr Boucher said, "The Cypriot Foreign Minister met with the
Secretary yesterday to discuss the status of negotiations. The Secretary
has made clear in the past, as he did at the meeting yesterday, that our
goal is to restart discussions in support of the United Nations, based on
the UN Secretary General's plan".
[05] Grossman pledges US continued support for Cyprus settlement
"We are going to keep pushing for a just and durable Cyprus settlement on
the basis of the Annan plan, one that allows all Cypriots to live in peace
and enjoy the benefits of EU membership", US Undersecretary of State for
Political Affairs, Mr Marc Grossman, noted during his speech at the 14th
annual PSEKA (World Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus) Conference,
in Washington last Wednesday. Mr Grossman expressed the view that the
signature, on 16 April 2003, of the EU Accession Treaty was a "great
accomplishment for the people of Cyprus" and added that Cyprus' EU
accession prospect continued to be an incentive to reaching a comprehensive
settlement. With regard to the easing of restrictions on free movement and
the crossings of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots along the ceasefire
line, the US official said it was a "remarkable and great accomplishment".
He also said he was immensely impressed by the huge demonstrations in the
occupied areas of Cyprus in favour of a settlement and EU accession, and
noted that "it is too bad that Mr Denktash did not allow SG Annan's plan to
be judged by the people who deserve to judge it". He added that the US
continued to believe that the Annan plan offered a unique basis for a
solution, and expressed hope that all sides involved would not let the
opportunity for a settlement slip away, since "it is a united Cyprus that
could and should join the EU on May 1 2004". Replying to questions
following his speech, Mr Grossman pointed out that the US administration
was asking Turkey, "at every occasion, in every place, at every level", to
do everything possible to support the Annan plan and encourage democratic
procedures. Furthermore, the former US Ambassador to the UN, Mr Richard
Holbrooke, who also addressed the PSEKA Conference, described the Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as "immovable" and blamed him for the
stalemate in the peace process.
"Cyprus' membership into the EU will take place on May 1 of next year and
with or without the north. And that is Denktash's failure before history",
Mr Holbrooke said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot leader was hurting the
interests of all 70 million Turks. Both Mr Grossman and Mr Holbrooke were
presented with a framed copy of the EU Treaty of Accession signed by
President Papadopoulos, in honour of their efforts in promoting a solution
of the Cyprus problem.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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