Στη συνάντηση παραβρεύθηκε και ο Πρέσβης των ΗΠΑ στην Αθήνα κ. Νίκολας Μπέρνς.

ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ Α. ΠΑΠΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ : Σήμερα είχα την ευκαιρία να συναντηθώ με τον κ.Alfred Moses και τον κ.Tom Weston. Δεν είναι η πρώτη φορά που συναντιόμαστε με τον κ.Moses. ; ΄Εχω συναντηθεί μαζί του αρκετές φορές. Δύο φορές προηγουμένως με την ιδιότητα την οποία έχει σήμερα, ως απεσταλμένος της αμερικανικής κυβέρνησης για το κυπριακό, αλλά και προηγουμένως υπό άλλη ιδιότητα, όπου είχαμε μία στενή και πολύ καλή συνεργασία.

  Μπορώ να πω ότι συνεχίζεται αυτή η συνεργασία με έναν κοινό στόχο. Είναι η επίλυση του κυπριακού. Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση θεωρεί ότι χρειάζεται, όσο γίνεται πιο γρήγορα, να ξεκινήσουν οι ουσιαστικές διαπραγματεύσεις, πάντα κάτω από την αιγίδα του ΟΗΕ και βεβαίως αυτές να έχουν αίσιο τέλος.

  Πράγματι ελπίζουμε ότι με την νέα πρωτοβουλία αυτή που έχει ξεκινήσει πρώτα απ' όλα με τη απόφαση των G-8 και βεβαίως του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας και με τις προσπάθειες των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών στο πρόσωπο του κ.Moses, ότι θα έχουμε ουσιαστικά βήματα αυτή τη φορά, μετά από αλλεπάλληλες προσπάθειες που έχουν γίνει τα τελευταία 25 χρόνια.

  Πολλά τα χρόνια αναμονής, πολλές οι απογοητεύσεις. Ας ελπίσουμε ότι ξεκινάει κάτι αυτή τη φορά που θα ευοδωθεί. Του ευχόμαστε καλή επιτυχία για όλους μας και σταθερότητα στην περιοχή και μπορώ να τονίσω ότι έχουμε στενή συνεργασία μαζί του στις προσπάθειες αυτές τις οποίες κάνει.

ALFRED MOSES : Thank you, Mr.Minister. Good morning. I agree totally with what you just heard from the Minister. We have had very good discussions with representatives of the Simitis government.  We have seen an openness and a willingness to move forward in an effort to carry out the resolutions of the Security Council and the G-8 statement for comprehensive talks leading to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

  The present situation in Cyprus is not acceptable. It is important for the parties to move forward, towards a comprehensive solution.  Our role is to be a friend to the parties in an effort to support their efforts, to the move towards the solution of the problem.

  Ambassador Weston and I, were in Ankara for two days, where we met with President Demirel, with Prime Minister Ecevit and Foreign Minister Cem.  We are here to meet with Simitis government.  This evening we go on to Cyprus.

  We remain committed to the process. President Clinton has stated publicly, assured all the parties of his commitment to lend the support of our government to see if we can arrive at that day where the division on Cyprus ends and the communities there can live in peace and harmony under one government. Thank you so much.

ΔΗΜΟΣΙΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ : As you referred to the President’s visit here, you see there are a lot of expectations concerning this visit. I would like you to tell us what the American side’s expectations are,  for this visit.

ALFRED MOSES : For his visit in relation to Cyprus. I think the Ambassador, who is his personal representative in Greece, will respond to that question. My responsibility and assignment is Cyprus.

ΔΗΜΟΣΙΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ : Based on the experience of the talks, of the unsuccessful talks on the …..  trouble, which practical ideas have you thought also that this time the talks come to end?

ALFRED MOSES : What I think is important is,  that the ideas come from the parties. We are not here to impose any plan or solution. We are here to listen and be supportive. We do not have an American plan.

  We think that this is the best time to move forward for a number of reasons. The improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey and that is reciprocal. The Simitis government has been quite forthcoming in that regard. And we commend the Simitis government for the steps he has already taken to improve relations.

  We have seen very tangle demonstrations of understanding both in Greece and in Turkey, with regard to the problems that resulted from the earthquake here and the earthquake in Turkey. That was a spontaneous outpouring which shows that the Greek community and the Turkish communtiy understand that the two communities live in the same part of the world and share some of the same problems. And should be cooperating in areas of mutual interest.

  I think that this is a positive development. We also think that Turkey’s aspirations to become a member of the EU is a positive development. We think it is in the interest of the region, of Turkey, of Greece and of Europe, to have Turkey moving forward, first with candidacy status and over time to a succession to the European Union.

  We think all of these factors are positive, and after a time, after 25 years, we believe to be unacceptable divisions on Cyprus. It is time to move forward. Every road has a beginning. We think, the road to the settlement on Cyprus should begin now. Thank you.

ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ Α. ΠΑΠΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ : Thank you very much.