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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-02-06Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateThursday, 06/02/97CONTENTS
[01] Cyprus denies Turkish allegations about shooting incidentThe Cyprus Government categorically denies any Greek Cypriot involvement in an incident which the Turkish side claims to have occurred near the Louroutzina area. Following an on-the-spot investigation it has been established that no National Guardsman was involved in any incident, nobody was injured and no one is missing. The weapons of the National Guardsmen have been checked and none has been used. The National Guard confirms that at about 2 am today shots were heard in the occupied area.The Cyprus Police has no information whatsoever about any civilian casualty or casualties and has not observed any suspicious movements by civilians last night. The Turkish allegations are being further investigated by the Cyprus Police. [02] U.N. envoy: Premature to call for direct talks at this stageProgress has been made, but not enough to warrant direct negotiations, because views on both sides remain too far apart, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo said yesterday after his third and final meeting with President Clerides."I'm not prepared to recommend at this time to the Secretary- General to invite the leaders of the two communities for direct negotiations", the UN envoy said. Han characterised his meetings with President Clerides as "one more step towards direct negotiations", but added the time was not yet ripe to bring the two sides together in face-to-face discussions. "Right now there is insufficient common ground", Han said, adding that "more convergence of views is needed to make such talks successful". In a press conference held yesterday at the Ledra Palace hotel, the UN envoy pointed out two elements which could lead to a convergence on views from both sides. "One is the willingness on the part of the sides to be flexible, to enter into talks in the spirit of compromise and give and take; the other element is how far each side is willing to walk", he said. The UN envoy said the two communities recognise both the urgency of the matter and the opportunity presented to them, given the international community's willingness to help. "The two sides have to help the international community to help them", he said, and described the joint US-British consultations on Cyprus as "supportive" and "helpful" to his efforts. UN efforts towards a peaceful solution to the island's problem will continue, Han said and described the first half of this year as "a defining moment". He also noted there are "important deadlines approaching that should not be missed", but avoided saying if those included Cyprus' accession talks with the EU. Han leaves today for visits to Constantinople and Athens . [03] President Clerides calls for face-to-face talks on demilitarisationThe Cyprus government has called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to come to the negotiating table to discuss President Glafcos Clerides' demilitarisation proposal.Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said Clerides was prepared to hold face-to-face talks on this issue on a one-item agenda relating to the Cyprus problem. "President Clerides is ready to enter direct negotiations with Denktash on the demilitarisation of Cyprus if the Turkish Cypriot side is willing to discuss his idea, irrespective of the rest of the issues relating to the Cyprus problem", Cassoulides said. If there was an agreement to discuss the proposal, then we "pave the road for talks on other, much easier issues". Cassoulides added: "Should the matter be concluded, then demands to find common ground for the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus question will be modified in the future". Clarifying the position, he did not rule out the possibility of abandoning the present demand for common ground if the Turkish Cypriot side agrees to discussion on demilitarisation. Cassoulides said he believed that missing the chance to discuss Clerides' proposal because of demands for common ground "would be a huge mistake". [04] Greek and Turkish Cypriot political leaders meet over lunchParty leaders from both communities in Cyprus met yesterday over a luncheon hosted by UN permanent representative Gustave Feissel on the occasion of the visit to Cyprus by UN special envoy Han Sung-Joo."The coming together of the political party leaders of the two communities in Cyprus is a positive step towards creating the climate of reconciliation and confidence called for by the United Nations Security Council", a joint statement issued after the meeting said. "The luncheon offered a useful opportunity to review the Cyprus problem. There was a great sense of urgency for a negotiated settlement under the aegis of the Secretary-General". [05] U.N. Spokesman: Efforts for political settlement need to be intensifiedThe U.N. Secretary General's Spokesman in New York Mr Fred Eckhard briefing the Press on 4.2.97 on Mr Kofi Annan's contacts in Davos, Switzerland, also referred to the Secretary General's meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides."On Cyprus he met with Mr Clerides and he hopes soon to be meeting with Mr Denktash. Despite the increased tension on the island, the efforts in finding a political settlement need to be intensified", Mr Eckhard said and added: "Cyprus has elections next year and the feeling is - and Mr Clerides agreed - that any efforts made should be made this year". [06] Russian official's view on CyprusThe Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mr Demurin, speaking at a press conference in Moscow on 4 February, expressed the belief that Russia would be able to secure a positive development as regards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and would enable more effective steps to be taken in the future within the framework of the UN Security Council.He added this was the reason why Russian representatives are visiting the region. Asked how he reconciled the sale of arms with peace proposals, Mr Demurin said: "We believe that the situation that has been created due to the lack of progress in finding a settlement to the Cyprus problem is unfavourable and the role of the UN must be central in finding such a solution". He said the purchase of arms was a legal entitlement of that country to improve its defence capabilities and added that the balance of power in the region was not upset. He said that the military imbalance that existed in Cyprus proves that the situation is not normal and added that Russia considers the total demilitarisation of Cyprus as the most important lever for finding a solution. [07] Cyprus Government announces 10 million Cyprus pounds 'feel-good' package of incentivesThe Cyprus Government yesterday announced a 10 C pounds million package to revive the feel-good factor in the wake of the adverse effects of the missile crisis and other scare stories on the economy.Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou announced the range of incentives and fiscal measures approved by the Cabinet to boost tourism, the manufacturing sector and exports as well as agriculture. He said months of scaremongering and threats over the missile crisis had affected public confidence. With there measures, the State proves its confidence in the Cyprus economy and in addition the incentives will boost confidence and investment in the private sector, the Minister said. The government views the economy as remaining stable and generally healthy despite signs of a slowdown in growth performance in some areas over the last six months, the Minister said. The 10 million C pounds finance package is to be introduced immediately in addition to the 7 million C pounds which were decided upon a few days ago. A total of 4 million C pounds will go in subsidies to the export industry made available for this year only. Clothing, footwear, luggage makers and leather goods will be subsidised at three per cent of the value of their exports, while other industries will get a two per cent subsidy on value of exports. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation will get an extra 1.5 million to run a promotion campaign to reverse the damage which adverse publicity over the missile crisis has caused to Cyprus' image abroad. This sum is over and above the 2 million supplement included in the CTO's 1997 budget for this purpose. "We plan to speed up implementation of a plan for the subsidy of the interest (on loans) for the renovation of hotels", Christodoulou said. Agriculture will receive 2 million to compensate for drought damage and help local produce compete against EU products. Around 1.5 million will go in offering incentives towards hotel renovation. Christodoulou also said the government supported lower interest rates. The reduction of interest rates would be accompanied by measures to ensure that the cut did not lead to excessive private consumption, the Minister said. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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