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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-11-16Cyprus 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/>Tuesday, 16 November 1999[01]The Heads of State and Government of the Commonwealth adopted yesterday in Durban a final communique with a special reference to Cyprus.The communique calls for the implementation of UN Resolutions on Cyprus and in particular of Resolutions 365,550 and 1251 of the Security Council and for the withdrawal of all Turkish forces and settlers, the return of the refugees to their homes, the restoration and respect for human rights of all Cypriots and the accounting for all missing persons. It emphasises that the demand for recognition of a separate state in the occupied part of Cyprus is unacceptable. Moreover the Heads of State and Government of the Commonwealth reiterate their deep concern that continued efforts to achieve a just and lasting solution should at last bear fruit, and strongly endorse the UN Security Council's request to the UN Secretary-General to invite the two communities on Cyprus to negotiations under his auspices before the end of 1999. They noted that these negotiations would be comprehensive and based on the four principles of: no preconditions, all issues on the table, commitment in good faith to continue the negotiations until a settlement is reached, and full consideration of relevant United Nations Resolutions and Treaties. They pledged their full support for the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of this objective, and expressed their warm appreciation of the willingness of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to respond positively to an invitation to negotiations based on the four principles endorsed by the UN Security Council. [02]The President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that he was satisfied with the reference to Cyprus in the final Communique adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Durban.President Clerides stressed the significance of the paragraph in this year's communique rejecting the Turkish demand for recognition of the pseudo-state and expressing support for the return of the refugees to their homes, the accounting for all missing persons and the withdrawal of all Turkish forces from Cyprus. "We have truly achieved a very strong communique which we must utilise together with other resolutions at the talks", he said. [03]The President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides sent yesterday a message of condolences to the Turkish President Mr. Suleyman Demirel.In his message President Clerides expressed his profound sorrow on the catastrophic earthquake that struck the country and conveyed to the families of the victims his sincere condolences. [04]"We must also work hard to reach a just settlement in Cyprus and I am very pleased that yesterday the parties accepted Secretary General Annan's invitation to start proximity talks in New York on December 3rd. Their goal is to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations, leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem", US President Bill Clinton stated yesterday addressing the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara .President Clinton added that "a negotiated settlement is the best way to meet the fundamental interests of all the parties, including real security for all Cypriots and an end to the island's division". [05]In a press release, issued on Sunday 14 November, the French Foreign Ministry welcomed the start of UN-led negotiations on Cyprus, that will begin on December 3.France welcomes the initiative that will implement the process launched by the G-8 Summit on Cyprus. France expresses its satisfaction at the acceptance by Messrs Clerides and Denktash of the invitation of the UN Secretary General. The press release adds that France invites both leaders to meet the challenge of a difficult negotiation that should lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting Cyprus settlement. [06]British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr. Keith Vaz said that the British government "has regular contacts with the Turkish Cypriot authorities and continues to urge them to implement measures to improve living conditions for the Greek Cypriot community in northern Cyprus".Replying to relevant questions on Cyprus submitted in the House of Commons on 11 November 1999, Mr. Vaz added that "measures were taken in October last year to relax some of the restrictions of the Greek Cypriot community and we consider these a step in the right direction. But we have made clear that more should be done",he concluded. 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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