DATE=9/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-CYPRUS TALKS PROBLEM (S ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266465
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The President of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides,
decided not to attend the second day of U-N sponsored
talks on Cyprus, as he seeks clarification of a
statement by U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan. VOA
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations.
TEXT: President Clerides is reportedly concerned about
a statement made by Mr. Annan in which he described
the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders as political
equals. Mr. Clerides, who is internationally
recognized as the President of Cyprus, wants that
statement clarified.
In the meantime, U-N mediator Alvaro de Soto did go
ahead with talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash. The United Nations is sponsoring so-called
"proximity talks" in which both sides in the Cyprus
dispute are met with separately. The hope is to lay
the foundation for direct negotiations.
U-N spokesman Fred Eckhard downplayed Mr. Clerides
decision not to attend a second meeting with Mr. de
Soto.
///Eckhard act///
There is no set pattern to the meeting schedule
that if you meet one on one day that you have to
meet the second party on the same day.
///end act///
Mr. Eckhard said as far as the United Nations is
concerned, the Cyprus meetings will go ahead as
planned. He had no comment on if or when Secretary-
General Annan would clarify his statement on Cyprus.
Cyprus has been split into the Turkish north and the
Greek south for 25 years with U-N peacekeeping forces
maintaining a cease-fire between the two sides. The U-
N position is that, although Cyprus should be one
country, there may also be some autonomy for the Greek
and Turkish communities.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/FC
13-Sep-2000 16:47 PM EDT (13-Sep-2000 2047 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
