CYPRUS: U.S. ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE BLAMES BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION FOR BREAKDOWN OF TALKS.

Record ID: 646077

  • Title: CYPRUS: U.S. ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE BLAMES BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION FOR BREAKDOWN OF TALKS.
  • Date: 4th May 1998
  • Summary: GREEN LINE, CYPRUS (MAY 4, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV: EXTERIOR LEDRA PALACE HOTEL 0.07 2. LV: UNITED STATES ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE AT NEWS CONFERENCE 0.14 3. MCU: HOLBROOKE SAYING ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS TWO DEMANDS FOR CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS: "PRESENTING THESE TWO POSITIONS AS CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO NEGOTIATION WILL MAKE PROGRESS DIFFICULT. RECOGNISING, AS TURKEY'S OWN GOVERNMENT DOES, THAT SUCH MEMBERSHIP COULD TAKE AND WOULD TAKE MANY YEARS (ENGLISH) 0.23 4. MV: REPORTERS 0.32 5. CU: HOLBROOKE CONTINUING "HOWEVER THE TURKISH SIDES INSISTENCE THAT THE GREEK SIDE WITHDRAW THE APPLICATION FOR E.U. MEMBERSHIP IS NOT A REALISTIC POSITION IN OUR VIEW. WE BELIEVE THE TWO SIDES HERE IN CYPRUS CAN AND SHOULD WORK OUT A METHOD BY WHICH THEY CAN BOTH PARTICIPATE IN THE EUROPEAN DIALOGUE AS POLITICAL EQUALS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE (ENGLISH) 0.59 6. GV/MV: VARIOUS OF HOLBROOKE AT INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH (5 SHOTS) 2.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 19th May 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GREEN LINE, CYPRUS
  • City:
  • Country: EUROPE Cyprus
  • Reuters ID: LVA7FCI1HY7488M236UAN0YL79TL
  • Story Text: United States envoy Richard Holbrooke has blamed the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration for the breakdown of talks on the divided island of Cyprus.

    Holbrooke was speaking on Monday (May 4) after three days of shuttle diplomacy between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who have been divided by barbed wire since Turkey invaded the north of the island in 1974 after a Greek Cypriot coup.

    At a news conference the U.S.envoy said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had made "unrealistic" demands that the Cypriot government recognise the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and pull out of membership negotiations with the European Union.

    The Turkish Cypriot enclave, set up in 1983, is recognised only by Turkey and has refused to take part in the current Cypriot EU entry talks until its sovereignty is accepted.

    However Holbrooke believes a method can be found whereby both sides can enter into the European dialogue as political equals.

    Holbrooke, the inspiration behind the Dayton talks that ended the Bosnian war in 1995, said he had no immediate plans to meet the Cypriot leaders again but could return if invited.

    Cyprus, split by a U.N.-patrolled "Green Line", has defied numerous international mediation attempts and put the eastward expansion of the EU in danger.

    But on a more positive note Holbrooke did attend the inauguration ceremony for a phone line between the north and south of Cyprus, at least offering some hope that communication can find a settlement.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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