PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS
Press Briefing
PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS
19960717
FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung-Joo, this afternoon briefed correspondents following his report to the Security Council concerning his recent trip to Cyprus and various European capitals.
Mr. Han said he had received a warm reception from both communities in Cyprus and had held extended meetings with their leaders, as well as with the members of political parties, trade unions, business groups and others. He had also visited Athens, Ankara and other European capitals, including Brussels, seat of the European Commission.
There was still a great distance between the positions of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on how to resolve the Cyprus problem, Mr. Han said. While he had not returned from his trip with much greater optimism, neither had he returned with much greater pessimism.
At today's Security Council briefing, concern was expressed at the fairly large number of mediators, Mr. Han went on to say. However, he was given assurances that they would all cooperate closely with him, supporting the efforts of the Secretary-General to resolve the Cyprus problem and to coordinate the efforts of the mediators. His next trip to the area would probably take place this fall.
Asked if there had been any narrowing of positions at all, Mr. Han said the Cyprus problem had been around for decades. However, the decision that the negotiation of Cyprus' accession to the European Union would begin six months after the European Union Intergovernmental Conference had introduced a new element to be reckoned with. Both sides understood that this would be a crucial moment for both communities.
Citing the many representatives and many initiatives which were being advanced regarding Cyprus, a correspondent asked if their views had anything in common with the United Nations position. Mr. Han said he had spoken with representatives of various Member States and of the European Union; their views were generally the same as that of the United Nations. He had already achieved a degree of coordination among those players and was fairly optimistic about the continued success of his coordination efforts.
What was involved in such coordination? a correspondent asked. Did those concerned meet regularly? Mr. Han said the aim was to chart a road map towards the desired destination. Agreement must first be reached on the nature of that map, a matter in which there had already been some success.
Cyprus Briefing - 2 - 17 July 1996
Would that path begin with the "set of ideas" proposed by the Secretary- General a few years ago? a correspondent asked. Mr. Han said the set of ideas would serve as a basis for the desired solution. However, the task of getting there was very important. It would involve the timing of preparations needed to make a major effort.
Asked for his best estimate of when direct talks would take place, Mr. Han said it was difficult to say. Right now, direct talks seemed difficult to achieve. The effort to bring them about would focus on elaborating common ground on a comprehensive package, in consultation with both sides.
Was there any time-limit? a correspondent asked. Mr. Han said it was important to find a solution before the start of the accession negotiations. Asked why, he said it was best that a solution come as soon as possible. The situation would be complicated after the start of those negotiations. The opportunity represented by the current time should be maximized.
A correspondent asked if Turkey had taken a harder line since the change of government. Mr. Han said he had had a useful meeting in Turkey and remained very hopeful about prospects of arriving at a formula for a solution.
Turkey seemed to be waffling with respect to the induction of Cyprus into the European Union, a correspondent said. Had Mr. Han raised the question of reaching a solution before the start of the accession talks during his various meetings? Mr. Han said he had not gone into preconditions regarding accession, as the question of Cyprus' accession to the European Union was the sole responsibility of the Union.
A correspondent asked for elaboration of a statement regarding the need for proximity talks prior to direct talks. Mr. Han said that proximity talks, if held, would be a preparation for direct talks. Such indirect talks could not, in themselves, be a medium for negotiation.
Another correspondent asked for clarification regarding the terms "common ground" and a "formula". Mr. Han said "formula" was another word for a solution, which would require a comprehensive package. The phrase "common ground" could be loosely understood as an area of agreement or some narrowing of distance. In short, it means that both sides must give a clear indication that they were willing to reach an overall agreement through compromise. He was hopeful they could be achieved.
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