Spring pledges that Ireland will do its utmost to find way to resolve the problems of Cyprus

IRELAND, and the EU during the Irish presidency, would do their utmost to help find a way to resolve the Cyprus problem, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, told a press conference here yesterday.

He said the Cyprus problem, like that of Northern Ireland, need not be "intractable." Where there was a will between governments and communities involved in a dispute, a way could be found to end the problem.

"There is a very strong affinity in Ireland for Cyprus," Mr Spring said, "because of the many thousands of Irish people who have served here through the years. There is a strong empathy and understanding in our country for the problems of this island."

He looked forward to negotiations on Cyprus's entry into the EU.

It was in "everyone's interest", he declared, for Cyprus to join the EU, along with Malta, during the first stage of expansion in 1997, after the Inter Governmental Conference concluded its restructuring of the union.

He saw a "window of opportunity" to resolve the Cyprus problem using the accession talks "as a catalyst to resolve the problems on this island".

Mr Spring pledged the EU would "do everything we can to assist" in negotiations to achieve a settlement in Cyprus.

"When a window of opportunity exists, it is incumbent upon all parties to avail themselves of the opportunity," he said.

Mr Spring supported the mandating of a "high level" EU envoy to become involved in a Cyprus settlement, although Turkey has rejected EU good offices. Mr Spring said that EU involvement could be discussed with the new Turkish government during "the elaboration of the Customs Union" which Ankara joined on January 1st.

Mr Spring's words were a balm to Greek Cypriots, wounded by the contention of some EU members (led by Britain) that Cyprus should be excluded from the EU as long as its problems remained unresolved.

On this issue, Mr Spring said it was the Irish view that a timetable for negotiations on Cyprus's membership had been laid down by the EU Council of Ministers and that the Council would adhere to agreed procedures whatever the political situation on the island.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr Alecos Michaelides, welcomed Mr Spring's stand, saying that EU, UN and US efforts could be "co ordinated" so that we could see the Cyprus problem solved before we go into (EU accession) negotiations" in two years' time.

Mr Spring agreed, calling the Cyprus dispute "a major problem in the region, one that has longterm strategic implications" involving both the US and the EU. He asserted: "I think it is important that we work together."

The US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Richard Holbrooke, is expected in Cyprus next month to open a diplomatic initiative.