May 22, 2002

I would like to express the satisfaction of the government of Cyprus because the operation which had as as result the end of the stand-off of the Church of Nativity in Israel, is now successfully completed. An operation that Cyprus has contributed to the European Union, which has taken the initiative and which has seen this question through.

I would like to congratulate the Spanish Presidency for all the efforts that it has undertaken in order for this to be successful. As you know, Cyprus has shown patience waiting for the arrangements to be made in the European Union. One of the 13 Palestinians remains in Cyprus, most probably for a few weeks until it is established that the 12 Palestinians have settled down in the countries of their long-term temporary stay. This will prompt either one of the existing countries that are receiving the Palestinians or another European country to accept the 13th Palestinian as well.

I would also like to inform you that the distribution of names of the Palestinians will remain classified information for everybody.

Referring to the subject, the Ambassador of Spain in Cyprus, made the following statement:

"I would like to stress again that the European Union in general and particularly the Spanish Pesidency are most grateful to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for its quick and general response as the beginning of the crisis and for all the help they have been giving us during all this week until today. The operation, as Foreign Minister Kassoulides said, is finished and is finished well."

Also the representative of the Palestinian Authority in Cyprus said the following to the press: "We express our gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and its people. Cyprus was the first country to shoulder the problem and provided the best hospitality and security. Certainly being away from the homeland is very difficult but we feel happy that the first stage has been successfully concluded in Cyprus and the other host countries. At the same time I feel very sad having citizens uprooted from their homeland with their only crime that they were defending their homeland."

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