Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-02-19

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] US to keep track on Cyprus question

[02] European stock exchanges to meet in Cyprus

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Russian assurances on missiles deal

[05] Cyprus government fully satisfied with Clinton's letter

[06] Cyprus supports peaceful solution in Iraq

[07] Cyprus wishes diplomatic solution to Iraqi crisis

[08] Greenpeace campaign for Akamas peninsula

[09] EU Commissioner invites T/C in membership talks

[10] Two parties reject national unity government

1440:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US to keep track on Cyprus question

Asked to comment on what next steps the US might be contemplating in regard to Cyprus, Foley said "I have nothing to announce at this point."

"But, the presidential inauguration does not take place until February 28. We are going to be in close touch with President Clerides on this issue, " he said.

The spokesman said US presidential emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke and the State Department's special coordinator for the problem Thomas Miller "will be travelling to Cyprus at the appropriate time."

Regarding these visits, however, Foley said "I have no dates on that possible travel."

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:02

[02] European stock exchanges to meet in Cyprus

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) will play host to this important meeting, which will boost Cyprus' aspirations to become a regional and international financial centre.

The "European Stock Exchanges Forum" of the "Federation of European Stock Exchanges" will mainly deal with the issue of emerging markets.

Delegates to attend the Cyprus meeting will come from the stock exchanges of London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Brussels, Luxembourg, Athens, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Madrid, Ljubliana, Malta, Bratislava, Prague, Riga, Tallinn, Warsaw, and Lithuania.

Six other stock exchanges will attend the Forum as observers, namely the Russian Stock Exchange and the stock exchanges of Moscow, Beirut, Yerevan, Egypt and Jordan.

"The fact that the Forum will be held in Nicosia reflects the reality that the island's stock market is capable of becoming an international one", the CSE said in a press release.

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.97 (+0.04)

Highest: 81.94 (19/2/98)
Lowest : 76.20 (8/1/98)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  95.15 (+0.30)
Approved Investment Companies          61.87 (-1.72)
Insurance Companies                    60.94 (-0.15)
Industrial Companies                   76.32 (-0.70)
Tourist Industries                     67.28 (-0.03)
Commercial Companies                   41.08 (+0.10)
Other Companies                        67.17 (-0.16)

Trading Volume                         CYP 785710.129

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1535:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Russian assurances on missiles deal

Russian ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Mouradov told journalists here today the missiles will be deployed in Cyprus unless the island is demilitarised and foreign troops withdrawn.

Mouradov revealed that Russia's special envoy for Cyprus Vladimir Tchizhov is planning to visit Cyprus in March and that there are "certain ideas" under discussion which could relate specifically to the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

"Russia always places great attention on this issue," he pointed out.

Mouradov said he conveyed a congratulatory message to President Glafcos Clerides on his re-election last Sunday for a second term in office.

The message "expresses Russia's readiness for further cooperation with the government of Cyprus for the benefit of the people of both countries, the solution of the Cyprus question for regional peace and stability," he said.

Invited to comment on statements a top US envoy is reported to have made about preventing at all costs the deployment of the Russian missiles, Mouradov said:

"The terms of the contract are already being implemented and is proceeding, but I cannot refer to the technical details of the deal as these would affect the defence and security of the Republic of Cyprus."

The demilitarisation of Cyprus, he pointed out, "has an important negotiating element, the S-300 missiles."

The Russian ambassador said he did not wish to comment on reported statements by Thomas Miller, the US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus.

He reiterated his country's position that the missiles will not arrive if demilitarisation is agreed or if they are in Cyprus at the time, they will be removed.

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus government fully satisfied with Clinton's letter

"The content of the reply fully satisfies us," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said today, pointing out that it re-affirmed US interest for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The US President's reply was conveyed yesterday to President Clerides in writing by US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill.

In his letter, President Clerides had asked his American counterpart that the US intervenes in the direction of Turkey to work towards a resolution of the protracted Cyprus problem.

Similar letters were sent to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Christofides described Cyprus-US relations as "excellent" and said: "We look forward to a decisive US intervention in forthcoming negotiations" for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MA/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus supports peaceful solution in Iraq

"We stand by the UN Secretary-General in his difficult mission," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides told his daily press briefing Thursday.

"UN and especially Security Council resolutions should be fully respected. International law dictates this respect," he pointed out.

Asked what the government's position would be if the British military bases in Cyprus were used in a way similar to that during the Gulf War in 1991, Christofides replied:

"We see nothing reprehensible if the British bases are used for UN purposes."

The Spokesman stressed that "the international community has the obligation to support the UN in their effort to implement UN resolutions and decisions".

CNA MA/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus wishes diplomatic solution to Iraqi crisis

A statement issued today by the Foreign Ministry said the government is following with special interest and concern the dangerous dimensions which the continued Iraqi crisis has taken.

It says Cyprus' firm position is and remains that every member-state of the international community has a fundamental obligation, as specified by the UN Charter and International Law, "to implement and fully abide by the decisions of the (UN) international organisation and especially those of the Security Council", which has the main responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

"Our wish and desire is to see the Iraqi crisis settled the soonest possible through peaceful means to avert the use of force and disturbance of peace and stability in the region", it says.

For this reason, "we welcome the forthcoming visit of the UN Secretary- General to the region, with the consent of the Security Council permanent members, in an effort to find a diplomatic solution to the problem", the Cyprus Foreign Ministry adds.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Greenpeace campaign for Akamas peninsula

Speaking at a press conference, Mario Damato, said during his stay on the island he would have meetings with the President of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, and the Head of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment.

Greenpeace International Executive Director, Tilo Bode, is also coming to Cyprus on Saturday, February 21, for a two-day visit, during which he will take part in the campaign for the protection of Akamas.

Bode has already visited Malta, Turkey and Lebanon and he will visit Israel after his Cyprus trip.

Damato told the press "unless there is good news coming from the Cypriot officials it looks like we will have to launch a major initiative to hopefully conclude this campaign once and for all."

He pointed out that the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment has already expressed its agreement with the 1996 World Bank report, also supported by Greenpeace, which suggests ways for the protection of the Akamas peninsula.

"So it is now a matter of administration basically to bring it forward on the agenda in Parliament to be voted upon", he added.

Damato stressed that there "is no room for any more discussions" and "it is now time for action".

He added that whenever Greenpeace actions against environmental violations are reported by the mass media, such violations are frozen, but only for a year or so.

"This is not sufficient protection", he said, noting that construction does proceed despite protests and gave as an example the construction of a hotel in Asprokremos, an area under study by the World Bank.

The Greenpeace official also stressed that British Bases' military exercises in Akamas should stop immediately, pointing out that "it is ridiculous for military exercises to take place in an area proposed to be turned into a national park".

Commenting on the plans to build several fossil fuel and nuclear powered stations in Turkey, Damato described it as "a big threat to the whole region".

He noted that it also directly concerns Cyprus, as these stations will be situated not far from the island's northern coast.

"We have been campaigning for a long time on this", he said, adding that public opinion in Turkey also expresses its objection to the construction of such stations.

Damato referred to concerns on the issue expressed by Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, and the European Union.

"We hope to build pressure to stop this development and at the same time we are offering alternatives of how Turkey can get energy", he said.

CNA DP/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:09

[09] EU Commissioner invites T/C in membership talks

The European Council meeting in Luxembourg in December 1997 reaffirmed EU's decision to start membership talks with Cyprus on March 30, 1998.

The Turkish Cypriot side has declared it will not participate in the talks, demanding recognition of the pseudo state in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

The Cyprus government has proposed Turkish Cypriot participation provided that the Turkish Cypriot side would accept the principle of Cyprus' accession to the EU and the Turkish Cypriot representatives would be part of the Cyprus Republic's negotiating team.

EU External Relations Commissioner Hans Van den Broek told reporters after meeting here today the leader of the Greek opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, that the invitation towards the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the membership talks remains open, even after the start of the negotiations.

The Dutch Commissioner will visit Cyprus between March 5-6, ahead of the start of the accession talks.

Both Van den Broek and European Commission President, Jacques Santer, speaking after meeting Karamanlis expressed satisfaction with the Luxembourg European Council decision.

They also welcomed the Cyprus government's efforts to secure Turkish Cypriot participation in the membership talks.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

This East Mediterranean island republic applied for EU membership in July 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

CNA NB/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Two parties reject national unity government

AKEL and DIKO supported in last Sunday's elections independent candidate George Iacovou, a former Foreign Minister, who lost to Clerides by 49,18 per cent to 50,82 per cent.

In a written reply to President Clerides AKEL cites "fundamental differences" concerning both the handling of the Cyprus problem and domestic issues.

It points out, however, that "it will continue working consistently in the framework of the National Council towards greater consensus in the handling of the Cyprus problem".

Meanwhile, in a written reply to Clerides, DIKO President, Spyros Kyprianou, stresses that it is impossible to accept his proposal because rebel party members have been invited to participate as well.

United Democrats' leader, George Vassiliou, former Cyprus President, said his party has agreed to participate in a national unity government and it will suggest to President Clerides certain names.

The ruling right-wing Democratic Rally party as well as the small Liberal and New Horizons parties have accepted Clerides' invitation.

MP Alexis Galanos, who broke ranks with DIKO, and put forward his candidacy as a presidential hopeful, clinching 4.04 per cent of the vote in the first round, has also accepted Clerides' proposal.

The socialist EDEK party will decide whether to participate or not in the national unity government by the end of this week.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article